Personal Goals

Lately my saturday mornings consist of coaching then putting myself through tough workouts of my own.  My favorite part is the coaching though

 

I get to write WODs and then coach them.  Athletes of EVERY ability have been dropping by my box and it’s so awesome.  So many different skill levels but the one thing every person has in common is a desire to do better, desire to push themselves just a little harder, a desire to be the best they can be…. and THAT is what I love the most.

Along with coaching and help people reach their goals, I also have a few of my own. Now that I am not training for any races I do have a few things I have my sights set on.

Perfecting the one hand handstand

Not perfect…but getting there

 

Eating  Clean

I am trying the zone diet for a month.  I am allowing myself relaxed weekends where I don’t weigh and measure but during the week I am eating strictly 11 blocks.  There is a lot of science and math behind it actually.  Meal prepping on Sunday is a must but I am hoping it will help my performance in the gym.  Any questions on the zone PLEASE email me! I would love to help!

Icing and mobility

Lately any kind of jumping (think double unders and box jumps) kill me.  Well,  really they just kill my calves.  I think I have some tendon issues but icing and rolling is something I am being adamant about.  I am trying to be better with my overall mobility.  With how much I workout I have come to the realization that if I don’t take care of myself and do the necessary stretching and icing, I won’t be able to go at this pace forever.

 

I also have a big dead lift that I am chasing.  Not trying to jinx myself so I am not going to say what I am shooting for…big think big.

 

What are your goals these days?  TELL ME!

gm

What life is like now

I am a runner.  I am a CrossFitter.  I do all those things.  Sometimes I do one more than the other but running is my roots.

And qualifying for Boston was one of my proudest moments ever.  EVER.   I will  run Boston next year and I am honored to do so.

————–

Where have I been?  Some would say living the dream and um… Yep that’s about right.

I wake up every day and get to do what I love.   I get to play outside and I get to hang out with a great friend all the while hoping to make a difference in a few people’s lives.  I get to wear sweats or shorts or whatever the hell I feel like wearing.  I get to work out 2 times a day. I get to use my brain to program workouts and help people solve problems with exercise and stretching and weight loss.  yea, I’m SUPER lucky.

I get to be proud of not only a business but a lifestyle that I live.

I am even experimenting with my nutrition more than ever.  The Zone diet should make me super strong and buff…. at least that’s what I tell myself when I am weighing my food and meal prepping!

 

I am going to try to post more.  I think my life has calmed down a little and I should be able to be around more often!  Hope you stick around even though I’ve been SUPER MIA!

gm

Big Pull

Well? What do you think?

If you didn’t understand my last post, my big secret was that I opened a CrossFit affiliate!  It was a long, looong process and a lot of waiting but SO worth it!  The past few weeks I went through every emotion and feeling that could possibly come with opening a gym but now that I am open, I am so amazed at how things worked out.

Besides being super busy and wishing for more hours in the day, I have made a few big gains in the gym myself lately!

That’s a 30 pound PR on my deadlift.  To say that’s huge for me is an understatement 😉

I also completed the most recent open WOD, 13.3 as well. Wall balls suck.  the end.

If you are interested in learning more about my box, definitely check out my website and facebook page!  I am super new to all of this when it comes to social media. I am trying to spread the word about my box opening so any suggestions are welcome!

What’s new with you!?

gm

Recovery, Food and Relaxing

Well, what are your thoughts on 13.2?

My thoughts are that it was a sprint, it sucked and my calves are still killing me from the box jumps.  Not sure my deal lately, but any kind of jumping absolutely annihilates my calves.  It’s at a point of beyond sore and it’s painful.  I have been rocking compression socks but about 48 hours later and I am still in pain. What the F!

The rest of this weekend was spent in recovery mode.  Protein, glutamine and fish oil followed by some (not pictured) BCAA’s…what else am I missing from my recovery regimen?

I am not necessarily eating strict paleo, but I am trying to avoid grains and just eat clean.  I am also still rockin my 24 day challenge and feelin’ good!

meal planning

homemade chicken cheese steaks minus the bun, extra fries 😉

Sunday came and I had a relaxing morning with the news, coffee and two very cute dogs!

Then…something comepletely crazy happened sunday evening.  I wanted steak for dinner.  I know, who am I!? 

