To good friends

In case you didn't know it, I share my life with some pretty fantastic people!

I came home yesterday to find a card in the mail from my first friend from college.  We lost touch after college, but over the last year have reconnected, thanks to my divorce.  The first time we got lunch last May, we spent a solid five hours catching up. We've gotten together for lunches and dinners here and there this past year and it’s like we never lost that time after college. Picked right up where we left off.  That’s a good friendship.

Then there’s the college kid. Sadly, I haven’t gotten to spend as much time with her this summer as she’s been back and forth from Charleston to home. Thus she hasn't been back to CrossFit either. However, when she is here, we make sure to squeeze in some girl time. We can have fun doing practically anything. And we have the BEST junk food/movie days!

And we can’t forget about one of my other favorite people, my old boss. Practically my first boss. She is fabulous! Sadly, she moved a few months back. She has an amazing energy and it’s just fun when she’s in the room.  Plus she’s a sugar fiend just like me. It’s never going to be a bad time when she’s around, that’s a guarantee.  The only flaw is that when we do get together, we always seem to run out of time.

I adore my friends and would do anything for them. This past year I've learned how important good friends are and who I can always count on. They've all been amazingly supportive this past year. They’re all one of the best things that came out of my divorce!   

So....

....I'm slack! I get all moved in with my boyfriend, get a part time job at the cupcake shop in town and just forget about this blog all together! While that's not totally true, having an ever changing schedule and routine has really thrown me off my blog game.

The move went as great! The dogs could not have transitioned any better. So well that we got all three of them in the car Saturday afternoon to visit the cupcake shop to get them treats (i.e. pupcakes). Between the move, going on lots of walks with the pups and starting the new in-between job I was exhausted the first week. Possibly another reason why there were no blog posting going on. Happily I'm finally feeling myself again.

Had my first interview yesterday for a real job. I felt pretty good about it but that doesn't usually mean much for me. I won't hear anything until next week but I've got my fingers crossed. I think it would be an really great company to work for and very little potential for being laid off as it's a company that's going strong.

The college kid came home last weekend for summer! I'm so happy she's back. We got to hang out a bunch this week with me only working part time right now. Our chick-flick/junk food day finally got to happen! Chick-fil-a breakfast, pizza, chips, salsa, and candy bars were a terrible terrible mistake. We were both in major pain by mid-afternoon. No dinner for either party.

All in all, life is grand. I hope to get back into my routine for posting my workouts here soon now that things are settling down. I've still been going 3-4 times per week but I didn't see much since in posting them all when I had plenty of other things to catch up on.

Annie Get Your Gun

3/7/2013 WOD:
Annie
50-40-30-20-10 reps
Double Unders (Singles x 4)
Sit-Ups
Time: 12:42 (PR)

40 second PR! While I want to say it was because of my fancy new jump rope from Rogue, I know that's not totally the case. Whatever the reasoning is I'm perfectly happy with it! I'm very glad I had already decided to do Annie on my own and not the WOD with the class because they were having to do Open 13.1. I didn't sign up for the open for a reason so I won't be doing the WODs. I might want to come up with an alternate plan for the next few Thursdays in case it becomes a pattern.

I hightailed it out of the gym so I could feed my pups, get cleaned up and get a walk in with the boyfriend before meeting two of my ladies for dinner! I had a blast and cannot wait for summer to get her so they're around more. We were the last people in the restaurant when we left. And yay me for completely ignoring the basket of bread on the table. I wanted to eat the entire thing. Grand times!

Bridal Season

2/22/2013 WOD:
10 min AMRAP
5 Back Squat (95 lb)
50 Single Unders
5 Push-ups
Rounds: 6

I was well on my way to getting back to my normal schedule but life happens and it didn't quite work out. No hard feelings here! I went in really hoping to work on pull-ups but the rig was being dominated by some high school guys training and our superstars getting ready for the the upcoming Team WOD.

That said I had to come up with another workout on the fly so I searched back through my app and found this one. I wanted to get some squats in so there you go. Best part is that I managed to squeeze in one more full round than I did last time! I just love when that happens!

This week's schedule will be slightly skewed again but I can deal. Back in tonight for some more progressions! Feeling super amped after reading an article on 70's Big about a man who just squatted 905 lbs. Just take that in for a moment. Then watch the video and have your mind blown!

