I'm So Behind!

WOD #72 June 27th
This doesn't have a name, but I call it Shit-Show, because it caught me off-guard...I was holding my right side (I think I popped a stitch) but the 3rd round and had to quit. :(

5 rounds
Row 200
12 Push Press (15 lbs dumbbells)
8 KB Swings (20 lbs)
4 Burpees

I did 2 full rounds and 8 kb swings. Don't even know the time.

WOD #73 June 30th
Fake Cindy. This went GREAT! I even smiled during the WOD!

AMRAP 20 Min
5 Ring Rows
7 Knee push ups
9 squats
10 rounds and 7 push ups

WOD #74
Row as far as you can in 20 min
3390 m

Not too shabby.

Guess Who's Back?

That's me!

It's been hard. In fact, I'm not totally cleared (unless lifting weights less than 20 lbs counts, which it most certainly does not). I have to have another invasive test in the next week or so, as well. But I'm getting there.

Today was my first day back, and I was nervous! It felt great, though. While I was gone, the boys moved gyms, so that was amazing to see, too. It is so beautiful!

WOD #71
3 full rounds and 13 meters rowed

As many rounds as possible in 15 minutes of:
250 m Row
20 Sit-up (abmat)s
15 Kettlebell Swings 20 lbs
7 Body Rows

I am now behind on my WODs if I'm going to make 200 in a year, but I WILL DO IT!

Crossfit I Miss You!

So, I'm still out. Surgery isn't until the 3rd of June. And OMG I'm going crazy. My mom and sister are here and really are "helping".

I will be so ready to come back, let me tell you!

Hanging In There

To say I'm nervous and depressed would be an understatement.

I had an ultrasound yesterday, and they aren't supposed to tell you what they see. However, the woman accidentally hit the cyst that has been bothering me at just the right point and I practically jumped off of the table. She confirmed that there was a cyst and that it was on a follicle. (I don't know what that means exactly).

At this point I just want to get the surgery over with. Seriously. I want to have energy back and I want to be able to work out without fears of something in my body exploding (I doubt that that is how it works, but...it sure feels that way!)

Broken

So, after four and a half months of keeping up my goal to do 200 WODs in a year, I have some crappy news. I'm having surgery sometime next week and won't be able to work out for a MONTH! I'm going crazy. I have some issues I won't go into (girl troubles, lol) and I'm not looking forward to this surgery. At all.

Wish me luck! I'll be around. I'm definitely going to try and do my best to walk as much as possible. EEK.

Work It Out

Kinda behind posting, as per usual...Here are my last 2 WODs.

WOD #70 May 6th
30:11

5 rounds for time:
15 ring rows
15 push press 43lb
15 back squat 65lb

WOD #71 May 9th
20:16

Row 500m
21 0HS (23lb)
45 sit-ups
21 kb swings (35lb)
Row 250m
15 OHS (23lb)
45 sit-ups
15 kb swings (35lb)
Row 500m

Running With The Big Kids

WOD #69
29:59

2 rounds for time of:
Run 100 meters
25 Box jumps 12″
Run 100 meters
25 Sit-ups
Row 200 meters
25 Walking lunge
Run 100 meters
75 Singles

Pros: I did 2 rounds of 25 box jumps. That is not easy for me.

Cons: The runs were ok on the first round, but I had a hard time with them on the second round, especially on the transistion from run to box jump or lunge to run!

This was a hard WOD, but I did this with the class (although I scaled it from 3 rounds to 2). The box jumps were so hard on me that literally there were people on their double unders once I finished the first 25! I would of loved to do a 3rd round, but I would of been another 15 minutes out, and that doesn't work right for the idea of scaling...as it was, I finished about 9 minutes after the average person. I am proud of myself that I didn't chicken out on taking this with the class. Also, I so love that Crossfit people don't judge and just let me do my WOD even if I suck. :)

Head Games

Date: May 2nd
Wod# 68

Michael 18:11
3 rounds:
200 m run
25 back extensions
25 ab mat situps

Pros: I have never done 25 back extensions, let alone 3 rounds.

Cons: Everything else.

The first round of running was fabulous, but by the time I finished the back extensions I wanted to die. It was killing me. I wish I had hustled harder on round 2 and 3, but in the moment, the pain was just too much. My back was really burning. Live and learn, I guess. After the WOD, I had to row 1000m for time (which, incidentally, I didn't write down the time, and I know I went as slow as possible because my back was KILLING me). I kept standing up to stretch my back out. I also was given the assignment of 50 burpees, because I just didn't capture the "intensity" that Shain wanted. I only had time to do 15, but I am going to yoga early today to do the rest.

Danny and I, even on the Zone, ate out WAY too much last month. This month, we are cutting down on sushi to once a week, and that is our ONE dining out a week. I made lasagna again this weekend, and this morning, I threw salmon in the fridge to defrost with a bit of olive oil, soy sauce, and white wine. I have no idea if that will be good for a marinade, but I will brush it with mustard and soy sauce before I cook it.

I went to the endrocrinologist again today. I'm still not regulated, and I'm really frustrated. All I can do is eat right and work out. But, it's disheartening. It's not as if I'm doing anything to screw up my thyroid, that is on it's own, but...my body drives me crazy.

I also saw my infertility specialist. I told her how I had been pondering Paleo, and she said NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I guess the Zone is better for PCOS. I'm really going to bust my butt the next few months. It's hard when I get so emotional, between exhaustion, medical issues, and everything else. She said I need to be nicer to myself. That made me cry. LOL. Surprise.

Is There Ever Gonna Be A Day Where I Don't Get Nervous Before A Crossfit Workout?? Just Curious

This post is about my 67th WOD since January 1st.

TJ once told me that if I'm not nervous before a workout, it's probably not intense enough.

Even so, I think it is so funny that my body reacts the same everytime I turn onto the streets leading to Crossfit. I get a stomach ache. I get tense. Even if I wanted to focus on something else, I couldn't, because I'm so overwhelmed by the thoughts of what I'm going to put my body through during the next hour. I also play this game. "In one hour and 4 minutes, I will be laying on the ground..." So crazy.

Yesterday, I did Cindy pretty much RX'd, with the exception of doing ring rows instead of pull-ups. I did the full twenty minutes. It went great. The hand release push-ups get me EVERY single time, but I think that they will have to get easier. Someday.

WOD #67
Cindy- 8 rounds, 9 push-ups

AMRAP 20 min
5 ring rows
10 push ups (hand release)
15 squats

Compare to:

WOD #35 (3/6/11)
Cindy 7 full rounds, 5 ring-rows and 5 push-ups
5 Ring-rows
10 Push-ups
15 Squats

In My Father's Footsteps? Over My Dead Body

I don't talk about this a lot, but it's been on my mind.

My dad weighs over five hundred pounds.

Like, probably six hundred pounds.

In today's world, he is big. But, sadly, you see people like him. Not daily, but enough that you don't drop everything and say "OH MY GD".

But growing up in the '80s, like I did, it wasn't normal. I remember walking a few steps ahead of him everywhere we went. I would have a menacing look on my face, DARING people to stare at him. I would run ahead in restaurants, to make sure we could get seats that didn't have arms, and that weren't too out in the open, but at the same time, not too much of a walk back. He couldn't walk that far.

My dad has a sense of humor as big as his stomach. Seriously. He literally would tell people that he was a recovering anorexic, and that he was proud of his recovery. He never seemed to eat TOO much in public, but had no problem talking about his favorite foods, restaurants, or what he ate last night. He was shameless! Have you ever noticed that "fat" people never talk about food? It's like they don't want you to think that they actually eat.

I went through an anorexic phase, and I remember going to visit him. I wsa going to be there for 3 days, which meant roughly 5 workouts. My dad was about to turn 50 and thought it would be fun to join. (He was lighter then, maybe 400 lbs.) He went with me, and for a brief moment in time, we had something in common.

You see, when I was growing up, my dad didn't really do anything with me or my siblings. He worked crazy hours, and when he was home, you could find him on the couch. "Quality time" meant praying, eating, or long drives. (He was a car afficiando). I have no memories of doing physical activities with my dad. I know he coached my brother's soccer team, but that was more for the folly of it, and there were other coaches that actually knew the sport.

At my sister's wedding, he was to do the father/daughter dance with her. There was a glitch in the technical system, however, which left him standing, painfully still, for over 30 seconds. He couldn't handle the agony and sat down, and my brother filled in. My dad never spoke of that moment, but I know it killed him. We aren't close, (for many other reasons), so this wasn't an issue at my wedding. He did, however, roll a wheelchair down the aisle.

Why am I writing about all of this now? Because I am at the age when I will try to have kids in the next year or so. And I worry. I am no where near his size, but I know genes are genes.

I am making a promise, from here until forever. Being on the Zone and Crossfitting can't be novelties to me. And, sometimes, I feel like they are. Not because I don't love Crossfit, or the energy and power the Zone gives me, but because, somewhere deep inside, I think I feel like I have been sentenced to following in his shoe steps. And I WON'T DO IT.

When I do something "big", like get my double unders, or run a 400m, no one is more surprised than me. Because I feel like a 600 lb shadow of a man. I don't think I've ever realized that, until right this minute. But I'm as much of a Crossfitter as anyone else at the box. I am earning my title as an athlete with every WOD.


I am going to be a healthy mom and wife. I will be able to ride bikes with my kids, and do Disneyland, and go all over the world. I have to. Because I don't want to be standing in a room of people, all staring at me, wondering if the lifestyle I chose was worth not being able to be a good parent to my child.

Playing Catch Up

I've been a little behind on blogging, so I just want to get these posted and then I will get back to being a more regular blogger come tomorrow. We started the Zone challenge thru the box yesterday! YAY! I'm ready.

April 21, 2011
WOD #63
Max effort 500m row
2:23 (PR by 9 seconds!)

