The Power of CrossFit: What's YOUR CrossFit story: Part Deux

So like most things in life, my infamous blog has a sequel, but yesterday was just another in a string of really long days that I've been having lately and I didn't have time (or energy) to post it. It seems that if I get home before 9:00 these days, it's cause for a supreme celebration. So, needless to say, after getting up and being at work by 0700 and then going to job 2 until 10:30ish, that after getting home, all I really wanted to do was talk to my pirate and curl up in bed. So, I didn't get to post the things I wanted to, and that I've been meaning to post for awhile.

So today, here I am. I am taking a mental health hour (before putting the final touches on my Back To School Night Packet) and typing up this blog. Back in May when I wrote my original post The Power of CrossFit: What's YOUR CrossFit story, I was completely flabbergasted at the response that came from it. I got several comments on my blog, the affiliate page, and in person. It was great to know that something I had written resonated with so many other folks, because, I'm going to be honest (when am I not?) and tell you that the reason I write, is because it feels good to know that someone else can relate, and maybe my writing can help them with whatever they are going through. I'm not really a people person per say (I'm very shy when I meet new people but warm up quickly, then can't shut up) so having a computer where I can write things down has been great!

So, after some thought, I decided that I was going to do an update. Kind of like VH-1. You know how they do the where are they now on the 80's stars? The answer is usually something like living in Hollywood using up all the cash they made when they were 18, and sadly, my story doesn't go like that. But, it still sounds pretty cool to me.

Since writing my original post back in May, lots has happened. First and foremost being that I've made many new friends on this crazy thing we call "The Internet". I know that some people think blogging and having online friends is odd, but it's really great to log on and see comments from people who genuinely understand many of my frustrations. In addition to my strong network of friends who are here around me (and are totally AWESOME), I now have a great network of friends around the world who I look forward to hearing from, usually on a daily basis.

Secondly, after writing that blog, CrossFit convinced me to get on an airplane! That's right! I took my first flight, and got off the east coast for the first time, all because of CrossFit and this little blog. I met one of my readers (and she rocks!) and ran my very first 5K. When I started this blog in January, I don't think anyone (including myself) ever thought that I would actually run 3 miles. Furthermore, I don't think anyone would have ever thought that I would sign up to run 13.1 of them either!

Since May, I've posted a number of PR's and am excited about them all. I've hit 2 new row PR's 500 M- 145.9 and 2000 M is 8:13.6. I've posted a new chin PR at 24, hit my first ring dip, and then did 45 the day after when I went RX'd on Elizabeth. I've deadlifted 195 lbs, hit my first strict chin, then did my first weighted chins and PR'd at a 20lbs. I've PR'd on Daniel and Badger, as well as brought in my Fran in 6:54. I met my goal of doing sets of 10 "to form" push-ups, but am still working on the elusive hand stand push-up and my muscle up. :P (I can dream right?) I hit a new strict press PR at 87 lbs (yay for not counting right) and to celebrate my one year anniversary with CFOT, I created a movie, then hit Fran with 90 lbs in a decent 13:17. And to top it all off, I hit a PR clean and jerk and took 120lbs over my head.

When I look back over all of these things, it almost blows my mind. How amazing is it that in just 4 more months I was able to accomplish all of these things? How amazing is my trainer? How AWESOME is this program? You know, I said it in my post the first time, and I'll say it again. There is something about this program. I wish everyone could have the experience that I have had. I can't tell you how it feels to get dressed in the morning and put on my pants from this time last year, and have them not even stay on.

For the girl who has always been chubby, or ok let's face it, fat, to finally start to see results is amazing. I have never felt comfortable in my own skin. Ever. I have always been shy about wearing bikinis, or tight clothes. I'm not saying that now I have suddenly turned into an exhibitionist (sorry boys.... :P) but the day that we did Murph, I realized just how much about me has changed when I ran out the door for my final mile and stripped off my shirt. At the end, I gave myself a WTF? It didn't even cross my mind that people were looking at me half naked. It didn't worry me whether or not my stomach looked ok. I was doing my last run, on a hard as crap workout, and finishing was what was important to me. For me to be able to do that and not spend the entire time worrying about what I looked like, was nothing short of a miracle.

