Prepping For My New Challenge

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Meet Stan!

Life is precious and it is short.  The thought of aging and having to sit and ponder over the  What ifs  in my life just doesn’t sit well with me.

Meet my new best friend, Stan.  I’m embarking on a new personal and physical challenge that will require me to rely heavily on him.

I am terrified, but cannot resist this challenge. My heart races and goose bumps cover my body every time I think about it, but I refuse to run away or hide.  My mind and my heart screams, “Go for it!”  So I am.  Stayed tuned!

Enjoy this beautiful fall day!

Thursday’s WOD

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fitness quote

This was my 9:30 am working out this morning:

WOD (Workout of the Day)

Warm Up:         Coaches Choice

Mobility:            8 Minutes

SWOD:               Back Squat 77% 5 Reps For 5 Min EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute)

 2 Min Rest

 1 Snatch Grip DL + 1 Power Snatch +

 1 Hang Squat Snatch OTM For 15 Mins

 *Adjust weight as needed

WOD:                 6 Min  AMRAP (As Many Reps/Rounds As Possible):

18 Wall balls 14 lbs

14 KB (Kettle Balls) 26 lbs

10 Burpees

I am a runner!  As a freshman in high school, I started running.  With the exception of recovering from injuries, over the past 30+ years, I never stopped feeding my addiction to the endorphin rush (runners high).

Running keeps me fit.  I feel jubilant when I run.  When I run I know I can do anything.  So last summer my friend Tee urged me to try CrossFit with her. Thanks so much Tee for the invite!!

Since July 2012, CrossFit is becoming somewhat of an addiction to me.  I go five days a week and love every minute of it!!

During the summer, I typically run between seven and ten miles,  five or six days a week!  Over time, I think CrossFit could surpass my running fixation.

Lol!  I never thought this was possible.

CrossFit challenges me every day, but much different from running. It is the perfect combination of cardio and strength training and provides me with the opportunity to achieve optimum fitness.  Last year, I was amazed at how much CF improved my running.  I ran faster and longer and improved my times.

The terminology of CF is my first challenge.  I walk in the door, look at the posted WOD and feel like a dummy because I don’t know what I read.  I am getting better, but still have a ways to go.

Second:  figuring out what the workout of the day (WOD) is.  Some days I ask for translation.  Other days I just wait for instructions.

Then it’s figuring out the weight measurements, so I know exactly how much I’m lifting.

Next I try to perfect my form and finally pushing through the warm ups, mobility, and finally getting busy with the actual WOD.  Some days bring on fatigue before I even start the work out. Ha! Ha!

The rest of the workout involves and requires resilience, determination, balls–yes, I said that, will, and belief in yourself.

If you want or need to get fit, I encourage you to first, see your doctor, then register for a Crossfit class near you.  In CF, you will find diversity.  Young, old, older, men and women of all shapes and sizes.  You don’t have to be fit to take CF.  I repeat, you don’t have to be fit to take CF.

A combination of three classes per week and a balanced diet will give you amazing results.   To help you out, I’ve posted a few interesting and informative links.

Your body is the only body you have, cherish it!

Further Reading

http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/what-is-crossfit.html

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/03/01/a-beginners-guide-to-crossfit/

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/information/crossfit.htm

http://www.eatcleandiet.com/what_is_the_eat-clean_diet.aspx#.Ufh7dhz3IrM

Thanks for visiting!

Unthinkable Advice From an Imp

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Addiction – noun –  The state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

ORIGIN 1595-1605: <L a giving over, surrender.

Webster

My actions this morning would most likely label me as an addict or classify me as just down right crazy.  I probably should not have done it, but I could not help but to surrender to my habit…   I ran!

What’s so bad about that?  Well–Five days ago I ran 7.76 miles.  Ideal weather and the fact that I felt great inspired me to run 10 miles, until my knee began to stiffen.  Through the stiffness a biting and intense pain shot up the side of my left  knee.  This was a new pain to my mature knee.  It hurt enough to force me to walk home, but even walking caused pain, but I hobbled along gingerly while listening to my music and feeling grateful for the outdoor run.

At home, in reverse hoisting myself butt first, I drug myself up the stairs to shower and back down the stairs to the ice, ibuprofen, and then the sofa. I stayed on the sofa until bed time.  Overnight, a pillow comforted my knee.

Surprisingly the next morning, my knee was a little stiff, but no pain.  For the next three days I pampered my knee.  I also scheduled an appointment to see a doctor who specializes in sports medicine.  If I can side track for a moment– Who better to see than a physician, who understands the body, mind, and spirit of an athlete.  Did I just say “athlete?”  Lol!!  Yup!  While sadly no one pays me to run, I’m still am an athlete at heart. And heart is what matters…right?

