It’s FRIDAY! Can you believe it?
What a week it’s been, but as they say ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’, right?! *Okay, okay! I’m totally exaggerating here*. It’s been busy and productive, just the way I like it.
It’s been raining here in Montreal these past couple of days. On the brighter side *literally*, it should clear out for the weekend. Yay! And you know what I’ve been planning? A nice hike with my hubby and our baby!!!
*Look at those cute butts haha!*
This picture is from our hike a month ago. I’m embarrassed to say, but that was my first ever hiking experience. I have no idea why I had never done it before! It was such a great experience, I want to do it more and more.
But than listen to this. Shortly after the hike to the Black Mountain, I found out that dogs are not allowed in provincial parks of Quebec. I was (and still am) outraged. To me, this doesn’t make any sense. I would understand having to keep my pup on a leash, but not this. And in all honesty, I can’t imagine going for a hike on a weekend to enjoy myself knowing that my beloved Bella is locked up at home in her crate.
Anyhow, I was lucky enough to speak to one of my co-workers about my concern this week. He was brilliant enough to suggest to me to check out some skiing resorts a.k.a. private parks. *BINGO!* I was able to find a few really nice hiking places within an hour drive!!! All I have to hope for right now is that my husband’s heel doesn’t hurt as much, which he hurt during his soccer game last week. *Sad face… He kind of looks like a T-Rex when he walks, which is… kind of… well… absolutely HILARIOUS!*
*P.S. I just died laughing!!!!!*
Moving on to today’s training… As always, I use the Spartan guide, but today’s workout looks rather interesting. Oh, and it’s called: Rhode Island Bucket Workout! Not that it’s impossible to do, I just have to figure out HOW I can accomplish it successfully since I don’t have a membership at the gym. Well… Judge for yourself *and, please, let me know if you’ve got any ideas*!
Equipment needed:
2-5 gallon buckets with lids, filled with sand, water, rocks – some type of manageable weight – and a 5′ steel bar with hooks on both ends *YESSS! Any ideas?!*
Warm up:
Jog slowly in place for 1 minute
200 jumping jacks
Stretch
Conditioning:
Decline-bucket push-up – place your feet on the buckets and your hand on the ground. Adjusting the spacing of your hands for variation, do as many push-ups as possible.
Incline bucket push-up – place buckets 224-30 inches apart. Place hands on buckets and feet on ground. Do as many push-ups as possible, going between the buckets.
Bucket lunge – Hand the weighted buckets from each side of the steel bar. Place bar behind your head resting on your trapezius. Lunge for 50 yards.
Side jump – place buckets on ground with steel bar resting across them. Stand beside the bar, jump over the bar to the other side, and repeat 20 times.
Bucket curl shoulder press – use the steel bar with weighted buckets hanging from both ends. Begin by curling the bar up to your chest and then press the bar over your head. Slowly return to the starting position, and repeat.
Bucket high-step walk – hold a weighted bucket in each hand. Walk for 100 yards with high knees.
Cool down with a light jog, and stretch.
Spartan Bike
Warm up for 10 minutes in zone 2
Repeat 6 times:
Ride 3 minutes in zone 4.
Ride 1 minute in zone 2.
Cool down for 10 minutes.
+ 30 sit-ups for 30 days challenge
Are you a dog owner? What are your thoughts about this ‘No dogs allowed’ thing?
xoxo
Olena
candies & crunches 
That’s ridiculous! I’ve never seen a park where I can’t bring my dogs but I definitely wouldn’t go anymore. I love taking mine around our regional parks and we saw tons of dogs hiking in the mountains on the trip, it’s so sad that they don’t let them in even if they’re on a leash. We always have to keep ours leashed anyway since they have attention problems if they see a squirrel/deer 😉
Right?! Oh well, we’ll just have to work around it, I guess 🙂
This isn’t a random thing, actually – and as much as many local and state parks allow pets, you have to remember that a lot of people are not very good at handling their pets, and it can become a danger as well as a nuisance because too many people think ‘hey, since wild animals poop here I don’t have to clean up’.
From the National (US) Park Service:
“dogs chase wildlife, pollute water sources, and can become defensive and dangerous in unfamiliar surroundings”
Personally … here in NY most of the parks around the Finger Lakes allow us to bring our dogs … which all of us enjoy!
LOVE the T-Rex image … there are so many cool pictures like that and they all crack me up! Hope your husband feels better for the hike! 🙂
Unfortunately, the hike didn’t happen, but you’ll read more on this tomorrow. I agree with you that there are many irresponsible dog owners. However, a vast majority always keeps dogs on a leash in public places. Picking up after your dog is a given. What I mostly get upset about is that there are a lot more people who pollute our surroundings even more and it’s our pets that get penalized for it 😦
lol, the buckets on a steel bar thing sounds like a challenge. The only similar thing I could think of is using a duffle bag with handles on it instead, kind of like a homemade sandbag. I hope you get to go on that hike!
Love the idea! Thank you! ❤
I’m not a dog owner but that seems really outrageous. On a leash I could understand and as long as people picked up after their animals, but like…not at all? I can’t think of anyplace around here that is like that. (We do have the leash laws though.)
I am saving that Spartan challenge out for next week when I crosstrain!
Leash laws are totally acceptable! I definitely agree with you on that. Let me know how you like it, love ❤ xoxo
Happy Friday!!! It was rainy in NYC today too, but it will be a clear and sunny weekend! I have only been hiking once as a kid and am dying to go! It sucks that your dog wan’t allow. To me, that makes no sense. I love that T-rex pics…those always crack me up too. That workout sounds awesome! Have a great weekend =D
Thank you, Lauren 🙂
Ohhh, no way!!!! I would definitely be upset if my doggy couldn’t go with me!!! Have a fabulous weekend!! Beautiful pictures!! XOXO!!!
I hope you had a fantastic weekend too! ❤
I used to be a dog owner (family pet growing up) but haven’t been since college years ago. It’s silly that they say No Dogs Allowed on hiking trail. I mean keep them on a leash, pic up their poop – what’s the problem here? Ridiculous. What better way to hang with your dog and exercise at the same time than go on a hike?
My exact thoughts!
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