CrossFit has given me both my physical and my emotional strength back. Times still get hard. Stress still wears me down, but I don't quit. I don't go home and curl up in bed with my covers over my head, listening to sappy songs, after eating a pint of Ben and Jerry's. Those days are gone... well sort of. Every now and again, a girl just needs ice cream. (sorry Jerry...) But the point is that this program and my trainer, as well as my team, have rebuilt me. The parts that I didn't even realize were rusted and broken now work better than they ever did. I can lift more weights now and with better form then I ever could have when I was working out for my sports teams. I don't grumble about getting up at 0445 now to get to the zero dark thirty class. I relish it because I get to see my family. Not my friends, my family. That's what this affiliate has become to me. Since May, our affiliate has quite frankly exploded, and while I don't know all the new members, I have enjoyed getting to know them the best I can and including them in my crazy world (whether or not they want to be, eh, there I can't say... ;) )

The bottom line is that CrossFit has made me a better person. It wasn't easy. God no. There have been workouts where I've wanted to quit every step of the way. There are days I want to curse the Zone and eat bread, pasta, pizza, and ice cream all in one sitting. There are days where I feel so tired the thought of picking up 65 lbs is very daunting. But the cool thing about all this, is that I CAN. How many women in this world CAN lift 65 lbs? I have become so strong... and I need to remember that. CrossFit has brought back that fiesty girl who used to exist when I was 16. The girl who stood up for herself, wanted was was right for her, and worked her ass off to get it. She's back (sometimes with a vengance) and it feels good.

To everyone out there who is just starting CrossFit, the only thing I can say is, it's hard. You'll sweat, you'll hurt, you'll probably want to puke a time or two, and if you do, it's ok. Just remember that you came here because you wanted to be stronger, and stronger doesn't just mean that you can pick up a heavier weight. It means that when you hit that wall, you find a way to push through. It means when you feel like giving up and giving in, you pick up the pace. It means that when someone knocks you down, you stand back up and ask if that's the best they've got. CrossFit is about finding the strongest version of yourself... because strong is beautiful. Let's not forget that this is MY CrossFit story... yours may be similar...it may be different... but that's the POWER of CrossFit. It's giving you your story. All you have to do is pick up the pen and write it. Don't you want to be beautiful too?

Today was a rest day...

After the breakdown yesterday, I needed a break this morning... and I also needed to get to school really early... I have some restful ramblings I will try to post later... but I have to work tonight at the restaurant so it may be late...

No rest for the crazy...

It hasn't been a good day. It's 9:45 as I type. I got home from work roughly 30 minutes ago. I had a breakdown of sorts at work today when I was told that I'm not doing everything I'm supposed to be doing. To which then I have to reply, if I'm at work, from 7:15am to 9:00pm almost every night of the week, how am I not able to get everything done that I need to get done? How can you tell me there are things I'm not doing? I cried. A lot and loudly. It is the most frustrating feeling to be told that the effort you are giving, is not enough. That there is more you need to be doing and aren't. I don't honestly know at this point, how I am going to make it through the school year. In three weeks, I start a class that runs for three hours one night a week. In two months, I start coaching again. I am still working 2 nights a week at KSB.... where in the F am I supposed to find time just to be human? To all those people out there who tell me that I "get my summers off", I really want to say a big F U to them right now, because you know what. I guarantee in my 10 months of working, I STILL manage to work those two months of time, PLUS OVERTIME!

But, enough complaining... today's workout was a gasser... pure metcon... it looked like this...

50 abmats
5 rounds of
8 chins
8 crossover push ups
800 meter run
40 abmats
4 rounds of
8 chins
8 push ups
800 meter run
30 abmats
3 rounds of
8 chins
8 crossover push ups

I brought this in in 30:54. Period the end. I'm going to bed... thank you dark continent! Goodnight!

Team FGB

As we inch ever closer to the official FGB date, we have been working on the movements involved in FGB. Last week we hit a full scale FGB. Today we did partner FGB where you and your partner stay on an exercise for six minutes, just going until gassed and switching out. It was pretty wicked. Martha and I tried to keep track of each of our reps so we would know how much we contributed. In truth, I think I was close to 300 reps, but I'm not sure. It sure felt that way. By the end, I was so sweaty I had my pant legs jacked up, and was dripping sweat. There were little puddles everywhere. Ewwwww....

