tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57526840877338719892024-03-08T09:39:54.349-08:00Rob Johansen's Bridging the Wellness Gap SiteRob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-11632812328310478612011-04-12T22:04:00.000-07:002011-04-12T22:10:11.833-07:00First Half-Marathon of the year!Hey Everybody! I hadn't been able to blog while in Utah, but now I'm back! I will be checking in on your blogs soon!<div><br /></div><div>Ran a solid 13.2 miles yesterday in a bit over 93 minutes. I was very happy with that as I haven't really been training for a half marathon. But it sure felt (and still feels) great to have run that distance. I cannot run in the Indy Mini this year because I am in a very physical show right now, and we have two performances that day. It would be irresponsible of me, so I will continue to run my own mini's when my schedule allows.</div><div><br /></div><div>I sorely missed my community of yogis while away. But going away reminded me of how lucky I am to be here with so many people I love and have a history with. </div><div><br /></div><div>Keep the faith, Project-Folk!</div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div><br /></div><div>Rob</div>Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-89087900681632247132011-03-07T23:30:00.000-08:002011-03-07T23:43:28.030-08:00Donate Blood...a different kind of marathon!I want to make a plea to all in the Project, both past and present: Please donate whole blood, platelets and/or plasma.<div><br /></div><div>FYI: About 4% of all eligible donors actually donate. 96% of our population doesn't do it! That's a shocking number.</div><div><br /></div><div>For those of you who don't donate, please consider this:</div><div><br /></div><div>If your loved ones were injured, wouldn't you pray that there was a blood supply available if they needed it?<br /><div><br /></div><div>If you know anyone who has been touched by cancer, especially leukemia, you probably know how vital it is that they have other people's platelets (basically the part of your blood that clots). You can donate platelets once a week!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I called this entry "a different kind of marathon" because donating platelets (which I did today) take a long time. I donated a double-dose today and it took 90 minutes! That kind of sucked. Way to long with a needle in my arm....but each time it was really bothering me, I remembered how lucky I was to be able to only be here for 90 minutes, and walk out a healthy person. The platelets I donated today will wind up in someone who is fighting for their life, and knows pain I have never known.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you donate platelets, you are helping give people a fighting chance. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also, you get to learn valuable info! You get your cholesterol read, you find out if you have enough iron in your blood, what your white blood cell count is. It's a way of "pre-screening" yourself for any potential trouble....or just a way of checking in with your general health.</div><div><br /></div><div>Think about it: Only 4% of us donate. Let's change that.</div><div><br /></div><div>ps-The one thing I HATE about the blood center is that they won't take anyone's blood who is openly gay. WHAT THE HELL? They screen the blood for problems, so why not open it to everyone?!?!</div>Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-23932646438839139812011-03-05T16:56:00.000-08:002011-03-05T17:01:50.227-08:00I'm putting my feet up!Haven't had a "day off" from working out in about 8 days. The last five looked like this:<div><br /></div><div>Wednesday: Great Project weight workout: 5 Supersets: Pull ups, Slow Mo Push Ups, Hammer Curls, Dips, Weighted Sit-Ups...all as many as you can do....5 sets of that.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday: Ran 14 miles at "non race pace"</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday: Hot Yoga with Lisa D.</div><div><br /></div><div>This Morning: Power Yoga with Chris, where he gave us all hip replacements in honor of Diane!</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow I will do one more weight workout, then Monday I take the day off as I am donating platelets.</div><div><br /></div><div>I LOVE THIS CRAZY LIFE! Keep hangin', Project-folks!!!!</div>Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-70150426775863643262011-02-17T21:51:00.000-08:002011-02-17T21:55:36.748-08:0010 mile run.....OUTSIDE!!!Took advantage of the warmth and ran outside today. Hard to believe we were ice-bound a week ago. Running on the street (Pennsylvania between 71st and 86th..I do laps!) was so nice. I felt the winter depression start to fly away from me. I saw old man winter and told him to keep on blowin' outta here.