I admit it; I thought Crossfit was just a fad. Yeah, lots of people do it, but lots of people used to work out with Jane Fonda videos too. I wanted to try and class and see what the fuss was about, but life kept getting in the way.
Then I started hearing all these great stories about people who changed their whole bodies with Crossfit. My friend J dropped a lot of weight, drastically improved his health and became a better athlete because of it. Fellow blogger Jamie used to grind out miles, but she started crossfit and saw some amazing results. On top of all this, people tell me the gyms are awesome, there is no judgement, no egos, and a very encouraging environment.
Let's back up a couple of weeks. Remember how I went through some pretty big life changes all within a couple of months in early 2011? Yeah, I decided to do that again. I recently moved to Virginia and started a new job at an AWESOME company. My commute is a bear (2-3 hours a day--but I do live with my brother and his family for peanuts) but I LOVE my new job. My new company even has a gym in our building, free to employees, with classes throughout the day. If you know me, I am a sweaty beast, and I do not want my coworkers seeing me like that; at least not in my first few weeks. With that commute, I am just exhausted and unmotivated to work out when I get home. Wouldn't you know I drive right by a crossfit gym on my drive home and one day, while staring at the sign (really VDOT--lets close down a VERY busy MAJOR road to one lane at 8 PM on a Thursday--I really enjoyed the 25 minutes it took to go one mile). I decided to shoot the owner and email and try out a free class.
First, the owner was super helpful and very friendly. I walked in and I think he knew I was a first timer because of the terrified expression on my face. Seriously, the gym and the workouts are serious. He had me watch an earlier class finish up, and its a wonder I didn't walk out right then. He walked me through some of the warm ups, was impressed with my squat form (this is a very core move to crossfit) and introduced me to the instructor and everyone in the class.
I can not say enough about HOW supportive the whole experience was. We started out with some stretching, working on forms and jumping rope (ok, I am not great at the double under, but I did get a few of them in. Jumping rope makes me feel like a kid again, even if it is for three full minutes). To prep for the big workout, we needed to pair up and figure out our max weight for thrusters (a front squat and pushing up to an overhead stance) that we would reduce for our big workout. The owner and instructor made sure I was squatting correctly, and were impressed with the weight I managed for my first class. Everyone else in the class was so friendly and encouraging too.
The last workout of the class involved doing AMRAP (as many reps as possible) in 10 minutes or 10 Thrusters and 10 Burpees at 70% of our max thruster weight. I managed to slog through three sets and start on my fouth and I was DRENCHED, sucking air and felt wobbly. I was grinning though. The class was over, I felt tired and STRONG and empowered. I stayed and chatted with a few of the other women in the class, got a lot of encouraging remarks and felt very welcomed.
So, I drank the Kool-Aid. The owner of the gym emailed me last night to check in, remind me to drink lots of water and to keep moving, and I emailed him back to let him know I would see him next week for the 7:30 class.
What about you guys? Have any throughts on Crossfit? Any workouts you swear by?
Friday, June 1, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Revamping
The title and purpose of my blog seems to be out-dated, so I decided its time for revamping. I am starting a new journey tomorrow that I plan to blog about (plus, just my crazy life in general) so stay tuned :)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Road to..
Friday, I woke up, and Holy Heck, was I getting sick. Vice squeezing my brain, sore throat. Its my sure fire sign that something bad was coming. I was super disappointed. I was supposed to go out with friends to celebrate a birthday and I was going to see Katye (both of us would be in normal street clothes too!). Somehow, I managed to pull through the day, take a quick nap and had an enjoyable evening with some old friends and new one as well. If you are from the Baltimore area, check out Alewife. The menu, while small, is full of tasty items and the selection of beer is impressive. I have been there twice, and nothing I had was bad (though I LOVE their duck fat fries and buffalo chicken soup!). We also saw Mr. Greengenes, a great cover band that plays the area a lot (and any time I have seen them has been free!). It was nice to see Katye in a non running setting, and we had a great time, great laughs, and a few sangrias.
Perhaps that was the problem though. We stayed out until about midnight, and I wasn't in bed until almost 2. I woke up and felt like death warmed over. I was too dizzy to try and run, so I ran a few errands, ran home and tucked myself into bed. Sunday, I woke up and worse than the day before! Come on!!
