What a Rush

Welcome to my winter.....updates may be infrequent

All I want to do is ski!!!! To me it is like golf. All those golfers out there driving, putting, looking like they have not a care in the world. It seems to be an accepted excuse. "I was golfing".

"I was skiing" is my acceptable excuse.

Background:

Skied twice in high school, first time was awesome, second time not so much. Fast forward 25 years and more than a few ingrained fears (heights, speed, potential for injury, driving on crazy highways, driving in bad weather, you get the picture).

We drove up a crazy highway, in a blinding snowstorm to take advantage of the 10.00 lesson/rental deal at Searchmont. It was a powder paradise! The 'bunny hill' was becoming a bit too easy for me after about 10 runs so off I went to the Main. Picture this, uphill cartwheels, not pretty. Still too scared and way too hot (all that work under all those clothes). Not a good time at all :( But I tried.

Then I got tired of being 'afraid' all the time. I watched little kids, old people, beginners and experts all making it down the hill one way or another and I was determined I would not let all these FEARS keep standing in my way.

So I gave them up!

Signed up for a few nights stay at Boyne, started watching you tube ski videos (lessons, steeps, wipeouts and everything). Rode up the magic carpet with a 4 year old (who was a pro compared to me). Moved on to the chair, and from green to blue runs I overcame my fear of heights and felt on top of the world.

So I now embrace every minute of winter. I continue to overcome those nagging fears when I'm standing at the top of the Slalom run at Searchmont, but when I drop in there's no rush like it.

Back to my early morning wods

400m row

21-15-9

pushups, pullups (body weight rows) and squats

400m row

Time 8:20

Betty and Fran.....no relation

Signed up for more Bettys once I found out it was going to follow more of a CF football format. Heavy lifts with metcons mixed in.

First day was great. Tyler rocks (he's our coach). There are like 15 people in this all women's group and it is tres cool! It's inspiring to see such strong women kicking butt.

first wod involved burpees and now, sadly I am injured again :( Stupid Burpees :( Grrrrrr.

Hit up physio for a quick fix. No presses for 2-3 days he said. So much for Fran Fest.

Alas, it was my turn to cheer my voice hoarse and assist the athletes any way I could. What a great group! I believe there were 26 teams and everyone did such a great job killing that one.

Fran, the evil benchmark, that looks so decieving until you actually meet her in a dark alley (or industrial park warehouse). My wicked warrior calayst family took her down.

As soon as this shoulder issue is solved, I'm taking her on myself......grrrr

Virtual Meet

My entered lifts:

165 Backsquat (pr)

105 Bench

210 Deadlift (pr)

Actually pulled a 225 dead on the second try. Sweet....strangest feeling...apparently my hamstrings were shaking but I didn't notice.

Slept like a baby and ate like a horse for the next day! Great time .....now back to the met cons, yikes!

WOW!

My Beautiful Betty sisters pulled off some pretty impressive lifts today for the virtual powerlifting meet:

Anna 310 deadlift

Melissa 215 Squat

Leanne 205 Squat

Donna 135 Bench

Wicked! I'm inspired for tomorrow!

Prep

Franfest 9 days away.

After 6 weeks of barbells and strength training my metcon has suffered.....alot. Some may be 'mental'. Recently had the flu and am getting back slowly (don't want to over do it). Some may be 'saving' myself for the meet on Sun.

Who knows, but today I was wiped and even took rest breaks.

8 rounds

Thrusters 65lbs x5

Band assist pullups x5

Double Unders x5

The thrusters were decent. Feeling alot stronger in the glutes and hams for this one.

Pullups were good. No problem clearing the bar with my chin. Really feel the lats and core work on these now. Still can't get one for real though....grrrrrr

Double Unders. Wow, linked 9 at once! Was able to link 5 each time :)

Guess it dosen't sound bad. Actually sounds pretty good. Didn't do it for time, which is hard to get used to. It's a start........

Virtual Powerlifter

Never in 1,000,000 years did I think I would actually be registering for a 'powerlifting meet'.