<div><br /></div><div>Friday, hot yoga with Lisa D. </div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday Morning, my favorite time of the week, power yoga with Chris.</div><div><br /></div><div>And doing a really solid show at IRT. And Jen is back home.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am a lucky guy.....</div><div><br /></div><div>Namaste,</div><div><br /></div><div>Rob</div>Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-3671326059949624482011-02-10T19:27:00.000-08:002011-02-10T19:40:58.871-08:00Be Creative...there is ALWAYS a way to workout!I have been thinking about last Saturday's post-yoga meeting. One issue that was touched on was someone's inability to work out because of snowy conditions. No running on ice.....and I agree! What we all have to remember is this: By using our creativity we can almost ALWAYS come up with a decent workout to sub for what our first choice might have been.<div><br /></div><div>For example: Running or walking stairs. Unless you live and work in a ranch house, this one rarely gets done and it is an ass-buster! Even a walk up and down stairs for 20 minutes will leave you sweating. I often times find it more challenging than lots of machines that are out there. So BAM! That's a permanent excuse-killer for not doing some great aerobic work!</div><div><br /></div><div>Another example: I found a welded bar of iron at the theatre where I do most of my work and it is PERFECT for chin-ups. I love the challenge of chins....and understand that they can be daunting. IF YOU CAN'T DO A CHINUP, just find something to hang on that can support you weight! Hang as long as you can. When you get stronger (and you will!) start pulling....somewhere down the line, you WILL do a pullup! </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, when I know I am going to be pressed for time on a day I want to work out, I plan to use that chin up bar. It's right there, and the moment I am done with a show, I hit the bar (hee hee) Even if I'm a little hungry I wait to eat till the chins are done.....and if you don't want chins......you can do push ups ANYWHERE! When I drive back to NY to visit my family, every time the car stops, I do 50 push ups. It wakes you better than any coffee, and in one trip I can bang out 300 push ups.....</div><div><br /></div><div>On any day if you need a workout and can't possibly get to a gym or even to you Project Gym at your house, BE CREATIVE!!! There is always a way!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace,</div><div><br /></div><div>Rob</div>Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-75406019029191463042011-02-01T15:29:00.000-08:002011-02-01T15:36:46.814-08:00Keeping the Project Workouts Rolling....even in an ice-storm!Hey All Project-ers!<div><br /></div><div>I just finished a really fabulous yoga class. All my friends were there. Chris Roche was the teacher and he ran a great class...just what I needed. How did I do this during one of the worst ice-storms on Indiana record?</div><div><br /></div><div>I used Chris' cd of a class that he recorded a few months ago during an inspired Tuesday night class.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next few days drive home the importance of a home workout program. No one should travel in this weather to do something like a workout in a gym or yoga studio. AND NO ONE SHOULD USE WEATHER AS AN EXCUSE NOT TO WORK OUT! (unless you lose power, your roof caves, your kid is frozen onto his sled....you get my drift....or my snow drift....:0)</div><div><br /></div><div>The project is such a good tool to teach us to keep our bodies vibrant so our minds and hearts can be vibrant and happy. So if you haven't began the process of learning to work out at home....seize the crappy day and GET ON IT!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Sending all you guys love and safe thoughts,</div><div><br /></div><div>Rob</div>Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-12701764960712565092011-01-29T16:45:00.000-08:002011-01-29T16:49:23.335-08:00Lovin' the Project meetings! and Yoga!Had a nice Project meeting at the coffee shop after a great yoga class taught by Chris this morning. Feels so good to get back into BOTH things. I was reminded especially of how we all are emotional eaters at times, and we talked a lot about getting only good stuff in the home to eat, so when we do have an emotional binge, at least we are eating good stuff and not pure crap!