We again had a great crowd, and I think today there were 26 people. That's a lot! Almost everytime I step in the Blue Room I'm amazed at how much we've grown. It's pretty cool.

Today's post is going to be pretty short... and fairly boring... my apologies but laundry and house cleaning kept me from posting earlier, and work sucked, so now I'm really tired and uncreative... or something... :P We'll see how I feel tomorrow at 445... it might just be a rest day.... (GASP!) :P

CFOT Social Calendar...

Hey guys, posted this under the forum today, but I know some of you don't always read those discussions... read through and post thoughts to comments... also any musical selections you would like me to add to the mix, please post to comments cause I know some of you haven't been in the forum to check that discussion...

Hey guys! A bunch of people have been asking me lately about CFOT social stuff; when's the next BBQ, when's the next happy hour, will we ever do karaoke again? Really, all of that is up to you. I know some people like to do social stuff, some don't. I know that some miss out because they don't like the internet and never see the events... lots of things. So... I'm posting this out here in internet land to try to get some feedback.

Do you want to do another Saturday karaoke night? What night would best suit?

A CrossFit BBQ? We still have yet to break out the Hooverball and I still have Jerry's set in my trunk... wow... that's been there since June now that I think about it! I was thinking that October 12 may be a good date. It's a Sunday and the next day is Columbus day so I know lots of people are off. (It will also be the day after the Baltimore half, and I know a few people will have cause to celebrate. :) ) I'm willing to take other suggestions though. Someone else suggested after FGB, but that's two weeks. Would that be enough time to arrange things?

Another CrossFit happy hour/a regular CrossFit happy hour? I was asked if we were going to start doing a weekly happy hour. I know last time that question was posed a lot of people said, weekly was too much. However, the benefit to picking a regular get together spot would be that it would never change, and llike CF, you could show up when you were feeling ready for it. The only hard part would be nailing down a spot. If you are not in favor of the idea of a regular HH, would you like to schedule another HH?

I know this is a lot, but I think a lot of people, myself included have been trying to get to know new members, and chat with old friends, but there just doesn't seem to be the time. I know a lot of people have said in the past that they're not big drinkers, and that's ok. HH times can be times just to be social and interact. Last week Christy and her husband got to ask lots of questions that I'm sure other newer members may also have and it was great fun. So, please give me some feedback and I'd be happy to continue setting things up.

For those of you non-CFOTers who are local, you can leave thoughts to comments too, and perhaps you can meet up with us sometime and we can finally get to meet you! :)

Today's half rest day and my pirate....

When my alarm rang this morning at 445 AM, I realized that there really was no way that I could do CF this morning. After a few doozies this week, I was pretty beat up and with working as much as I have been lately, I really just felt exhausted. So, I reset my alarm for 545 and then went back to bed for a little bit. All things considered, IE it was Friday, the day actually was going really well. That is until the last hour or so of the day. I was in the middle of a science lesson when I heard what I thought was water in my classroom. I thought that was really odd since well, nothing seemed amiss as I looked around so I kept going. About 5 minutes later when I walked around my room, I noticed a huge puddle on the floor and put two and two together. I walked over to the student and she immediately started to cry and tell me that she just couldn't hold it.

My bathroom situation with my room is tricky. I'm the only 3rd grade teacher without a bathroom in my class. So, my kids know that if they need to use the restroom, they need to sign out, and go during seatwork or independent time. Not while I'm teaching. Well I think the reason that she didn't tell me was because I was teaching. I sent her to the nurse ASAP and called the custodians, but still, I felt really really bad. My kids are THAT afraid of me that they can't tell me it's an emergency and they need to go? That makes me feel terrible. I tried to talk to her when she came back from the nurse and I tried to reassure her that accidents happen and that it was ok, but I told her that if that happens again, she needs to raise her hand and tell me it's an emergency.

Meanwhile, while all of this was happening, I saw my comment about today's barbell complex from Jerry. Jerry didn't throw down a gauntlet to me, not by any means, but it was more like he walked by and was like, oh, I dropped my glove. And you know what happens. You sit there and you stare at the glove, and you think, huh, I wonder if I should pick that up. So you think about it for awhile, and then you decide that you really ought to pick up that nice gentleman's glove. (CURSES!) So after school, I headed home and changed and headed out to CF.

