I LOVE theatre, but especially musical theatre.  I took part in many musicals all throughout grade school and even middle school, and I know my mom has the pictures and home videos to prove it!  I just love the whole experience and I wish I was able to get out more and enjoy it.

That’s why I was so excited to see  Little Shop of Horrors is playing at the Clark Center all through the end of this month! I am very familiar with the movie (starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin) but have never seen the stage version.  In fact I have great memories of staying home sick from school, watching the movie and drawing with my mom (she was an interior designer at the time and I loved playing with her stencils).

Local company Sorcerer Productions is putting on the show, which runs through August 28.  I’m planning on seeing the show August 26 and simply can’t wait!

I know it’s more of an “indoor adventure” than an outdoor, but I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes… so stay tuned!

Admiring the waterfall

Jeanette has done a No Place Like Home about it, Carina has blogged about it, and I must have seen the sign a hundred times driving to and from Southern California over the last 3.5 years.  It’s a small brown sign, just south of Buellton, pointing the way to Nojoqui Falls, just off Highway 101.  I’ve wanted to stop so many times, but often a time crunch or just the monotony of driving 3+ hours pushed me to continue on to my destination. This past Saturday, I decided to do it. I was feeling pretty tired and needed to stretch my legs, so I figured a place like Nojoqui Falls would be a great place to do it.

When you first pull off the road you drive into farm land. There’s a quaint fresh fruit and vegetable stand just off the side of the road where you can pick your own strawberries and sample all the goodness the surrounding land has to offer. You drive a little ways more, and suddenly you’re inside Nojoqui Falls Park.  Once you park it’s a 5-10 minute walk to the waterfall (depending on how fast you walk), and the trail is worth the trek. It’s an easy hike in and you’re surrounded by trees, branches, bridges, the sound of a small stream, it’s absolutely beautiful. Once you arrive at the waterfall there’s a place to just sit and simply admire the beauty that surrounds you, and watch some of the little kids play in the water and look up to the top of the waterfall in amazement.

About halfway up the trail

It only took about 25-30 minutes total for me to explore this hidden gem right off the beaten path. There were lots of families, visitors, even a wedding party enjoying this serene spot! I highly recommend you do the same It’s an outdoor adventure worth taking!

I’m always looking for fun and exciting ways to enjoy the great outdoors.  I’m all for 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons, triathlons, you name it chances are I’m up for it.  That is, until I stumbled upon something called the “Tough Mudder” race.

My hairdresser told me about it because he’s going to give it a try with some friends in Squaw Valley in September.  When I asked him what it is, he said it’s a 10-mile race with more than 20 obstacles spread out through wilderness, road and water courses.  He also mentioned there’s fire and live electrical wires involved. When he said that I assumed he was kidding, until his friend pulled up the race video on  his smartphone and I realized participants really do run through fire, and live electrical wire!!!Did I also mention the course was designed by British Special Forces??

What possesses hundreds of people from across the country to run such a race? Apparently it’s the glory, and the free beer at the end! So to all of you brave souls who dare to dream of being a “Tough Mudder,” good luck to you all! I’ll be cheering you on from home If you haven’t heard of it, just click on the picture below, it’s definitely worth a look!

The second annual Central Coast Cancer Challenge is just more than 7 weeks away, making it a great goal for those of you looking to start or step up your fitness game! It’s also a great event if you just want to have a lot of fun and support a great cause. We had our kick-off pep rally two weeks ago and it definitely got me excited!

This year’s challenge offers quite a few sporting events for people of all ages. There’s a Children’s 1-mile run, a family fun 22K bike ride, a 5K run/walk, a 10K run/walk, a 50K cycle and a 100K cycle. I took part in the 10K last year and I have to admit, it is definitely a challenge. The course starts at Laguna Lake, and takes you up and around Madonna Mountain! I would say it’s probably a more intermediate to advanced course, but don’t let it scare you! I’m planning on tackling the 10K again this year and I just have to remind myself, if it were easy it wouldn’t be much of a “challenge” now would it?

On top of all of the sporting events there is also a vendor’s fair, a wellness expo, live music, a beer garden, raffles and a whole lot more.  The event will be raising money for two local organizations this year.  Jack’s Helping Hand and the Cancer WellFit Program, both of which do extensive work with cancer patients and their families across the Central Coast.

So if you’re looking for a family-friendly event where you can put your fitness skills to the test, while raising money and having fun, consider taking the challenge! Hope to see you all there!

