Local Charity Competition-CrossFit

This past weekend.... I step a little bit out of my comfort zone and did my first CrossFit Competition.  I admit, I was a bit intimidated about it all.  It wasn't a big competition.  But it was something I have NEVER thought I would actually do.  **But it was for a great cause, so WHY NOT, give it a try?

My crossfit family had a charity competition to raise money for a Sherman local woman who is fighting breast cancer.  In the years past, they have raised money and donated to the breast cancer foundation...but this year was the first time they had raised money for someone from the community.  It was really amazing to see everyone come out. It made the whole event more personable, too!

As for myself---I was a bit nervous......WHY
1) The coaches were bouncing my name back and forth for a couple of week on the white board to figure out which category to put me in.  Since I am fairly new at crossfit with the barbell....the scaled division is what most people start with.  But in the past few weeks, I have been doing some max reps with them and I have since found out that I am stronger than I ever thought I was---or for that matter, stronger than they thought I was too. 
2) But I lack the proper form and technique.  I can apparently lift a crazy amount of weight over my head.....but I don't do it pretty or correct! LOL! 
3) And of course, doing a WOD in front of everyone----mind you, while they are yelling CRAZY at you and for you.....is super intimidating! YIKES

Now grant you, this was not a REAL COMPETITION.  It was just a one WOD competition.  And the WOD choices were:
OTB scaled--- in 7mins, run a 300m and do as many ground to overhead with the kettlebell-18lbs 
OTB----in 7mins, run a 600m and do as many rounds as ground to overhead with kettlebell 35lbs
CrossFit Scaled--for time---30reps of clean and jerks with 75lbs or less
CrossFit--for time---30reps of clean and jerks with 95lbs

I ended up doing the 30 reps with 95lbs.  I did it in 7mins....but I know I could have been much faster IF I wouldn't had stopped to listen to what coaches were telling me on correcting my form (which wasn't terrible form---just not as effective and fast for me) and IF I was actually using the proper "cleaning" technique.  It took me right at 7mins to do 30 reps.  I would like to cut this in half and I know I can when I get the proper form down. 

LOOK AT THAT FACE!!! I had NO IDEA!! LOL

I guess I think this is funny??

My faces crack me up! 

I admit---the weight wasn't all that hard for me---which is what alot of people struggle with.  I just struggle on the proper cleaning.  Apparently I use ALL arms to pull that barbell from the ground to overhead...which means I am wasting alot of unnecessary energy.  I need to be using my hips to clean--not my arms! I did much better on that today at workout class! I will get there!

****But one thing I enjoyed the most from this charity competition was judging the other competitors.  It was so fun to count reps and cheer on other CrossFit Solus friends.  I was able to cheer on people I attend class with.  I was able to judge and cheer on my former OTB CrossFit Coach.  And I was able to meet new CrossFit family that I had only known through facebook interaction.  It was so fun!!!  And very encouraging!

All in all, I am glad my first competition started here with my CrossFit family.  It was a blast and I learned a great deal. 

**But now, I have to get prepared for my first REAL COMPETITION which is less than a month away.  I'll be updating my blog with alot of my anxieties and workouts to prepare for this, in the next few weeks!

I THINK I CAN!  I THINK I CAN! I THINK I CAN!

A Week in Runner's Heaven- Part 2

****Part 2 of our Washington DC trip.....  To see part one---CLICK HERE

We left off at DC....in our majestic SUITE!!! :-)

Todd had a busy couple of days after that. So I was able to do some research and find yet more running/biking trials. One day I ran 9miles, the next day I ran 4miles both along the Potomac River and over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Because I had to accompany Todd for a few engagements these days, I couldn't be gone too long.

From Oxon Hill-Over Woodrow Wilson Bridge-to Mt Vernon Trial

However, Todd did have ONE very full day. I took this day to do a big run... I ran from the Gaylord into DC, which was a 14plus mile run. But I took my sweet time. Stopping and seeing sites along the way and enjoying it all. Once I made it to DC, I spent the next couple of hours seeing the landmarks during the daytime and also trying to find a bathroom that wasn't closed--like the government:-). Ha! Todd met me that evening and we had dinner and visited the Capitol, as we missed that landmark the first time!