It was actually really nice to work out at 5pm today because I never get to see those people so it was nice to work out with a different group of people. It was also nice to be able to see the numbers of everyone else. As part of the zero dark thirty crew, I don't have the opportunity to have someone to chase, so seeing that today was a nice switch. I was STOKED that today was a barbell complex and I was totally loving the workout and was super glad I went. Today's fun looked like this:

Record your 5 highest rounds
You may do as many as you want
Round only counts if you don't put the bar down

3X Mod DL
3X Hang power clean
3X Push jerk
3X Front squat

I was so excited to hit this workout today. Once I saw Jerry's comment I kinda got a number in my head of where I would like to end and I really was looking forward to it. I started out with a warm-up set with 35lbs, and moved up from there. I went 65, 75, 85, 95, 105, 115, and finally 120. I was pretty psyched about that weight. I have been feeling very weak lately so to be able to come in and hit a workout like that, and especially JERK 120 overhead was great. That is the largest amount of weight I've ever had over my head! I was doing split jerks just because that's the way I thought a jerk was supposed to be done. Are split jerks harder? Anyhoo, I almost lifted as much as some of the men. That makes me feel good. I like to keep up! :) I couldn't keep up with my big brother today though. Dannnnnggg... Gar hefted 185 on this cirucit. But regardless, today was a great day to be in the Blue Room.

It seems that things over the last few days/week have been getting a little better for me. School, although it is incredibly long, is getting better, things in the Blue Room are looking up, and things in my love life, well they're looking pretty good these days too. I know over the last few days I've dropped a few references to my pirate, and I guess I just want to take a minute to share some good things. I know when it comes to my love life I don't usually share a whole lot, but I really want to today because my pirate deserves a lot of praise.

Thanks to CF, I met my pirate, and he and I are really enjoying each others company. I refer to him as my pirate for his privacy's sake, and will continue to do so, unless he should ever want to out himself. (If you happen to know what my pirate's given name is, please don't mention it... thanks!) Things with my pirate and I are still very new, and logistically we have a lot of things that we need to figure out, but regardless of whatever happens, I feel like it's really been a blessing that he and I met up. He treats me the way I should have been treated all along, and I know that now. He is a very complex, but wonderful person and I'm not 100% sure he knows just how much so. I have never had someone in my life who has done some of the things he's done, or has ever been as supportive as he is. He has been there to listen and allow me to vent, as well as be a sounding board for ideas, even if he doesn't fully understand things. He has been supportive of decisions I have needed to make, and although he knows that I am able to take care of myself, he has those characteristic sheepdog tendencies, and worries about me and tries to take care of me.

But perhaps what has just blown me away the most, is the amount of effort he is putting in. Despite the fact that he was my guest last weekend, he spent his time making dinner for me, whilst making a cake for my coworkers. He calls when he says he will, texts me to check up on my CF workouts (secretly, I think he just wants to make sure he can beat me... ;) ) and just texts me to tell me to have a good day. He has also gone out of his way to do things for me, like take the time to write me stories (how very me-esque!) and a few very thoughtful emails. I don't think that anyone has ever said anything to me that was as nice as the email he sent the other day. He created a list of the 50 things he liked about me. When I got to #34, I cried.

34. That you are beautiful, inside and out

#14 made me laugh, 14. That you are a Big Ten fan, and #13 was just nice to hear,13. That you are up front and honest. So, I know that this may all be a little lovey dovey, and a little sappy for me, as I know I don't normally enter this realm, but my pirate deserves a little extra shout out for all that he has done. I give him a very hearty yar matey! :) I hope he will continue to stick around, and that the desire to plunder the high seas does not take him away. Now, very quickly before I stop being sappy and get off this topic, guys, I am looking to do something nice for him, but am lacking on creativity since he's already used a lot of my ideas (how dare he! :P). What would you like someone to do for you just as a "thank you honey" kind of thing? (And don't say THAT because I already thought of THAT) I mean something a little more creative... :P Any ideas?

Now, today, should be a rest day. Honest I swear! I have another blog I want to write later, but we'll see if it gets done. I may take some active rest and go run (The HALF MARATHON IS LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY! Ack!) or I might just sleep until work tonight and enjoy my down time. So, we'll see...but tomorrow is a CF day (SUNDAY IS A CROSSFIT DAY! Said with Rugby chant enthusiasm... ;) ) so I'll def have some more stories after tomorrow. Yikes and away! Until next time... ;)

Remembering 9/11...