<div><br /></div><div>Also, I LOVED sharing ideas about substitutions for crappy food (greek yogurt for sour cream type of stuff). We need to have a meeting based around that stuff. I'd love to hear what everyone has come up with......</div><div><br /></div><div>Be well everybody!</div>Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-86362542826922943532011-01-27T19:22:00.000-08:002011-01-27T19:28:04.825-08:00A Nice Ten Mile RunI set out to run ten miles today with the intention of not pushing my speed, which can get me very emotional when I run.....when I feel my body pushing for a personal best time, and when I know it's not the "right day" to go that hard, I can get very scared when I run. No fun! What am I doing that for? Save it for the day I am feeling the great mojo! I don't have to prove anything to anyone, just keep myself healthy.<div>So I ran with purpose: Stay off the speed and focus on form and enjoyment. And I succeeded! And my time was still good: I averaged 6:50 per mile. Still two seconds under my cut-off time for running a sub-90 minute half marathon. Just reducing the speed from a 6:35/6:40 type of run to what I ran today lets me relax so much. I need to remember that......</div>Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-8912932668874846342011-01-06T21:14:00.000-08:002011-01-06T21:23:38.455-08:00Back in the Blog-o-sphere!Hey Fellow "Project" Alum and Newcomers!<div><br /></div><div>Though I am not in the project, I believe I am going to be a mentor with this winter's group so I want to get back in the saddle and start communicating!</div><div><br /></div><div>My name is Rob Johansen. I have gone through two rounds of the Project and loved both experiences. I am looking forward to helping this group in any way I can.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am currently putting myself through a mini-type of project...kind of inspired by Chris. I have put myself on a two week South Beach Diet, phase 1.....the short story: No cereal, no bread, no rice or pasta, no fruit. I am just trying to give myself a bit of a clean-out. Trying to lose a few pounds and curb a bit of an addiction to munching on cereal every time I walk past the pantry.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I learned in The Project, you'll be amazed how fast calories add up. Those fistfuls of cereal I was having could easily add up to 500 additional calories a day. And since much of it was "mindless eating" I wouldn't figure it into my daily intake. It's been four days without doing that, and I already notice a big difference! Will I go back to having cereal? Frankly, YES! But it's good to curb it and after two weeks gently re-introduce it. Hopefully I won't want it as much!</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I will be around the blog world and I look forward to reading all your posts. Happy New Year! </div><div><br /></div><div>xoxo,</div><div><br /></div><div>Rob</div>Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-59372575567450609132010-02-11T21:45:00.000-08:002010-02-11T21:54:18.524-08:00Waiting to arrive in the NOWHaven't posted anything for six months. But re-reading some old posts, I thought it was time. Even if no one else reads this, it's nice to have records of where I am at different points.<br /><br />I am really blue. I have good stuff going on, and things keep cropping up in my career that give me more hope for a better future. But I feel no spark personally right now. I rehearsed my one man show today (by myself) and felt GREAT. But still feel no personal spark.<br /><br />I feel I need to find my passion again. My heart feels like wet cardboard. I feel heavy in my heart and wish I could cry it out. I don't know what to do to shake it.<br /><br />I think I am feeling old. I know that is lame. And the folks who have been on this blog that are older than me will smack me for saying that, but right now that's kinda the way I feel. No hot sauce in my soul. <br /><br />I know it will probably be a phase. But I thought I should write about it and hopefully look back and laugh in a few (days? weeks?.....hopefully not months......! and let's not even talk about the "y" word!)<br /><br />Workouts are good. Took a day off today....first one in too long! I think I am overdoing it at the gym sometimes, so I need to remember to take a knee sometimes......<br /><br />Okay, more later. When I have my shit together and feel better!<br /><br />Of course, if anybody reads this, I welcome any shot in the arm you have for me!Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-19962705135890686292009-08-26T20:19:00.000-07:002009-08-26T20:30:10.398-07:00Hill Training.....great for us FLATLANDERS!I went back to NY to visit my family last week and had three opportunities to do some of the hardest running us Hoosiers can do: HILLS.<br /><br />The first run was easily in the top five hardest workouts I have ever done. It was a run up Mt. Beacon in NY state. Only 2.5-2.75 miles....but the last mile and a half is a constant mountain climb....at times over a 20% grade. I ran it with my nephew who has been doing it several times a week and I thought I was going to have to stop twice, but I plowed through. The reward was a gorgeous resivoir at the top, and a great swim. I was obliterated. Granted, I had done a weight workout earlier that day, and it was about 90 degrees, but it would have been extrememly hard anyway.<br /><br />I was so intrigued by it, that I ran it again two days later. Not as fast this time, but I made it. I ran alone and didn't push as hard as when I was with my Nephew.<br /><br />Two days later, I ran at my Mom's on River Road (Ive blogged about that before) and I BLEW through those hills!!!! Something about the mountain's constant climb made the River Road seem much easier.<br /><br />And today, at an indoor track at NIFS I took advantage of my "mountain legs and lungs" and set two records for myself. Fastest five miles ever (6:28/mile) and fastest 6 miles ever (6:28,75/mile). No, I didn't run 11 miles! I ran 6 miles, but noted the time each mile.<br /><br />So if you can get to some hills....train on them!!!<br /><br />Peace,<br /><br />RobRob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-26382657868998123512009-08-03T22:22:00.000-07:002009-08-03T22:32:40.495-07:00Another Mini Under my Belt......Ran a half marathon yesterday in 91:30. Not an official race, just me in my neighborhood. Felt really good and I was glad I brought my stopwatch. I wasn't going to for fear of getting too much performance hype in my head. But I never did. I felt like my RPE started out at about a 7, and when I finished my first lap (it takes a little over nine laps around my neighborhood to do a mini) I was surprised that my time was 10:10. Usually I have to push to get under a ten minute lap. Since I was close to that, I decided to lightly push the next lap, which I did in 9:44. Well, then my positive cometitive juices kicked in and I had a lot of fun challenging myself, without going overboard. The result was the fastest half marathon I've run in two months. Not my personal best, but really good on a day when I was just going to run without timing myself.<br /><br />I can push myself for another sub-90 half marathon. It's just about putting the fear aside and doing the work and enjoying the effort. <br /><br />QUESTION FOR CHRIS OR ANYONE ELSE: Is it common to be stronger on your "non-dominant side" and better with balance on your "dominant side"? I am and I think it's odd.<br />My entire left side is stronger than my right, but my right leg is a much better anchor for single-leg poses than my left. What is up with that?!?!?!Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-53853410094385899832009-07-29T22:39:00.000-07:002009-07-29T22:46:49.148-07:00Update.....a brief one!Keeping up with Kelly!!! I will not let her have to take on the whole blogging duties!!!!<br /><br />My trip back home was AMAZING! My Mom was blown away and surprised completely by the party.<br /><br />And near the end of the great night, Jen and I wound up on the dancefloor with about five of my nephews teaching them yoga moves! Headstands and arm balances! And they did really well and we provided lots of entertainment for the hard-core party-goers.<br /><br />And the day before the party, I ran ten miles on River Road. I have run a half-marathon on that road, but this was cooler and maybe more challenging. The reason: I ran a hillier section of the road. It was INSANE!! So steep hills, but it felt really wonderful. And Jen did three miles and one mile walking, so I think she is good to go for the "Go Girl" race!!!!!<br /><br />Jen and I took the ACRO-YOGA workshop tonight and it was wonderful! We balanced each other in lots of different poses. Although some of it is challenging, I think many of our community could do lots of these poses. Kelly! You and Matt could totally do these! We should talk!!<br /><br />Hope all are well!