Christmas was laid back and fun. Spent a couple of days in the Houston area with family and lots of great food! I wasn't holding back on the eating, not over doing it, but keeping it in check and still enjoying every bite. (And there is no steak better than the ones I enjoy each year at The Taste of Texas on Christmas Eve!)
The day after Christmas was perfect! My cousin, Matthew, is in the Marines. We were so lucky to have him home this year, as next year will most likely be different, with him celebrating from another time zone. He came over and we had cocktails, with a few rounds of "Just Dance" (he's a badass with that thing, and I kept getting the WORST songs! - "Umbrella-Ella-Ella", anyone??? Laughable at best!) and spent the night on Christmas. We all got up the next AM and were lazy, watched Netflix all morning in to the afternoon before I had to leave and make it back in time to hit up the 6:30 class. The idea of staying in my pajamas was REALLY tempting, though. Especially after seeing the WOD posted. 2 words: Double Unders. 1 word: Burpees.
Neither of which excites me in any way. shape. form.
But I did it. I had told Austin that I'd be in on Thursday, so I needed to stick to it.
We did a "Hero" WOD named "Ryan". I knew these were named after military and public servants who were crossfitters, but wasn't aware they'd all lost their lives while serving. Hero seems like such a small word for such a huge and selfless role.
I looked up Ryan's story this morning, and was simply shocked at the callous acts that lead to Ryan's death. Prayers continue for his family and his community.
WOD Review:
Warmup - Double Unders -
These are a nemesis. Meaning that I don't love them b/c I had never achieved one b/c I can trip just fine on a single. I'm a professional at that one!
And then I did it. Consecutive, no, but throw a few singles in there, then bam... Need to work on the wrist speed and not have to jump so high that I lose my balance and come down a little softer, to keep it going.
For the timed portion of the WOD, it was 5 rounds of the following:
15 Pull Ups - Assisted w/ the blue band, (I usually have the black band to assist more here, but decided to forego this round, and it was hard. I definitely need more work and incorporate my core more to get the pull ups higher)
15 Muscle Ups - Did these on the rings with the green band assist. First time to do them and it wasn't pretty at all. After the first 15, I knew I'd be good if I could finish this WOD in 30 mins, but my time push was out the window at this point. My triceps haven't been worked in who knows how long. My upper body / arm strength is pretty weak, so I know this is another area I need to just gain muscle and strength on.
21 Burpees. I don't think I need to say much here, other than anyone who knows what this is has already had some sort of "ewwww" reaction. So yeah, pretty much.
Finished this in just over 28 minutes. The longest time of the day out of those that attended. I really don't have any yay or nay over this. I got it done, and that's what matters when I was so tempted to not do it at all. I also know I didn't fuel myself well before hand, and going in to this hungry, well it was either that or eating too close to workout time and risk a good first "puke". I don't handle that well, so option #1 was my choice.
Lessons learned, as I do with each WOD. So I'll go back today and probably learn something else, too.
Christmas = success. I'm still on track.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Bench Press Sounds So "Hardcore"
Friday the 13th wasn't scary at all.
Actually, it was awesome.
Hit up the box for my 5:30 WOD, ended up just me and one other guy w/ our Coach, Austin. They guy is a 5x / week-er, me, just 3 (4 on my best weeks). I didn't expect much out of myself, as we were doing bench presses. I'd never done them before, so just getting the feel for it, testing out what felt good, setting the metric. That was my focus.
We rowed 500m on the rowers, maxed out the bench presses, row, press, etc. for a full 20 mins. The rower and I have become fast friends, so my form is in check (as long as my tailbone isn't objecting to the way I'm sitting). I can pretty much get on there blindfolded and hold my pace. (Increasing that is on my list of "things to improve on").
Austin helps me set up my weights, go over form, and I decided that 45 lbs was where I would be. I don't know if that's good, bad, or whatever, but it's where I am (but I'll prob. increase by at least 5 on the next round).
