NEWS: Sudbury/Framingham, MA

November 8, 2012 -- Once again, like Willie Nelson sings, I'm on the road again!  This time I'll be spending some time in the Sudbury/Framingham, MA area.  I'll be sure to gather my knowledge on hotels, restaurants, fitness centers, and the social scene while I'm in the area.  Stay tuned for updates, they'll be sure to come!

Health: Andover Massage Therapy, Andover, MA

September 21, 2012 -- My body has been taking a beating from baseball, TRX training, and my routine running schedule, so a massage was in order.  Since I'm working away from home during the week and that my regular masseuse doesn't book appointments on weekends, I needed to find someone in the Andover area.  I searched Yelp and found favorable reviews for Andover Massage Therapy. I went to their website and used their appointment schedule to easily choose a masseuse and book an appointment.  The technical aspect of the visit had worked flawlessly.  Now, on to the actual massage.

My massage therapist, Adrienne Gill, was very professional, a gifted masseuse, and above all showed a genuine concern for my overall well-being.  The hour massage was fantastic!  She was able to massage away my stored up lactic acid and I left feeling rejuvenated.  The massage studio is in downtown Andover and is exactly what you would expect when looking for a massage.  The price was equivalent to the service provided and in the range of other massages that I had received in the past at other studios.  When I need another rub down, I'll definitely go back and see Adrienne at Andover Massage Therapy.  And if you're in the area, be sure to check them out as well, it'll be well worth the visit!

Fitness: Merrimack Valley YMCA, Andover, MA

September 6, 2012 -- Well, I bit the bullet, signed up for TRX Training at the Merrimack Valley YMCA, and attended my first group class yesterday.  Let me tell you, I'm sore today!  The TRX class is a 40-minute session where you use suspended cables and your own body weight to do multiple exercises.  The workout is a cross between weight training, cardio, and yoga.  There's plenty of movement to get a good sweat going, exercises to hit your larger muscle groups, and plenty of core training to tighten your abs.  I'm a bit clumsy when trying to adjust the straps to my handles, as well as to hook them over my heels and ankles, but the reward is worth it!  I'm sure after a few more sessions I'll get the hang of the straps and be able to zip through the workouts more smoothly.

I did have to pay extra to take these classes.  I spent $120 for the Fall session on top of my monthly membership fee.  Also, since I'm a visiting member, I had to pay the community price, which is a bit more than for a local member.  All in all, its been a great experience.  I can feel the fat melting off of me now!  Hope to see you there for the next session!

Fitness: Merrimack Valley YMCA, Andover/North Andover, MA

August 22, 2012 -- Being on travel again, I knew I needed to find myself another new fitness regiment.  That said, I looked about the Andover area for a YMCA and was pleased to find the Merrimack Valley YMCA of Andover/North Andover. I have utilized their reciprocal program with my home YMCA of Newport County, RI, and all has worked well.  Now, I will admit that I will always feel that the Newport County YMCA is the nicest Y I've been to, but I'll agree that I'm biased.  So, if I rate that Y and A and use that as my benchmark, then the Merrimack Valley YMCA of Andover/North Andover is a solid B.  In comparison, I'd rate the La Jolla YMCA an A-, so this place is pretty good.

There's plenty of fitness machines, a free weight room, group exercise classes, spinning, yoga, pool, basketball court, decent locker room, and a lot less elderly people than in La Jolla!  My only gripes are that their equipment is a bit dated and could definitely use an overhaul, and that there are no running routes that can come close to Newport, RI.  However, I'll be starting a new TRX Training routine when their next session begins on 9/4.  Next week they're making upgrades to the facilities, so maybe their rating will go up to a B+!

All in all, I'm very satisfied with the place, it's a short drive from work and my hotel, and I get my much-needed workout every day.  Couldn't be happier!

Fitness: Seaport Village Route, San Diego, Day 12

June 29, 2012 -- AP is gone!  He's flying back to RI, just when I was rewarded with a three day weekend.  With the whole day ahead of me, the first thing I needed to do was get in a workout.  Behind the Manchester Grand Hyatt is the Seaport Village and along with that is a long walkway that goes on for miles.  However, on this morning I felt more like the Millennium Falcon avoiding asteroids!  This place is loaded with tourists, who I've dubbed "meanderthals" since they walk aimlessly around, oblivious to my jogging.

Tourists aside, the running route is full of sites, being right on San Diego Bay.  There are shops and restaurants all along Seaport Village, the USS Midway -- a retired air craft carrier, Embarcadero Park -- a beautiful area that juts out into the Bay, and much more.  Depending on your skill level, you can easily run for an hour without straying from the walkway.  Of course if you wanted to brave the city streets you can do that as well.  So, as you can see there's no reason for you to miss your running workout when staying in downtown San Diego.

Lodging: Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, Day 10

June 27, 2012 -- After nine wonderful days at the Residence Inn in La Jolla, I switched hotels to be closer to the Gaslamp District during the 4th of July celebration.  My hotel of choice downtown is the Manchester Grand Hyatt.  The place is absolutely huge, having two, 40-story towers with a 4th floor pool deck that includes a pool, hot tubs, rows and rows of deck chairs, and attendants to get you everything from towels to food and drinks.

Their fitness center is top notch, having plenty of cardio machines, Life Fitness circuit machines, and free weights, all overlooking Seaport Village, Coronado, and San Diego Bay.  This is the view from my hotel room -- spectacular!

Definitely stay here if you can -- I'll be here for the next twelve days!!!

Fitness: La Jolla YMCA, San Diego, Day 2

June 19, 2012 -- Being a fitness buff, there's no way I'm going to spend my month in San Diego eating, drinking, and sitting in a lab all day for work!  I can't come back home to my wife 20 pounds heavier and with a pooch belly!  Not going to happen!  Fortunately for me, the La Jolla YMCA is literally two minutes from the Residence Inn.  Better yet, since I'm a Newport County YMCA member in Rhode Island, I can take advantage of their reciprocal program to go to the LA Jolla Y for free.  Well, actually the first 14 visits per year are free and only $5 a visit after that.  I still haven't reached my limit, so it's a win-win situation so far!

The facility is more than adequate, a better than average YMCA.  I still like the one in Newport better, but I'm splitting hairs at this point.  The fitness center and free weight rooms are away from the children's areas.  Let me tell you, people in California have their kids in everything, and I'm dodging their Y Summer Camp every day.  The kids are fine, but I have to tell you I'm amazed at how many old people go to the Y.  I'm not talking 60 year olds, I'm talking ELDERLY!  Remember, I have to change and shower in the men's locker room, so you can imagine the sights I'm seeing!  Where are the young(er) people?  I guess I'll have to serve as eye candy for the old ladies, whatever.  Anyway, I'm able to do double workouts without having to worry about waiting for machines, treadmills, bikes, etc.  If you have to travel like me and you're a YMCA member, take advantage of the reciprocal program; it'll save you some cash and keep you fit at the same time.