Tuesday, I finally felt human enough to try to go for a run, and had a pretty successful 4 miles on the treadmill. Wednesday, I tried to brave the 95% humidity at 9PM for a run, but it was short. Tonight, I will attempt another 3 miles after the sun sets (yeah, we are having that nasty heat out here too).
I am excited because I have a new running buddy who has decided we should be accountability buddies too. I sure use this blog as a forum for my own accountability, but I am looking forward to having a friend out there that I won't be slowing down. We are going to attempt 5 miles on Saturday at 7, and I have started to prepare my will now!
How is everyone's running going? How are you dealing with this unbearable heat? Do you have a favorite band you like to see?
Oh, and don't forget to enter my popchips giveaway. You have until Wednesday!
Happy Running!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Popchips for a Month??
I have a new snack obsession lately-Popchips. I first tried this treats at the National Marathon when they were handing out bags during the race. Instantly, a new love was found.
Seriously, have you ever tried them? These tasty little chips are not fried (gross) and not baked (again, gross), but potatoes cooked under pressure with some heat that pop. They are crispy like chips and full of flavor and have made a happy home in my pantry (when I kind find them, that is). You can read more about them here and here.
So, here is the good stuff about pop chips:
Seriously, have you ever tried them? These tasty little chips are not fried (gross) and not baked (again, gross), but potatoes cooked under pressure with some heat that pop. They are crispy like chips and full of flavor and have made a happy home in my pantry (when I kind find them, that is). You can read more about them here and here.
So, here is the good stuff about pop chips:
- They are delicious
- They are a healthy alternative to other potato snacks out there
- No preservatives
- No artificial flavors of colors
- No Cholesterol
- No Gluten ingredients
- No more than 120 calories per serving
- They have a variety of flavors
- Original
- Barbeque
- Sour Cream & Onion
- Cheddar Potato (My absolute favorite)
- Sea Salt & Vinegar
- Salt & Pepper
- Parmesan Garlic
- They are very filling.
- Did I mention they are delicious?
- I could eat the whole bag--like a jumbo sized bag
- They can be hard to find, especially in certain flavors.
Luckily, for you guys, I have your solution! Lauren at Popchips has offered up a months supply of these tasty snacks to one lucky reader!!!
In order to enter, you need to:
- "Like" Popchips on Facebook (tell them I sent you) and post here to let me know
- Follow @Popchips on Twitter and post here to let me know.
- Spread the word. One extra entry for posting this giveaway on your blog and letting me know you did so.
The last day to enter will be July 25th at midnight. The winner will be announced by Noon EST on the 26th and you will be on your way to obsessing over a tasty new snack!
So, what are you waiting for? Pop over to Facebook and Twitter and post this on your blog. Good luck to all!
Last night
I planned to blog last night, I really did.
I left work and went for a nice, easy 4 miles. All was well until about 15 minutes into the run. My gym was EMPTY (out of 30 treadmills, 3 were in use). When the gym is that empty, I make every effort to put a buffer between everyone else working out. I am sorry, but my personal space bubble is slightly larger than others. I like my space.
I have seen this girl before and have run on the treadmill next to her before when the gym was packed and there weren't any others available. With a TON of empty treadmills, you have to imagine my surpise when she picked the one right next to me. RIGHT NEXT TO ME. LIKETHISCLOSE. Really? REALLY?
Listen, I am a sweaty beast when I work out, even when its an easy workout. Why on earth would you want to get next to this red faced, sweaty girl when you have plenty of options available down the line? Every time I sped up, she did. Every time I increased my incline, she did as well. For 10 minutes, then she was done. Guess she couldn't hang with this awesomeness!
Am I the only one that picks what machine is most isolated and uses that? Its not the first time this has happened, and its surely not the last time, so while annoyed, I was not too worked up about it. She didnt reek of perfume or smoke, wasn't singing (though she runs very heavy--clomp clomp clomp) so its not like its that big of a deal (thought she didn't wipe down the machine) but I am just curious. Do you just jump on a machine at the gym? Do you evaluate where there are less people and select based on that? Do you have any rules you would like to put on an unofficial list of treadmill (or other equipment)?
After my 4 miles were done, I headed to one of my best friends' house to check out her new babies. :) Her twins (just released from the NICU 4 days ago) were two of the sweetest, tiniest little nuggets and i just was able to love on them all night. Surely you can understand WHY my blog was neglected after that :)
So I know I promised you my outfit for the MCM.
