Gotta love the short weeks

...only they're capped with 16 hours of school! Oy!

Tomorrow, a new module begins for the MBA program, but it's one of the last 3 and really, only 2 of the last 3 modules have any work, so we are certainly approaching the home stretch. It's amazing how much the workload has shifted since the big climax around Marketing and Corporate Strategy.

The nice part about the weekends at school are the opportunities for long runs. I'd like to get an hour on Friday night and then another 5 miles or so on Saturday morning. We'll see if it happens this week.

Apparently my parents had to cut down "my tree" in the backyard today...it finally was too sick to remain. Ah, funny. I think my mom's handling it worse than I am.

Howdy from San Fran

Got a nice evening run in around the city by the bay this evening. It's so nice to go out at 8pm when it's just starting to get dark out and run in the 60 degree breeze. What a change from waking up to 90 degrees this morning. Sorry that Mama and the bug are still in PHX b/c it's rather pleasant weather here...

Anyways, 6.2 miles around Russian Hill, Embarcadero, Nob Hill...Lots of hills in that route, if you notice. The hill climb up Mason from Broadway to the Marc hotel is crazy! It literally feels like the hill is getting steeper as you climb.

Nothing too exciting in the world today to share. Lots of good career opps possibly coming with a new business deal. That's always exciting...until then, I'll keep stuff going here!

Welcome to the newly redesigned ActiveMomsNDads!

Okay, so for those of you coming from MySpace and Facebook and everywhere else, welcome to our pet project: ActiveMomsNDadsAZ!

Mama and I are working to make this an interesting and fun site, despite the fact that we're only mildly interesting and fun ourselves. ;-)

Check out our sponsors for your gear and/or entertainment needs. Let me know if there are other items you'd like to see on here...

Bookmark us for future updates! Hope to see some of you around more often. Leave comments!!

Fall Training / Racing Schedules Released!

Ah, the summer is beginning to wane (not that the 108 today agrees!) but the fall/winter racing calendars are coming out! You know it's beginning to be that time of year again when the GetSetAZ emails and ArizonaRunningEventsCo emails and schedules start coming out, filled with 5ks, 10ks and Half-Marathons.

I'm eyeing the trifecta this winter: Tucson Marathon 12/2, PF Changs 1/13 or Carlsbad Marathon 1/20 and then Desert Classic 2/2. Of course, I'd love to go to San Diego and run the Carlsbad on the beach, but Mama's expecting in February, so a 6 hour car ride may not be possible...we'll play it by ear. The baby on the way may also get in the way of that February run, so we'll see...

Links to the upcoming calendars:

AZ Running Events Co:
http://arizonarunningeventsco.com/calendar.htm

GetSetAZ:
http://getsetaz.com/running-calendar.php

I'm going to look around for ways to promote products and races and what not, so stay tuned for those on this site.

Saturday in class...

Long day in class...deciding to write to kill some time. Today was an easy day and I'll log around 20 miles for the week. Took the easy road with R. this morning for ~3 miles.

Aiming for Tucson Marathon, PF Chang's Marathon and maybe Desert Classic Marathon for the winter...the thought of the trifecta is pretty daunting. There will be about 6-7 weeks between the first two, but only 2-3 between the second two. It may be a half marathon to round it out.

There will always be the fun little 5k with Maddy up to probably a 10 miler for Turkey Day. It's going to be a lot like work and without a ton of rest (probably) given Mama's baby on board and my running hours in the morning. As long as school stays light it shouldn't be terribly difficult. Time will tell...the real hours and miles will start on 8/13. Until then it's maintenance...and good 5 milers. Probably working up towards 8 milers over the next few weeks...get up to running an hour per run and add some variability to the routine...

Either way, I'm looking forward the work and the miles...just need to be smart about how to balance it with life and being there for Mama and M.

A Couple of Our Favorite Spots in Phoenix.....

Maddy and I like to get out of the house and do fun things. Here is a list of some of our favorites.