Without much intention the theme of my weekend was girly-ness! Girls night at Mellow Mushroom with my PDCF ladies. Being facebook free got me a last minute invitation but I was happy to go! Then Saturday morning my mom, sister and I left were Charleston bound for her wedding dress fitting! I was really excited because it was the first time I finally got to see her dress in person. She is going to be a beautiful bride! We picked up the college kid and got lunch at Folly Beach. And laughed our asses off! On the ride home my sister was complaining her face hurt from laughing so much. Mega fun day! The girly-ness continued Sunday with her first bridal shower. Great weekend with lots of fun ladies! 

Mission Accomplished

12/22/2012 LP:
Back Squat: 120 lb
Press: 45 lb
Prowler Push: 30 yd @ 165 lb, 90 yd @ 115 lb

I did it!!!! This morning I officially squatted more than I weigh. It felt amazing. And heavy! Merry Christmas to me! Standing up for the first time with the bar on my back all I could think of was, I'm heavy. My next goal is to hit 135. While I'm not sure all 15 reps will be possible, if I can at least get one I'll be beyond thrilled. That my next goal because that's just slightly less than I weighed at my heaviest before starting CrossFit. We'll find out in about 3 weeks if it's possible. Oh and in case you haven't done the math like I have, hitting 120 today puts me at adding 75 lbs on the bar since I started. That's how much my dog weighs!

A giant humongous thanks to my trainer for first suggesting I start the progression and secondly for helping me reach my goal! Never would have happened without his help and support.

Instead of sprinting, I decided to give the prowler another go. I've only had a chance to play with it once and that was 5 months ago back in July when I was first starting out. Unfortunately for my max effort push at 165 I forgot to change out of my chucks and into my inov-8s. Either way I went just a little more than double what I was able to back then. I love making progress! I made the switch for my 115 pushes and was spent by my last go. I'm sure between the squats and the prowler I'm going to be feeling it tomorrow.

I spent the majority of my afternoon running all over town with the college kid, seriously we went everywhere. However we were very productive! Wrapped up the last few bits of Christmas shopping and almost finished my 26 Random Acts of Kindness.. I've got #26 left to do and I plan on taking care of it tonight. Doing good deeds for others when they least expect it is an amazing feeling. I highly recommend you try it, even if it's something as small as leaving a dollar on a vending machine for the next person. They'll greatly appreciate it and hopefully they'll pay it forward and do something nice for another stranger. There are still plenty of good people in this world!

Time for dinner with an old college friend! I'm very happy we've reconnected over the last few months. I love catching up with her and having a bit of girl time.

3 days until Christmas!!!

The End is Near

12/20/2012 WOD:
10 min AMRAP
30 double unders (120 singles)
15 Power Snatch (35 lb)
Rounds: 3 + 90 singles

I was feeling off all day and wasn't overly thrilled about working out but I had a feeling I'd feel back to normal once I did it. Thankfully, I was right!

My goal was 3 rounds. Mission accomplished! I was able to do my first two sets of singles unbroken which I was pretty happy about. The second round especially because I was beat after the first!

It was also my first time doing snatches from the ground. I know my form isn't 100% accurate, but I felt good about it. Tried to remember to keep the bar close to my body and to shrug it up instead of pulling it out and then overhead. I was more unsure about the weight going into it than my form. And surprisingly it didn't feel heavy at all. That said, my traps are pretty sore this morning. Tom Hardy I'm coming for you. Expect me to play your long lost sister in Warrior 2.

Another first last night at PDCF was that I felt for the first time I looked like a CrossFitter. Not that I was going for that feeling or look, but my wardrobe came together for what I think of as one of the iconic looks for women in CrossFit. Part 1: The Shoes. Part 2: The Shorts Part 3: The CF Gym Shirt. Of course there are variations on this look. However, there was another girl in there last night with me wearing almost an identical outfit. Same shoe, but different colour. Same cut of shorts, but different brand and colour. And we both had on our gray PDCF Go. Hard. shirts. Actually three of us were rocking the same shirt. While I don't feel like I need to dress a certain way to workout, it was neat to wear one of the "standard outfits."