<br /><br />RobRob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-34901288678655810882009-07-15T09:41:00.000-07:002009-07-15T10:00:13.157-07:00My Mom is Turning 80!Hi All,<br /><br />So next weekend Jen and I will be travelling East to see my family and have a party for my Mom. She is tunring eighty, and I can't really belive that. Well, part of me can. I think we are all aware somewhere inside ourselves of the constant progression of time. When my Dad passed on in 1989, a clock sounded in my head that began a different awarness of my mortality and everyone around me. And it seems like only a short time ago my family was having a party for my Grandma turning 80, and now it's my Mom........the onion keeps peeling, doesn't it?<br /><br />I don't know what to say about it, except that it's cool. It must be! It's what we all signed on for. Or what our parents signed us on for when they has us. But I feel like we signed on for this life, and our parents just provided the entrance into this world. Sometime I'll explain my theory behind this, and then you'll all think I am either really in touch with things, or a real whack-job!!<br /><br /><br />My bod feels pretty good. My voice is a little ratty, which is no good for actors! My fault for doing some things that don't help it, like the occasional cigarrette. But I am working on keeping that down. I want to admit that I do that to my "healthy community" of friends because otherwise I feel I am hiding it, and that is only adding to the issue in a negative way. And you know, there is a part of me that views an OCCASIONAL smoke as an ok thing. But the majority of my mind and heart recognizes that it is incidious; it will always be a habit forming and addictive temptation. And it will not help my career.<br /><br />Besides that little ommision, I feel very strong and healthy. Mixing up the workouts: Some project stuff (the last one Chris put out there was GREAT!) and running, biking and the Gauntlet. All of these are keeping me strong for the upcoming acting season and for perhaps becoming a Papa......!<br /><br />Jen and I are talking about.....no, I don't like the term "trying". We are talking about "making the opportunity very possible" for becoming pregnant. Haven't made things <em>fully</em> possible yet, but maybe soon. Scary and absolutely wonderful!<br /><br />What else? Thanks to my Nephew, Zack, I am picking up the guitar after a sixteen year pause! Only for fun and probably just for myself and Jen, but it's so nice to strum some chords again. So theraputic. And Jen has begun tickling the piano keys again! Hopefully we will keep this up. Much better than the t.v.<br /><br />Wow, lots of topics. But I will keep writing thanks to Kelly and Chris for the re-inspiration into blog-dom!!<br /><br />With love,<br /><br />RobRob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-44301188228771640132009-07-14T23:56:00.000-07:002009-07-15T00:03:14.181-07:00Kelly has inspired me!I have been off the blog lately, but not because I have nothing to write about. Just got out of practice. But Kelly and her posts have got my mojo going again. I do miss keeping up with how everyone is doing, so I am going to get back into it. <br /><br />Just a shortie tonight, as it is LATE!!!<br /><br />Jen and I have been doing a stationary bike at NIFS. Jen much more than me, but thanks to her I am into it as well and it is GREAT. It's called the Expresso, and it has 30 different virtual courses you can do, and some of them are butt-busters! I never dug cycling, but this has me a little stoked. I will write more about it later.....other topics I want to cover:<br /><br />Me and Jen thinking pretty seiously about having a kid.<br /><br />My Mom turning 80.<br /><br />How my mind feels at 43, and how my body feels. And how my mind sometimes THINKS my body feels! ha ha! that's a good thing to ponder......<br /><br />gotta sleep. More soon! Hope to see more of you good people!<br /><br />-RobRob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-1036876618767850802009-06-11T21:33:00.000-07:002009-06-11T23:40:38.815-07:00The Summer Sweat Teaches me why the song says, "Don't Fear the Reaper"So it's been two classes back on the mat in Indy. And the teperature has been getting higher....and with it my mat is gettin' slippery-er!!! And I love it.<br /><br /><br /><br />There is something about the heat and humidity that opens me up like a waterfall in the summer. And during the other months I take much longer to start a sweat in class. I think this is due to my aerobic work. I don't know if this is usual, but it seems that the more I have been able to raise my aerobic capacity, the longer it takes me to break a good sweat. But in summertime yoga, I sweat more than I think I ever have in my life.