Dear Diary......

I got my first diary when I was little, maybe 3rd grade? I LOVED it. Of course, it had a lock. I wrote songs, I wrote happy, I wrote sad (you know, sister taking my stuff, etc). When I finished it I got another one - what I had to say was clearly gold.

Yep, the real deal from when I was little. 

I still love to write my thoughts, happenings, and things my kids say. I don't write it down, I don't remember it. Like the next day I wont remember it. I use Facebook to write down the hilarious shit my kids say....trust me, it's hilarious. I use a Journal Menu PR book for my crossfit lifts and gymnastics moves, and I write EACH WOD down on a monthly calendar too. Overkill? Maybe. Do I care? Nope.

The workout on Friday was a perfect reason why I write things down. We were working on deadlifts. I had written down that my last attempt (2 months ago) I did a 1 deadlift rep at 183 pounds. I pulled it up Friday and was able to get it 3 times. I wanted to add more weight, but didn't have time. I wrote it down, felt super smiley about it, and moved on to the workout knowing I'm getting stronger. The workout was 15, 12, 9: deadlifts, pull ups, hand release push ups. The last time I did a similar workout (3 months ago) I wrote down (good thing) that I did the pull ups with an orange and black band. Friday I did them all with just the orange band. Super smile. I also looked back at the calendar and saw that I did the hand release push ups on my knees last time. Not this time - all man baby!

Also comes in handy for weight. The scale may get stuck, but measurements don't lie! Down 13.3 inches from Jan!

Sometimes progress is slow, sometimes it's fast, sometimes it feels stopped. That's why I journal, write it down, take notes, etc. I will never remember. On hard days it's great to look back on how far I've come. It's also a great way to keep in check too. I can tell you I've gotten very excited about a lift, went to write it down and realized that I have done that before but heavier or faster. Oops! I try and always check pre workout now to mentally get ready and have an idea of where I should shoot for.

Now, something I don't need a diary to tell me is that I wore a two piece today. Yep, outside. At the pool. First time in two years. Other than my terrible tan lines Sam agreed that it was fine to wear. I didn't even feel like I was embarrassing myself! Score! Hopefully I keep working on getting lean and also evening out that crazy shorts tan.

Mindset

Over the last few years I have completely convinced myself that I NEED rest days. Plural. Many. Multiple. I could not possibly do back to back or 6 days a week. I wouldn't be able to move! Apparently in my head I work out like these guys:





Let me clarify. I do not work out like these guys. I promise. Some days it feels like it, but I know in my tired little brain that I don't. Why all the rest then? No clue. I think it was a way for me to feel balanced at first, and then it became a "rule" in my head. As I get more drunk on the Crossfit Kool-aid I need to be working out more days to make the progress that I would like to. Change? Scary, I know! This week Sam and I decided would be our week to add workouts and see if logistically it would work. With work, kids, and life it can get a little busy.

The plan:

Sam: Crossfit 6am class M, T, Th, Fri
         Team Fexy Track Night: Wed

Ann: Crossfit 6pm class M, T, Th, Fri
        Team Fexy Track night: Wed

We can bring the boys to track night and we don't need sitters for the WODs. Pretty great plan. Until.....Yep, Sam got sick. Got a nasty bug Monday. I've been following my plan this week and so far so good. I'm tired, but apparently just life will do that to you.

I've been going strong this week:

Saturday: Olympic lifting seminar (3 hours)
Sunday: Girls on the run 5K
Monday: Crossfit
Tuesday: Crossfit
Wednesday: Track
Thursday: Crossfit - Girls night "Grace"
 Friday: Crossfit (that's the plan)
Saturday: Murph with CFA
Sunday: Rest

I'm doing more stretching and mobility to keep the soreness away. So far so good. Turns out I don't need 3 rest days a week.  Weird, I know. I'm not sure every week will look like a 6 day a week workout, but I can/want/need to do more than 3. It's almost bathing suit season - gotta get toned!

* Funny story - if you have read my blog for a while (thank you), have raced with me, or even know me - you know that I'm not scared of a porta=potty and there are few in the tri-state area that I haven't used. I've stopped at more than one house during a race to use the bathroom if I have too. There was even a squat behind a dumpster moment. Yep. When you gotta go, you gotta go. Sunday was no different. The 5K traffic was terrible and there were no porta potties in site. Solution? Pulled over and went in the bushes. Keeping the tradition alive!

Ripping off the bandaid

I have been thinking a lot about Triathlon lately.....do I want to still do them or hang up my Tri shoes? Sam and I talked about selling my bike, but I just couldn't commit to it. I felt like a quitter and getting ride of my Tri stuff just didn't feel right.

I reached out to a friend on my Tri Team and asked for some guidance. She basically told me that I should do one more - can't end on a DNF - and see how I feel. If after a successful Tri I feel done then I have some good closure and know that Tri's are not for me. On the other hand, maybe it's what I need to catch the bug again.

So, what did I do? I promptly registered for a Sprint in July. It's a race I've done before (I do love to compare data) and it's close to home. The Colonial Beach Sprint Triathlon. Sam is going to do it "with" me so that takes away some stress. A few teammates are doing it as well. After I felt like throwing up I did start to get excited. Getting back into this is going to be good. Closure or rekindle my love of racing - I'm ready for either one.

A few things that are different this time around

1. Sam and I do not qualify for Clydesdale and Athena categories anymore. What!??? Clydesdale for men is 220+ and women is 165+. I am pretty excited about that!

2. Went for a run/jog with my Garmin for the first time in a LONG time. Had to change the settings because I'm down 10 pounds since the last time I wore it! Need the accurate weight for the heart rate monitor :)

3. I have not worn my Tri kit or racing gear in about a year because it didn't fit. Tonight I will go home, try it on, and hopefully have some more breathing room.