WOD #64
AMRAP: 15 minutes
5 rounds, 4 wall balls

5 Cleans 53lb
15 situps
10 wall balls

April 25, 2011

WOD #65
Nancy
5 Rds for time: 11:27

Run 100m
15 OHS 23 lbs

Skills Day: Or, Where I Just Walk Around The Box!

Yesterday, I had an appointment to train at 6 PM. I left work at 5:20 and got to the box a little early, with enough time to do some mobility work and also practice my double unders. I wanted to be relaxed and in a good mood for whatever Shain and TJ had for me.

Right at 6:00, TJ said, "Rachel, I screwed up. Can you train with the class?" The WOD was Michael: 3 rounds of 800m run, 50 KB swings, and 50 sit-ups. I was like, absolutely not. (That's the Crossfit spirit, right?!) He said he could train me alongside the class, but I said I could just do skills.

I first decided to do a max effort 1K row. Not my favorite thing, but I've heard before that you should target your least favorite skills when you have time, and I did. I put my i-Pod on and blasted a little hip-hop, and lo and behold, pr'd by 5 seconds. I am thinking that music is my secret weapon for rowing and running. I need a good beat to zone out, and Metallica/Creed/Nickleback/blah is just not doing it for me.

WOD #62
Max Row 1000m
5:22

I then kind of wandered around. LOL. If I had been prepared, I would of done a WOD like 5 rounds for time, WB/situps or something to that effect. But I was kind of discombobulated and ended up doing 10 sets of 5 ring rows, some sit ups, some hand release pushups, and some more double unders. It wasn't a waste, but I defintely realized that I need a plan when I go to the gym!

I also went and hung out at Cassie/Kellie's last night, and Cassie told me to try double unders with her cable rope. SUCH A DIFFERENCE. I have to get one. I am scared to death for when I whip myself, but I got a DU on my second try, and that is so much faster than what crap I've done lately. The last two days have definitely made me feel better about where I am, and I am so grateful!

And I'm Back Again!

As I mentioned earlier, I've been in a funk. On top of that, my last two WODs have not been my best, so I had the added stress of "when am I ever gonna rock a workout again?!" that I tend to feel after I suck. Seriously not fun. The old Rachel would of put off coming back to the box, but I was not trying to procrastinate if I could help it. I wanted to get back in the game, because I would hate to waste all of the effort I've put in this year. I am nowhere near where I want to be, but I can be proud of my consistency and, as of late, my diet.

My last Xfit total was 386 on 1-14-11. My goal today was 420. And...I beat it! Not only that, but I deadlifted 203 lbs. Shain and I were laughing...my first deadlift was 83 lbs, back in February of 2010. :)

So I feel a lot better today. I'm glad I went. I still didn't improve that much on my shoulder press, which is irritating but its where I'm at. My next goal for the Total is 470.

WOD #61
Crossfit Total
429 lbs (44lb PR!)
173 backsquat
53 lb shoulder press
203 lb deadlift

Also: I just looked at my post from the last Crossfit Total and I wrote that my desired goal for the next time I did the WOD was 410. I'm really glad I wrote that, because I bust through it! It feels good to see when I make a goal and am able to beat it.

I Don't Want To Talk About It

So I've not been having an easy time with life. This is not a bloggy blog, where I discuss my life in general, so I won't be talking about that stuff here. Needless to say, I have not been having an easy time. Thursday, I tried to shake it off. I went in and thought I'd try to run. I even brought my head phones so that I could try to go faster than usual. It worked. I got a PR on my 400m (YAY!) and was really excited. But then for some reason the stress I've been going through got to me and it was not pretty. The WOD I did next wasn't that hard, but it got to me. After 3 rounds I tried to quit but luckily Shain wouldn't let me.

Friday I got to the gym and was excited to redeem myself. No such luck. I ran an 800 and then the shit hit the fan. I DNF'd on the workout, and I am really upset about it. I hate that I can't separate the shit going on in my life and the WOD at hand.

WOD #58 4/14/11
400m
2:45 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOD #59
19:58
5 Rounds:
5 snatch 43 lb
Run 100 m
15 box jump (8 stacked mats)


WOD #60 4/15/11
6:59
Run 800m

Dear Crossfit

Dear CrossFit,

I like that you push me. That you shove me around. That you don’t listen to my whining, my excuses, my belly-aching.

When I say, “This is hard” . . . you say, “Do it again.”

When I say, “But I’m not good at this” . . . you say, “So, practice. Get good.”

When I say “This hurts” . . . you say, “So does life. Get over it.”

You poke me in the chest, you kick me in the ass, you drive me over the edge.

And I love every single flippin’ minute of it. Even as I hate it too.

If I wanted my workout to hug me and make me feel special, I’d be rocking some jazzeryoga40x in my basement. With some chamomile tea. And a blankie.

But I’m not here for the party. I’m here because I don’t need another person in life to tell me that I’m special and I’m good enough and I’m wonderful. (I mean, don’t stop with that, my ego kinda digs it.) But I want the truth. I can handle it. And I can handle the work to make myself better.

I don’t have a muscle-up. And I needed to be reminded of that, and the many other things I need to motor on.

See, CrossFit, we understand each other. Keep pushing me, don’t ever stop.

XOXOXOXO

Me
(from Crossfit Lisbeth...I love her!)

Dude, Where's Your Brain?

As I've mentioned before, I've been taking yoga as a compliment to my Crossfit classes. This is important to me because 1) I suck at stretching, 2) I definitely need the relaxation and 3) it gives me a guarenteed "date" night with one of my best friends once a week. One think that is hard about yoga is that you can't gague your progress the way you can with Crossfit. Whereas you might be able to reach further during a stretch, or hold something longer, it isn't something that you write down or that anyone else is paying attention to, so at the end of the hour, its all about how you feel. I have to let go of comparing myself to the other girls in the class. The bodies in the room are flawless, and mine isn't. It can be distracting, when I catch sight of myself in the mirror and start calling myself mean names. I realize that the whole point of working out is to become stronger and happier with myself, and I'm not doing that at this point. I still feel like my body is my enemy, and it is frustrating.

Today, however, I am going to celebrate that I was able to get together breakfast, lunch, and 2 snacks (all Zoned) for work. I did, though, forget my gym bag at home. When I got to work, I realized that I left my work keys on my desk, thus locking myself out. I had to call a co-worker to come rescue me, because I get to work first. I also had to reschedule Crossfit for tomorrow, because it is not really feasible to drive all the way home to get my clothes to get back to the box to do a WOD on a work night. But a friend who has keys to my house is going to bring my workout clothes to yoga, which is where she is going, so I can at least do yoga tonight. Serenity now. I'm really trying to get my act together. It's just hard when I am the biggest space case! Today I will focus on the positive things I am doing for myself and let go of the chaos that is swirling around me.

Back on Track

After two days of not really Zoning as well as I should, I feel crappy and ready to be back. I went to Sunrise Cafe this morning to get an omlette (I didn't get home until 9:30 last night...I'm too old to get my food organized that late!) I feel a lot better knowing I'm back and eating right. It wasn't that I was eating junk for the last two days, but I really wasn't having the right combo of fats, carbs and protein. Not fun.

WOD #56
Front Squat 5-5-5-5-5
53-58-63-68-73

This was cool because I hate hate hate front squats. I have an issue with the rack position...namely, I can't really support it. I am uber-flexible but this position just doesn't work for my body. But I ended up being able to get some practice in today. And I looked back to WOD #27 (February) and saw Front squat 3-3-3 58-68-68...this is a big improvement! Things like that help me to feel like I'm getting somewhere.

WOD #57 4 Rounds, 4 Squats
As many rounds as possible in 15 minutes of:
200 m Row
15 Air Squats
10 Dumbbell Push Presses 10 lbs
5 Kettlebell Swings 35 lbs

I'm so glad that I've become consistent with my WODs and eating. If I had been keeping this blog since I started Crossfit, there would not be as much of a steady improvement the way there is now. The truth is I am fighting a crappy disease (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS) that causes weight gain. It can be really depressing and for awhile I gave into the depression. But I've realized that every time I give into the disease, the terrorists win. And I'm not going down without a fight.

FGB and Other Madness

WOD #55 Body Weight FGB
Perform 3 rounds for max reps of the following:

Box jump - 1min
Push Up - 1min
Sit Up - 1min
Row - 1min
Ring row - 1min

Rest 1 minute in between rounds. Post total reps.

This was actually a FUN WOD. It went really fast, which is always a plus. I was able to do the entire thing on a 12 in box, instead of stacked gym mats. All good things.

Sunday I worked on the extra cardio we had promised to do on the Zone Challenge. I took the dog out and walked 4 miles in 1 hour and ten minutes. I didn't run but I definitely went as fast as I could. It was a great time and a total change from my workouts as of late.

Drink The Crossfit Kool-Aid!

Last night I had a really funny dream. I dreamt that I was at Disneyland, and that it was kind of set up like high school. Different classes were doing Crossfit, and my mom happened to be participating in "Helen" for the day. I was so proud of her! She did it in 50:00 minutes, which, given that she has a terminal illness, isn't bad at al

l. I was telling her about the dream this morning, and she thought it was hilarious. I told her she probably could do the workouts if she was just patient, and worked with a trainer. My mom said "ABSOLUTELY NOT!" But, she was curious about what it is about Crossfit that I like so much and what I think it has given me.

