Just One Day Older

You loved me 'cause I'm fragile.

When I thought that I was strong.

But you touch me for a little while and all my fragile strength is gone.

Sara Bareilles

Wake up sunshine

Let me feel your warm sunlight on me

Can't have you hidin'

Night was long and night was cold

But today we're one day older

Chicago

I have knocked out three days of week two and thought I would share some highlights so far this week. Cammy who is one of the very cool hiking guides and an amazing volleyball player took me out into the sand of Snow Canyon park and hit balls with me for 45 minutes. My heart rate was elevated and I sweated like I was hiking up the mountain. Imagine that exercising and having fun, a concept that at times seems possible at the ridge and at other times seems a million miles away. I spent one morning hiking through the dunes only to find this print intermixed with my footprints. Not there on the second pass but there on my third circuit. Probably just tracking me and waiting until the big cat is really hungry. had cardio intervals class on Tuesday. Cardio intervals involves 2 8 level ladders with rising and declining speeds. You spend about 50 minutes on the treadmill with 4 extra sprints thrown in for good measure. I had so much "fun" I did it twice. 1 hour 45 minutes on a treadmill!!! I basically should have lost every ounce of fat on my body during the hour and 45 minutes but NO. Dragged Eric Jackson out hiking with me on Wednesday and we hit the trail at 6:30 am instead of 8:30 like everyone else. A little cooler, a little shadier, and the best thing was being done as the others just started.

Baked Penne for dinner Tuesday. Not the best thing to come out of the kitchen. And soy cheese may be manageable in small doses but as a top layer it is not the answer. I have been hungry this week and this didn't satiate that.

This is the "sunshine sandwich" Pretty tasty with an avocado and tomato base. You know what would make this a really good sandwich...a chicken breast

And if you threw a party

Invited everyone you knew

You would see, the biggest gift would be from me

and the card attached would say,

Thank you for being a friend

Andrew Gold

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I am celebrating my second birthday in a row here at Fitness Ridge. It's been an amazingly wonderful year. No question in my mind what has made this year my best in a very, very long time. It's my friends. I have a ton of new friends I didn't even know existed this time last year. I spent time with life long friends I hadn't seen in years. I reconnected with friends I hadn't spoken with in forever. And the friends I have leaned on repeatedly stepped up like they always do. I have a loving wife, great friends, friendly dogs, a really cool store, wonderful parents and brothers, a better attitude. Life is Good!!!

Thank You.... new friends and old friends, blog readers and facebook buddies, volleyball teammates and opponents, Gtown Prep buddies in Vegas, Fitness Ridge campers and staff, friends in Madison and Maryland and everywhere else, friends who dragged me to movies, concerts, bars, cookouts, trivia nights, and tennis courts. You all inspire me and will continue to do so. I love you guys, Jim

If it takes all night, that'll be all right

If I can get you to smile before I leave

Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels

I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels

I look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through

Looking into their eyes I see them running too

Jackson Browne