Here's to ripping off the band aid and seeing what Team Hardman is really made of!

115 days

That's how long I have been eating clean.

                   

 Two of the sayings I used to roll my eyes at. After 115 days (well, much sooner into it than that...) I totally am a believer. I have drank the kool-aid. Abs really are made in the kitchen. I promise you, you will never be able to out-exercise a bad diet. A cheat meal/day here and there? That's very different than a bad diet overall. I actually noticed my abs peaking through this morning (yep, flexin in the mirror). All the changes I see in my body, attitude, and ability keep me moving in a cleaner direction.

It takes 115 days for:

1. a snail to crawl 1 mile

2. a pig's litter to develop (mmmm, bacon)

3. a tomato to grow from start to finish

4. a Chik Fil A waffle fry to go from potatoe to fry


I'm working up the nerve to post some more before and after pics. If only there was a tan to go with the after pics :)

Christine....you B-word

Thursday night was Ladies night. Now, it's not as fun as it sounds (or maybe it is). CFA is doing Thursday Girl WODs. This Thursday was Christine:

3 rounds for time:
500 Meter Row
12 deadlifts at body weight
21 box jumps

I have not done this WOD before, but I thought I could do it Rx which makes me excited and nervous all at the same time. I'm very competitive with myself and always want to do better....but when it's the first time I typically look at what the others girls have done and try and set a goal that way. Lots happening here. Gotta think about good form when rowing and not wasting energy. Deadlifts at body weight (158) is do-able but will be hard. My deadlift max right now is 193. Bring it. Box jumps? My FAVORITE move in crossfit so far.

How did it go? Glad you asked. I warmed up and felt pretty good. I did not warm up the deadlift like I should have. I did a few reps, built up and got to 158. I did that a few times and got ready to start. The timer went off and I rowed my butt off. Got to the bar to dead lift - lifted once and that was it. I didn't fully focus on form and felt it in my back. I didn't know what to do, I tried to lift it again and nothing. Couldn't. I wanted to cry, but sucked it up. I mean, people are watching! My coach and a friend stripped the bar for me down to 103 and I kept going. I finished all three rounds in 14:04. I was very happy with the time, just wish I had been more focused on dead lift form and was able to do it at body weight. There's always next time, right?


Trying not to spend money on clothes, but how can I resist these two shirts?

What's your goat?

At the CFA box (hehehehehe) there is a giant white board with a once real-live goat head on it. What's it for? You write your goals/goats up there. What do you need to work on? What do you want to master? I honestly was nervous to write anything on it for a while. Why? I am still learning to put myself out there and be ok with not reaching a goal quickly or needing to modify that goal. I used to think modify = fail.....now I'm starting to realize that modify = still moving towards that stinkin goal!

So far that board is magic for me. The first thing I wrote on there was double unders. Those elusive bastards. I wrote it up there and worked and worked. One day it clicked and I did one. I couldn't believe it! Instead of erasing it from the board I added the #3 in front of it. That quickly changed to 5, then 10. Last night I did 16 double unders in a row! I could NOT believe it. Crossed that puppy RIGHT off the board.

The second thing I put up there was toes to bar. Thanks to the intensity of the Crossfit Open and wanting to get as many points as possible I got those too! I erased that off the board and have been able to do them in WODs lately. Yeah!

So last night I needed to write a new goal. Having something up there to work towards is really great for me. It helps me focus and work towards something. A friend has a goal to do Annie in sub 10 min. I jumped on her goal and decided now that I have double unders I will work towards that too. It will be my first Girl WOD rx.

“Annie” - for time:

• 50 double-unders
• 50 Abmat sit-ups
• 40 double-unders
• 40 Abmat sit-ups
• 30 double-unders
• 30 Abmat sit-ups
• 20 double-unders
• 20 Abmat sit-ups
• 10 double-unders
• 10 Abmat sit-ups

WHEN I reach this goal I will get this!

Clothing rewards are my favorite....now......food used to be my reward. Bad habit to get in. Great day? Ice cream cone. Awesome workout (no matter how long)? Pizza. You get the idea. No wonder we struggled with weight. Good times = good food = nothing fits. So now we are trying to reward ourselves with a new shirt, going to a Nats game, flowers for the kitchen.....etc. I have to say, it's a lot more fun. We are doing this with the  boys too. If they MUST have a treat it's healthier (fruit leather, baked chips, seaweed crisps) or we hit up the dollar store or 5 below. That place is ALWAYS a hit.

Lately Team Hardman has been all about having fun and keeping healthy and clean. Some days are harder than others but it's totally worth it!

That was the hardest WOD ever

Once I got home from the WOD this morning the boys asked me what I had to do. I rattled off a HUGE list of things like: box jumps, double-unders, push ups, toes to bar, man makers, and air squats. Whew! I was tired just listing......and that was the WOD - didn't include the warm up and skill set. I was tired.

I announced "That was the hardest WOD ever". My 6 year old promptly replied "You've said that before".

Yep. I have. Not every WOD is the hardest ever, but more and more are feeling that way. Today was extra hard because I worked for the toes to bar and double-unders (first time I've done them in a WOD). The stronger you get, faster you get, and more confident you become the harder the workouts can get.

I'm stepping out of my comfort zone by adding more weight, trying new tricks (handstand pushups), and adding newly learned moves (double unders) into the workouts. I do think the more people I met and make connections with helps too......once you get to know each other you cheer each other on and there's an element of not wanting to let down the team mate you know (opposed to the stranger you may not see soon). There was lots of girl power this AM and that is always a great way to start a Friday.

I do hope the awesome feeling of STRONG does not leave me anytime soon!