<br /><br /><br /><br />And the feeling at the end of a class where I have literally left a puddle on the mat, and the floor around it, is amazing. Completely spent and a feeling of euphoria. Oddly enough, I feel like it might be what someone feels (or what I HOPE they feel) when they leave this life and move on. A feeling of leaving "it all on the mat" and just letting go. I have heard the "corpse pose" at the end of class is a good comparison for letting attachments go, including the fear of having to let life go. But if leaving this life will be anything like the end of Chris' Saturday class, then I don't have to fear death at all.....it'll be wonderful.Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-15308495048507119912009-06-06T11:30:00.000-07:002009-06-06T11:34:39.468-07:00Back in Indy and on the Mat!!!We are so happy to be back home! And Chris welcomed us back with a GREAT CLASS this morning. A sweat fest, which I have missed with the weather being not hot enough to really "get my sweat on". But today was a dripper, and I look forward to many more.<br /><br />One thing I am dealing with that I am not too happy about is a bum shoulder. I think I have a problem with my rotator cuff. I need to find a sports doc, and Ginger might have one for me. If anybody else has suggestions, I would welcome them.<br /><br />But pain or no, I am gonna keep working, get the problem dealt with, and then get right back to the work......and I WILL be careful not to injure myself further!<br /><br />So nice to see all the folks at yoga today, and come to the WOODRUFF flea market this weekend!<br /><br />xoxo,<br /><br />RobRob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-26401785683822049902009-05-22T11:58:00.000-07:002009-05-22T12:21:48.094-07:00Hikin' the Canyon with JenJust a quick note to all our fellow Yogi's to let you know that Jen and I successfully hiked the Grand Canyon yesterday......from Rim to River to Rim in a day!<br /><br />It was my fourth time doing that, and Jen's first. I am so proud of her fortitude in doing this....<br /><br />It took just under 10 hours. And we had one good scare in the desert section before getting to the river, but we got through.<br /><br />Today we have sore calves, and a feeling of calm fatigue and happiness, and that is about it.<br /><br />We are going to spend the rest of today tooling around a rainy Flagstaff AZ where we are staying for a few more days. I love this town.<br /><br />Our scare was a result of not being sure we had enough water to get us through the desert-like section of the canyon, coupled with fatigue setting in and not being sure exactly how much farther we had to go until the bottom. The trick is this: when you reach the colorado river, you can only use that as a water source if you have purification tablets with you..... I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THESE FROM NOW ON WHEN I HIKE THE CANYON!<br /><br />We would have had to hike along the river for two miles before coming to the next drinking water. Rather than do that and risking too much fatigue ( we still had to hike up the canyon!) we opted to go down to the river, rest, split an apple and a gel-energy pack, have a little water and then hike three miles up to the nearest water station going back up the canyon. Once we got there, I knew we would be fine, no matter how long we took to hike out. There's more water the further up you go.<br /><br />Weather wise, we were lucky, the top of the canyon was a mile 60 degrees, and the bottom only got near 90, which is not bad. I have been there when it went over 100. And it was overcast. If we had had a hot day, we might have been in some trouble.<br /><br />But that "trouble" is one reason I love the canyon. At least once each time down, you recognize your mortality in relation to the life span of the earth and everything that created the earth. you hike into this amazing chasm, and it looks like a snapshot of an avalanche that someone has frozen just long enough for you to sneak into and get out of. you see huge boulders that are so close to tumbling down on you, but the are frozen because our life span is only a blip in the life span of the Canyon. you see how short our lifetime is in relation to our world.<br /><br />And when you are in the depths of the desert, the reality is: you see that your death in the desert won't be a big deal in the eyes of the Earth. <br /><br />But we didn't die! We got out, exhausted and happy. We returned to our normal understanding of life, but with a new appreciation of the Earth's time. But we didn't get too profound....we went and ate pizza at the most awesome place in Flagstaff! <br /><br />More later......but for now....I'm still spent!