My Trail----14miles into DC with another 4miles of walking the DC mall area!

Look!  I am holding the Washington Monument in my hands!

Our last day couldn't have been more perfect. Todd was off for the whole day...so this was a day intended just for us. So we took a taxi into Old Alexandria. We rented two bikes and we biked 10miles down the Mt Vernon Trail to George Washington's Estate. The bike ride was awesome! Very scenic! Fall leaves falling all around us (a few acorns to our heads-ha) and winding around the Potomac River. Once we arrived we spend several hours touring the estate....which was super cool!! We saw and toured Washington's house, farm, and his tomb.  We also visited the museum there. We had a nice small lunch there, too. We rode our bikes back into to town. Yes, that's a 20mile bike ride altogether:-). I am super proud of my hubby for wanting to do that and for also doing it! He didn't struggle at all biking that far (only a few hills got him--but that's it!).

Mt Vernon Bike Trail --George Washington's Estate

Biker Mandy!!

Once we made it back to Old Alexandria town, we had a delicious dinner on the porch of Fish Market looking over the old streets of this old town.  Lobster, calamari, shrimp and local beer!! Yummy!! We took our time eating and people watching.  We finished our night with a short walk along the historical streets and down to the harbor where we took a fairy back to the Gaylord.

Almost a "clean" meal! :-).

We had an amazing day and evening!! This was definitely a date that tops my list!!!

All in all this trip was NOTHING like I had anticipated! With the weather being absolutely PERFECT with plenty to see and do, not to mention all the running trials...and of course time with Todd, this trip was definitely a favorite!!!

Me and my love:-).

I am so blessed! And ever so thankful!!

A Week in a Runner's Heaven- Part 1

I just had the most amazing week EVER!  And I'll be honest, I had no idea this trip was going to be this fun. In matter of a fact, I was bit afraid I would be stuck in a hotel doing lots of work and being a bit bored. But that is not at all how this trip went. (I probably should have gotten more work done than play. O well!)

Todd travels quite often and his company has a policy that you can not travel alone. This particular trip he had a couple of conferences he was attending and a few meeting he had to make that required only him to attend. With that being said, I was granted the opportunity to go, as well. *darn!

Again, not knowing what to expect, we arrived in Richmond, Virginia on Thursday. We were put up to stay two nights at the Omni. The room was very pleasant but I was more intrigued with the town itself. The weather was ideal! Lower 80s during day (no humidity and nice breeze off the James River) and lower 50s in the evening.

Richmond Virginia Running Trails

Todd had a meeting first thing...so I thought I would take the concierge's advice and find the running trail just by the James River. I had no idea this trial would be this nice. It was quite, lots of other runners and bikers out, the sounds of the river and the beautiful scenery of fall coming on. I even found this neat little isle (a park of some sort) that had hiking/running trials too. It was amazing!! And of course, I brought my hubby back on his "off" day to see the place--along with all the other historical sites Richmond had to over.

Belle Isle---neat hidden place off the trials!

On Saturday, Todd and I drove to Washington, DC and turned in our rental car.  We got to the Gaylord, just outside of DC. We were supposed to get just a nice big room...but they somehow upgraded us to an amazing suite. This suite was ridiculous!! :-). We had a living area, a dining area, and office area, a big master bedroom and big bathroom. It was AMAZING!

Living the GOOD LIFE!!!!

Saturday night, Todd and I met up with some IFL friends that were in from California for one of the conferences (Roger and Laurie). They had a perfect evening planned for us. We started the night off by going to a balcony bar that overlooked DC, just before sundown--Beautiful!! We then had an amazing dinner and spent the rest of the night touring DC at night! This was Todd's first time in DC and my first time to see DC all lit up at night! It was stunning! We had great conversations, they smoked cigars while walking the DC mall area, and we soaked the whole city in!!! We finished our night with some oysters and drinks with our friends before heading home at midnight.

Washington DC at night

Washington DC view before sunset on rooftop!!!