No need to explain more. Here are my results:
Rows: 5K+ (Think I went 5 or 6 rounds?)
Total # of bench presses: 72!
Apparently I had the highest number of presses out of the ladies that day, so that was cool.
But maybe my weight wasn't heavy enough? Regardless, still excited to see the numbers.
Post WOD we did some core work. Planks & sit ups. I LOOOOOOVE planks. I have no idea why, but something I feel fairly confident in (Still working on the 3 min time... it's coming soon!).
Guy: "how long can you plank?"
Me: 2 - 2.5 mins
Guy: Let's do 2 mins, sit ups, 1min sit ups
Me: Sure, no prob.
This was the funniest part of the day. We get ready to go up, Warren G - Regulators comes on and I am zoned. I hip-hopped my way thru 2 mins w/ what felt like no effort at all. He was shaking, really working for it (and he got there, easier than he was giving himself credit for - and he Rx'd the WOD, so I know his arms were maxed out).
All of this to say that on this Friday, I completely redeemed the workout effort prior to this one and it felt GOOD!
I'll take the bad days, b/c I know they're going to happen. I'll try to not show my ass and act like a spoiled brat who didn't get picked first, I'll try to be more graceful and accept the not-so great days.
Because days like this one feel pretty fantastic.
Actually, it was awesome.
Hit up the box for my 5:30 WOD, ended up just me and one other guy w/ our Coach, Austin. They guy is a 5x / week-er, me, just 3 (4 on my best weeks). I didn't expect much out of myself, as we were doing bench presses. I'd never done them before, so just getting the feel for it, testing out what felt good, setting the metric. That was my focus.
We rowed 500m on the rowers, maxed out the bench presses, row, press, etc. for a full 20 mins. The rower and I have become fast friends, so my form is in check (as long as my tailbone isn't objecting to the way I'm sitting). I can pretty much get on there blindfolded and hold my pace. (Increasing that is on my list of "things to improve on").
Austin helps me set up my weights, go over form, and I decided that 45 lbs was where I would be. I don't know if that's good, bad, or whatever, but it's where I am (but I'll prob. increase by at least 5 on the next round).
No need to explain more. Here are my results:
Rows: 5K+ (Think I went 5 or 6 rounds?)
Total # of bench presses: 72!
Apparently I had the highest number of presses out of the ladies that day, so that was cool.
But maybe my weight wasn't heavy enough? Regardless, still excited to see the numbers.
Post WOD we did some core work. Planks & sit ups. I LOOOOOOVE planks. I have no idea why, but something I feel fairly confident in (Still working on the 3 min time... it's coming soon!).
Guy: "how long can you plank?"
Me: 2 - 2.5 mins
Guy: Let's do 2 mins, sit ups, 1min sit ups
Me: Sure, no prob.
This was the funniest part of the day. We get ready to go up, Warren G - Regulators comes on and I am zoned. I hip-hopped my way thru 2 mins w/ what felt like no effort at all. He was shaking, really working for it (and he got there, easier than he was giving himself credit for - and he Rx'd the WOD, so I know his arms were maxed out).
All of this to say that on this Friday, I completely redeemed the workout effort prior to this one and it felt GOOD!
I'll take the bad days, b/c I know they're going to happen. I'll try to not show my ass and act like a spoiled brat who didn't get picked first, I'll try to be more graceful and accept the not-so great days.
Because days like this one feel pretty fantastic.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Pinche' Jump Rope!
So yesterday's WOD was all about Jumping.
100 Double Unders (which I can't do... b/c I'm not fast enough... ) which translates to 200 singles, (which I can't do... well). I ended up having to sub 50 jumping jacks w/ 100 singles each round b/c I was taking sooooo long to get them done. Seriously, how do you trip on a jump rope every time you swing it around? I don't know how that works, but I did it.
I about lost my shit. Seriously angry and frustrated over a stupid jump rope. I jumped rope as a kid, but I always sucked at double dutch, but I did okay with regular jumping... Never did think about it being something to come back and literally kick my ass as a grown up.