<br /><br />Love to all,<br /><br />RobRob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-47310678047098874052009-05-12T23:55:00.000-07:002009-05-13T00:00:42.875-07:00Reunited with my Wife!!!Here I sit typing away in Dayton, Ohio.....Jen and I in the same room! she is back from her NY gig and we can now have our lives together for the forseeable future. We know we have our next two gigs together, which we are very thankful for.<br /><br />My training is going well. My running feels very strong as I have had the chance to hit some hills in Dayton. I ran a mini ten days ago that was by far my best time (85:11) but I need to get a pedometer and check the accuracy of the course. It was listed as a 1.2 mile track and I think it is short of that.....but nevertheless I felt great!<br /><br />I am coming back to Indy for Saturdays' yoga class. It will mean driving home Friday night late, and leaving right after class Saturday to get back for two shows the next day, but SCREW IT.....IT'S BEEN TOO LONG!!!!!Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-9481136260880544522009-04-27T22:44:00.000-07:002009-04-27T22:53:14.012-07:00Back in Indy for a Day....Had a chance to come into Indy Sunday night and stay all day Monday. What a treat. Back to Dayton tuesday morning but I wanted to do a quick blog shout-out while I had my own computer....<br /><br />I did what Chris has termed the "Godzilla" workout today. What I have done is combined four supersets from past workouts to make an hour-long workout that is as aerobic as it is strength-building. I am woozy as I write this.<br /><br />I have been feeling a bit blue lately. I think I am doing good work on stage, but I miss Jen very much and miss my friends. But I am meeting wonderful folks with this project. It's just been four weeks away from Jen, and three away from home. That's enough! <br /><br />I weighed myself for the first time in weeks and was worried that I would be heavy. I was right where I was in the midst of the first time I did the Project, which made me smile. I think I have a little fat that I could shake, but no reason to shame myself.......THERE IS NEVER A GOOD REASON FOR SHAME!!!!!!!<br /><br />I am training now for the big hike coming up for me and Jen in three or so weeks. We are going to see if we can hike the Grand Canyon rim to river to rim in a day. I have done it three times in my life and want to do it again. <br /><br />I was hoping we could break it up and camp down in the Canyon, but I couldn't get a reservation.....so we're gonna go hard-core!! At least I had the good sense to book us a room in Flagstaff that night that has a small hot tub in the bathroom!<br /><br />Miss you guys....<br /><br />Love,<br /><br />RobRob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-87328259761302447502009-04-05T10:48:00.000-07:002009-04-05T10:56:08.785-07:00A Wonderful Run Down Memory LaneHi All,<br /><br />First off, thanks to everybody who was so supportive of me and Alison yesterday for each of our race endevours. I case you didn't hear, Alison cranked out a great run, too! Doing 9 miles in way under a 10 minute pace. (Hope I got those facts right, Alison!)<br /><br />I was happy with my run. My hip was sore, but I really didn't feel it on the run. And perhaps I could have pushed my pace more, but I really didn't want to. I just wanted to try to enjoy the run...which took me past so many old college memories. <br /><br />My ego took a bit of a bruise when I checked the results and found that I was a little slower than I had thought, but not by much. It took a BIGGER bruise when I saw that a theatre friend of mine who is ten years my senior outran me by a minute!! But the other side of it is: that shows me that I can still be running this well in ten years......and perhaps even better!<br /><br />So now I am going to rest my legs from running for a week. I am going to find a good machine to sweat on while I am in Dayton, Ohio. I leave as soon as I finish packing and finish this blog......I am apprehensive to go so I am stalling........anyway.<br /><br />Good luck on the last week, project folk......it's a RECOVERY WEEK!! Way to get through all the workouts. Think about the ones that you got the biggest bang out of so you can keep them in your arsenal!!!<br /><br />Love,<br /><br />RobRob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-4388993246711406702009-04-03T16:58:00.000-07:002009-04-03T17:03:52.537-07:00Am I creating DRAMA here?????So I went to bed feeling a little "tweak" in my right hip. And woke up with it. I did the last project weight workout (but one I LOVE so it's staying in my aresenal on a regular basis!) and that helped my hip loosen up. But it still feels really sore and TIGHT. <br /><br />So, tonight as I pack for my Ohio gig and the race tomorrow, I will do lots of the great stretches we have all learned on the mat. Anything I can think of to help. And a little time on the inversion table.