Transitions can be difficult, but change is always good.

The end of the Spring semester can't come soon enough.  I'm transferring to another program at another school, so that I can finish sooner than later.  In any case, my educational path is following my fitness journey.  I'm still enjoying my Crossfit time, but I realize that must be serious and start to increase my run mileage regularly.

This past week, I actually logged over ten miles in three runs, not counting any runs during my xfit wods.  This is by far the most that I have ever run in any given month, ever!  When a friend posted on FB that she couldn't attend a special event because of her previously planned 'training' session, it hit me like a revelation on wednesday morning that 'there is absolutely no reason for me not to run today'.  Even though it was already past 8:30am and the sun was already out, I got my laziness out of bed.  Heat and I don't get along, unless of course, I am on the beach or at a resort drinking mai tais poolside.  I ended up logging a hearty 7.4 mile jog.  Another good thing garnered out of this miracle event was that I started logging my runs via www.mapmyrun.com.

Tracking run routes and times energizes me simply because it keeps me in tune with my efforts.  When the mapmyrun.com app gave me instant feedback of "Good Job" after logging my my weeks run workouts, it felt really good and motivating to keep up my runs.  Every bit helps!

Thanks, Big D, for nudging me today to update my blog.  Man, where does the time go?  And, quadruple thanks to Hot Momma class for kicking into high gear!  More on this later.....

Basic training: I can only imagine how hellacious it could be for the unfit.

So, here I am, a crossfitter for two years now and I can barely run continuously for four or five miles.  Yeah, I know I'll get there, but I feel as though I should already be there.  I'm such a lazy runner, but thank goodness for wonderful friends.  Friends, like Robin, Courtney, Tiff, and Gay, who encourage me to keep running or better yet, push me to keep going and ignore the 'lazy' thoughts in my head.  And, the other friends, like Deanna, Di, Monica, Jai, and so many others from HAF, who simply ask me how my marathon training is going.  All this pressure is working and I appreciate it!  Now, if I could only look forward to doing my weekly running homework.

Change is good

The 2012 Crossfit Open is officially done.  My worldwide standing for my age group is 577th place.  I was told by a very good friend to embrace my performance, so I will, perhaps with a henna tattoo.  Until the next Open, I will work on my goats, as they say, pullups being the first to be conquered.

The first Warrior Dash (3 miles of running and obstacles) came into town last week.  At the start of the race, the HAF group decided to do 30, 20, 10 squats at each of the mile markers.  This was a great event to transition from Crossfit Open to marathon training.

Now, I get serious and work on logging regular running miles.  My exercise journal is full of HAF wods, but now I need to transition that into at least 50% wods and 50% running days.  I think I forsee many double workout days as I cannot give up my Crossfit or my HAF family, but it is time to embrace change.  Say goodbye and good riddance to the belly!

I'm so hungry...

It's week three of the Crossfit Open.  I was dreading the very long 18 minute 12.3 wod up to the very moment that I HAD to do it.  Going in I said, I'd be happy with 3 - 5 rounds, but secretly, I thought I could get all 5 rounds.  It wasn't happening.  The fifteen 20" tire jumps, then the twelve 75# overhead presses weren't easy but I was able to crank those out.  My failure was getting my toes to touch the bar!  I wasted so much energy on lost reps.  Well, at least now I know what to work on - core and hip strength!

Lesson(s) learned:  Work on improving pre-event hunger/nutrition.  I lost energy and focus mid-wod because I felt the need to eat something. Everyone else wants to puke and I want to eat?  What's wrong with me?

Downtime is good, it can clear the mind....

For the past few days or so, the weather has been mediocre to downright awful - rainy, full of lightening, and thunderously loud at times.  Even though I have left the house, I often found myself wanting to simply stay in my pjs and stay in bed watching chick flicks.  Happy to say, I didn't give in to my temptation, but I have taken three more 'rest' days then planned.

Today was my first day back in the gym.  Wednesday's are strength day, where we practice our lifts and then do a short 5 - 10 minute metcon wod, so I kinda knew what to expect.  After our Press, Push Press lifts, the wod consisted doing as many reps of the dreaded double-under jump rope movement.  The rope passes under your feet twice for each jump.  (psst, secret, people - I CANNOT do this movement.)  In two years, I have done one double-under successfully and that was during wod 11.1 in last year's Crossfit Open.  And, I haven't done a single one since then either.  "Aiyaiyai", I'm thinking, "but what the heck I'm gonna try anyway".  Low and behold, after a little focus, I actually got TWO double-unders!!!

Right about now, you're thinking, what the heck is she babbling about.  Haha, okay people, let me tell you.  My revelation is that I just need to keep my focus and get in the 'car' (i.e. do lots of solid work), and drive myself down that road to attaining my goal of running a marathon! 

Lesson(s) learned:  A small occasional detour from the training path can be useful.  In this case, my extended down time helped to clear my head of some fears and renewed my optimism that I can complete the Honolulu Marathon in December, I just need to keep my focus on the prize - reaching the finish line.

Just keep moving.....

Last week was the first week of the Crossfit Open.  The workout a mere seven minutes of as many burpees as you can do, but have you ever done a burpee?  If you have, you know it can be a lung burner.  Burpee: from a standing position, get down on the floor (chest touching), then get up, and jump so that both hands touch a point that is six inches higher then your standing reach.  I did the wod once and got a score of 57.  Not the greatest, but I had no desire to repeat my efforts, especially since I did another wod just three hours prior.

This is week two.  The wod is to do as many snatches (barbell ground to overhead in one quick movement) as possible within a ten minute period with the prescribed ladder: 30 reps each in order, 45#, 75#, 100#, then 120#.  As soon as this wod dropped on Tuesday, I was estatic because I know this is something that I can do!  I enjoy barbell work.  My first validation attempt gained me a score of 55.  With several fellow HAF members encouraging me, I did a second attempt today and increased my score by 5 to 60!  I literally moved 3,600 pounds today.

I don't really have a competitive bone in my body, so this whole experience of 'competing' in this Open is really exhilarating for me.  I love all the encouragement and extra coaching from my HAF coaches and members.  Thank you to everyone at HAF for the unconditional support!

Crossfit Open wod 12.2 - Snatches (75# here and almost pau)

Lesson(s) learned:  Keep moving and relax are the key coaching points taken away from today's competition.  Pace is everything. 

Choices, a decision of choosing one option or another

It's Crossfit Open season, so  my decision to participate was made without much thought.  The Open is five weeks of unexpected, grueling kind of  wods, none of which are known until the Wednesday afternoon of each week and performed on that Saturday at the box (gym) with others cheering you on.  Scores are posted worldwide and you get to see where your fitness falls into place.  My fellow crossfitters at Hardass Fitness are so motivating and just fun people that I couldn't NOT join the HAF team.  Mind you, I have no delusions of winning anything, but just being able to say, "I did it and I wasn't always last", makes it a winning experience for me.  Sure, the Open may put a cramp on my pre-marathon training efforts, because I am often left sore after a solid wod.  Leaving me feeling lazy, since I feel like I worked out already, then the excuse-making starts for not doing a run session.  In the end though I think my decision to do the Open will make me a stronger person, both mentally and physically, as I have to 'perform' in front of 'others'.  In this case, the others are my friends and fellow HAFers, but during the marathon, it'll just be a whole bunch of 'strangers' watching me- nerve racking to say the least.

Lesson(s) learned: Don't do a 20 minute wod (Crossfit jargon - workout of the day) just hours before doing the Open wod. It doesn't lead to a grand result. On the other hand, I am training my body to be able to endure longer periods of having to work and that is my primary focus, so everything else experienced is simply gravy.