Ridiculous.
I had a full class of people watching me struggle to finish, throwing my fit, telling people not to clap for me, not to cheer me on, to just ignore me. I was embarrassed, I was mad, I was pissed, and I wanted to cry. I wanted to go away, to just erase the whole effort. I didn't want my time on the board.
I wanted my dead damn legs to work.
I went home, took a shower, washed the disappointment off, and let my hair down. Enjoyed our Christmas party at the box, and drank some champagne with my friends.
Ended the night on a good note.
Now if I can just shake the disappointment and get ready to hit the WOD hard tomorrow...
100 Double Unders (which I can't do... b/c I'm not fast enough... ) which translates to 200 singles, (which I can't do... well). I ended up having to sub 50 jumping jacks w/ 100 singles each round b/c I was taking sooooo long to get them done. Seriously, how do you trip on a jump rope every time you swing it around? I don't know how that works, but I did it.
I about lost my shit. Seriously angry and frustrated over a stupid jump rope. I jumped rope as a kid, but I always sucked at double dutch, but I did okay with regular jumping... Never did think about it being something to come back and literally kick my ass as a grown up.
Ridiculous.
I had a full class of people watching me struggle to finish, throwing my fit, telling people not to clap for me, not to cheer me on, to just ignore me. I was embarrassed, I was mad, I was pissed, and I wanted to cry. I wanted to go away, to just erase the whole effort. I didn't want my time on the board.
I wanted my dead damn legs to work.
I went home, took a shower, washed the disappointment off, and let my hair down. Enjoyed our Christmas party at the box, and drank some champagne with my friends.
Ended the night on a good note.
Now if I can just shake the disappointment and get ready to hit the WOD hard tomorrow...
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Planks & Rx
I LOVE THEM!
I have no idea why... maybe it gives me a chance to breathe? maybe I can see the time adding up quicker? I don't know. Maybe it's easier for me to keep pushing myself until my shoulders get tired of holding my weight up? Maybe I just like feeling my core starting to shake.
Heck. Maybe it's all of that.
The fun part was that last night after the WOD (which I Rx'd! Go Me!), we did some core work. Planks, Sit-ups, Planks, Leg Lifts, Planks... The other 3 were grumbling, needing the time to go by faster (we were doing 1 min planks, 25 abs, alt, etc..), and I had no prob. with them. I could have done more.
I finished my sit ups before they got done, too. I had to laugh and tried to encourage them by saying "dude, why are you guys not done? I'm always last. I'm not supposed to finish before you"...
But I did. Sorry not sorry?
Definitely giving the guys a hard time. We were playing games by the time we were done.
We were all stronger for it, too.
(did you see where I said I Rx'd the WOD??? That part was cool!)
I have no idea why... maybe it gives me a chance to breathe? maybe I can see the time adding up quicker? I don't know. Maybe it's easier for me to keep pushing myself until my shoulders get tired of holding my weight up? Maybe I just like feeling my core starting to shake.
Heck. Maybe it's all of that.
The fun part was that last night after the WOD (which I Rx'd! Go Me!), we did some core work. Planks, Sit-ups, Planks, Leg Lifts, Planks... The other 3 were grumbling, needing the time to go by faster (we were doing 1 min planks, 25 abs, alt, etc..), and I had no prob. with them. I could have done more.
I finished my sit ups before they got done, too. I had to laugh and tried to encourage them by saying "dude, why are you guys not done? I'm always last. I'm not supposed to finish before you"...
But I did. Sorry not sorry?
Definitely giving the guys a hard time. We were playing games by the time we were done.
We were all stronger for it, too.
(did you see where I said I Rx'd the WOD??? That part was cool!)
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Box Jump
I certainly didn't wake up today thinking "hey, I'm gonna do a box jump today", but holy crap!
I DID A BOX JUMP TODAY!