My best friend Mike got me into Crossfit at a time in my life where things were out of my control. My mom was really sick and in the hospital, I was unemployed, and diagnosed with infertility. The medicines they were putting me on caused me to lose my hair, throw up daily, and suffer from insane depression. It was not a good time to be Rachel. A year later, things haven't really changed. My mom is still sick, I'm still infertile, and the medicines are just as crappy. However, how I am able to face life and it's challenges has definitely gotten better. I have the energy to care about what fuel I put into my body, and I have made a schedule that I am sticking to with my workouts. I have made great friends and improved the friendships that I had prior to Crossfit because I am a better problem-solver and more independant. Mike also introduced our other best friend, Josh, to Crossfit as well. He has lost over 45 lbs and has made his health and well-being a priority again after 7 years in a high-stress job. We all call each other after our WODs to brag and commiserate. I'm lucky. And happy.

50 minute Helen or not, I think Crossfit can do a lot for people if they just let it. Drink the Kool-Aid!

Working Thru The Blah

After I wrote out all of my issues with my Zone program yesterday, I felt a lot better. However, last night I ended up eating the following for dinner: ground turkey, tomato sauce, and avacado. Seriously. It was yummy, but oy vey. I need to get my stuff together!

Today is Thursday and I am ditching yoga. I think I am getting burnt out, and I have to cook dinner for my fellow Zonies tonight, so I would like to make it a little less stressful than going to yoga straight to Kellie/Cassie.

WOD #53
Deadlift 5-5-5-5-5
125-135-155-155-155
(This was mostly for strength)

A few wks ago, my 3RM was 155. So 3 rounds of 5 at 155lbs was exciting.

WOD #54
For time: 18:31
500 m Row
12 Thrusters 53 lbs
12 Body Rows
12 Burpees
9 Thrusters 53 lbs
9 Body Rows
9 Burpees
6 Thrusters 53 lbs
6 Body Rows
6 Burpees

I hate thrusters, and burpees. I'm glad I finished this WOD, but it wasn't that much fun.

Are You There, Crossfit? It's Me, Rachel

Confession: I am becoming complacent in the Zone Challenge.

I have like five meals in my repoitoire (how does one spell that?) and that's about it. I think if I could just eat Stawberry Yogurt Zone Bars 5 times a day, I would. And I know that this is becoming a problem, because I'm not losing anymore weight.

Before Shain jumps in and says, "WEIGHT IS THE WORST INDICATOR OF SUCCESS!" I need to say something. That might be the case. But I need to lose weight. So, if we are going by WEIGHT as a SUCCESS INDICATOR, I'm at a standstill. And I know I have myself to blame.

I have compromised on my WODs, as well. (This is not a fun, pithy entry, now, is it?) I mean, I am still at the box at least 3 days a week, and I have been going to yoga two times a week as well, but I haven't done my extra running. I haven't done a ton of extra cardio (yes, I know Crossfitters don't do extra cardio. But for me, I need it...it's where I do my best thinking. And breathing. And trust me, people...I need to breathe).

And I have all kinds of excuses. Do you want to hear them? Good, because I don't feel like going through them at this moment. The overwhelming issue in all of this is that I don't have enough time in my life. I hired a dog-walker, for Gd's sakes! I can't even walk my own dog! That is so irritating. And I'm not really going to complain. I have a job, and I know that I should be grateful. But I also have a husband who I never get to see, friends who I have to text message from underneath my desk throughout the work day, and a house that I haven't cleaned in forever.

I need help! I need...a week off! I need imput! (Input? Damn grammar police). Any zone ideas out there? Or volunteer chefs???

**I have opened up the comment section so that you can post without having an account, ok?

Rachel's Birthday Workout!

WOD #52 RACHEL'S 31!
28:26
31 Calorie Row
31 Pull-up (jumping)s
31 Kettlebell Swings 35 lbs
31 Sit-up (abmat)s
31 Walking Lunges
31 Wall Balls 10 lbs
31 Back Extensions
31 Jump Rope (Singles)s
31 Push Presses 15 lbs dumbbells
31 Calorie Row

I looked back, and on my 30th I did
AMRAP 20 Min
10 Thrusters (33 lb)
10 Jumping pull ups
For a total of 5.5 rounds.

It was fun to see the comparison! The 31 WOD was fun except by the time I finished the back extensions I was dying, they are not good on an aging body such as my own. ;) I had to sub out SDHP that we were going to do orignally for push presses, but I am glad I still finished the WOD.

Last night, Cassie, Kellie and Jen surprised me with a totally sweet birthday dinner, complete with Zone Strawberry Shortcake. It finished up a fabulous birthday and really meant a lot to me.

Today's food:

Breakfast:
shake

Snack:
2 oz turkey jerky
6 almonds
apple

Lunch:
Chicken
Broccoli
almonds

Snack 2:
Zone bar

Dinner:
Zone lasagne



Post total time.

April Fools!

Friday was April Fool's. I really ignored it all day, and when anyone posted "I'm Pregnant!" on Facebook, I knew better than to fall for it. So when it came time to do my WOD, I was totally not paying attention. And then Shain says, "Ok, Wallballs/SDHP: 21, 18, 15, 12, 9" and I tried not to freak out. I needed a second, I told him, to get my head in the game. He was then like, 3, 2, 1...April Fools! I was about to have a heart attack, because wall balls are not my specialty. It made the actual 21-15-9 go pretty easy! ;)

WOD #51: 8:11
21 Wall Balls 10 lbs
21 Sumo Deadlift High-pulls 43 lbs
15 Wall Balls 10 lbs
15 Sumo Deadlift High-pulls 43 lbs
9 Wall Balls 10 lbs
9 Sumo Deadlift High-pulls 43 lbs

Saturday was the 2nd Sectionals workout. It was really amazing, SCCF kicked ass and I had a blast watching everyone. That night, Danny and I went out for my birthday. We went to Burger Bar, and I was so well-behaved. I had a turkey burger with no bun, a salad, 5 fries (1 blk carb) and a glass of wine (1 blk carb). I know, so crazy! Danny was like, are you sure you don't want cake or something? LOL. But those 5 fries tasted amazing and I didn't want to risk tasting sugar and going off of the Zone.

Sunday was my birthday, and we went to Sunrise Cafe for breakfast. I took a 6 hr nap (I'm old!) and then we hung out and went to I Love Sushi for dinner. I made it through my entire birthday on Zone! I'm really proud.

Nifty Fifty

Yesterday I completed my fiftieth WOD of the year. I am kind of in shock, to be honest, because it is almost April and I am still being consistent. I think I have put so many safeguards in place (training sessions, running my mouth, this blog) that I would be humiliated if I fell off now, but that hasn't stopped me in the past. I guess the difference is I am emotionally invested in changing my life forever this time. When I was in college and was seriously anorexic (the kind you read about in magazines...gross!) I don't think I ever realized that you have to eat and move everyday for the rest of your life. I couldn't see that far. Now that I am old and really focused on being healthy rather than a size 0, I get the whole lifestyle change as a reality.

WOD #50
Helen 14:52
3 Rounds:
Run 200m
21 KB Swings 35lb
12 Jumping pullups

This was a hard one for me, even though Helen is usually one of my favorites. I had never done full weight, but also we did shoulder press and ring rows as the strength before the WOD so I was dead. Nonetheless I could of done better.

Food:
Breakfast:
20 g protein powder mixed with water (3 blocks protein)
bagel thin (1 block carb) with 1.5 tsp peanut butter (3 block fat)
6 inches banana (2 blocks carb)

Snack one:
6 almonds (2 block fat)
2 oz turkey jerky (2 block protein)
1 apple (2 block carbs)

Lunch:
Salmon burger (3 blocks protein)
1 bagel thin (1 block carbs)
1/2 cantalope (2 blocks carbs)
3 tbps avacado (3 block fats)

Snack 2:
Zone bar (2 blocks fat, proteins, carbs)

Dinner:
Turkey tacos at Cassie's

Workout for Day:
Yoga (I'm running out of yoga steam, but I am going to make myself go to make sure I have active rest. It's a cardio class and pretty hard.)

Food for Wednesday

Breakfast:
I took a tip from Jen C and had a protein shake (just the water and protein), some oatmeal, and nuts.

Snack 1:
Jerky, nuts, and banana

Lunch:
Chicken Salad

Snack 2:
Zone Bar

Dinner:
Salmon burger
skim cheese
flat bread
lettuce
tomato
1/4 avacado

Not Fun. That's All She Wrote.

I don't know how I didn't publish this, so I missed it...just put it in. Can't fix the order because I'm an idiot.

WOD #47 March 23, 2011

AMRAP in 5 minutes:
5 Clean and Jerk 43 lbs
9 ring row
7 Push up
(2 full rounds, and 2 ring rows)

Then rest 3 min

AMRAP in 5 min
5 power clean 53 lbs
9 Ring Rows
7 Push up
(2 full rounds, and 6 ring rows)

Then rest 3 min

AMRAP in 5 min
5 clean and jerks 53 lb
5 burpees
(2 full rounds and 2 burpees)

I'm Back

I've fallen off the blogging a bit, and I know I've got to step it up. I hopefully am getting internet back at my house tonight, so I will no longer be writing this on the hush at work. It's like the Oregon Trail at home...no internet! Crazy!

The Zone Challenge is going great. 2 weeks in, I'm down a bit over 10 lbs. I'm also clean and sober off the coke...Diet Coke. ;) I'm feeling good. This past weekend my best friend was in and I didn't go off of the Zone once. We went out to dinner and shopping Saturday night, and when all the girls went and got frozen yogurt, I WALKED TO THE CAR and brought it around in order to not be tempted. I didn't need the treat, and I didn't miss it. Feels great!

Today's food:

Breakfast:
Zone Shake

Snack 1:
4 hard-boiled egg whites
Hummos
almonds

Lunch:
3 oz chicken
broccoli and cantalope
avacado

Snack 2:
Zone Bar

Dinner:
Zone Enchilada by Jen C...so good!

Also, I ran an 800 last night. I wasn't able to go non-stop, but I did pretty good and I feel like I'm getting closer to where I need to be.

