My Superman Moment

Lisa over at She’s Losing It asked her readers “What’s your superman moment?”

Here’s mine.

I honestly couldn’t have done this without Crossfit.

(Sorry for the blurry video, hubby took it with his iPhone and somehow as it was getting transferred, it lost some of the quality)

Moving outside my comfort zone

I love the cycle of positive thoughts that I’ve been having ever since I did my first pullup.
– if I can do a pullup (which I never thought I’d be able to do) then I can run a half marathon
– if I can run a half marathon (and feel amazing) then I can go hard on the air dyne or rowing machine for 3 minutes
– if I can do all of the above then I can push myself outside my comfort zone. That’s means adding on more weight, holding that plank an extra 10 seconds or going a little lower with my squats

I’m enjoying reaching new PRs each and every week. This week I PR’d my front squats (90# 5reps), Romanian dead lifts (145# 6reps), and dumbbell chest press (30#/arm 5reps)

I still need to get focused with my eating. But I’ll get there. I need to start setting mini goals to work towards.

Some random thoughts on a Sunday evening…

.. the first thought being, I really should get focused and do some work.

Work is pretty busy right now and I really need to put in a few hours of work tonight.  I need to try to get ahead of the workload this week, so I’m not scrambling this week before I’m off the first week of July! Yay!!  I promise once I’m done with this post, I’ll get started on work.

Crossfit is still going really well, I’ve gone 5 times a week for the past couple weeks so I’m feeling really good about that.  I’m feeling stronger and look forward to every WOD.  Of course, I still dread every WOD but my anxiety is getting better.  My coworker has been so impressed with my progress and my rave reviews of Crossfit, that she signed up on Friday! And she actually just made the cut off because the box I’m at, just sold out!  I love that they’re truly focused on their coach/student ratios, always ensuring that they can give attention to everyone in the class, ensuring form is looking good.  I’m getting stronger with my deadlifts, even doing weighted chin ups.  Still finding that my back squats and close grip bench press numbers aren’t increasing… I’m finding that a little defeating.  But I’m trying to stay focused on the positive and know that those small gains will come with time.

Another thing I need to focus more on is my healthy eating… I’m finding that I’m indulging a bit too much.. and the truth is, I find that I’m indulging, just because I can.. meaning.. I’ll burn it off at Crossfit later.  Are the foods amazingly good?  Not really.. and that’s what I need to stop doing.  So this week I’m focused on clean eating and meal prep.  I think I cooked once last week 😦   

I know I had more thoughts in my head.. just can’t remember them anymore.

So I’ll start working and in case I remember, I’ll write up another post.

Sorry for the randomness… I really thought this was going to be a better post… I guess I’m just trying to find something to delay the start of my work tonight.  UGH!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Amazing run…

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been really dreading the 1/2 marathon that took place today. I didn’t do any serious training the past 6 weeks and wasn’t sure if my injury would cause pain during my run.
Last night I was feeling alot of anxiety and was dreading the expected rain. Luckily the morning turned out to be nice and sunny and perfect running weather.
Although I’ve run in the Manitoba marathon back in 2005 and a few other races, I was completely overwhelmed by the number of people participating in todays race. I loved seeing everyone there for the same goal: to run. Seeing all the people confirmed that when it comes to running, anyone can do it. Young, old, super fit, not as fit, all types of people.
As the first wave of full marathoners started, I couldn’t help but feel a huge wave of emotion, I swear I could’ve started crying.
I knew that the first 3 miles were going to be the hardest, trying to find my pace and get into my groove.
Miles 4-7: hubby and I were running a good pace and enjoyed watching all the people running around us. He even managed to take this picture of me just before reaching mile 7.

Mile 7-10: these miles were a little harder, and my legs started to feel heavy. But I knew we were already on or way to the finish line, so I knew I had to just keep putting one for in front of the other.

Mile 10: this is where I got my second wind. I realized I only had 3 miles left and I was feeling strong. My breathing was steady and I felt great.

This is where things got tough for the hubby, this is where he hit his wall. His legs were tired and mentally he struggled to focus on the finish line. He said that he felt like it just wasn’t coming.
And so this is where I had to make the decision. Slow down and walk with him or keep going.
I decided to walk a bit with him, but I really wanted to push hard and speed up. He insisted that I continue without him, and I ran without him for a bit. But as I approached the stadium and last turn to the finish line, I realized that I couldn’t cross the finish line without him. And so I waited.
I’m sure fellow runners and spectators were wondering what I was doing and why I wasn’t dashing to the finish line.
It was a tough run, but we finished strong and we crossed the finish line together.
Time: 2 hours and 21 minutes

I felt great after the run, even felt like I could keep on running. My body was a little tired but I felt strong.
Another bonus, I beat my best time from 2005!

Already looking forward to the next race!

Chin ups are awesome…and a big weekend up ahead

…hope I’m ready.
Before I get to the big weekend coming up, I gotta say I really love chin ups. Honestly! No sarcasm intended. During my first month of Crossfit I focused only on those workouts and didn’t do any additional workouts at home. There were times when I felt like I needed to do extra workouts that focused on specific body parts, like back or shoulders. My coworker reminded me that Crossfit is a full body workout and not to worry about extra workouts.
She was right! Here’s a progress pic of my back:

I need to start taking progress  pics of my legs and arms.
So this Sunday is the 1/2 marathon. I’m definitely not prepared and I have no doubt that it will be a difficult run, but I’m going to do it. And hubby will be running with me, so I’m looking forward to crossing the finish line as we holds hands.
Hopefully it all works out.