It was a last-minute decision, but it was definitely a good one.  My boyfriend just happened to stumble upon the Strawberry Stampede while looking up the information for last weekend’s Arroyo Grande Strawberry Festival and asked if I was interested in running it. There was a 5K run and walk, and a 10K run.  He did the 10K, I did the 5K and it was so much fun!

The starting line was packed, there were hundreds of people taking part in the three different events and the energy was great. Lots of people of all different abilities, families, runners, walkers, run-walkers, something for everyone.  The 10K runners took off first, and as I waited for my turn to get started I could feel myself getting pumped up.  I turned up the Ipod, waited for the gun, and started my very slow, but steady, 5K run.

About to cross the finish line!

I ended up finishing in 36 minutes, which paces out to about a 12-minute mile.  It’s slow, but that’s pretty much my average pace.  I tell myself if I can finish without walking, it’s a success.  My boyfriend crossed the finish from his 10K in 46 minutes!!!! So a huge kudos to him! Plus, it was so amazing to have hundreds more people lining the race route, cheering all of us on. So a big thank you!

The run was great and I felt pretty accomplished for it barely being 9 a.m. on a Sunday, but the post-run snack sealed the deal for me! They gave all the runners and walkers water, strawberries and orange slices, and I have to say those strawberries were THE BEST I’ve ever had.  They were bright red, and very sweet, almost like candy! Pretty sure I’ve been raving about them to anyone who will listen for the past week. Definitely made the 3.1-mile trek worth it!

Yummy post-run snacks!

After the race we wandered through the Village, checking out all the vendors, food stands and music, and yes, we walked away with a big bag of kettle corn. 

All in all, it was a perfect start to my day ( I had to go to work after all that) and I’m already looking forward to next year’s stampede. Congrats to all the runners, walkers and fans who made it out there last Sunday!

Hangin' out at the top!

I’ve hiked the ridge in Shell Beach several times, but after watching Jeanette’s No Place Like Home a couple of weeks ago I decided it was time to make the trek to the top once again.  This time I brought my roommate, who had never made the journey before.

Me and my roomie taking a break at the top!

In my opinion the first portion of the hike is by far the toughest.  It feels like you’re climbing straight up, and at times I find myself putting my hands down on the dirt in front of me to keep my balance.  It literally takes my breath away, and even though I’m usually huffing and puffing by the time I get to the top, it is always worth the view.

The way down is a bit intense...

It was fun to hit the trail with someone who had never been.  I love seeing people’s reactions to the beautiful scenery and the incredible views.  Sometimes it can be hard to comprehend that is where we get to LIVE, always surrounded by an abundance of picturesque hiking trails and numerous other opportunities for an outdoor adventure. Enjoy it, take advantage of it, and be sure to revisit some of your favorite spots with a friend or two in tow!

I love reading a blog that’s posted on the health and fitness web site, Living The Run, called “Excouch Potato Turn Iron(Wo)man.” It follows Samantha Pruitt, a self-proclaimed “Ex Couch Potato” and coach for the Central Coast Triathlon Club, who is now training for her first Ironman Triathlon.  That’s right, an Ironman, we’re talking a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, followed by a full 26.2-mile marathon!!! Pretty insane, incredible, amazing, ambitious, etc. Her most recent post talks about “opening your eyes to everyday inspiration.”  It’s such a simple, positive piece of advice and it really had an impact on me.

I started thinking about the moments when I feel overwhelmed, overworked, exhausted, etc.  The times when I convince myself I CAN’T do something, or automatically assume it’s going to be difficult.  Case in point, before the Miracle Miles race even started last weekend, I had to step through a stream to get to the finish line.  My shoes and socks were soaking wet and my first thought was, “Well there goes my goal of running the whole thing!” But then I looked around me, saw all the other people shaking out their shoes, laughing at the new challenge before them, excited to hit the starting line with wet feet, and that rejuvenated my competitive spirit, and honestly, my self-confidence.  It turned out to be a wonderful day and I reached my goal of running the whole thing! I think that’s what Samantha means by finding inspiration everywhere.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily stresses of life, to think something is too hard, or a goal too lofty to reach, but if you take a step back, breathe, and simply look at the examples we have around us, it’s easier to see that incredible things are possible for those with the right attitude.

I’m not training for an Ironman, but I do plan on running the upcoming Cancer Challenge 10K and I’m also starting to train for the City to Sea Half Marathon in October.  And even if you’re not training for an athletic event, I’m realizing it’s best to tackle your own “Ironman,” whatever that may be, with your eyes wide open!

Running down the beach!