WOD #48
Max 800m
6:54

WOD #49
12: 44

For Time:
300 m Row
15 Hang Squat Cleans 23 lbs
15 V-ups
12 Hang Power Cleans 23 lbs
12 V-ups
9 Hang Power Cleans 23 lbs
9 V-ups
300 m Row

Guess How Many People Get To This Blog Based On The Word "Snatch"??

This was a pretty good day at Crossfit for me. Sadly, I now do my box jumps on gymnastic mats because I am speshil. But in both rounds of the warm-ups, I was able to do 10 in a row "consecutively". I can't be that excited because I'm pretty sure that my height was like 6 inches, but a win is a win.

WOD# 45
Max 400 m
2:53

WOD# 46
25 Power Snatches at 43lb
5 squats EMOM
3:42

Breakfast:
Shake

Snack 1:
4 clementines
2 oz turkey jerky
6 almonds

Lunch:
Salad with chicken on top, and dressing

Snack 2:
Zone bar

Dinner:
Kellie is making us steak and green beans, and for the fat...she will be serving, and I quote, "Deez nuts". I'm pretty excited. ;)

6 Lbs Down!

I lost six pounds the first week of the Zone Challenge! Yay! That's pretty cool. It wasn't that hard, at all, except for the Diet Coke. I made Zone Lasagne yesterday and even the husband ate it. :) Sectionals week 1 was this past weekend, it was incredible. People are so talented...it is amazing to see what the body is capable of. Seriously.

March 18, 2011
WOD #43
Shoulder Press 3-3-3
48-53-53

WOD #44
AMRAP in 12 Min
5 Ring Rows
5 Push ups
10 Squats

8 rounds + 2 ring rows

Breakfast:
Shake

Snack 1:
4 clementines
2 oz turkey jerky
6 almonds

Lunch:
Zone Lasagne (3 blocks)

Snack 2: Zone Bar

Dinner:
Chipotle burrito bowl before my meeting, after gym

In The Zone

Last night, I went to Cassie's for dinner with Ross, Jen and Jon. It was really fun to just hang out, and I love that I can be around people who are so well-versed in Crossfit and healthy eating. We had salmon patties (surprisingly delicious), these whole wheat bagel buns, avacados, strawberries, and tomatoes. I used to be so intimidated by the Crossfit crew (except for Cassie...you can't be intimidated by someone who laughs constantly!) but I really am starting to feel at home around these people. Which is great. ;)

The Zone is easy, despite my attempts to f&*% things up left and right. This morning, for instance, I was having a hard time getting the shake to blend. Obviously, the best idea would be to put a wooden spoon into the (blending) blender, right? I pull the spoon out and a chunk of it is missing. I stood there for like 3 minutes thinking, "Will I just find the chunk when I'm eating this and throw it out?" but I realized splinters in the throat aren't that exciting. I was beyond late so I threw a scoop of protein powder, a tsp and a half of pb in a plastic bag, and grabbed a cup measuring cup. Why? Because I was out of fruit! So I ran to Tropical Smoothie and was like, "Charge me whatever you want, but I need two cups of berries, some water, some ice, and throw this powder and peanut butter in". The lady (ok, 12 year old) behind the counter was really nice and only charged me 4 dollars. I should of specified only a bit of ice, because the smoothie ended up tasting like strawberry water. But whatever, the important part is that I didn't go off of the zone.

Snack one:
2 oz turkey jerky
6 almonds
an apple

Lunch:
6 hard boiled egg whites (edit: this is way too many egg whites, I know that now after trying to eat. I was just trying to avoid eating chicken. Must do something else, I'm about to die.)
hummos
9 almonds

Snack two:
Zone bar

Dinner:
Sushi...have to figure out exactly how to Zone it, but I know Kellie will help.

I'm really sore from whatever WODs I've been doing lately. I'm also DREADING running this weekend, but I know I have to. It is just not something that I'm good at, but I really want to get better. I'm really pumped to watch everyone compete this weekend, though, so maybe I can get excited off of that and get into the running spirit.

Sectionals WOD: Or, Why Am I So Easily Defeated???

Yesterday was day 2 of the Zone Challenge. Pretty easy, no tears, although I would really like to have a Diet Coke. I am a junkie. If I could shoot it into my arm, I think I would. I was all pumped up from the excitement of being on point with the Challenge when I walked into the box.

I'm going to say something here that is going to make Shain go "Duh" and not in a "Duh, winning" kind of way. The way something is presented to me can make a HUGE difference in how I handle it. For instance, the Sectionals WOD that I did yesterday. If it was JUST another WOD, it would of been a regular day at Crossfit. (Well, maybe not...the double unders I did for a warm-up and max effort ring rows kind of wore me out...but still...) Instead, JUST KNOWING THIS WAS A SECTIONALS WOD made it twice as hard as it should of been. The evidence: 10 minutes is not that long. I can jump-rope pretty well usually. The one factor that could of thrown me off was that I don't have a TON of practice with the snatch (seriously, can they call this something else???) but there was no reason it had to be such a hard workout. I hate that. I walked away feeling like I had done poorly and that makes me feel really terrible. The only good news? I still know that the workouts I do at Crossfit are much more productive than what I'd be doing at a globo gym.

WOD #42
Sectionals WOD
2 Rounds, 60 Singles and 6 Snatches

AMRAP in 10 Minutes
60 singles
15 Snatches (38 lbs)

Challenge Day 3:
Shake for breakfast

Snack #1:
4 Clementines
2 oz turkey jerky
6 almonds

Lunch:
3 oz chicken
3/4 grapefruit
2 cups zuchini (I'm not using this as my carb again once I'm done...I had to just choke it down...soooooooo much zuchini!)
3 tbs avacado

Snack #2
Zone bar

Dinner:
Whatever Jen C feeds us! :)

Save The Drama For Your Mama

WOD #41
Linda 25:42
10! Deadlift (105lb), Hand-release push-ups, Squat clean (43lb)

Linda is a B*TCH. I should of known when Shain told me this was called the 3 Bars of Death. We subbed out the bench press for push-ups, altho I think bench press would of been much easier. ;) Directly after the WOD I fell on the floor and sobbed for no apparent reason, but I'm going to blame it on the Diet Coke Detox. Kellie is so amazing, she was there to help me feel better. I felt like an idiot but I was so emotional. And I have NO idea why. All day my stomach was killing me and I was exhausted, so working out was a big accomplishment for me. I really have made strides in that area, because back in the day a hang nail was enough to keep me from going to the gym.

When I got home last night, Danny told me that the fridge had been left open all day and all of the food in the fridge had spoiled. &*(#! Visions of my hard-boiled eggs danced in my head. I was not in the right place to go to the grocery store, so I had to re-group. My breakfast shake was still fine.

Snack #1 is now:
2 oz turkey jerkey
6 almonds
2 clementines
1/4 c hummos (alone. yes. because I thought the clementines were 2 blocks. OY VEY).

Lunch would have to be picked up at Whole Foods:
3 oz pre-made chicken,
3 tbs avacado
3/4 of a grapefruit.
2 c. zuchchini


Snack #2 is still a bar. And dinner will be made by me and hubby tonight...he doesn't have a meeting and I am xfitting at 5...so I get a "bonus" night with him! It's almost like we are married! Yay!

In all honesty, I'm so grateful I met Cassie, Kellie and Jen and I'm thrilled that I'm doing the challenge. And if I could just kick the addiction...

Detox

I'm in a bad way. I am DYING for a Diet Coke. Like, bad. A lot of changes are happening at my office, and like a junkie, the minute I'm stressed, I think of my addiction the minute things get rough.

I'm really happy that I'm going to kick this. I think I will feel so much "cleaner" without the aspartame and carmel coloring and whatever else in my body.

Day 1

Last night I had my first meeting with Kellie, Jen and Cassie to work out the plans for the Challenge. I'm excited! I also realized that I am not really that well-versed in the Zone, no matter what I thought. I learned a ton from the girls. First on the list? Breakfast. I will be eating the following:

1 scoop (20 g protein) of protein powder
1 c blueberries
1 c strawberries
1.5 tsp peanut butter
4 ice cubes blended

Snack: 2 hard boiled egg whites with 1/4 c hummos (1 block) and then 1 oz turkey jerkey, 1/2 nectarine and 3 almonds (1 block)

Lunch: I didn't get home until 11 pm last night (late for me, seriously late!) so I thought I'd just throw a frozen Zone meal into the bag.

Snack: Zone bar

Dinner: I'm running to dinner with a friend. I'm going to either do a salad (veggies, protein and dressing on side) or veggies and protein.
___________
It's 1:07 and already I had to edit the day. (I'm writing this from my cell phone in the back of a meeting.)

Breakfast was yummy, once I figured out that I needed to add water. At first it really looked like colored sand and I was yelling "What is wrong with my shake?!?!" confusing Danny and my dog. I was also running late, and about 2 seconds from just downing a bunch of colored protein powder, which is what it all looked like. :)

I was starving about two hours later, so I had 1 block of my snack. An hour after that, I had the other block. Then, since my office is in complete chaos, my boss announced that we are going to lunch as a company for a meeting. My food was at the other office!!! EEK! So I texted Cassie to make sure I wasn't cheating (I wasn't) and ordered a salad with just lettuce and tomatoes, added turkey, and then put a pretty minimal amount of oil and vinegar on the salad. I'm feeling good. I will say that giving up Diet Coke is making me insane already and I think it's screwing with my appetite, as visions of my Zone bar are already dancing in my head. I can tough it out, though, and I am ready for the rest of the day. :) The girls are so knowledgable and helpful and I'm really lucky.

UPDATE: So before Xfit, I had a Zone bar. Then for dinner, I had 3 oz or so of fish and a roasted red pepper salad, which I'm hoping was enough to count for 3 block of carbs and fats. (I had dinner with a friend at a tapas bar, which is great for small portions but plain veggies were not plentiful on the menu!)