Actually I did like 4 of them.
So there's that. I just wanted to make sure I put this down. Because it's kinda a big deal.
For me, anyways.
I DID A BOX JUMP TODAY!
Actually I did like 4 of them.
So there's that. I just wanted to make sure I put this down. Because it's kinda a big deal.
For me, anyways.
Week 6 Notables
Not gonna lie, Week 5 was really fun! I had one day where it was full of "Firsts". I was jumping, hi-fiving myself, wanted to let out a "woo hoo", but refrained, but I wanted to! I had a great time, and still am!
That WOD, I walked up a wall in to a handstand. I haven't been upside down in YEARS! That feeling is intense and definitely one that I will need to get used to. Another 1st, was me stepping in to a Blue Band for assisted pull ups. I've been doing Ring Rows, and I'm having some trust issue with the band. Combine that with the lack of core strength, the fear of falling, and not being able to lift my own weight, well yeah, that's going to take some getting used to, as well. BUT I did 3 banded pull ups. Two days ago, I did 8 before switching to ring rows... so I'm not completely there, (WOD called for 12 on Mon), but if I keep adding on, I'll get there in another month or so. The other first I did was jumping. It's not on to the box just yet, BUT a stack of 45 lb weights, 4 of them, about 14 inches. I jumped on those solid 30 times.
Tonight's WOD calls for 15 box jumps per round (AMRAP), and I am freaking excited! I might not be excited about the burpees (5 of those per round), and curious to see what the Med Ball Cleans are going to mean, but I know I can do this, with the stack of 45s, not the box just yet.
I am encouraged for each tiny little improvement. For this girl who was sitting on her couch 6 weeks ago, I'm already stronger than I was, lost an inch and a half in my waist and my hips, seeing more tone in my arms, feeling the strength in my legs, holding a plank longer than an athlete (she looked at me and said "How are you doing that??") I just smiled.
I'm getting stronger.
I still have a long way to go, but I'm definitely reaching toward the goals I put down for myself..
I just wanted to make sure to note my little successes from last week before I forgot them. I'll try to keep posting those as they happen. I'm tracking my WODs by using MyWOD in the itunes store. You can check in on my times, if you want to be nosy, as they are posted on the website - see link on the bar up top.
That WOD, I walked up a wall in to a handstand. I haven't been upside down in YEARS! That feeling is intense and definitely one that I will need to get used to. Another 1st, was me stepping in to a Blue Band for assisted pull ups. I've been doing Ring Rows, and I'm having some trust issue with the band. Combine that with the lack of core strength, the fear of falling, and not being able to lift my own weight, well yeah, that's going to take some getting used to, as well. BUT I did 3 banded pull ups. Two days ago, I did 8 before switching to ring rows... so I'm not completely there, (WOD called for 12 on Mon), but if I keep adding on, I'll get there in another month or so. The other first I did was jumping. It's not on to the box just yet, BUT a stack of 45 lb weights, 4 of them, about 14 inches. I jumped on those solid 30 times.
Tonight's WOD calls for 15 box jumps per round (AMRAP), and I am freaking excited! I might not be excited about the burpees (5 of those per round), and curious to see what the Med Ball Cleans are going to mean, but I know I can do this, with the stack of 45s, not the box just yet.
I am encouraged for each tiny little improvement. For this girl who was sitting on her couch 6 weeks ago, I'm already stronger than I was, lost an inch and a half in my waist and my hips, seeing more tone in my arms, feeling the strength in my legs, holding a plank longer than an athlete (she looked at me and said "How are you doing that??") I just smiled.
I'm getting stronger.
I still have a long way to go, but I'm definitely reaching toward the goals I put down for myself..
I just wanted to make sure to note my little successes from last week before I forgot them. I'll try to keep posting those as they happen. I'm tracking my WODs by using MyWOD in the itunes store. You can check in on my times, if you want to be nosy, as they are posted on the website - see link on the bar up top.
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