As I write this my knees are a bit sore, my back is tight, my toes have a few blisters and I’m pretty tired… and it’s probably one of the best feelings ever! For those of you who may think I’ve gone crazy, I ran the Miracle Miles 10K from Morro Bay to Cayucos Pier this morning.  It’s an annual fundraiser for The Family Care Network, an organization that works with foster children and high-needs youth, and their families.  This was actually my second time running it, my first time was last year and I have to admit the 6.2-mile stretch of beach caught me pretty off guard.

Me with KSBY's 6 p.m. Producer Bethany Tucker at the starting line!

This year, I was ready.  One of our KSBY directors, Ryan Wilkinson, and KSBY producer Bethany Tucker hit the beach with me.  Ryan was a rockstar, he finished in 44 minutes!! Bethany is a walker, so she walked and ran a bit here and there while I jogged at an extremely slow pace for the first 3 miles.  Having her near me that first stretch actually made a huge difference.  It kept me from going out too quickly, helped keep my mind off the distance and saved my energy for the last 3 miles.

Once I left Bethany, I turned up my Ipod, tried to keep my cadence with the beat, and trudged down the beach.  Once I hit 4, 4.5 miles I knew I was going to run the whole thing.  Once I saw the 5-mile marker I picked up the pace a bit and then once I saw the 6-mile flag it was a sprint to the finish! I’m so happy to report that I ran the ENTIRE way.  It took me just under 90 minutes, but I don’t even care about the time.  I’m just so pumped that I completed the distance without stopping.

Overall, Miracle Miles is a great event for people of all skill levels.  It’s not every day, or in every community, that 2,200 people lace up their walking/running shoes and hit the beach for a good cause.  If you’ve never done Miracle Miles I highly recommend it.

Me with KSBY Director Ryan Wilkinson at the finish! We did it!

As for my next event, the Central Coast Cancer Challenge is happening on Sunday, August 7! I ran in this event last year and this 10K is not on a beach, it’s up a mountain!!! They have a 5K, a cycling marathon, cycling races, pretty much something for everyone.  So keep your calendar open!

If you’ve ever driven southbound on Highway 101 through San Luis Obispo and noticed the people who seem to be walking on top of the hillsides, strolling through the herds of cattle near the Higuera Street exit, I can finally tell you what they’re doing up there! For the past couple of months I’ve driven by on my way home from work and made mental notes each time to figure out what was over there. Turns out, it’s the Johnson Ranch Open Space and if you haven’t been there, I highly recommend the trip.

The scenery is absolutely beautiful, the trail runs right through the picturesque green hillsides, making you feel a world away  even though you’re right next to the highway.  It’s great for all levels, I saw plenty of families out there today and a few dog walkers.  The outer loop is about 2.5 miles I believe, but you can turn around at any point and make it as long/short as you like. there are some spots with a bit of incline, but nothing like hiking Madonna or Bishop. The trail is pretty narrow and a bit uneven at times so you want to pay attention to who’s around you and watch your footing, but it’s nothing you all can’t handle I’m sure!  I’ve also heard all the flowers and plants can aggravate those with allergies so you may want to pop an allergy pill before you hit the trail.  It’s also a a great spot for mountain bikers.

So the next time you’re thinking of having an outdoor adventure, check out Johnson Ranch, it’s just another great way to enjoy this beautiful place we get to call home. Here are a couple of pictures from today’s journey!

Are you a swimmer, biker or runner looking to train or socialize with other mutli-sport athletes in the area? Well, you’re in luck! My formber co-blogger, Ryan Foran, and I first told you about the Central Coast Triathlon Club in September of 2009.  It’s grown significantly since then and now includes well over 100 area multi-sport athletes.  They hold several training runs, bike and swim sessions every week, for athletes of all skill levels.  I actually went to the Club’s kickoff party about a month ago and I have to say, they really are a great bunch.  And they not only train together, they travel to all sorts of races and events, representing the Central Coast.  One of their athletes is competing in the World Triathlon Championships in Beijing, China this year!

I did my first sprint triathlon in August of 2009 and I’m hoping to compete in the SLO Triathlon this year.  I’m not super competitive, just looking to have a great time and stay active, and I can tell you triathlons are a great way to do that!

I also encourage you to check out one of the club’s coaches, Samantha Pruitt.  She is a self-proclaimed “ex- couch potato” who is now training for her first Iron Man! She does a weekly blog for the health and fitness web site, Living the Run.  You can read her latest entry here.  Very inspiring to say the least!

So, if you’re looking to enjoy the great outdoors by hitting the pool, road or running trail, maybe the Tri Club is for you!