Mount Si Hike

It is sad that I grew up in the Snoqualmie Valley and have never done this hike before (it is also pretty sad about how long it has been since I posted, but we don't need to get into that and other than Katelyn, I doubt anyone is too worried about it). Given my crazy dog and her need to be the only dog in the area, we elected to take the road less traveled and took the less used route (Don't forget your Discover Pass).

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mount-si-via-mount-teneriffe-road-trail

We (Me, Dan, Matt (Dan's friend from college who has been visiting us for a bit) and Gabby) ended up hiking higher and more distance than this, our route ended up being about 12 miles round trip per my fitbit  and we didn't even get to an "end" and could have kept going.  If you want an easier hike in the same area try Little Si.

Recommendations for this trip:
- Pack more snacks than some trail mix and shotbloks, this is probably a given for the experienced hiker, but I always tend to try to pack light because I hate carrying a lot of stuff.
- Layer up if you are going to go any time soon, I saw people in coats and bundled up pretty good and the at the top there was a guy in shorts and that was about it. I was pretty cold to start, warmed up pretty good through the hike and then started to get a lil chilly as we made our way back down.

All and all, we were hurting a bit the next couple days and maybe that wasn't a great get back into hiking trip, but we made it and are all ready to go on another hike or perhaps some snow shoeing with my lil sister after Super Bowl weekend.

GO SEAHAWKS!!!

Here are some pictures from the hike sorry for some Instagram duplicates.

You can kind of see Rainier if you look closely. My sister was snow shoeing over there the same day...I am pretty sure if you look closely you can see her. :)

Hopefully there will be many more hikes and posts. I am excited that Katelyn is moving back to Washington so we can go on a bunch of hikes this summer.

Working out through busy season...the LVBBG

So as I approach my 5th busy season with Moss Adams, similar to every preceding season, I start with the same goal...going to eat healthy and work out. Not only for my physical well being for but for my mental well being. Every other season I have failed epically, by drinking, over eating regularly and never working out. I end the season stressed out and out of shape.

This season will be different...I will stick with my plan and I will in fact improve my health this busy season and reach my LVBBG (Las Vegas Bikini Body Goal). I have selected my bikini and now I just need to go there (see picture - courtesy of Victoria Secret). Although...a good point that Olga brought up is how does it look when you sit down.

The Tools

1) The body bugg from the love of my life Kate. I WILL be good and input my food and wear it regularly.

2) My Trainer - Kaytee, without her I would not feel pain on a weekly basis and I would not have a true understanding of working out until you feel like you are going to puke.

3) Vegan - feeling fabulous and not being able to eat as much crap makes it so much easier.

4) BRING LUNCH TO WORK - eating out at busy season is probably the most dangerous and fattening part of the whole thing.

The Goals - The light at the end of the tunnel

1) STP - July (a bike ride from Seattle to Portland)

2) Rock N' Roll Half Marathon - June 26

3) Cottage Lake Tri - June or September

4) Breast Cancer Three Day - September

5) Oktoberfest Leavenworth Half Marathon

6) Look ridiculously fabulous in Vegas in July

The plan - The key to making the plan work is to have it be flexible. My Schedule is NOT what you would call routine. So my workout schedule will have to reflect that. The loose game plan is...to be revised every Sunday.

Sundays - PT with Kaytee (LIFT)

Monday - LIFT

Tuesday - Spin or Soccer

Wednesday - Swim/Run/LIFT

Thursday - Spin 0r Soccer

Friday - Running with the Monster (AKA Gabs)

Saturday - Spin

This would be my dream...I know that people say you shouldn't work out every day, but if you sit on your butt for so many hours a day, it just makes sense that you could get off your butt for atleast 30 mins to go to a treadmill. Granted with a schedule like this and my busy season work schedule I will probably not have much if any of a social life, but it might be just what I need right now...to take a step back and focus on work and my physical well being. At a min I need to work out 4 times a week!

Sorry for those of you who like to read about my memorable evenings of lost debit cards and funky dating, but I am switching gears and taking a hard look at what I expect out of myself and how I want to feel. I will probably blog about mental breakdowns at busy season, funky vegan recipes that I try on Sunday nights and trying to get the gym, work 60 plus hours a week and not go crazy.

Wish me luck...I will need it.

~Rachel