Non sports doctors just tell you that you’re old and to go sit down somewhere. They are rarely up on the latest techniques that treat sports related injuries.   I can’t and won’t settle for that mess. I plan to run and workout for as long as I can do for myself.

Anyway, my son participates in a two-hour basketball clinic on Saturday mornings.  There are three treadmills positioned among other work out equipment.  I have yet to see one person walk, run, or sit on them. Are you getting the picture yet?

While washing clothes on Friday night, an intense urge to run starts setting in.    I’ve got a mischievous imp on one shoulder saying, “Go ahead girl, give it a try. This will be a good test for your knee.  If it hurts, just stop running.”  The imp’s angelic twin says “Don’t even think about it, you could do more harm to your knee. My dear, you must have patience.”

It’s Saturday morning… here are my stats from the treadmill.  LOL!!!!  I did the unthinkable… I ran and it felt so damn good!!!!!! Ha!  Ha!!

6 miles on the treadmill today! Woo hoo!! (4/6/13)

6 miles on the treadmill today! Woo hoo!! (4/6/13)

This is my time, including my warm up walk on the treadmill. I wanted to run longer. :)

This is my time, including my warm up walk on the treadmill. I wanted to run longer. 🙂 By the way, sorry about the blur; it’s the picture not your eyes.

Hello! Can you say CALORIES!! There is margin for error on treads, but I'll take this!

Hello! Can you say CALORIES!! There is a margin for error on treads, but I’ll take this!

I know, I am certifiable crazy, but there are others out there in this world who understands my addiction.  Depending on your perspective, I’m either a stubborn behind athlete or a relentless junkie addicted to the endorphins.  The emotional high was well worth the risk. I needed this run.  It helped me to cope with the fact that I won’t be running in tomorrow’s Revel’s 2013 April Fools Half Marathon.  This will be the first year that I don’t particpate, so I am disappointed.   It is the only time that you get to run through the streets of Atlantic City without dodging cars, buses, and jitneys.  The run is peaceful, sceneic and loads of fun.

During my run on the treadmill this morning,  I stopped myself from busting out in laughter (as I do outside on the roadways) and softly singing along with my  music.  I had so much fun running (on pins and needles) this morning.  Some guy, who I didn’t realize was watching me, asks, “Are you from Kenya or something?!?”  I laughed and told him that I was actually taking it easy today.  He looked at me like I had two heads!!  Gotta love it!  Although I desperately longed for more intensity, I kept my speed between 5.5 mph and 6.5 mph. Grrr…

My doctor’s appointment is 12 days away, so this week I won’t run anymore but instead will focus on exercises that strengthen my hamstrings and quadriceps.  Will I run at my son’s practice next week?  ABSOLUTELY!  I am “enslaved to physical habit.”  Let’s pray that I caused no trauma to my knee.

Come on folks; tis the season to hit the road!  Keep it movin’!

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Anticipation!

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Good morning! I am in the car (hubby is driving) on my way to Atlantic City to run the Half-Marathon.

I am filled with anticipation. Lol! I know it was just last week that i ran a little further, but running it with fellow athletes makes the run more enjoyable.

I am fueled up and rested and eager to get started. Wish me luck.!

 

I run because it’s so symbolic of life

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“I run because it’s so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can’t. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you’re capable of so much more than you thought.”
–Arthur Blank

Today’s run…

7.51 Miles
1:12:22
9.37 Minute/Miles (Average)
5:54 Minute/Miles (Max)
780 Calories burned

Somewhere around mile five (5) or so, the rain continues; it has not stopped.  My ear buds are wet and continue to fall out of my ears.  Jill (Scott) bellows, “I’m magnificent” and I agree.  I feel free.  I’m wet but it doesn’t matter.  I don’t care.  I don’t care that my natural hair is drenched, I don’t care that my new sneaks are wet, and I certainly don’t give a damn that it’s 50 some degrees outside.  My heart beats at a steady velocity.

Closing my eyes, while moving forward I consume a huge batch of cool damp, yet refreshing air.  My lungs and my body approve.  Another favorite song blares in my ear.  Oh, this feels so good! I am so happy that I could literally shed tears of joy.  It is so hard to explain.  I am engrossed in an intoxicating moment.  Nothing matters.  Physically I feel boundless.  Spiritually I am blessed.  I cannot think of a single reason to complain.  The drama of an earlier week is miles behind me.