***More coming on this in the next blog post:-).

Competitive Self----Gets a Reality Check

I have got to tell yall about my WOD today!  It was the dreaded BADGER WOD.....
which is a pretty dang hard workout.  It consist of THREE ROUNDS of
30 Squat Cleans at 65lbs
30 Pull Ups
800m run
Don't forget that this is for THREE ROUNDS.  It's kind of a gaser....but gaser WODs are good for me cos I have alot of endurance.  When everyone else is dying half way through, I am just started to pass everyone up!

Anyhow....the frustrating part is that I am soo close to being able to do kipping pullups.  I actually can do about two on my own, but that's about it.  But I can do strict pull ups and kipping pullups with a band-NO PROBLEM.

Last week when working on kipping pull ups (with the band)---two of my coaches were praising me on my form and really encouraging me on how I will be flying through pullups in no time.

So today, as I was warming up my pullups (using the least restricted band possible)....another one of my coaches came over to assist me and give me some advice.  Apparently I am doing double the work because I am pulling up correct but coming down I am doing a negative (meaning working against gravity to bring my body in to down position slowly---rather coming down somewhat naturally).  ***That's the best I can explain that! LOL! Anyhow, she had then had me do jumping pullups to help me get out of this bad habit....but the bad news for me is she also insisted that I do these type pullups during the WOD.

TWO PROBLEMS with this.....
1) Jumping pull ups were much too easy for me.  I am not even kidding when I really thought I should do double of each set.
2) My time would not qualify me for the WODKILLER board!!! GRR!!!

So I was so ticked during my WOD....just thinking that it was a waste of my time because it didn't count.  ***NOW! NOW!!!  I have chilled out some since then and have come to realize that it's not that big of a deal.  But at the time this morning, I was so upset.  Especially since I came in the top of the class (second) just one minute behind on of the hotshot coaches and co-owner of the facility.  Everyone else was about 5 or so minutes behind me.

I left feeling so defeated and so upset...because I know I can do those pullups.

But here is the humbling part.  I have since then realized that the coach made me do jumping pull ups because she was aware of my shoulder ache and didn't want me to harm it.  ***However, she wasn't aware that I was willing to go all out cos I am about to be on a crossfit vacation since I am leaving town for a week.***

Then even later today I came across this article that I have heard about and thought WOW......now I get it!  Feel free to look at it, but please know that I am not in favor of this article.  I think alot of key information was skipped (but that's just my opinion after looking up the condition).  But if you do read it, you have to look at the following article, as well.  I stand closer to the second article, but the first article did make me see the "sense" my coach was making when having me do jumping pull ups today!  I am thankful for good coaches:-).  ***But I still want to be a WODKILLA!! :-)>

Article one: CrossFit's Dirty Little Secret
Article two: CrossFit Doesn't Have Dirty LIttle Secrets....

Smaller Sizes

Happy Monday!!! (kind-of)

I woke up to severe allergies and a flat tire....which meant I couldn't go to CrossFit with my Gunter girls as I usually do!!! :-( But the day did get better real quick. 

Just a quick update on our status' here.....

Todd weighed this morning and finally broke the 20lb plateau.  He is now 25lbs down....Starting at 283 and now weighing at 257!!! This past weekend he tried on his sports jackets---that he hasn't been able to wear the last 2-3years and they were either too big or fitting him just perfect! :-).  I can honestly say that when I hug him....I feel like I am hugging a stranger! It's weird!! But he is doing amazing.

I am still weighing at 150ish....and still haven't seen the 140s in a while, but I am not too worried about the scale numbers.  My coaches have all said something positive in the last week or so about how I am trimming down.  I also tried on ALL my jeans...and I have 3 that are way too big, and the rest fit perfectly.  It is kind of weird to think I can fit in my skinny jeans when I know I weighed more like 140 when I wore them last.  And today, I wore some size 8 shorts and they are driving me crazy, cos they are literally falling off (and they aren't those stretchy shorts). 

Bad news about weight loss----is booby loss!!! I think my muscles are bigger than my boobs now:-( LOL   I don't mind the trade off though! HA!

Happy Birthday to "Younger" Me!

I am 38years young today!!!  I can say that and actually mean that because I don't feel 38years OLD.  I actually feel "younger" this year than the previous birthdays I have celebrated.  I think it's because I am relearning to do some of the things I once could do (like pullups, handstands, and back handstand rolls).  I am also learning to do NEW things that I have never done before.  It is so freeing to be in good enough shape to TRY things that are new and not be too afraid of getting hurt.  :-).

