I'll Take Hartford for $200, Alex

Hartford is my home city but I know so little about it. Now that I work downtown I'm learning a little bit, like good places to eat (Trumbull Kitchen), good places to get an Americano (yes, they exist if the owner of Jojo's makes it), and where to find the world's most un-friendly eyesore of an arena (The Civic Center, now called XL Center, is an urban planning nightmare). My cousin Marshall and two buddies have started a custom denim company here, resurrecting old industrial sewing equipment and bringing handmade manufacturing back to the city. The Hartford Courant published a great piece last week. I want to visit their shop and when I can scrap together the cash, order some custom jeans. Go Marshall!

Here are some pics of downtown, brushed with some Instagram love.

...and home

5 sit-ups, 5 push-ups, no excuses

The 20 minute workout. Before Edie, I'd dip out of work at Makers' for a luxurious lunchtime spin class or hit up Crossfit from 6-7pm on any given weeknight, as well as Saturday mornings. There was even a time when I did Crossfit followed by yoga (followed by a scone, but who's counting?). When Edie was just a little thing we walked and walked and walked around Wallingford and Green Lake on our days home together, in addition to Crossfit (after she was in bed).

Now that I'm back on the full-time work schedule I'm happy to squeeze in a 20-minute workout. It doesn't seem like much but if I get a sweat going then I've succeeded. Yeah I kind of enjoy being sore the next day (which I haven't felt in a long time), but if I can get my heartrate up, I'm good. I work out in our garage or basement with kettlebells, dumbbells, a pull-up bar, ab mat, and good old fashioned body weight. I just ordered a jump rope and next I want to get a medicine ball.

I'm trying to figure out the best time to workout because when I get home, I want to chill with Edie and Dave. It's Edie dinner, bath, books, then bed, then dinner for me and Dave, all by 8pm. There's not much leeway. And forget about working out post-dinner (I tried). I've analyzed this a lot and I've concluded that it's the unfortunate time of 5:30am, as it won't cut into Edie time, I don't have to go anywhere, I get it out of the way, and sweating won't ruin my hairdo. But how can I wake up even earlier!? I cherish sleep as much as sweat.

Yesterday I exercised at my work gym which is very similar to a Hilton Hotel gym (small, free, kinda creepy in the basement). It was better than nothing, and there were other people to ease the creep factor. Did I mention we also belong to the JCC? We pay for it, and Dave does use it for basketball. If I think about the math I probably pay $20 every time I set foot in there. Am I their ideal customer?

Today while the mid-afternoon doldrums set in I Googled Crossfits in the area and found one that has a neutral reputation (I've heard negative things about the other local Box). I contacted the woman who runs it and mentioned we miss the cameraderie and adrenaline highs associated with Crossfit. She said stop in anytime.

I'm tempted.