Here is the shirt:
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I left work and went for a nice, easy 4 miles. All was well until about 15 minutes into the run. My gym was EMPTY (out of 30 treadmills, 3 were in use). When the gym is that empty, I make every effort to put a buffer between everyone else working out. I am sorry, but my personal space bubble is slightly larger than others. I like my space.
I have seen this girl before and have run on the treadmill next to her before when the gym was packed and there weren't any others available. With a TON of empty treadmills, you have to imagine my surpise when she picked the one right next to me. RIGHT NEXT TO ME. LIKETHISCLOSE. Really? REALLY?
Listen, I am a sweaty beast when I work out, even when its an easy workout. Why on earth would you want to get next to this red faced, sweaty girl when you have plenty of options available down the line? Every time I sped up, she did. Every time I increased my incline, she did as well. For 10 minutes, then she was done. Guess she couldn't hang with this awesomeness!
Am I the only one that picks what machine is most isolated and uses that? Its not the first time this has happened, and its surely not the last time, so while annoyed, I was not too worked up about it. She didnt reek of perfume or smoke, wasn't singing (though she runs very heavy--clomp clomp clomp) so its not like its that big of a deal (thought she didn't wipe down the machine) but I am just curious. Do you just jump on a machine at the gym? Do you evaluate where there are less people and select based on that? Do you have any rules you would like to put on an unofficial list of treadmill (or other equipment)?
After my 4 miles were done, I headed to one of my best friends' house to check out her new babies. :) Her twins (just released from the NICU 4 days ago) were two of the sweetest, tiniest little nuggets and i just was able to love on them all night. Surely you can understand WHY my blog was neglected after that :)
So I know I promised you my outfit for the MCM.
Here is the shirt:
At the suggestion of a friend who has run the MCM several times, I am putting my name on the front of my shirt.
And I always tell people I shuffle instead of running. LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem has become a favorite of the summer, so I figured it was a nice marriage for the shirt (and a little inspiration from Jamie's Facebook helped).
Couple this shirt with a yello running skirts skirt, I think I have a cute, bright and appropriate outfit. Any thoughts? Suggestions?
Happy Running everyone!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
And just like that
I am back on track.
Monday, I had a date with the dreadmill because of the unbearable heat in the DC area. After 2.5 miles( in 27 minutes, thank you very much), I had to scoot (I had dinner plans and was running short on time). Woke up this morning and felt pretty good. Maybe a touch sore, but hey, those muscles haven't really been used.
Today, I was going to try and meet with Katye for a run (on the treadmill again, because it was HOTTTT!) but our schedules didn't mesh up, so she gave me instructions for my run today. 1 mile at an easy pace, 2 miles at tempo pace and 1 mile cooldown.
The first mile was nice and slow (she said easy!) at 12:45.
The second mile, I worked in my intervals of 10 min/mil for 2 minutes, walk for a min at 15min/mile. (all at a 1% incline) I kept up the same for the third too. By the time my fourth mile came around, I was feeling pretty good (aside from being BEET RED from it being so stinking hot in the gym) I decided I would do one more tempo mile. That might have been the mile that almost killed me. I pushed it out and felt great by the time I came to my last mile of cool down at a 12:45 pace.
I felt great when I left, but stiffened up in the car. Am I getting old? I had to come home and put some frozen corn on my knee because it was killing me. I took a nice hot bath too (they kind of gross me out, but I have noticed they really help when I am all achy), so all in all, 2 days into training, I am feeling pretty good!
Would any bloggers out there be interested in a group run on Sundays on the National Mall in DC? I am relatively close to the area and I spend a lot of time down in DC on the weekends. I think it would be a lot of fun to get a group of bloggers together to get out and take on the Mall, so shoot me an email if you are interested!
Happy running!
Monday, I had a date with the dreadmill because of the unbearable heat in the DC area. After 2.5 miles( in 27 minutes, thank you very much), I had to scoot (I had dinner plans and was running short on time). Woke up this morning and felt pretty good. Maybe a touch sore, but hey, those muscles haven't really been used.
Today, I was going to try and meet with Katye for a run (on the treadmill again, because it was HOTTTT!) but our schedules didn't mesh up, so she gave me instructions for my run today. 1 mile at an easy pace, 2 miles at tempo pace and 1 mile cooldown.
The first mile was nice and slow (she said easy!) at 12:45.