This past week has been another great week.  However, I did have one day of "self pity" but I bounced back from it real quick.  It was at crossfit.  I was talking to one of the several coaches and she made a comment that was something like this....  "Mandy, once you trim down some more, you are gonna be unstoppable!  You are a natural and freakishly strong".  BUT, my ears heard that as something completely different....something like "You fat girl.  You would be a great athlete, IF you weren't so fat.  Are you not eating right?"  YIKES!!! How does our brain switch what was actually said???

I am not even joking when I tell you that I got in the car and wanted to cry.  It's hard to even hear a little criticism when you are doing EVERYTHING textbook perfect.  I had a choice to make right then and there.....I could listen to that "devil-like voice" and let it get me down and even let it demolish my hard work OR I could take the criticism and turn it into something that is more of a GOAL  I chose wisely this time and I began reasoning with myself (and with God) for a bit.   I KNEW my coach was giving me a compliment, not an insult.  And it was a fact, too.  I am still needing to trim down SOME MORE....and that is OKAY!  ****And ONCE I DO TRIM DOWN----I WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE!! :-).

The rest of last week was great!  We stuck to the clean eating plan EVERYDAY!  I managed to run three times (running anywhere between 2miles to 5.5miles).  I did three crossfit days, which all followed a weight training workout afterwards at my home gym.  I even had a wonderful Sunday bike ride last night.

I am down by a total of 7-9lbs so far.... Todd is hovering at 20lbs (I have a feeling he is about to start melting away quickly). 

Well, I am off to celebrate the rest of my day at Jr High Volleyball Games!!! GO LADY TIGERS!!!

Ten Random Things

So I don't I have alot to say about anything but do have a bunch of everything to share.  Now that's a twisted statement! Ha! So here is a list of ten random things going on my head right now.

1. It seems that Todd is starting to hit a stage of melting away all of a sudden.  Yes, I have noticed from time to time he is losing weight but all of a sudden, it seems that everyday he looks DIFFERENT!  This morning he put on pants that he wore 10years ago....size 44 to size 38.  WOW!  I am so proud of him!!! He is doing amazing!
2.  Yesterday I started my weight training program, which means I did NOT run yesterday.  I only did crossfit and then later in the afternoon did 40mins of weight training.  Here is the weird thing....when I was done, I kept thinking "IS THAT IT?"  "THAT'S ALL?" I even told Todd that I felt like I didn't exercise or do enough because I am not tired or worn out? I am so used to going all out that I have almost don't have anything left when I am immediately done with my runs.  So this is all very new to me....and very weird! It's gonna take some getting used to.
3.  Now the funny thing about the previous thought is that even though I felt like I didn't do much yesterday....apparently I did.  I woke up this morning exhausted and sore.
4. Todd and I are 41 days into this lifestyle! And still loving it.  It is working for us perfectly so far.  The kids are doing extremely well with it too.  They aren't 100% clean eating but in our house and with us, they are.  I do have a small stash of processed snacks but very limited and only things THEY like and NOT THAT TODD AND I would like! LOL.
5. I do miss my occasional adult beverage. 
6. I am finally seeing that my tummy is changing...less of it and I can actually see the top part of my ab muscles!! 
7. My husband has been sweetly rewarding me with surprises.  **I am not used to this at all!!!  He had bought me three beautiful dresses and they all fit!! Something about him taking the time to buy it sure makes it kind of fun and a bit sexy:-).  Yes, I just said the S word!! HAHA
8. Yesterday I did my first full weight training workout in my home gym.  It was FUN! I turned on loud music and got to "pumping"! HAHA!  And I won't lie, I flexed my arms in the mirror when I walked by to see that little bump! :-). 
9. I have lost 3lbs since last Monday!!!  That's when I started this new macro percentage counting (proteins, carbs, and fats).  Eating every 2.5-3hours is helping me....and I have no night time cravings!!
10. I am sadly debating killing my DailyMile Program.  But it is so hard to do because I love seeing all the hard work I have put in to get me where I am at....but I need a better program that I can log weight training, crossfit, and running..... :-(