by Shannon Bowman-Sarkisian

Pescadero Marsh. Photos: Shannon Bowman-Sarkisian.

August 2011 — About a year ago, I decided to get serious about my health. It was time to eat sensibly! And exercise! Like many people who want to get in shape, I was intimidated. How could I become a different, better, healthier me? I hate going to the gym. I live 25 miles from the nearest gym; it was foolish to think I’d suddenly be inspired to drive that distance to jog on a treadmill. Would I have to give up my favorite foods? I was lost. I was overwhelmed. I was close to giving up, but determined to succeed.

So I started walking. It’s free, low- impact exercise that doesn’t require a two-year commitment. In the beginning, I walked alone, trekking from my home in the hills into Pescadero proper. Huffing and puffing my way up the driveway proved to be quite a workout, but it lacked variety and a sense of community.

A friend mentioned Kathy Webster, a nutrition and fitness trainer and consultant. Her company, Nourishing Bodies, offers group and personal training as well as nutritional and fitness evaluations. Her focus is on outdoor fitness, and classes are held in various locations around the South Coast and beyond.

Wilbur's Watch telescope.

“Being inside a gym is like working out in a box,” says Webster. “Most people work in an office — a box — drive in a car — another box — so why would they want to work out in another box? The music is canned and the air is canned. Outdoor fitness is a great way to breathe fresh air and get in touch with the flora and fauna and get in shape. Using different locations gives you different workouts. The workout at the beach provides this soft medium under your feet, so just walking on the sand works out so many different muscles in your legs and feet from hiking on a trail.”

The first class I attended was out in an area of Pescadero that was unfamiliar to me. Webster met me on Cloverdale Road and we caravanned out towards Highway 1. After several miles, we pulled into a turnout where a group of women had gathered for class. My classmates were artists, business owners, antiques dealers and writers — all with an obvious rapport.

Webster didn’t waste time — soon we were charging up the side of a mountain, rainwater sloshing past our feet and our instructor warning us to look out for newts. I managed to accidentally step on a few in spite of keeping my eyes firmly on the ground. Once we all reached the top, we were instructed to do pushups and resistance band training. Then it was back down the mountain for crunches and yoga stretches.

It’s easy to see why Webster’s classes are so compelling. The setting always changes — on any given day a class can be held on the beach, in the redwoods, or through the scrub of a coastal meadow — but the beauty of the Coastside is consistent, and so is the intensity of the workout.

“Kathy’s a real taskmaster,” says Cotton Skinner, a member of the Nourishing Bodies outdoor fitness class, “so when you finish, you know you’ve worked out. It’s a great, fun atmosphere but she keeps you at task. Without her, we wouldn’t do it.”

For Coastside residents looking to get a little exercise or to enjoy our natural surroundings, there’s no shortage of walks, hikes and beaches. We have a diverse range of trails suitable for a variety of fitness levels. Here are a few of my favorite coastal hikes:

The Sequoia Audubon and North Pond Trails — Pescadero State Beach, Pescadero

Time: One to two hours

The recent addition of a bridge on the North Pond Trail gives this walk an extension of sorts. Both trails are kid-friendly; the majority of the paths through the marsh are on flat ground. The end of Sequoia Audubon has a mild climb and North Pond has a slight incline past the bridge, but these are easy hikes with rewarding views. Rounding the vista of North Pond Trail is an unexpected treat — walkers can see clear over the dunes to Pescadero State Beach and beyond.

Wilbur’s Watch — Peninsula Open Space Trust, Pescadero

Time: One hour

A slightly bigger challenge, but still suitable for families, Wilber’s Watch is an uphill hike through lands protected by the Peninsula Open Space Trust — and it rewards the hiker with an amazing view of Pigeon Point Light Station. This is a moderate walk that features recycled redwood benches and a telescope for whale-watching at the lookout.

Gray Whale Cove Trail, Old San Pedro Mountain Road, and North Peak Access Road — McNee Ranch State Park, Montara

Time: Two to four hours

Montara Mountain offers the holy grail of Coastside hiking; spectacular views of Half Moon Bay, Pacifica, San Francisco and more await those who can make it to North Peak. Gray Whale Cove Trail is an enjoyable walk in its own right, and a bit more accessible for younger or novice walkers, but nothing beats a clear day on the summit. The North Peak Access Road is a strenuous hike. Hikers should come well-prepared with water, food and perhaps a walking stick.

On the Web:

www.nourishingbodies.com

www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=522

www.openspacetrust.org/activities/

tour_hiking.html

plants.montara.com/mrsp.html