The previous week had been one of extreme highs and lows —all relative to parenting.

Committed and active parents recognize crucial and defining moments; times when the most painful and the most difficult decisions are made, all for the benefit of our children.

It is easier to “talk-the-talk” than it is to “walk-the-walk.  A critical juncture presented itself.  Hubby and I discussed the issue and made an extremely difficult but necessary parental decision.   Carrying out the decision took me to an ultimate low place where I never envisioned for myself.  Afterwards, I meditated. I prayed.

As parents, we would like to believe that 18+ years of sacrifice, good teaching, and committed parenting will result in young adults who make smart choices.  Not true. Our children stumble and make bad choices, as we once (and sometimes still do) did. Nevertheless, we are there for them and continue to guide and to support them.

However, there are moments when tough love is the best and only medicine to administer.  Tough love is painful for both parents and our children–We both learn from this experience.  This I know.

That same week, I experienced a supreme high.  My nine-year –old, who is the fastest player on his Pee Wee football team, scored his first official touchdown.  The touchdown came as a result of his intercepting an offensive pass.

Once I realized that he had possession of the ball, I was content.  I knew that no one could catch him.  He sprinted 30-40 yards hugging the football as if the ball was his Sony DSI game and a playmate was trying to steal it.  Although he is outrageously fast, the coaches rarely give him the ball to carry (that’s another story), but he was ready for the opportunity and convincingly delivered.

I don’t know which was best… the joy on my son’s face as he bumped chests of a teammate in the end one or my hubby’s elation as he literally jumped, screamed, and punched the air in excitement.   His team won the game, which made the touchdown all the better.

Runners experience similar highs and lows.  Highs—when we are healthy, strong, and meet or exceed our personal goals; Lows—when we’re injured, wounded, experience setbacks, or simply have bad days,

“…but then you find your inner strength, and realize you’re capable of so much more than you thought.”

The sentiment is true.  Regardless if you’re running, trying to make it through a tough day with the family, dealing with a challenging week at work or experiencing a problem in another area of your life, seek out your inner strength because you are capable of getting through the difficult time. This you must believe.

Staying fit for race day

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The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results. – Anthony Robbins

With every step my muscles ache.  Walking up and down the steps hurt.  The process of sitting down and getting up hurts. I squatted down to clean behind the toilet and that hurt too!  My ham(strings) and quadriceps ache.  Lol!  You’d think that as much as I work out, I am immune to soreness.  The reality is if you work out, you ought to feel something (soreness not pain) from your workout.

The last thing you want is for your body to get accustomed to your workout.  My fitness instructors have taught me well.  “You’ve gotta shock the body!”

Today I ran.  Yesterday I did CrossFit. Different from my regular class, but the workout was challenging and I feel it today.

This afternoon’s WOD was a run.

Distance:   8 Miles

Duration:   1:13:37

Pace:          9:11 min/miles (average)
7:00 min/miles (maximum)

Calories:     793

Yesterday’s WOD

Round One:   1,000 meters – Row Machine

50 Thrusters

 35 Pull ups (used green band for assistance)

Round Two:   500 Meters – Row Machine

25 Thrusters

15 Pull ups (used green band)

Round Three: 250 Meters – Row Machine

 15 Thrusters

7 Pull ups (used green band)

It had been six days since my last run and three weeks since I took my favorite CrossFit Chicks class.  June through August, I am euphoric with my fitness routine.  I work out as often as I want—at least once, sometimes twice each day.

September rolls around and my routine comes to a screeching halt. Oh boy!  Every year I struggle with the change.

October 21st, I am running the half-marathon (13.1 miles) in the annual Atlantic City Marathon.  While I trained hard the entire summer, my schedule tapers off just a month before the race.   My runs are now limited to weekends. I barely go to the gym.  Trying to stay conditioned for the race is the challenge.  I do the best that I can with my schedule.  Although I am not happy, I work with my schedule and fit the workouts in as best I can.

The change in my schedule is because I have returned to work, my son is back in school, he plays football, and hubby’s work schedule has changed.  Homework, practice, and games adversely impact my fitness schedule.

My struggle is the same as other moms.   We are constantly playing the balancing game.  You know, balancing the kids schedule with our own personal want to do’s.

Case in point,   I started this post around three this afternoon.  It is now a little after ten at night and I’m finally getting back to finishing it.  Lol!

Regardless I stay focused on my goal of completing the half-marathon and beating my personal record.  Between now and October 21st, I will work on staying injury free and keeping my body conditioned.

For now—I have to get some much-needed rest.

Sweet dreams!  Good night!