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 When I am in Arizona, I always make time to hike Pinnacle Peak - it's a great way to exercise with breath-taking views to keep you motivated and reward your hard work.
It's a 1.75-mile, out-and-back hike, with three big climbs and descents. The elevation gain is around 1,300 feet total, and there are two lookouts for you to catch your breath and take in the views. Round-trip, Pinnacle Peak is a challenging 3.5 miles, and regardless of how far you intend to hike, please respect the arid desert climate and take PLENTY of water.
I love Pinnacle Peak because the park staff has placed informational signs all along the trail, pointing out the cacti, flowers, animals and reptiles you may encounter. It's a great hike for families because the terrain is an even, hard-packed path that children can navigate with a little encouragement - and the signage provides an incentive for them to find out what's around the bend so they can learn something new about the desert environment.
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fitness
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When Valerie first met her trainer Christopher Ross Lane in November 2008, running a half-marathon was not in the picture.
“At the time, we were just talking about the bikini, and she knew what she did and didn’t like,” Lane recalls. “She did not like running and she said she would never be a runner. I smiled sweetly and nodded my head – if you only knew!”
With Christopher’s guidance, Tom’s encouragement and her own internal drive, Valerie changed her body for the bikini photo and changed her mind about running. The key was a gradual, consistent program. Christopher, Valerie and Tom shared some tips, based on their experiences...
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Mother. Actress. Author. Bikini Model. … And now, at age 49, Valerie can add runner to her resume.
This April, to celebrate her 50th birthday, Valerie will be running in the Boston Marathon, on behalf of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Last July, Valerie ran the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon in 2 hours, 12 minutes, 19 seconds – finishing the 13.1-mile race in the top one-third of all competitors and accomplishing a major goal:
“I was not an athlete growing up, and I was running with some people who’ve been doing it since they were 10,” she said. “I want to show everyone there’s more we can do with our bodies – anybody can do this at any age.”
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