Big goal achieved!

First unassisted wide grip pullup.
Woo hoo! Didn’t try a 2nd rep though. Wish I had a picture, felt embarassed to ask.

That’s right.. I put my name on the board

Todays WOD was definitely a tough one.

first 20 minutes were spent on back squats and figuring out your weight for 5 “tough reps” ensuring perfect form. In between sets we also did supinated chin ups. My max weight for back squats today was 105lbs. Although I would probably go down to 95lbs next time. I felt that I wasn’t going low enough when I was at 105lbs.  The 3 chin ups felt really good and I felt really strong. And so I finally put my name on the board.

After the back squats and chin ups was:
1.1 mile run
3 rounds of 8 front squats (65#) and 30 double unders
1.1 mile run
Then finishing of with 3 sets of 8-12 hip extensions.

Definitely a tough one today. One thing I realized while I was running… I really don’t enjoy it. Ugh! Maybe because I’ve been neglecting my running.
Let’s see what I end up doing tomorrow. It’s my last chance to do a run before the 1/2 marathon next Sunday. Eek! I’m so unprepared.

Crossfit – a month in review

I am fast approaching my one month anniversary since starting Crossfit.

Do I still feel anxiety before each class? You bet.. although it’s gotten better compared to the first couple weeks.  What have I learned in my first month?

• the WOD always looks easier written on the board.  I still walk up to the board at the beginning of class, quickly read through the WOD exercises and think “eh.. doesn’t sound too bad”.  But as always, it’s definitely more challenging than I think it will be.  But I love it.. I love being wrong and having the work out more intense and difficult than I originally thought
• I never really worked out my glutes before.  I’ve done squats at home, never did deadlifts though.  Only until I started Crossfit did I really feel the burn in my glutes.
• Crossfit is a full body workout.  There are days that I feel that I need to throw in an extra workout, ones that focus on my back or shoulders, but I’m reminded that the exercises I’m doing during my Crossfit classes are working out all my muscles and I will see progress.
• I’m stronger than I thought.  It’s a great feeling to be able to deadlift 165lbs on my first attempt at doing deadlifts.  I can also do strict pull ups/chin ups, only 3-4 in a row.  I also did my first ring dip today.  Very hard, but I managed to do one!! Small victory!
• Crossfit is expensive, but you get what you pay for.  I’ve never had someone watch my form so closely.  I’ve never had so many individuals pushing me and motivating me through the last rep/minute.  It’s such a great feeling to be at one end of the box (gym) doing squats, and having others at the other end of the box yelling at me to push, push, push.  We all seem to understand each other and we have similar goals, so it’s a great Crossfit family.
• Rowing machines and AirDyne bikes are exceptionally deceptive.  They look like easy cardio machines, but they are tough!  And they always leave me tired, legs/arms burning, gasping for air.
• I’m more determined than ever to be the girl that can do a muscle up, handstand pushup and all the olympic lifts.  I can’t wait to switch to the building phase, but only once I’m comfortable and confident with the technique and form of all the lifts.
• I must enjoy Crossfit because I look forward (and slightly dread) each class.  I was unable to attend some classes early last week because I was sick and I felt so bad that I couldn’t make it.  I can really see myself attending class 5 times a week and not getting tired of it.

For anyone who’s considering giving Crossfit a try, I would highly recommend it.

Yay to new shoes!

 

 

It’s always exciting to get a pair of new runners.  And I’m more excited that my order for new Reebok Crossfit runners were delivered last Friday!

 

These shoes are much lighter than my running shoes, and it makes sense since there’s minimal cushioning.  I wore them to my Friday and Saturday classes and they felt pretty good.

This past Friday we worked on bench press.  Was it the wide-grip bench press that I’m used to doing?  NOPE!  Rather,  we were doing close-grip bench press, which I have NEVER done before, so it was definitely much more difficult for me to do.  And it was also very frustrating because the weight I can comfortably press using a wide-grip was extremely difficult for me on Friday.  So difficult that I couldn’t even finish my 5 reps on my last (3rd) set.  😦

It was very frustrating and made me realize that I do have alot of work in regards to getting stronger, but I’m determined.

Saturday was a better work out, we focused on back squats.. again my first time doing these at Sublime.  I’ve done squats at home before but there were some minor tweaking to my form that I needed to focus on.  The coach did have positive feedback for me, saying that aside from the minor tweaks, my form was really good.  I’m really trying to focus on form and not so much on the actual weight.  Need to remind myself that I need to start off slow and not get too caught up in the weights that others are squatting.  I’ll get there eventually right?!

This past weekend, my plan was to go out for a 10 mile run on Sunday morning.  Since I’m no longer running the full marathon, I decided to run the 1/2 marathon but now I’m wondering if I’ll be able to run the 1/2.  I haven’t run more than 4 miles in the past 4-5 weeks, so definitely no where near 1/2 marathon distance.  I’d like to think that I’m in still good shape (with Crossfit) and that I should still be able to complete the 1/2 marathon.  Will it be sub 2 hour?  Probably not… I have one last weekend to try and get some mileage in before the race.  Hubby says he’ll run the 1/2 marathon with me, so if anything we’ll go and run together and we’ll cross the finish line together and that will be a great accomplishment for me.  That is something I’ve always wanted to do.  We’ll see how the next week goes.