Another aspect of the Zone Challenge are the workouts.

M: Crossfit
T: Yoga
W: Crossfit
Th: Off
Fri: Crossfit
Sat: Crossfit and run 2 extra WOD
Sun: Work up to running 2 miles.

The CHALLENGE

Starting tomorrow, I'm doing the 30 Day Zone Challenge with Cassie, Jen and Kellie! I'm excited but nervous. Mostly nervous because I'm going to have to give up Diet Coke. I don't think people understand what an addict I am. It is sad. And scary. And totally overwhelming. I've tried to kick the habit before, but I am just not able. I had half a soda on Saturday and Sunday trying to see if I could get there fast, but the headaches and nausea is so much to take. Kellie happens to be a detox nurse, so I will be relying heavily on her to get this out of my system!

You Should See My Snatch!

TJ was so funny when we were doing the back squat part of this. When I finally finished, I asked him "What was my weight?" and he said "223". My heart STOPPED. I finally broke into the 200s! And it wasn't even that hard. I screamed. "Really??!?!?!?!" He corrected himself. "123." I was so bummed. LOL.

March 11th
WOD #38 Back Squat 5-5-5-5-5
83-93-103-113-123

WOD #39
AMRAP 15 Min
4 Rounds and 2 SDHP

9 SDHP 35 lb kb
15 sit ups
9 Push Press (15 lb dumbbells)
Row 200

The Olympic Weight Lifting Seminar was fun but actually wore me out. There was a lot of people there. Even the warm-up was (emotionally) exhausting...I got to run in a heat with Jen C and Mike Hsu. Yeah, that is really a good way to make me feel good about myself and my running abilities. They had run a half-marathon that morning and still could smoke me. Good lord.

WOD #40 March 12th
Isabel 1:49
30 Power Snatches, 28lbs, for time
I should of gone higher...but I had never really done power snatches. If I had done this at the RX'd weight (83, I think) this would of been a Whiteboard time! ;) So close, yet so far.

Everytime A Woman Deadlifts, An Angel Gets Her Wings

Cindy left me a little sore, but I still got to the box on Monday. It was "Fran" and it was fun to watch everyone go hard and puke. You know, because that's what Crossfit is all about.

The first part of the WOD went great. At first, Shain said he wanted me to do 7/30/7 and I was a little scared. After the first 10 squats in the first round, he was like, "Ok, we are scaling this to 15" which kind of threw me off, because seriously I was doing the best squats I could possibly do. I was really going as fast as possible. It's not often that I'm like, "But? I can do this!" But I think he ended up being right, since it took me 10 seconds to do the Push Press and Deadlifts each and then 30 squats would of been a ten minute venture by the 4th or so round.


WOD #36 7:59
5 rounds for time of:
7 Deadlifts 73 lbs
15 Air Squats
7 Dumbbell Push Press 10 lbs

WOD #37
Run 400m. Everytime you stop, add 10 sit-ups. If you don't start running after 5 seconds, add another 10 seconds.

I don't want to go into this. Let's just say I ended up doing 90 situps.

PLEASE SAY HI

I just saw that I have readers in Sweden, South Korea, Canada and Russia. Say hi, guys! Glad to have you. And confused, because the only people who have ever commented on my posts are the like 6 people I've told about it! :)

Sometimes You Can Only Look Up. This Is One Of Those Times.

When I was 16, Rachel and Ross broke up. (You know, on Friends.) I was so heart-broken. Maybe, one might say, a little too heart-broken. You see, at the time, I had my own "Ross" (Kevin). And I really thought that if Rachel and Ross could make it work, then OBVIOUSLY me and Kevin could make it work.

Being dramatic and 16, my life was seriously disturbed for a week or so until I knew what happened on the next episode. (Where is this going?? I'll tie it up in a second, I promise). I think I started to get confused as to where my life was and where the characters life were, you know? Anyway, one of the days I didn't even want to go to school. My mom asked me what was going on, and I said "Ross broke up with me". She looked so confused and then I realized, 1) I was crazy and 2) You can't just stop your life because bad things happen (even if they happen to your favorite tv characters).

Last week was really challenging and I am SHOCKED that I got to the gym for the 3 times that I did. Well, not shocked, because I had to put a lot of energy in getting my ass to the box. (That sounds sexual but it isn't.)

Last year, some really terrible things happened in my life and I didn't get to the gym for 2 months. Did missing Crossfit make those terrible things any better? Nope. It just meant that those terrible things happened AND I had to stress about getting back to the gym. So this realization has made my life a little bit easier, and my goals a little bit stronger. GET TO THE GYM.

WOD #34 10:16 (3/4/11)
3 rounds for time of:
200 m Run
6 Sumo Deadlift High-pulls 43 lbs
12 Walking Lunges

WOD #35 (3/6/11)
Cindy 7 full rounds, 5 ring-rows and 5 push-ups
5 Ring-rows
10 Push-ups
15 Squats

Crossfit: If It Were Easy, It'd Be Your Mom

I have this problem. When I'm doing great in Crossfit, I feel fabulous. When I'm not, I feel shitty. Seriously. So since the last few WODs haven't been spectacular, combined with my crappy ankle, I've been bummed. I went back to train last night, and I do have to say that I'm proud of this: I'm right on track to get my 200 WODs for the year! That's a big accomplishment for me, and being 2 full months into 2011 and still on track is huge. Danny was in a car accident this weekend so I didn't get in to do my 3rd WOD over the weekend, which bummed me out, but unlike the Rachel of old I just got my shit together and came in. My head is all over the place, though, which doesn't make for a fabulous workout. I think (and Shain might not agree) that I'm past making too many excuses and I'm getting better at just doing "it"...whatever the "it" of the moment is. As long as it's not box jumps, obviously.

The whole 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 thing is not easy for me. Especially since (this is so ridiculous) I usually spend the first few rounds re-doing the math in my head to figure out when I'm past 50% of the workout. Yes, it is after I've done the 10-9-8 rounds, but that doesn't make 7-6-5 any easier. But I do analyize the percentage done throughout the whole workout. Does this make me Rain Man? I don't know. ;)

WOD #32
11:31
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Wall balls 10lb, 8 ft target
Power Clean 43 lbs

WOD #33
500m Row
5 squats EMOM
3:57

I just compared this to:

Row 1000, 5 squats EMOM
22 mins 55 secs
Monday, November 15, 2010

That must of been one hellish workout. Good to see I've made some improvements!

OMG. 22 min. I would kill myself.

Baby Spiders In My Ankle?

On Thursday, I went to yoga and discovered that my ankle was HUGE. It didn't hurt too badly except when I stood just on the one foot or when I rubbed it.

By Friday it was worse. There went my dreams of PRing on my 400 or double-unders. Nonetheless, I still found a way to work out. And as of yet, no baby spiders have shot out of the lump in my ankle (obviously that is where my mind wondered.)

WOD #31 02/25/11
16:58
4 Rounds
300M row
5 Back Extensions
10 Push Press 43lb
15 Sit-ups

Blame It On The Alcohol

After 6 days off, I thought* I'd be all refreshed. New legs, new lungs, I should be ready to PR left and right! The problem is that during those 6 days, I did whatever the hell I wanted. I was at a family wedding. We drank A LOT, ate junk...you know, things I got away with in my 20s with no issues but now take me a month to recover from. The plan was to Crossfit in CA but my mother-in-law listens when the drunk Rachel says "Don't get me up!" and I slept through my alarm. For over an hour. So that's that.

I've gotten back to eating clean and haven't had a drink since Sunday night (although I was pretty sure I was going to have the tremors on Monday...thank Gd I got through detox without a hitch!) I'm going to yoga tonight for the first time in a month or so (dear Lord) and will be at the box Friday and Saturday like a good little girl.

WOD #29
Max 400m
3:09 (yes. Drag ass. Didn't stop once. But I'm pretty sure a parapalegic blind person beat me along the way).

WOD #30
This was a failure. It was supposed to be 10 rounds but given my performance Shain made it AMRAP 20 Min. SMH.

AMRAP 20:00
5 Rounds, 3 burpees, 6 WB and 6 Box Jumps
3 burpees
6 Wall balls (10 lbs, 8 ft target)
9 12 in box jumps (on gym mats). still managed to eat it.

Insert Clever Title Here

Another day, another TJ workout. The kid is killing me! The warm-up on the board said "75 du" or run. You know what I chose. I only got 5 out of a ton of attempts, but it was worth it. I'm so pumped for the day that I can do an rx'd du wod. Seriously!

We did front squat tonite. Why do I hate it so much?? I definitely feel stronger in my front squat but the weight is pitiful. Its things like this that keep me from wanting to take classes with the group. I know that is not the crossfit spirit but its mine.

WOD#27 Front squat 3-3-3
58-68-68

WOD#28
17:45

50 singles
21 sit ups
15 sdhp 43lb
9 burpees
run 100m

50 singles
21 sit ups
9 sdhp 43lb
6 burpees
run 100m


50 singles
21 sit ups
6 sdhp 43lb
3 burpees
run 100m

This WOD doesn't look that hard but it wore me out. I'm a big fan of anything where the numbers go down, but moreover even with being so winded I could still run the 100m each time and that was cool.

We are going to LA this wknd and I'm xfitting there...its a lifestyle, I guess. :)

I'll Shoulder Press Your Mom!

Shain and TJ have such different styles of training and I think that alternating them has made such a difference in how I am growing as a Crossfitter. Shain is this like, BAM! YOU ARE GONNA DO THIS kind of trainer that I tend to rebel against, but as I have said before, he is usually right. TJ, on the other hand, is a sneaky guy. He is like, "We will do mobility and then do a WOD" as if the WOD is an afterthought. The next thing you know, 2 pushups is killing you because you have pushed yourself beyond where you thought you could go. These guys are such a good combo and I am so in love with my Crossfit family!