J and I went to the food store, got some steak and cooked it up!  With sautéed peppers and onions it was just what I wanted!

I am guessing I had been missing something in m diet for me to crave steak like that. I haven’t had red meat like that in a looooong time and I have never purchased and cooked a steak myself either!  Nuts!

Am I missing any key recovery supplements?  My calves and I will thank you for any additional suggestions!

How did you do on 13.2?

I wanted at least 7 rounds but got 8 plus 5 reps so I am happy with that!

gm

The other 13.1

Tell me you watched last night?  I mean, you had to have watched. It was awesome.  I clapped a bunch of times.  I even yelled at my computer.  It’s safe to say I was even giddy.

What am I talking about?  THE OPEN ANNOUNCEMENT! Duh.

13.1

I know I will never, ever compete in the games.  I can guarantee I won’t even make regionals.  But I can still participate in the Open and that is amazing.  People like Julie Foucher and Camille Leblanc-Bazinet are freakin’ killer and to think I will be doing the same WOD as them is pretty awesome in my opinion.

I registered for the open just because a friend did.  I didn’t think anything of it.  I figured I would play along, complete the workouts and was just very indifferent about it.  I wasn’t nervous or excited, I would just be doing some more WODs.  Well, something clicked last night and when the first WOD was announced I got all amped up. I got butterflies and felt a bit nervous about it!

Regardless of my reason for competing, I am still going to compete.  I won’t win money, I won’t be famous and I pretty much know I won’t have a better score than 90% of the people out there. But, I will be competing with myself.

I will be pushing myself. I will be testing my own limits.  Burpees suck.  Snatches are terrible and scare the shit out of me.  The idea of whipping a 75 pound bar above my head and then dropping underneath it as fast as possible….HELLO!!!! I could drop that and KILL MYSELF.  No, not really…. but that’s an irrational fear I have.

This open workout will help me compete against myself. It will help me test my own personal limits…push myself just a tad bit harder because I know it’s a formal competition.

Last year I ran and trained and trained and trained….all to eventually compete.  Since then, since December 2 I have been dedicating a lot of time and energy to CrossFit. I have been training and pushing myself and practicing techniques.

What do I have to lose by competing in the open?  Nothing. Absolutely nothing.  Same goes for you. If you are on the fence about registering…just do it. What do you have to lose? Absolutely nothing.

How does it work?

There are 3 parts to the CrossFit competition. The open, regionals and the games.

The open is the awesome part where anyone, anywhere can compete.  All that is required is that you either complete the WOD at an affiliate that is registered to be a training facility or you can submit a video of yourself completing the workout.

If you make it through the open and are one of the top scoring athletes, regionals is the next step.  From there, if you do a stellar job and crush everyone, you go to the games.

I am planning on having fun with the open while still pushing myself and seeing where I stand.  It’s all about having fun!

And speaking of FUN… I did an at home workout yesterday that you might like!  If you try it out let me know what you think!

Last, but not least my new favorite spring addition to the house.

All those colors…that rug is so me 😉

Are you registered for the open? If not…WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!

gm

What’s a Date and a Challenge.

My usual morning routine consists of checking email, checking facebook and then finally checking instagram.  This morning I found something on instagram originally posted by Sierra over at Posh Meets Pavement

That is officially my new favorite quote.  I am being, in my opinion, SUPER BRAVE in my current endeavors so I am hoping fortune is on my side 😉

I have an earth shattering question.  WHAT IS A DATE?  Like, the food. “pitted date”  <– THAT, what is that?  I see some recipes for dessert like items that require dates but I don’t even know what they are.  They look like prunes, or bugs or something.  Someone help me!

Today I also started a new challenge with my SIL.

I have heard amaaaazing things about Advocare products and even have taken Spark in the past.  The 24 day challenge is something I had been interested in doing so once I had a buddy to do it with me, I figured it was the perfect time! I will let you know how it goes 😉

Other than starting the 24 day challenge and wondering what the hell dates are, I also did a super simple (simple, NOT easy) WOD this afternoon.

Note to self: Practice Hans Stand Push Ups

What is your “what the hell is that” question? Mine is clearly dates.

gm

Weightloss- doggy style

How do you put a dog on a diet that can’t walk in the cold but also eats every.single.thing she sees?