I was very glad it was a short workout because I had a fun girl's night planned with two of my favorite people! We gabbed, exchanged gifts, talked about boys, got yummy food and watched Pitch Perfect, which they both adore apparently. It was a great night and worth missing out on a little sleep for. Planning to get at least one more in before their break is over, but hopefully two!

Four days until Christmas!!!!!! 

The Queen

12/13/2012 WOD:
12 AMRAP
12 Handstand Push-ups (Stinkbug)
12 Sit-ups
12 Air Squats
200 m run
Rounds: 4

Yep, still not a fan of stinkbugs. HOWEVER....I was able to do my first round of 12 unbroken. Granted I still can't quite touch my head to the floor, but I'm at least within an inch of it and I'm not able to lower myself down controlled instead of just falling forward like when I started. Progress is progress dammit! Though our trainer was giving me hell for not touching the floor. I tried to tell him, if I touch the ground I can't get back up but he wasn't buying it.

We also were introduced to a new standard for sit-ups. No more bent knees! Legs are straight on the floor and your back comes up to make a 90 degree angle. By the last round I could really start to feel the difference. And don't tell anyone, but I kind of look forward to sit-ups being in a WOD these days. Oh how much can change in 5 months!

The squats were a breeze and so was the run. I made my last run in less than a minute and could finally tell the sprinting is paying off! I made it in the door with 3 seconds to spare! I love it when the trainers come outside to yell at us push us during our runs. It's so easy to slack off, especially at the end when you've already given it your all. It's funny the power that ticking clock can have on you!

The real reason last night was such a great WOD was because the college kid was finally back! And she'll be here for a good three weeks too!!! So excited to get to workout with her again. She has lots of new people to meet that have come in since she left back in August.

Unfortunately I had to miss out the ladies CF Christmas party last night as I had forgotten I had already made plans a few weeks back. Since I had to miss a 5k last weekend that I originally said I'd run and now this party I have officially been given the title of Queen Backer Outerer, even though I've had very legitimate excuses for not making it to both. I must attend the next party, no matter what! We do have a fantastic group of women up there and I always have a great time hanging out with them. I'm sad I missed out, it looks like they had a great time!

Should be another fantastic weekend again! Really looking forward to spending some time with family and friends this weekend and hopefully finding a little time in there to squeeze in my last bit of Christmas shopping.

Hello Max

8/25/2012 WOD:
Tabata, 16 minutes
Kettle bell swing
1 arm Kettle bell push press
1 arm Kettle bell push press
Goblet squat
Reps: 238

I've said it before, I really like tabatas. I also really enjoy the kettle bell. However, kettle bell tabatas aren't necessarily my favorite. Especially kettle bell push presses. Whoa man those are tough! Fun fact, every single time I was able to do more reps with my left arm which is my non-dominant hand. Strange!

After this mornings class I had decided I wanted to see what my max dead lift was. My trainer friend was working so he helped me with it. After doing a 'warm up' of 3 reps at 65 lbs he loaded up the bar with 95 lbs, the most I have attempted to lift to date. After a little assistance with my form, I was able to pick it up without much hesitation. At that point I decided 120 was my goal because that would be just slightly more than I weigh which boggles my mind. So on we went. 110 lbs, lifted. 125 lbs, lifted. Finally, 135 lbs, done.

Just a few weeks ago my college kid friend was doing dead lifts at 135 lbs and I couldn't get it to budge. I am beyond thrilled with myself that I was able to pick up the bar. As soon as I dropped it both my trainer friend and the college kid told me I could do more because it looked like it wasn't much of a struggle and because I didn't grunt. It was not easy by any means and for a split second I didn't think I was getting it off the ground. Next time I go in on a Saturday I want to see if I've improved on my max clean. Or maybe see what my front or back squat is since I'm totally clueless on both of those. Either way I'm really happy with myself and knowing that I'm improving makes it all worth sweat and bruises.

The rest of my weekend has been fabulous so far! My college kid came home on Friday after her first week being back at school. I REALLY missed having her around this week, it just wasn't the same. Thankfully day long text messaging and a few phone calls kept me sane until she returned. We got some quality time in this weekend at PDCF, a girls dinner at Moes, and even managed to squeeze in a chick-flick yesterday afternoon. And we're capping it off the weekend by celebrating the absolutely amazing weather we're having by spending some time pool side.