WOD #25
Shoulder Press 3-3-3
43-48-48

We did this more for strength than for my max. I'm pumped I broke my stupid curse...during the three Xfit totals I've maxed at 48 and today I got it up 6 times. I looked and out of all of the people on beyondthewhiteboard, this is like the lowest score. I have GOT TO CHANGE THAT! I want to be at least in the 60s. If I'm gonna carry kids someday, I want to be able to actually pick them up! :)

WOD #26
7 rounds, 2 push ups, 4 jumping squats, and 3 power cleans.

As many rounds as possible in 15 minutes of:
2 Push-ups (red bands)
4 Jumping Squats
8 Power Cleans 43 lbs

I love using the bands. It makes me feel like I'm working towards something and not just working out.

And Now, For Something Totally Different

This kind of sucked. Today I did "Kelly" and on the FIRST freaking box jump I ate it. And ate it bad...see pic. I was seriously really scared to go on but Shain was great. The interesting part is that after the WOD I was beating myself up and he was like, "You did great". So that was a change. (Not that he beats me up after WODs, but I rarely think I did terribly if he is cheering me on.) This was another case where he did the whole "if you finish this round in X amount of time, then you can finish this in 3 rounds, but if not you have to go 5 rounds". I truly wish I could go that "this is the last round if you can kick ass" all the time. I don't know what to do to change that, but I am aware of it.

WOD#24 KELLY (YUCK!)
19:56

3 Rounds:
run 200m
15 Box Jumps (1 foot)
15 Wall balls (10 lb)

Them's My Magic Shoes!

I'm still trying to find out the info on my other 2 WODs last night (we didn't communicate the times that effectively) but in the mean time, I'm excited and wanted to post about my new shoes. They are flat and, with their help, I was able to get my BEST TIME EVER running a 400 last night NON-STOP! So exciting. As we were about to run, Shain was like, "These are gonna be your magic shoes". It was pretty funny. He said that when I got to the first curve it had only been 40 sec. Which, at least to me sounded fast til I realized that it only takes TJ 1 min 3 sec to run the entire thing. But I'm not TJ. LOL.

WOD #21 (shain)
400m 2:51!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOD #22 (Shain)
DL 3-3-3-3-3

123-143-153-153-163

WOD #23 9:37

20 Push Press 33lb
Prowler Push 25 ft? 90 lb
20 squats
Prowler Push 25 ft? 90 lb
15 Push Press 33 lb
Prowler Push 25 ft? 90 lb
15 squats
Prowler Push 25 ft? 90 lb
10 Push Press 33lb
Prowler Push 25 ft? 90 lb
10 squats
Prowler Push 25 ft? 90 lb
5 Push Press 33 lb
Prowler Push 25 ft? 90 lb
5 squats
Prowler Push 25 ft? 90 lb

Crossfit is the New Black

I'm totally shocked at how much I love Crossfit right now. You know when you are in love and you think about the person 24/7? Like, you fall asleep thinking about them? And when you are having a crappy day, you suddenly think about them and then you are like, Oh, yeah, at least I have them to think about?

That is my Crossfit. (Sorry, husband. I think about you, too, obviously.) (And you are very handsome.) (I love you.) (You are number one on my whiteboard.)

ANYWAY.

I think that training has been the best decision I have made. I love the group classes, and I am obessed with my friends at Crossfit, but the gains I have made, especially lately, seem to be so much bigger when I'm one on one with TJ or Shain. And I love how DIFFERENT their training styles are, because I have doubled my gains...I think it is because I can focus on somethings (running, for instance) with Shain and other things (pull-ups) with TJ. And that makes for such a different experience.

My schedule has been so hellish lately, and I am kind of impressed with myself that I am making the time to workout before I make time to do the other things (aka cleaning lol) that need to get done. The truth is I'm a million times happier when I'm doing good at the gym rather than when I'm cleaning. Who knew?

With this WOD, I am 10% of the way to my goal of 200 WODs for the year. Incidentally, it is only 10.4% of the way through the year. (Yes, I am a huge dork). But I feel really good about this, and I feel really good about the fact that I am still working on something. (I am also glad I have all of this positivity recorded for when I'm not as positive!)

Oh...I was also excited that I did box jumps on a tire today! It was just a little 1 foot tire, but I am not as afraid of falling in the center. Finally. LOL.

WOD #20 (TJ)
19:58

3 Rounds:
Row 300
15 KB Swings 35lb
20 sit ups
10 squats
5 burpees

Mean Things I Like to Say to Myself

So after the excitement of getting my double-under, I spent the entire time I was falling asleep Friday night discounting myself. Why, you might ask?

1) You don't have to be thin/in shape to get a double under.
2) It doesn't get you on the white board.
3) It doesn't require strength.
4) I still can't run a mile.
5) Blah blah blah blah blah

Seriously, if I spoke to other people the way I speak to myself, I'd be the biggest bitch anyone has ever met.

But one thing that was pretty cool:

When I was younger, I went to camp every summer. (NOT BAND CAMP, thank you very much). Anyways, there was a summer that we had to do this hike that I couldn't for the life of me do. It was hard. Now, the following summer I came back and OWNED that hike, but I still remember the counselor, Robb, having to walk with me and coach me up this stupid 3 mile hill. Well, we are FB friends and he wrote on my wall, "Congrats on the DUs, I'm still slaving away on the singles..." Which definitely gave the inner Rachel a smile. Not that he is doing singles...but more that I have come that far.

I'm really lucky.

That is all.

Judy Blume Totally Should of Prepared Me For This

Friday, February 4th, 2011 at like 5:15 pm.

I got my double under. On the ground.

It was seriously way so exciting. I of course yelled but no crying this time. I don't know if you saw "Easy A" but there is a line that made me think of this momentous occasion. Olive says, "Judy Blume should of prepared me for what it was like to fake losing my virginity". I get that, because I totally thought that there would be angels playing the harp or something when I got my double under, and instead there was only me going, "Really? Are you sure?" and then screaming. But the heavens didn't open. TJ didn't even cuddle with me afterwards. ;)

I had a truly fabulous workout today. I ran, I worked on my pull-ups, I got my double-under, and then I PR'd on Jackie by 7 minutes. Not too shabby. (Also, Danny keeps telling me if I don't stop saying "Best Day Ever" he's gonna kill me. So what? It was the BEST DAY EVER!)

WOD #18 (myself)
Max 400m 3:06
(I beat my last time by 14 seconds! And I didn't stop once!)

WOD #19 (TJ)
Jackie--not RX'd
11:32

Row 1000m
30 Thrusters 23 lb
20 Ring row

So, the last time I did this (in March) I got 18:31. I did row 1000m, 50 thrusters at 8.5 lbs, and 30 jumping pull-ups. I still think that I would of done better than that time if we had done 50 thrusters at 8.5 and 30 jumping pull-ups, but I think the ring rows are better at this point, and Gd knows I don't want to do any more thrusters than I have to. I probably could of gone heavier on this, but between the pull-up practice with the bands and the double unders, I was pretty spent.

I also noted my row time for the 1000m...5:27. I pr'd on that, too! :) By 30 seconds. I am having a fabulous Crossfit week.

Truly, I am so excited. The double under on the ground was AMAZING. And I got it like 5 times, so it wasn't a mistake. ;) I am so grateful to Cassie, Shain and TJ for taking the time to work with me and for believing in me! I love you guys!

Next stops? Sub 3:00 400, running a half of a mile without stopping, and pull-ups. And then obviously Crossfit games...in 2013.

No More Sick, Please!

So I didn't get to go to the box on Monday for my 16th WOD of January. I didn't feel so great. I did go Tuesday (still didn't feel great) and Wednesday (the worst of my sickness). I am just catching up at work but I wanted to post these so I don't forget.

Fake Cindy: there is a good part to AMRAP. You know exactly long you will be working out. That, however, is the bad part. I was not sure I was going to be able to handle 20 minutes! It ended up being a great workout, I had so much energy when I was going to bed. Ever since I've been doing the ring rows with TJ my arms are so much more toned, it's amazing. My push-ups are pathetic, apparently. We tried to do the fun banded ones (I LOVE THEM!) but I was doing release push-ups out of habit, so it is our next project.


WOD #16 Feb 1, 2011 (TJ)
AMRAP in 20min: 12 rounds and 1 ring row
3 ring row
6 push up
9 squat

On Wednesday, Shain and I went to do DU attempts and the trampoline was gone! I worked really hard but OMG they are way worse on the ground. One time I got the rope underneath one foot, but I am so far from getting them. I just can't visualize what to do (without the trampoline) in order to get the stupid rope underneath me twice in one jump! I'm not Michael Jordan, for Gd's sakes. ;) Put getting the DU on the ground will be so sweet. Can't wait.


WOD #17 (Shain)
19:47

Burpee 10 reps
Sit-up (abmat) 30 reps
Low Box Jump 10 reps
Thruster 45 lbs 15 reps
Sit-up (abmat) 20 reps
Low Box Jump 20 reps
Thruster 45 lbs 15 reps
Sit-up (abmat) 10 reps
Low Box Jump 30 reps
Burpee 10 reps

You Win Some, You Lose Some

I have been out with the plague (AKA some sort of puking thing, food poisoning or flu I don't know...) so I've been MIA. But I have a lot to update you on!

Friday I had a blast on my WOD, even though it had one of my least favorite things in it: the GHD machine. I am so scared of that thing flipping over. I did, however, get to do double under attempts and I LOVE IT. I also ran a 400 without stopping and timed it. A funny thing happened: this guy was watching the gym with interest and here I come, at a snail's pace. I'm like 20m from the end and he's like "What do you guys do in there?" I was like "HOLD ON!" I'm sure he was confused as to 1) why I was going so slowly it was almost backwards and 2) why I had to touch the water bottle on the wall before I could answer him, but I kept going. It was pretty funny.