My view... standing on the Navy Pier in Chicago... a fitting picture for today

I'm sure that unless you are living in some sort of space bubble, you are aware that today is the anniversary of the biggest tragedy to ever rock the United States. And you know, I have to admit, at the time that it happened, I really didn't know what to think about 9/11. I was young, I was in college, and even though I like to consider myself a realitively intelligent person, I never really got just how much it was going to change my world. It was a beautiful day, much like the day in the picture above, and I had showered and gotten ready for class. I realized I had forgotten to call my mom back the night before, and I dialed her. I knew she'd be up. She wasn't a college student. I blabbered on about my Spanish test and class, and then asked her what was wrong. She sounded really sad. And she said, "Kate, don't you have any idea what is going on? Turn on the tv. We've been attacked." For the rest of the day, it was calls to dad. Have you heard from Ab? Did they evac her building (then in downtown DC)? Is Uncle Jer ok(then with the Pentagon)? It was scary, but still had not sunk in. It was sad, most definitely, but I never really understood fully the ramifications that that day was going to have. Growing older and moving out into the "real world" and meeting new people and having new experiences, has definitely changed my perspective on the whole thing.

I guess one thing that's had a big impact on that has been the experiences that I've had at CFOT and all the military people I've met. It makes me angry that my friends are being shot at because one group of people can't understand the concept of coexistance. I understand that my friends signed up for that, but at the same time, it does not warm my heart. Also, getting my first "real" teaching job has shifted my thinking too. I'm not a parent (yet, and when I do, they will all be PSU fans) but having a class full of 25 kids can, at times, make your parental instincts kick into high gear. It makes me angry that this morning I had the task of explaining to 8 year olds why they keep hearing things about 9/11, and explaining to them what really happened that day.

Instead, I want to protect them and allow them to live on thinking that nothing bad will ever happen to them or anyone in their family, but reality won't let me do that. If you've never tried to explain what happened on 9/11 without using a bunch of explatives and a bunch of really nasty names for people, believe me when I say it's not as easy as you would think. It makes me angry that I have to tell my kids about it. But, knowing all of the people in the services that I know now, I know that they are trying. They are doing the best that they can to keep people, myself and my kids included, safe. And I feel better knowing that I can at least reassure my kids that there are people out there working to make sure they are safe. I know that there are "sheepdogs" out there that stand between the sheep and the wolves circling them, every single day. I know that they do things that normal people wouldn't do, like carry a loaded weapon (concealed of course) so that should they ever find themselves in a situation, they are ready to handle it. They're the people that sleep between the door and their loved ones so that someone has to go through them first. They truly don't get enough credit for what they do, and as I grow older, I appreciate them much, much more.

To honor all the victims of this terrible day, as well as the sheepdogs who carry on, CFOT hit a special 9/11 workout. Today's pain felt like this:

"We Shall Never Forget"
Part 1: The Twin Towers
800 Meter run
10 rounds of
9 Burpees
11 Chins
Part 2: The Pentagon
800 Meter run
10 rounds of
9 KB High pull (45)
11 Jumping slamball (12 lb)

I finished this in 47:18. I thought that respectable, but I am sure I got smoked later by everyone else. But I did it RX'd. Despite all of my whining (and I'm sure I'm going to get flack for this) the burpees felt pretty smooth. Close to the end, I was hitting fatigue and I was pretty tired, but the ring dips yesterday took a lot out of me. The chins felt pretty smooth and I did 11 straight a few times, but mostly was able to hold sets of 8 then 3 add ons.

I have to say though that the swings and jumping slamballs did not go as quickly as I would have liked. My legs were pretty sore from the deadlifts on Tuesday and then the box jumps yesterday, but I still did ok. I finished, and on a day like today, that's what counts. Not that it matters, but I think I was the only person at zero dark thirty to go RX'd. A lot of people had to get to work and went with the express version which was 5 rounds, but the same numbers. It was really a lot of metcon but it felt alright today. Maybe the groove is coming back? We'll see, we'll see.

To all the fallen heroes and innocent victims... godspeed.