My New Hiking Goal, Plus StairMaster, Meal Prep, and Other Successes

In 2020, I set a goal to walk one long trail from end to end. I broke it into chunks, and did a different portion every weekend, ultimately completing it in August, walking 102.6 miles in the process. Now I’m back at it!

JJ and I went for our first hike of 2021, and it was the first leg of my 2021 hiking goal: to

Switching Up My Meal Prep Because I’m So Sick of Salads

Let’s get things started with a few updates. This Wednesday will mark 12 weeks of constant headache (residual pain from my shingles outbreak in the fall). The good news is that it’s been extremely mild, and I’m used to it, so I barely notice it anymore. It’s been weeks since it’s flared up to the point where it’s caused any significant inconvenience in my life. Hopefully this means it will go away soon – I feel like I’m 97% of the way there!

In other news, I’m hitting the stairmaster with a renewed vigor. My current plan is to use it twice a week (Mondays and Fridays), and while I’m only starting my second week of that plan, I’m excited by it.

Working out with a mask on is

Two Virtual Races Under My Belt… In Two Consecutive Weekends

I spent some quality time with my favorite running buddy yesterday, and he thanked me with a big ol’ kiss!

JJ and I completed the Pride Stride 5K yesterday, which was a virtual race, which meant we could run it anywhere we wanted, and then submit our time to their website. Virtual races have become

“I’m Huffing and Puffing and Sweating… How Long Will This Last?”

Today I’m answering a reader question, and it’s about a tried-and-true piece of fitness equipment: the stepmill! Let’s see what’s on Lily’s mind.

STAIR TRAINING 101: Want To Compete In A Stair Race? Here’s What You Need To Know

Stair racing is extraordinarily difficult. These races, up the stairs in skyscrapers, are downright grueling. But they’re also ridiculously rewarding, and the feeling of overlooking an entire city, knowing that you climbed to your perch, is second-to-none.

I’ve been asked (a couple times) to share how to train for a race. I’m happy to share what I know! I’m not the fastest guy at these events, but I’m experienced. I’ve done three dozen of them, in nearly a dozen cities across the country, all in the past few years, and I started as a complete newcomer. I’ve learned a lot! Here’s what you need to know – and how to prepare!

Final Preparations for This Week’s 75-Story Race!

I have a big race in a few days – the YMCA Stair Climb for Los Angeles, in the 75-story US Bank Tower. I’m gunning for a personal best, which would be faster than 18:30. This week I’ve had to improvise with my final workouts – because, well, I’ve been busy!

Working Out Hard and Breaking Records

I’ve been dogsitting for the past few days. It’s been fun hanging out with my canine friends. There’s Scooter…

…and Pepper…

Setting StairMaster Records AND My Goal For Vegas

Scale the Strat is less than a week away! I’ve been training like crazy, and it’s paying off. I’ve never been more prepared for a stair climb race than I am for this one, and I’m glad that’s the case, because I have generous donors and my first-ever corporate sponsor – StairMaster! – and I don’t want anyone to think I’m slacking. Speaking of StairMaster, I’ve set some personal records at the gym, and I’m proud and excited about that!

As I explained in my last StairMaster training post, I’ve been

How To Get Started Using a StairMaster

Today’s post tackles a question from a reader! A friend of mine named Judy (not her real name, but I just watched “Judge Judy”) asked me this:

“Stairs are my biggest fear and nemesis and I am determined to conquer them this year. Do you have any tips on how to start stair climbing and maybe what worked for you when you started out? I am doing stairs at work when I can, but my max is 2 floors. I am back to the gym next week and thought I would try StairMaster too, even if it is only 30 seconds at first, just to get started.”

Great question, Judy, and before I answer let me

StairMaster Training Update

My big stair climb race up the Stratosphere in Las Vegas is less than three weeks away, and I’ve been working hard to get prepared. I feel like my training got off to a slow start, thanks to my having to recover from a bruised rib, but it’s been picking up, and I still have a few weeks ahead of me.

I’ve spent a lot of time using the StairMaster at the gym. Check out what I did last night:

I climbed 113 floors in 20 minutes! More importantly,