Pretty cool eh? Now all I have to do is get over this cold/flulike thing so I can get lifting.

This stupid contagion is also preventing me from attending the "paleo potluck" tomorrow afternoon. There will be everything from Chai tea lattes to paleo muffins to full out appetizers and entrees. I'm so glad this paleo thing has taken off like it has. I've been feeling GREAT since returning to the Whole30 and it's exciting to see others enthusiastic. I watched the movie

Food Inc and WOW! That movie is a great reinforcement why NOT to eat grains or grain fed beef, and make quality choices (organic, natural, label free foods) A MUST see for sure.

Oh Woe Is Me :(

I'm not too impressed with myself right now. I really wanted to just go for a walk, but no. Had to run with Frank (the dog) because I love running in the rain, and because I was 'needing' a good sweat. Since I haven't been doing the wods I've missed that 'glow' that comes with working hard. Well, I guess my IT band missed telling me it still exists. Despite a good pre run stretch that all too familiar, burning like a cigarette on the outside of my knee, feeling reared it's ugly head. Same pain, same intensity, same distance (3K). Dammit! Just when I thought things were good to start. Got home and iced and rolled and stretched and ibuprophened (?) then made a physio appointment. I have a funny feeling this thing is starting somewhere in the pirformis/ SI joint area cause I feel almost crooked.

So woe is me. I must stretch and stretch some more.

All that is Paleo and Good

Did I mention Barbells ROCK!! I Seriously, how can someone go from a 125 max back squat to a 155 back squat in like 3 weeks?? Barbell Bettys that's how :) All the homework is paying off big time. There was a girl in my group that maxed at 185 and made it look easy!! Can't wait to do my Crossfit Total WOD when all this is said and done.

Speaking of wods, I am going to be hurting when I get back into them. This "homework" is all about strength. Hopefully the first wod back will be something like Linda...LOL (I know, be careful what I wish for)

Well, Paleo has started and as Leanne said --- The chocolate forest has melted, Lindt Lake has dried up and we are on our way to Paleo Park!! ----

I've done this 'strict' before with my only vice being vinegar (in mustard, not straight, and only because I didn't realize that vinegar is non-paleo until 3/4 way through). I feel pretty good about this round. I just have to remember how great I felt last time. I'm not giving up nightshades although I probably should since my finger is feeling a bit 'arthritic' this week.......

For me (all or nothing girl) the hardest part is finding 'things' at the grocery store that don't have stuff like soybean oil, canola oil or any form of sugar (canola is ok according to Cordain but I posted my thoughts on that before). Organic spaghetti sauce for instance. Two different brands, all organic no sugar. One uses olive oil, the other uses soybean oil. So be careful.....read the ingredients.

Made the most delicious Thai Chicken Soup in the Universe (thanks Jo Ann )

1 tblsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 skinless boneless chicken breasts, chopped
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp hot chili powder
1/2 cup unsweetened creamed coconut ( I have also substituted unsweetened coconut milk here and used less chicken stock, equivalent to about 1 cup)
3 3/4 hot chicken stock
2 tblsp lemon or lime juice
2 tblsp crunchy nut butter (I used almond)
1-2 leeks, chopped (small ones if using 2 and don't use the green tough parts)
1 tblsp fresh coriander, chopped
black pepper, ground
dry unsweetened shredded coconut
chopped fresh red chili if desired.

1. Heat oil in large pan and cook garlic til lightly golden. Add the chicken and the spices. Stir for about 3-5 min on med/high heat.

2. Crumble creamed coconut into the hot chicken stock and stir until dissolved. Pour this mixture onto the chicken breasts and add lemon or lime juice and nut butter.

3. Cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes. Add leeks, coriander, and black pepper to taste. Cook for further 5 minutes.

4. In another frying pan, heat the coconut and red chili for 2-3 minutes, stirring often until the coconut is lightly browned.

5. Pour the soup into bowls and sprinkle with browned coconut to garnish.

I used Bok Choy instead of leeks, and added a touch of sea salt.......Skipped the 'garnish' stuff at the end cause I was starving.