Seriously?  Lola is overweight and I need help and suggestions on how to help a sister out!

Besides a fat dog, I have been sipping some java with my main man J

Mastering wall balls and wall climbs….

*** I started with kettle bell swings

And rockin some new gear that I am obsessing over.

My running is still there.  Nothing worth writing about but it’s there.

And remember when I was having a hard time with my dead lift?

Well, let’s just say I have made that 245 pounds my bitch and I dead lifted 255 pounds like a beast.  I mean, not really, it was hard as balls but I still did it!

A 255 pound pull has been my biggest accomplishment in the gym for me lately! What about you? What’s your biggest gym/run accomplishment lately?

gm

ps— I am really proud of this post.  I know there is still a lot that I didn’t talk about but when I am able to, I will fill you in 😉

Here’s to….

Happy Monday 🙂
Here’s to

…another week of tracking my workouts

…Way too much coffee

And dreaming up big things for the months to come

What are you “cheers”ing to this morning?

gm

Hero WOD

If you live in the Northeast you know its been cold.  Really cold.  Almost unbearable cold.  And while I get it, it’s cold and it sucks having to bundle up so much….I think everyone should just stop for a minute and try to appreciate how even though its bitter cold, it can still be really pretty.

seen on my drive to work

Yesterday I braved the cold and headed to the gym early.  I was meeting a few friends to do a quick WOD before the class at 9.  We decided on Karen – 150 wallball shots as fast as you can.  Basically you thrown a weighted ball (I used 14#) to a 9 foot target all the while making sure you squat with the ball every time.  It took me about 10 minutes and it wasn’t pretty.  Wall balls are my least favorite thing so I am glad I finally did that WOD since I had been ignoring it.

At 9 the WOD at the gym was scheduled.  It wasn’t any old WOD though.  Yesterday meant something…

In CrossFit there are hero WODs that are made in memory or to honor fallen or injured military or law enforcement. The great thing about this is that a hero WOD can be written for anyone that you wish to recognize.

A fellow gym member as well as great friend of the gym owner suddenly passed away a couple of weeks ago while he was doing what he loved…working out.  In order to honor the great man who lost his life too soon, a hero WOD was created for him.

Each number represents something significant in his life… children, years married, years as a marine.  The exercises chosen were even significant in this mans life.

This was tough.  But every time it seemed like every time someone got tired or had a weak moment where they didn’t think they could go anymore they realized this WOD meant something…it was more than just a workout but it was a way to honor someone.  Everyone- including myself- had to dig deep and really push for it.  And that’s the point of a hero WOD.  It shouldn’t be easy. They should make you work harder and dig deeper than normal.

Everyone did an amazing job and I couldn’t be more proud to be associated with not only a great group of people but also a great gym.

“Captain X-Static”

gm

Going HAM

I have so many posts I want to write up.  I want to write about how I wake up so early every day. I want to write about starting CrossFit.  I want to write a letter to my 12-year-old self.  I have all of these ideas and projects I want to work on… but right now I just don’t have time.  And I am not complaining either!  I am busy but busy doing what I love.  I am working out, I am coaching, I am personal training… I have a busy schedule and it’s working for me so far!  I am not sure if it’s possible but I even feel more energized than ever!

So…. I do have some posts coming that will hopefully be worth the read but until I find to sit and write, in my head they will stay.

In the meantime I wanted to share with you two things.  One— the most amazing family that I wish I was with right now.

And 2—  I went all HAM yesterday on Chealsea

Source

I received my CrossFit badge of honor and ripped my hand for the first time ever!

It’s pretty sick that I am proud of this but I am.  I did the WOD with all kipping pull ups.  At least until I saw my hand.  I didn’t notice it and it didn’t hurt at all.  BUT, as soon as I saw that it ripped I think it hurt and after 18 rounds of kipping pull ups I dropped to a band.  It was definitely too easy with the band and I know I could have finished the WOD rx’ed but I was nervous about hurting myself more. #pansy #wimp

Now I am cautiously doing everything I can to make that bad boy heal quicker.

Any tips or suggestions for that paw of mine? 

I think being proud of my ripped hand is nuts but awesome…what are your thoughts on CrossFit wounds like that?

gm