Phoenix Zoo (Of Course)
We have a membership to the zoo and I don't know what I'd do without it. The membership has more than paid for itself. When in doubt, we can always go to the zoo. Maddy loves the animals and learns something new every visit. There is also a water play area where we can cool off afterward. I recommend every stay-at-home mom have a membership.
http://www.phoenixzoo.org/

Splash Playground at Tempe Beach Park
This is a relatively large water play area that young children love. The best part about it is that it is free, making it possible to go often during the summer months. There are two water slides and water coming from various spouts all over. This is truly one of Maddy's favorite spots to hang out.
http://www.tempe.gov/lake/recreation/SplashPlayground.htm

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
(In Scottsdale)
This is a GREAT park! There is an awesome playground which is covered for plenty of shade in the summer. There is a railroad museum and a train for the kids to ride in. There is also a carousel. All rides are only a dollar. There are plently of ramadas as well for eating lunch or booking birthday parties.
http://www.therailroadpark.com/index1.html

Maktu's Island
(in Chandler)
This is an indoor playground. It is basically designed to be a giant treehouse. There are lots of things to climb, tunnels and slides. It is large enough for parents to play too. Great for summer to get in out of the heat. It is better for kids who can climb themselves, otherwise you'll find yourself carrying your child up and down ladders which isn't easy. We had a lot of fun here.
http://makutusisland.com/

Arizona Science Center
This is a fun hands-on museum. I think Maddy was too young to really enjoy it when we last went. We'll definitely try it again soon.
http://www.azscience.org/

Books on Things to Do in Phoenix With Kids

Here is a list of books that I personally use regularly to find things to do with Maddy. Every one of these books has proven itself useful in times of need.
I found all of them at Barnes & Noble, but I'm sure they exist other places as well.

The Lila Guide
Baby-Friendly Phoenix Area
New Parent Survival Guide to Shopping, Activities, Restaurants, and More...
http://www.lilaguide.com/
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781932847253&itm=1

Phoenix for Families
A Parents' Guide to Life in the Valley of the Sun
Author: Michelle Burgess
(this book has a copyright date of 2000, so it is a little old)
http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Families-Parents-Guide-Valley/dp/0929526430/ref=sr_1_1/104-9387974-7179916?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178657894&sr=8-1

The Arizona Mama's Handbook
A Reference Guide for Mothers and Families in the East Valley
Authors: Kelli E. Ems, Kimberly C. Kush and Janet E. Glover
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780976635710&itm=1

Best Easy Day Hikes
Phoenix
Author: Stewart M. Green
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781560449249&itm=1

Hidden Arizona
Author: Richard Harris

Destination: Phoenix
Hundreds of Things to Do in the Valley of the Sun
Author Dorothy Tegeler
http://www.amazon.com/Destination-Phoenix-Hundreds-Arizona-Southwest/dp/1889786012/ref=sr_1_2/104-9387974-7179916?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178658505&sr=8-2

Spring Training

Oh...and did I mention that Spring Training is here? Gotta love sittin in the grass in the outfield on a Sunday with the daughter. Go Giants.

Into March we roll...

We're almost half-way through March and school and the spring time are in full swing here in AZ. I ran the Goodyear 5k 2 weekends ago while the wife and bug were in NYC. Set a new PR with puking aplenty.

Came down with the head and chest cold shortly thereafter on a flight to SF and pretty much have spent the last week resting up and laying low. Finally made it back to the gym on Tuesday night and out for a run yesterday (wednesday).

I'm looking forward to a nice loop around the block tomorrow (Lord, and Boss willing).

Trying to free my mind here for a minute while I think about a case study for my MBA program. Wondering why I can't start an internet company and just do something that I really enjoy for myself...maybe once the free time comes back in November (yeah right!). there will probably be another munchkin by that time so we'll be busy as always...sure would be nice to get a moment to breathe once this is all over.

Anyways, back to ppt slides.

Check out upcoming events here: GetSetAZ Calendar

Check out Rob Sanchez's new project/album: Monahans