I haven’t updated in a while because I haven’t any new adventures to post.  I am at a loss.  It was easy to post when I was training for an event; after all, the focus was there, the deadline was looming, and the scheduling was relatively easy.  Yes, moving and adjusting to one’s new home take time and effort, but now that most of the relocation work is done, I want to have a goal again.  There are a few more factors that may prove to be more hindrance than help in this new city of mine, though, such as: HEAT, the sun, heatstroke, dehydration….ok, I guess the main one is heat.  Summers in the “Valley of the Sun” are hot.  I mean, really, a city does not have a nickname like “Valley of the Sun” without a good reason.  Average daytime temperature for the months of June through August: 104F / 40C (data collected from 1981-2010 and can be found here).  The coolest time of the day in the summer is early morning (like 4:30am-5am).

I bought a gym membership shortly after moving to the “Center of the Sun” (haha) to give myself a workout alternative to baking in the heat.  While I believe that sitting out in the sun can burn calories (and skin), I’m not a fan of intense heat.  I am coming to the conclusion that I will have to learn to be a “morning person” and get biking or hiking workouts done in the wee hours of the morning if I want any fresh air during the summer.

That said, I need help from YOU.  Ideas for new fitness goals happily solicited!  Some thoughts include training for the Rim-to-Rim hike in the Grand Canyon (and its successor, the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim), getting a mountain bike and learning how to stay upright on it, getting a touring bike and planning some bike trips….

…maybe I should learn how to swim.  That may be a refreshing way to spend my summer…!