All in all, absolutely delish!!

Cleaning House

Seems the more I collect the less I want.

Minimalist lifestyle is like a crossfit wod.

Basic movements, essential movements, simple movements that when practiced and perfected make me stronger and more able to function in life without pain or disability. During a WOD you concentrate on the present exercise. If you start to thinking of the pullups while doing the thrusters your Fran will suffer. Finish one and move to the next....

Basic needs, essential items and minimal clutter in my environment make it easier to focus and fully engage in the present task at hand. Things like reading a book, taking time to visit with family, heading to the ski hill for the day, going to the gym. All without thinking in the back of my mind " on my next day off I HAVE to clean that closet or cupboard or drawer" or "where did I put ____?"

There is no reason to have so much 'stuff', to make things difficult, to clutter up my life and subconscious. Today I start the cleanse............

I used to buy fitness magazines. Figured I'd 'collect' all the exercises and do them....LOL! Balancing on balls, stairs, pulling bands ***********

Diet plans ***********now I laugh and cry at the same time thinking of all the money I wasted on 'pretty' pictures.

More on the clutter cleanup in later posts.

Our barbell betty's group has been amazing!! We have some pretty strong females in our group..... I can't even believe I benched 115 lbs 2 times last night! My last max was 75 x 3. I love going to do 'homework' but I do miss my crossfit WODs. I may try to get one in this week. I'm focusing on strength this month so I'm not feeling guilty, just reminiscent.

November is yet another 30 day Paleo challenge. Last time I did this was July and was STRICT. I still haven't 'knowingly' eaten grains (except a few corn chips at times), no bread/pasta/rice etc.

Have been reading about some of the 'oils' out there. Canola oil stands for "CANadian Oil Low Acid" and it's not even real. Also recently read how Agave Nectar is the new canola.....touted to be healthier than refined sugar http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/agave-nectar.html ......damn marketing companies and damn the system for letting all these companies "lie" to the unknowing public and promote these poisons as "health food".........my take on the whole thing.

stop buying things that aren't simple (like meat, veggies, nuts, seeds, fruit)

stop buying things that promote these complex "healthy" cure alls (like magazines)

save a few bucks and take a vacation instead

To Lift or Not To Lift

Feeling a bit under the weather the last couple of days had me worried about missing my "homework" for Barbell Betty's. I hate getting behind and missing out on important training.

Made up my mind to NOT get sick and I think it MAY be working. I still feel 'off' but don't think I have a fever (no thermometer here), no sore throat, no cough. Just a stuffy medicated head (Benylin syrup...yummy..heehee). I've been really conscious of what my body is telling me this week.

Like yesterday, it wanted chicken soup. After a whole day of cooking soup, it wanted spicy chicken wings and a beer. Today I ate the soup.

When I woke up this morning I REALLY wanted to work out but wasn't sure how far to push it. Don't want to be REALLY sick for my week off coming up. But the body said OK so off I went. Glad I did. Although my arms/shoulders and traps may disagree. Didn't go too heavy or too fast and made it through 'the homework"

Plate pyramids are ridiculous!!! So were the ab rollouts! Shoulder presses with 35 lbs 7X9 were tough. Don't think I would have been able to do any metcon stuff today.

Chicken soup/ sweet potatoes and a nap post work out will hopefully kick this colds ass all the way to Hell!

I AM STRONG, I AM BEAUTIFUL.....

Quickie update

Since the games I've been working on new plans and new goals. As always, I need a plan in order to reach my goals and I need goals to keep me from going completely insane. Well, maybe not insane, but definately close (most always work related but that's another blog, somewhere)

Barbell Bettys started last night with our most awesome coach Tyler (Barbell Ken).

Funny how the first thing he said was "we will be doing alot of goal setting". Hmmmm, I'm pretty psychic I think.

The next 6 weeks are going to be exciting!! I've always loved lifting but maybe now I'll see some progress. We even have homework!!