WOD #14 (myself)
Max 400m RUNNING
3:22*

*so I'm confused as well, dear bloggy friends, as to how I got a 400m in November at 2:48, since I walked some of it, but I'm assuming I must of really made up for it in the running parts. Shain? Do you remember? Also, I will say when I felt myself trying to go faster on the run this time, I kept slowing down so that I could ensure I would run the whole 400m.

WOD #15 (Shain)
14:58
20 squats
5 du attempts
10 back extensions

15 squats
10 du attempts
10 back extensions

10 squats
15 du attempts
10 back extensions

5 squats
20 du attempts

This morning I saw my endicrinologist, and my TSH levels are at their worst ever. Even after being on Synthroid for a year. I was a little bummed out, because I really want this to be getting better, but also happy to know that I am not just tired constantly for no reason. As I said recently, doing Crossfit M/W and yoga Tuesday makes my Thursdays hell! I'm exhausted! He upped my meds, and said to keep up the good work on everything else...my levels are great on blood sugars, HDLs, LDLs, etc. So that made me happy. :)

After today's WOD at 6pm, I will have 16 WODs for January. I need 16/17 a month for my annual goal of 200 (which I'm pretty sure I'm gonna beat!) so I'm really happy. My stomach is still really weak, and all I had from Saturday afternoon through this am was 1 package of Top Ramen, a PBJ and some applesauce. Yes, I know, super healthy. Today I'm back to eating, but I'm not so comfortable yet!

Do You Know What Today Is?

This gets it's own post.

One year ago today, I entered the Sincity Crossfit praying to Gd that the trainers there would tell me that they were sorry, but they couldn't help someone like me. My best friend, Mike, had told me I needed to try it out, and when I looked it up, I knew that there was no way in hell I could do anything on the website. At the time, I was doing huge amounts of cardio...my goal was 360 minutes (this is ridiculous just writing it out) of walking and elliptical a week. Additionally, I was taking a class called "Body Pump" where we moved from track to track, body part to body part, doing about 1000 reps at a low weight. (It was a great class, but I was not getting any gains in strength).

However negative I was when I walked in, things changed pretty quickly. The first memory I have of Crossfit is being on the rower and Krista coming up and introducing herself to me. I was really shocked, I had been at my other gym for two years and knew almost no one. Baseline was tough (the whole squatting thing? What was that?) and I was mystified at the sheer amount of girls doing pull ups. Until then, I truly thought only military men could do pull ups. Seriously.

The past year has been nothing short of a challenge that I won't go into. The Rachel that I am today versus the Rachel I was a year ago today is so much stronger mentally and physically. I am blessed with a truly incredible support group that not only believes in me, but makes me laugh my ass off. I am far from perfect, but I like who I have become and who I am becoming, and I know a lot of that has to do with the tools I have gained from Crossfit. I am grateful that I walked into the Box a year ago, and I look forward to the days and years ahead.

Putting the "Dead" in Dead Lifts

I'm a little burnt out on everything. When I wasn't working, I was going crazy from having no schedule. Now that I have a schedule, I'm a little crazy from having NO TIME. Danny's going out of town today until Sunday night, so I have an extra ten minutes a day because I don't have to talk to him. :( Lol. I'm lucky to have a job, and I love the gym/yoga, but I am DREAMING of a vacation. With no email or phone.

I was pumped for Wednesday's WOD because it had two of my favorite things: Deadlifts, and Double Unders. Because I took a class instead of training, I ended up just doing the singles which wasn't as fun. My deadlifts were weak, which I think is because I'm worn out. I am supposed to go to Yoga tonight but I think I might take the day off and just hang out tonight, which might help. On a VERY exciting note: in order to get 200 WODs for the year, I have to get about 16 WODs/month. I am on track! Yes, it's only January, but still, I'm pumped. ;)

WOD #12 (self)
Deadlift 5-5-5

108-118-128

I dnf'd on 138 at 3 reps (Because my 1rm is 183, I'm pretty sure I'm just worn out, because I should of gone higher.)

WOD#13 (self)

Time: 10:11

3 rounds
10 DL (93 lb)
150 Singles

Food:
2 hardboiled egg whites
apple and tbsp pb

Lunch:
4 oz turkey
grapefruit
steamed broccoli

Snack:
1/2 zone bar

Dinner:
1 package of California roll from Whole foods
salad with 2 tsps olive oil, and added vinegar

Today's Food

So I am really going to try to post my food even on day's I don't Crossfit. Tuesday/Thursday I hit up Yoga (balancenyou.com) (I'm doing their website, don't judge it's just getting started). I'm actually really excited for yoga tonight, because I AM SO SORE. TJ laughs when I say I'm sore, he says he's in a constant state of soreness, and I agree, but the last few weeks it's more that I'm having NEW body parts hurt. 1) Forearms (double-unders) 2) Hamstrings (different sore, from yoga and now from the good mornings) 3) I don't know what part of my arm to say it is, but oh my Gd am I sore today. I also got shin splints yesterday from running which is embarrassing and unfortunate given the distance and speed I ran (DURING THE WARM UP, PEOPLE!) (10 burpees, so negative, Rachel!)

This morning I had to go get my blood drawn at like 7 am, so I got to drive by Sunrise Cafe and grab breakfast to go. That made my day a lot better.

Breakfast:

Egg whites, red and green peppers, tomato, onions, spinach and mushrooms. Topped
with Jack cheese and avocado.

Lunch:
Lettuce with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, 6 walnuts, goat cheese, 4 oz chicken, a handful of craisins, and olive oil/vinegar

snack: 1/2 zone bar

Danny and I are making the fish recipe that Cassie and Krista posted on their website a few weeks ago, which is zuchini, onions, tomato and I use sea bass. (I just realized I had way too many tomatoes today). I don't get too eat until like 7:30, which really sucks when you consider that I have been going since 5:45 am.

Namaste, people.

(Not) Best In Show

Yesterday was kind of a blah day. Sunday I didn't get ANY of my grocery shopping done, and then I overslept an hour and a half so getting to work on time, let alone grabbing the food I needed before work, was not going to happen. Once I got to work, my co-worker (who's work I have to do should she be gone) had a family emergency and left...meaning I'm stuck with doing her work again. I can't blame her, but I did have to cover for her basically the last two weeks as well. So I'm worn out.

By the time I got to the box, I was in one of those "Don't make me do anything" moods that Shain and TJ love so much. I mean, obviously I go to Crossfit to just observe, right? In the warm up, I did ring rows which I'm getting stronger at (Thank GD!) and as the strength I did 3RM OHS. I think I would have more in me, but I am really scared of anything with balancing...I was pretty sure I was going to fall over with the weights over my head. (For those of you at home keeping score, I am afraid of the GHD machine, Box Jumps, getting up and down off of the big box when I have to do jumping pull ups, lateral side jumps, and now apparently balancing heavy things over my head when squatting.)

So while this wasn't my bestest WOD ever, I will say that I did tell my boss I had to leave on time, turning down overtime, which is big. (And probably stupid. I need money...) which shows increasing dedication. Also, I only yelled (gently) at TJ, I don't remember about what, but at least he laughed.

WOD #10: (TJ)
3RM OHS
38 lb, 43 lb, 53 Lb

WOD #11: (TJ)
24:24

3 Rounds:
Row 500m
20 KB swings 35lb
15 Good mornings 33lb
10 OHS 33lb

Food:

This is a disaster. 1) Not remotely paleo/zoned or even enough. But as I said, I did this off of the cuff.

Breakfast:
Protein plate from Starbucks (minus the crumpety thing)
So basically: 2 apple slices, peanut butter, a few grapes, a hunk of cheese, and a hardboiled egg white

Lunch:
1/2 Jimmy Johns Turkey Sandwich (All veggies, no cheese, no mayo)

Snack:
Banana

Dinner:
4 oz chicken
tomato and cucumber salad

Shain Is Always Right, I Rarely Am

So Friday night I had a great workout. I have a lot to say about it, but my computer at home is not working and I'm sneaking this in at work before I forget about it.

WOD #9 (Shain)

Round 1: 3:39, Round 2: 3:23 Round 3: 2:46 (rest exactly one minute between rounds)

Each round had:
Run 200m
12 Box Jumps (6 in, try to jump consecutively, really hard for me, 1) I'm always tired and 2) I'm petrified of falling on my face)
6 Power cleans (43 lb)

Shain wouldn't let me know how many rounds the WOD would have until halfway through. During the minute rest before round 3, he said, If you can beat your time for round 2, we can make this your last round. If not, you have to do 5.

This is the funniest part: Round 3 sucked, or so I thought. I ended up walking on part of the run, because I was DEAD. I was like, DAMMIT! I can't do more rounds! As soon as I finished, I threw myself on the ground, and I was like, SHAIN! How bad did I do? He said, "Well, you tried really hard, but you only--". At that point, upon hearing "only", I was so sad, and started trying to get back up. Not an easy task. "--beat your time by like 30 seconds or so". He grinned and so did I.