The second mile, I worked in my intervals of 10 min/mil for 2 minutes, walk for a min at 15min/mile. (all at a 1% incline) I kept up the same for the third too. By the time my fourth mile came around, I was feeling pretty good (aside from being BEET RED from it being so stinking hot in the gym) I decided I would do one more tempo mile. That might have been the mile that almost killed me. I pushed it out and felt great by the time I came to my last mile of cool down at a 12:45 pace.
I felt great when I left, but stiffened up in the car. Am I getting old? I had to come home and put some frozen corn on my knee because it was killing me. I took a nice hot bath too (they kind of gross me out, but I have noticed they really help when I am all achy), so all in all, 2 days into training, I am feeling pretty good!
Would any bloggers out there be interested in a group run on Sundays on the National Mall in DC? I am relatively close to the area and I spend a lot of time down in DC on the weekends. I think it would be a lot of fun to get a group of bloggers together to get out and take on the Mall, so shoot me an email if you are interested!
Happy running!
Monday, July 11, 2011
I Can Be Bribed
I know, I know. You have seen me disappear into the abyss and then make my way back promising to blog more. And I lied. I never did. And like blogging, my training has fallen by the wayside.
I wish I could offer up a better excuse, but the only one I have is I made other parts of my life a priority instead of running and blogging. What?! I spent a lot of time working with my trainer, spinning in lieu of running, studying for the CPA examand partying it up being social and making new friends. Lame, right?
This time is different, I swear. Really, I do! For one, I have a marathon in 16 weeks. 16 WEEKS. Holy Crap--how in the heck is already the middle of JULY!!!!?!?!?!? Summer, where have you gone?! Also, I have been persuaded into running the Disney Pricness Half in 2012--and some extra incentive was thrown in if I started blogging again (I am not above bribery--in fact I respond very well to it--Katye knows this and used it to get me back on the wagon).
Lets face it. I know where my strengths and weaknesses are and I need to be held accountable. I need to report on my training runs, long runs and other races, otherwise, they may not every happen. Lets just say that I don't envision a SMOOTH Marine Corp Marathon without sufficient training (and, I want to hit 5:15 on the MCM---its going to be WORK and I need to make sure I am doing it so I can be successful.) And wait until you see my outfit for the MCM. Seriously, I have it all figured out. Do you like the "Party Rock Anthem" from LMFAO? Then you will LOVE my shirt--the whole outfit is REALLY cute!
As a little reward for sticking around, I am going to be hosting a giveaway in a few days. Just an easy peasy, lemon squeezy entry to thank you for occassionally checking this out to see if I have resurfaced or am still alive. Let me work out the details, but you will be rewarded, my dear readers, for sticking it out with me.
Additionally, if anyone needs a brand new pair of Brooks Trance 9, size 9 and never worn, please let me know. I have a pair I am looking to sell (I need a wide size) so please, shoot me an email here and we can work out the details.
Happy running all :)
I wish I could offer up a better excuse, but the only one I have is I made other parts of my life a priority instead of running and blogging. What?! I spent a lot of time working with my trainer, spinning in lieu of running, studying for the CPA exam
This time is different, I swear. Really, I do! For one, I have a marathon in 16 weeks. 16 WEEKS. Holy Crap--how in the heck is already the middle of JULY!!!!?!?!?!? Summer, where have you gone?! Also, I have been persuaded into running the Disney Pricness Half in 2012--and some extra incentive was thrown in if I started blogging again (I am not above bribery--in fact I respond very well to it--Katye knows this and used it to get me back on the wagon).
Lets face it. I know where my strengths and weaknesses are and I need to be held accountable. I need to report on my training runs, long runs and other races, otherwise, they may not every happen. Lets just say that I don't envision a SMOOTH Marine Corp Marathon without sufficient training (and, I want to hit 5:15 on the MCM---its going to be WORK and I need to make sure I am doing it so I can be successful.) And wait until you see my outfit for the MCM. Seriously, I have it all figured out. Do you like the "Party Rock Anthem" from LMFAO? Then you will LOVE my shirt--the whole outfit is REALLY cute!
As a little reward for sticking around, I am going to be hosting a giveaway in a few days. Just an easy peasy, lemon squeezy entry to thank you for occassionally checking this out to see if I have resurfaced or am still alive. Let me work out the details, but you will be rewarded, my dear readers, for sticking it out with me.
Additionally, if anyone needs a brand new pair of Brooks Trance 9, size 9 and never worn, please let me know. I have a pair I am looking to sell (I need a wide size) so please, shoot me an email here and we can work out the details.
Happy running all :)
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