First Class:

5x5

squats 115 x4 then failed on 3rd rep of 125

front squats 105x3 then failed on 2nd rep of 115

found front squats easier this time around.

Heading to the gym today for some upper body stuff.

Wow! What a great day. Not sure of exact numbers but there were about 40 competitors and close to that many spectators at one point. The weather held out and didn't rain as we were fearing for event #2.

7AM brought the early risers lugging their gear and extra shoes. The refs were having some last minute meetings while we nervously looked around the gym sipping coffee and eyeing up the competition. A few practicing the dreaded double unders and throwing a wall ball or two.

5000 lbs overhead as prescribed, using 50% body weight (women). God it looked painful! Scaled 1 (my category) was 3000 lb and I could use any weight I wanted. Opted for 55lbs. Had to lift that 55 times!! By the 10th I could feel my quads on fire. Running shoes are no good for lifting I have come to realize. Too hard to get the heels ground into the floor. Managed it in 5:59. Watching some of the others and their technique and strategy was awesome. I'll remember these for the future.

The trail run proved to be pretty fun actually. I changed my socks (it was all about the socks today ) and gave it my all. As I've said before, my running has been a bit neglected but today felt pretty good. Powered up the hills and walked a few flats to get my breath but all in all better than expected. 13:43

The chipper! OMG I don't think I've seen so many red cards being dealt out like a game of texas hold em. Those wall balls were brutal!! Forget anything I said about the wall balls before (I like them, they aren't so bad, I can rock it!) yeah, right! Next time I will pace myself a little better. Went too fast with them at first (trying to foolishly keep up with the MMA guy on my left). By the 20th I was shot. Not how I wanted to start this. Very hard to get over the line. My squats were great but the throw was faulty a couple of time hence the dreaded red card. The pushups were killer and they weren't even as RX'd (knees on ground, feet up). Linked a couple of double unders but with all the cheering and spectators I figured I'd just get a good rhythm going and get every other one. Which I did in pretty good time. Knees to elbows was better than expected and BCT's were a piece of cake ( cause it was the end). I could hear a competitors ref counting out her last 5 as I was 1 ahead and thought, "I'm not coming in LAST in this heat!" So I went all out, got the last couple done and went to flip the tire (the easiest part of the day!). I believe my time was 13 something.

The grinder!! Double OMG this was a tough one. Carry a 20lb sandbag 400M x4. One Mile!! Thank God I had music for this one! Jane's Addiction was the perfect tempo for the slow, grueling pace of this one. Had to walk a couple times while adjusting the sandbag, but finished strong. All despite the fact my man was sitting in the truck contemplating a trip to the ER for stitches after a self inflicted gash to his head while dong waist to bar pullups.

Fueled well for the day. The orange slices immediately after all the events were a life saver, as were the sweet potatoes and chicken. Stayed away from too many fats. Got a Lara bar in there somewhere. Was able to maintain a steady state of energy.

Can't wait for next year's Games!!! And any challenges in between.

New goals:

Get stronger with Barbell Betty's group

Get pullups with practice, practice, practice.

Get handstand pushups

Run more

PS:

Knee held up fabulously!!!

24 hour countdown

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!!! Excited and scared and giddy all at the same time.

At the gym on Wed night I learned a new technique for 3000 lbs overhead. Let's hope it holds out. Also linked 10 double unders!! But I find I can't do them with anyone watching (have to face outside).....and there are apparently going to be spectators!! Yikes!!

"Ran" (jogged) the trail. Ummm, ya, not sure what to make of this one. Would feel alot better if the stupid ITB thing wasn't in the back of my head. Felt OK after but we have to do it twice (2K) and am wondering if I shouldn't go get one of those ITB thingys to wear on my leg (I do have a 10K coming up in Oct).

Event #4 was posted yesterday. Carry 20lbs 400M x 4 for time. Damn sandbags, hope there aren't any holes in them.

Spending today puttering around the house. Hydrating and filling up the Paleo cooler and buying a 6 pack of Coors Light for when all is said and done!