Shain says he can't believe how hard I push when I think my WOD is almost over. I never believed him until this time...I guess I really do better when I see the light at the end of the tunnel! I did run the warm-up all by myself without stopping. I didn't workout at all this weekend, but I'm okay with that and ready for a great week. Cassie the Evil/Wonder Teacher has her work cut out with me! :)

Cassie, the Evil/Wonder Teacher

I truly believe that Gd talks, we just don't listen. Shain is ALWAYS telling me that during a WOD/running/rowing, nothing should be able to stop you from going. You can get a rip on pull-ups and keep on going, blood pouring down your wrists. Puke? Fine, just don't stop. So during my warm-up run, I REALLY wanted to keep going. We didn't even time it, it was just a goal to KEEP GOING. So we were about 100m in when OUT OF NOWHERE the inside of a cassette tape (where in the hell do you even find one of those these days?) wound itself around my ankle. We both started laughing but I kept going. It then started winding around my other ankle, so my legs were tied together. I didn't stop. But then I got kind of nervous about falling over. Of course Shain is like DON'T STOP but at the 200 mark I bent over and broke my legs free. But other than that, I didn't quit once. I was shocked to see the end mark, and was so excited. Shain didn't think it called for a celebration, but I truly thought I should get a parade or something. I don't think he gets what it is like, I've never gotten a single accolade for anything I've ever done athletically. My name has never gotten on a white board, I've never even gotten a participation trophy.

The WOD was hard, but really fun. I got to do double under attempts on the trampoline DURING the WOD! YAY! I landed like 8 or 9...out of 60. LOL. I would lose my concentration because I would get so excited when I actually did land them, it was hard to re-focus, but it was a great practice.

After the WOD, I hung around for Cassie, my running SAVIOR. I really didn't know how 1) someone as nice as Cassie was going to intimidate me into doing what I needed to do, and 2) anyone would ever know how to teach me. I WAS WRONG. Cassie is an evil genius. She gained my trust by walking a 200 with me, and then nonchalantly running the 200m back slowly. I was like, this is simple! And then, just when I was like, wow, I ran 600m total today, she's like, we are going to run another 400m, and the only goal is to NOT STOP. WTF? But...you're my friend?! Remember? And you know this is hard! And...I already ran?! And...it's Wednesday! And, I'm tired! And an Aries! I had sooooooooo many excuses. But she was just so calm and taught me to just breathe and I did it! She realized when I wasn't breathing and kept me focused, and it really helped. She knew that keeping it slow and simple really was the best way for me. And I left, not beating myself up for running a 9 minute 400 (which it seriously felt like) but prouder of myself than I probably have been since I got into a size 4 jean (long time ago, obviously!) because I made a goal and stuck to it. And I'm totally pumped for Friday.

WOD #8 (Shain)
Total Time 25:52
3 Rounds:
10 Thrusters at 43lbs
20 Du attempts on trampoline (attempt: 1 single and 1 where I at least hit my shins)
300m row sprint

Running on Empty

I have NEVER been able to run.

Ever.

(10 burpees for negativity, Rachel!)

But it is true.

Last night, Shain had me run a max 400m to see where I was at with my running. The first 200m was great. But let's just say the 2nd half wasn't fab. I didn't smash my PR. I missed it. By 23 seconds. And I was frustrated because I felt like I had done better. Turns out, there IS crying in Crossfit.

We then tried again and ran another 400. Even worse, although I walked less, and my time was off by 6 seconds.

The WOD after was TERRIBLE. My wall balls have gotten SO much better, but burpees after running? Not my idea of fun.

Shain was really trying to get through to me about running, and when he was talking I was really trying to think about why I can't run without stopping. Later last night, I was talking to Danny, and he asked me if I stop because I'm too winded, or I get cramps, or what it is. It's funny...when I first started Crossfit, I always got stitches in my side. That's no longer the case. I think Wednesday night after my WOD I'm going to try to run a 400 and try to figure out what it is that makes me stop...are my legs tired? Am I too out of breath? Or is it just my brain standing in the way?

I decided that I'm going to count last night as 3 different WODs, because that is how beyondthewhiteboard.com does it. So I'm at 7 WODs for the year! Woohoo! I have to get my food on here, I'm just a little behind because I'm always behind. (Negativity burpees!)

WOD #5 (Shain)
Max 400m
3:11

WOD #6 (Shain)
Max 400m
3:17

WOD #7 (Shain)
12:12
Wall Balls and Burpees 10-8-6-4-2 (Punishment for stopping on the run? Probably, my 2 least favorite movements, after running itself! LOL)

Crossfit Total!

I love the Crossfit Total. I don't know why.

My goal was to beat my 349 total. I totally flew by it! But I'm annoyed...I have not done anything to add to my shoulder press...this is my 3rd Crossfit Total, and I've lifted the same each time! Grrr!

WOD #4 (TJ)
Crossfit Total 386 Lbs

Backsquat: 155 lbs (PR'd by 22!)
Shoulder Press: 48 lbs (same...)
Deadlift: 183 lbs (PR'd by 15!)

My goal for the next Xfit total? 410

Desiderata (Things Desired)

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater
and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble,
it’s a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.



Max Ehrman, 1927

I'm Gonna Be SORRRE Tomorrow

I trained with TJ tonight. One of our biggest training goals is getting my pull ups, but omg! My upper body is going to kill tomorrow.

I tried to re-create the excitement of Sunday's double under, but it didn't quite workout today. I think that I was too anxious to start just doing them non-stop that I didn't have enough patience for the progression.

The good news on this WOD? I did all 60 KB swings at 35lbs, which I've never done. I truly was afraid when the clock started, because I know that once I start I can't just move down on weights while doing the WOD. But I did it! That was cool. I was so out of breath...I couldn't get the rhythm I wanted on anything. Also, I hate rowing. I'd almost rather run than row. I don't know why.

WOD #3 32:07 (TJ)

500 m Row
30 Wall Balls 10 lbs
30 Pull-up (jumping)
30 Sit Up With Medball Tosses 10 lbs
30 Kettlebell Swings 35 lbs
20 Wall Balls 10 lbs
20 Pull-up (jumping)
20 Sit Up With Medball Tosses 10 lbs
20 Kettlebell Swings 35 lbs
10 Wall Balls 10 lbs
10 Pull-up (jumping)
10 Sit Up With Medball Tosses 10 lbs
10 Kettlebell Swings 35 lbs

Only 197 WOD's until I meet my 2011 goal! So close, but so far. OY VEY.

I love my gym. I love when I walk into the box...so many people to see, to talk to...it's absolutely such a fun place to go. I'm lucky.

Something Else I've Been Thinking

I don't give myself credit. For anything.

Anytime I do something, I immediately come up with a list of why I shouldn't be proud.

Additionally, anytime I'm faced with a challenge, I immediately come up with a list of why I can't do it.

I've GOT to get over that.

The One Where Rachel (Kinda) Gets Her Double-Under!

So, after the hellish week of work, I got to go to Crossfit and train today with Shain. And the most wonderful thing happened.

I GOT MY DOUBLE UNDER. ON THE TRAMPOLINE!

It was so exciting. I immediately burst into tears and then ran around around the box, screaming.

Shain is so amazing. First, we went through the progressions. Then he made the mistake of telling me that he thought I was going to my du's today, which of course made me do these stupid weird things, like jump with my heels to my butt, thus tripping and not finishing my double under. He actually then said "Why are you regressing?" So then I had to focus, and viola! I got it! It was amazing. And I truly felt like a real Crossfitter, for the second time. (The first? When I did 50 burpees, obviously. Hahaha.)

Of course I still have to get my double under on the ground, but this is a big deal for me. I'm so proud. And relieved. I've secretly (and not-so-secretly) felt like a fake Crossfitter for so long. I didn't think I'd ever get a single move that wasn't somehow scaled. (um, this is still scaled, obviously...)

Maybe, just maybe...I can do this.

WOD #2: 13:57 (Shain)

100m Prowler push (50lbs)

20 Sumo-Deadlift High-pull (43lbs)

Run 100m

15 Hang Power Cleans (43lbs)

Run 100m

10 Power Cleans (43lbs)

Run 100m

5 Cleans (43lbs)

Run 100m

WOD #1

I'm in a blah mood today. Work is swamped, my husband and I see each other a total of 8 minutes a week, and there aren't enough hours in the day. Since I am still at work and won't be able to get to the box today (but was able to crack into blogger through our firewalls, yay!) I want to take a minute to document my first WOD of the year, which was Monday. My goal is 200 WODs this year...199 to go!

Date: January 3
WOD: Annie (Shain)
RXd: I wish!
Scale: 90-75-60-45-30 singles, 30-25-20-15-10 sit-ups
Time: 11:29

We also found our 1RM for the Snatch. 48 lbs...not so great, especially since it only went up 5 lbs since March. Apparently I have not worked my snatch muscles in the last 8 months?!

I will say that it was kind of cool that I beat my previous Annie by 7:30. :) (That was March 16, 2010). Afterwards, Shain totally pumped me up. He said that I am so close to my double-unders that we will work on them this week! I <3 how my fellow Crossfitters believe in me when I can't believe in myself.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better, and I can get a WOD in. I'm grouchy, maybe it's the fact that I've been out of the gym for two days!

Voices in my head

Almost a year ago, one of my best friends said, "OH! You have got to try Crossfit". Seeing as though I am the least competitive person in the world, I have no athletic ability, and I have gained over 80 lbs in the last four years, this was a genius plan. Crossfit caters to the unmotivated, fat and lazy, right?

The past year has been full of challenges. But the one thing that has been a source of pride for me has been Crossfit. I'm rarely proud of my WOD's. Seriously, my source of pride comes simply from SHOWING UP. I'm not joking. Sure, I've made some improvements, but nothing that makes me incredibly proud, because I'm so hard on myself. I can't run more than a 400m, I can't do a pull-up. But I can be proud that I go. So that is my jumping off point.

My goals for this year: 200 WODs. Run a mile without quitting. Pull-ups. And double-unders. I want to be able to go to Crossfit without looking on the site to see if I think I can do the WOD. I want to not be petrified of partner workouts.

I'm 30. I'm a good 3 years older than the average age at Crossfit, I weigh 50 pounds minimum than the average PERSON who works out there. But I want to learn to compete with MYSELF, and not with the voices in my head.