I'm all about getting sporty on my trips. When I was training for the NYC marathon, I had to visit Washington, D.C. at a crucial point of my training. Instead of halting training or spending hours running on the hotel treadmill, I hired a running guide through City Running Tours who took me on a sightseeing run through our nation's capital.

So when I heard about a physical fitness event  -- again, in Washington, DC -- coming up on October 11, I thought I would share it with you. Bike for the Heart is a day-long event put on by the Sister to Sister organization, a group dedicated to educating women about heart health and risk prevention and providing free heart health checkups.

The day consists of four events:

 - a family-friendly five-mile bike ride around our nation's capital (this would be my choice)

I was recently rushing down a street in midtown Manhattan, trying to dodge raindrops, when an unusual sign stopped me in my tracks: a storefront was inviting me in for a nap.

I decided after a moment that I had enough willpower to pass up the offer and make it to my appointment on time (plus, the store looked suspiciously like one of those fancy new frozen-yogurt shops), but I kept thinking about the unusual spa, and when I got home, I investigated.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member quinius

In T-minus four months, I'm getting married. When I got engaged I promised myself that I wouldn't be that bride-to-be: no talking about my wedding all the time (obviously failing at that), no obsessing over silly details, and no crash diets to fit into my dress.

But I'm here to tell you that wedding dress shopping is a humbling event. Those ornate gowns are altered to fit like a glove--and if you aren't in top physical form, it will show every single buckle and bulge.

That's why I was intrigued when my friend Carly indulged in a "shapecation" with her bridesmaids. In fact, millions of people were probably intrigued because Good Morning America followed her on her journey. Check out the video here.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member joyvoyager.

Like many of you, I'm thinking a lot about my New Year's resolutions. Every year I diligently make promises to myself that I intend to keep, but I always revert back to my coffee-swilling, bacon-eating, gym-phobic ways within a month or two.

What I need is some professional help to inspire me to make permanent changes in my life, but the program would have to be fun if I’m going to commit. That's why this year I'm contemplating indulging in a wellness regimen at a destination spa.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member Mandan Lynn.

I’ve never really understood the appeal of the spa, let alone spa travel. I bruise easily, am ticklish, and have frighteningly sensitive skin, so my spa visits (mostly results of misguided gift certificates) have been somewhat traumatic. But ever since I visited China, where inexpensive spas were ubiquitous and my body sore from traveling, I’ve begun to rethink my position. Luckily, should I decide to become a true Spahound, my en-route options are fast becoming endless as transportation hubs take notice of spas’ popularity.

From October 31 to November 3, Spa Finder will assemble representatives from 50 of the world’s leading spas at New York’s Grand Central Station for The Spa Experience, allowing commuters to receive treatments or attend seminars on their way to work. I’m not sure I like the idea of taking to the massage table or cozying up to any sort of seaweed in public, but I’ll admit that an on-the-go massage does sound like the ultimate antidote to Grand Central’s legendary hustle and bustle.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member smmmarti guide

Peppermint or strawberry scrub? Rosemary or sage and lemon wrap? If you’ve ever indulged in a day at the spa, you know that the menu reads more like the bill of fare at a decadent sweet shop rather than a list of services at a health resort. Even better, these treats are a calorie-free, guilt-free way to give your body a boost.

With more travelers focusing on health and wellness in recent years, Spa Finder surveyed travel agents and discovered that spa vacations are on the rise. Being a traveler who doesn’t exactly like to “rough it” while on vacation, I, too, contribute to the growing numbers.