<br /><br />And maybe this is going to cause me to honestly enjoy running at an easier pace tomorrow. I just want to be able to run it all......<br /><br />We'll see!<br /><br />Trimmed lots of time off my super-sets today. I love the mountain climber/push to thrust/push ups speed round. I love sweating like it's aerobics when you are "lifting". It's a keeper in my life. Thanks, Chris.......<br /><br />Peace and lots of love,<br /><br />RobRob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-30492952980063005812009-04-02T23:37:00.000-07:002009-04-02T23:44:50.199-07:00The race hasn't started, but I can smell the barn!Quick note.....longer one to come.<br /><br />I will complete my last (scheduled) Project weight workout tomorrow. Although I think I will keep up with them after this week because I really love them. <br /><br />Then Saturday I run the Bloomington Half-Marathon. <br /><br />Sunday is a friggin' day off, and a travel day as I head to Ohio to start my next show. That will be the first day off from workouts that I have taken in ten days.<br /><br />My hope is to run a strong race on Saturday, but not try to break any record. Under 100 minutes would be great. My honest goal has been to see myself through a pretty hard week of workouts, culmintaing in the race. Normally you rest for days before a race, but I always like to see how the project has helped my endurance and ability to recover quickly. So that is the test of this whole nine days. <br /><br />I'll let you all know how it goes! <br /><br />And I KNOW I won't sleep tomorrow night. I don't sleep well the night before a race. So I will sleep in tomorrow (sorry to all with kids....I am still able to sleep in sometimes) and then take naps whenever I feel I want to tomorrow. And then "rest" tomorrow night, leave the house at 5:45 and head to Bloomington........send me good thoughts!<br /><br />Peace,<br /><br />RobRob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-35044107644641733092009-03-29T23:15:00.000-07:002009-03-29T23:37:18.999-07:00Ten Miles at "under 90 mini-pace" and KETTLE-BELLS!Jen and I went to the gym today and I was feeling the fire.<br /><br />My calf, which I was a little worried about a few days ago, was better. And things just feel good. Jen and I are going to do a show together at the IRT this fall, and that gives me great joy. And I know I have a one-man show coming up in under a year, and I want to be in great endurance shape for that. So today I felt the fire from that. <br /><br />I wasn't concerned with my time, but after the first mile (6:20) I knew I had some kick. So I decided to concern myself with my time. I wound up running 10 miles at an average of 6:43/mile. It felt great. Challenging at times...some walls to get through, but mostly great.<br /><br />And I am still not going to run next weekends half marathon for an under 90 minute attempt. I just want to enjoy the sights.....and HOPE for nice weather!<br /><br />The Kettle Bell stuff Chris has us doing is wonderful. And the agility, superset stuff is so challenging and a real rush. I am keeping it in my workout routine.Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752684087733871989.post-35215782260244280612009-03-20T08:41:00.000-07:002009-03-20T08:47:09.415-07:00Half Marathon on the Gauntlet and 100 chin-upsBack in Indy! So nice to be home, but boy did I need to see my family.<br /><br />Yesterday I did 90 minutes on the step-mill (Gauntlet) and burned 1670 calories and "travelled" 14.5 miles. I think for sure that machine is generous with it's distances and burned calories. 90 minutes is enough time for me to run 13.2 miles if I am JAMMING, and I don't think a "gauntlet half marathon" is a rigorous as a running half, so I think the machine is lying. <br /><br />That being said, it is still an ass-kicker!<br /><br />And this morning I did my 100 chin-ups workout. And nice upper body workout that gives my legs a break in prep for yoga tomorrow.<br /><br />Next weeks workouts that Chris has prepared loom. I am a little nervous about them.<br /><br />Counting the Gauntlet workouts, I am right around 230 miles run/stepmilled since the project began. Still have no desire to ever to a full marathon....I'll leave that to the other crazies!Rob Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15308948354235859899noreply@blogger.com1