Fall will be here before I know it and the days and nights at the pool will be over. And while there have been some really good pool moments this summer I'm looking forward to the fall. It is easily my favorite season for lots of reasons and this fall is looking like it has potential to be especially fun, starting off with a trip to Disney World at the end of September.

Next week has a few firsts scheduled on the books! Excited and curious to see how they turn out.

Quiet weekend in.

My weekend has been full of firsts! First Friday night WOD, first girls night out with the PDCF ladies, first adult book.

8/10/2012 WOD:
3 RFT
400 m run
24 Box Jumps
15 Dead Lifts (75 lb)
Cash out: 50 GHD Sit-ups (Wall touch sit-ups)
Time: 21:34

I was really surprised how many people were at Friday night's class, but the regular crowd was there committed just like every other day of the week. The WOD wasn't too bad actually, except when I slipped jumping on the tire and bashed my shin into it. My legs were still a little sore from Tuesdays lunges, but after the first round they loosened up a bit. The sit-ups were what really did me in. I didn't realize until I started that I was sore from the knee-to-elbows the night before. But I survived and it's funny to look at it and think this was an easier workout! Oh how quickly things change!

With a lot of my friends out of town for the weekend, I was looking forward to a quiet weekend to myself. Having finished the book I started earlier in the week, I was in search of a new read. I decided I would cave and see what all the fuss was about Fifty Shades of Grey. I had heard it was fabulous and that it was disgusting. So after Friday's class, I picked up a copy and started reading. At midnight I finally tore myself away from it and forced myself to go to sleep. And as of 10:15 this morning I had finished it.

I may be wrong, but I think women are wrapped up with this book for a whole different reason than most think. Sure, there's the sex. And lots of it! But I couldn't put it down because of the relationship between Miss Steele and Mr. Grey. The way they talk to each other, play hot and cold, just sucked me in. And the hopeless romantic in me just hopes he can give her what she really wants.  Lucky for me I bought the second and third in the series yesterday so I can dive back into it! I don't think romance novels will become a hobby for me at all, but I'm sold on Christian Grey.

I had to pry myself away from Mr. Grey last night as I had been invited to a CrossFit girls night out at Mellow Mushroom. I was really excited to be included since I'm still fairly new to the gym, but I was a little anxious since I didn't really know all the ladies going and the ones I did know I had only spoken to a few times. I had a great time! Laughed, ate some tasty food and got to know everyone a little better.  

It also confirmed that joining PDCF is one of the best decisions I've made in quite sometime. The workouts are great, the people are amazing and I just love how I feel when I'm there and after I leave. I'm so happy that it's becoming part of my life now. It was definitely something that my life was missing.

I am loving my life right now and am very happy.

Can you count to 3000? I can.

8/9/2012 WOD:
Partner workout for time
-While one person is jumping rope, the other is doing the sets of 5. Rotate as needed.
750 Double Unders (3000 singles)
5 Overhead squats (30 lb)
5 Thrusters (30 lb)
5 knee to elbow
Time: 33:08

Today was agonizing! I thought I was okay not being able to do double unders, but I decided tonight it needs to happen, stat.

There was one positive to tonight.  My usual WOD buddy was running late so I partnered up with this guy who is a regular 5:30 goer like us. We were about 800 singles in when she got there and because she made an odd number for the class, she was just told to shadow me. I realized at about 1900 I was spent and she was still going strong so I told her to keep count while we jumped.  Sure we were both jumping rope, but she was going faster than I was. I've never been so glad she showed up late than I was tonight.

I believe we had the slowest time of the day, but I can deal with that. I'm just glad my trainer friend helped me spot the 2.5 lb plates so I was able to get back up to 30 lbs.

My legs and butt are still sore from all the lunges on Tuesday, I whipped myself with the jump rope tonight, my wrists are a little achy from the overhead squats and my hands are starting to look a little rough, but the masochist in me is debating going tomorrow night.

I may need serious help.

On a positive note, I was invited to a CrossFit girls night out on Saturday night. I wasn't sure about going since I haven't met most of the ladies because they go to other class times, but I figured why not. I'll go, have some dinner, and meet some new people. Plus, it fits the trend.