breaking PR's & rest days

Twice this week I broke a personal record, Deadlift and Push Press. I couldn't be more pumped over this! With the Deadlift I lifted 20# more than I had 3 weeks ago. That's a pretty large progress in such short time, I think anyway. But it makes me wonder if I was capable then to lift the extra 20#. Could I have progressed THAT much in 3 weeks? I'm not sure. This is a question to ask the coaches (I'll come back with an answer). As for the Push Press, I lifted 5# more than I had 10 days ago. Now that is progress I can comprehend. I'm amazed by how much weight I can move around in forms I had no idea I could do.

This photo was found on Pinterest.

So today I decided to take a rest day. Lately I have been hitting the box 5 times a week, typically Monday thru Friday. Yesterday, even though I managed to do 5# more in my Push Press, I noticed that I was not performing well. I don't know if it was because I was tired or sore, which my low back was from doing the Deadlifts the previous night. I gave the WOD last night my all, but I didn't feel like it was my all. Today I've been struggling with more soreness in my low back, possible shin splints, and heavy eyes. I'd say those are strong indicators that I take the night off and give my body the necessary break it needs. Remember, regardless of the activity you do, give your body a chance to recover and nourish it well.

"Continuous effort- not strength or intelligence- is the key to unlocking our potential"- Winston Churchill

so, what is CrossFit?

Good question. I get asked that a lot from those who hear I am a CrossFitter but have never actually seen someone do it. I've never been able to completely explain it right, there is so much involved in what we do. The exercises are so varied and we never do the same routine twice. I typically say, "it's elements of weightlifting, gymnastics, and functional movements." But here is a more detailed definition:

CrossFit advocates a mix of aerobic exercise, gymnastics (body weight exercises), and Olympic weightlifting. CrossFit describes its strength and conditioning program as "constantly varied, high intensity, functional movement," with the stated goal of improving fitness, which it defines as "work capacity across broad time and modal domains." Workouts are typically short -30 minutes or less- and intense, demanding all-out physical exertion. They combine movements such as sprinting, rowing, jumping rope, climbing rope, flipping tires, weightlifting, carrying heavy objects, and many bodyweight exercises; equipment used includes barbells, dumbbells, gymnastics rings, pull-up bars, kettlebells, medicine balls, and boxes for box jumps. These elements are mixed in numerous combinations to form prescribe "Workouts of the Day" or "WOD". Hour-long classes at affiliated gyms, or "boxes", typically include a warm-up, a skill development segment, the high-intensity WOD, and a period of individual or group stretching. Performance on each WOD is often scored and/or ranked to encourage competition and to track individual progress. Some affiliates offer additional classes, such as Olympic weightlifting, which are not centered around a WOD. The aim of CrossFit is to physically prepare people for whatever life might throw at them. -Wikipedia

Now that you have a better understanding of all that is involved, you think we're crazy don't you? I don't blame you. But remember, don't judge until you try it. Up for the challenge?

and so it begins again... hello there

It has been a long while since I last posted anything. I never had intentions of abandoning my blog. I didn't fall ill, or have a tragic life occurrence that kept me from blogging. Simply, I got lazy. It's the truth and I know most of you, if not all, have fallen trap to this dilemma. Life gets busy with this or that, we find ourselves in new relationships, or jobs, or hobbies. We say to ourselves, "Once everything settles down, I'll get back into it." Then a week goes by, a month, a few more months, and two years later here I am. I didn't completely stop being active, I just simply didn't give it my all anymore. Running was still an issue for me because of the ankle (which by the way is all better now), and the gym became a stale environment for me. I tried taking various classes like Zumba and Cycling, did what weight machines I knew how to. Quite frankly, I had no motivation. Aaron was always, and still is, a great supporter (and fabulous boyfriend). He would always suggest things like playing tennis, or going for more hikes to get me out there. But I needed more, I knew this.

In May of this year Aaron brought up CrossFit, for the billionth time, in conversation of things he would love to try out. I was aware of CrossFit, honestly who hasn't heard about it by now, but I never had a desire to look into it. I had never gave myself a moment to really think about what CrossFit really is. Well on Aaron's billion and one mention of it, I secretly googled CrossFit and learned more about it. By the video's I saw, I was intimidated right away. I actually thought that maybe I should go work out at my local gym and get into shape for CrossFit. How absurd, right? Don't laugh, the sad thing is many people think that way. I searched for some local CrossFit gyms, read up on them, and decided to pay a visit to one. Aaron was beyond excited to hear my interest, and it didn't take much to get him to go with me.

We arrived at CrossFit Stumptown and were immediately greeted by Ashley. She began to tell us about the box (that is gym for you non-crossfitters) and some of its history, and stated that we could stay and watch a class that was about to begin. She introduced us to Joon, one of the coaches there and he was awesome from the get-go. As the class was in session, being taught by the other coach and owner of this box, Tony, he explained to us what was going on. We asked questions, he answered honestly without hype. I surveyed the men and women that were clearly working their butts off and sweating almost immediately. I was amazed at the variety of people. There were all shapes and sizes, genders, colors, etc... I knew that I would feel quite welcomed here if I decided to join. Joon explained that by looking at any individual working out at that moment you could not gather who was stronger than the next. Simply put, we all have strengths and weaknesses, and working out there you will quickly learn what yours are and begin to work on them.

At home Aaron and I talked about what we learned and if this is something we wanted to try. And if we could afford to do it as well, it's not a secret that CrossFit can be a little pricey. We were given some time to try out some classes to see if this was the "thing" and the "place" for us. It took me a week after my first class to attend my second, my legs were pretty worthless. My second and third classes made me so nauseous, I was miserable, yet I went back for a fourth, fifth, and so on. I was hooked, so much so I became a member right away and get annoyed when I can't attend a class. I guess you can say I drank the kool-aid.

So now I'm on a new journey, one I am sharing with Aaron... and with you. I don't where this road will lead me, but I know that what has been revealed already only makes me want to keep going. I've changed, mentally and physically already, in ways I can never explain. I hope you will stay tuned...

a dog of a mountain

Last week my boyfriend and I decided to go on a hike. He'd been talking about doing some hiking on the Washington side of the Gorge. I had only ever been on the Oregon side, so I was totally up for going somewhere new. What I didn't anticipate was how difficult the hike would be. I'm not entirely sure if he truly new this was a, as some sites call it, "strenuous" hike but had I learned of it's difficulty level, I probably wouldn't have done it. Maybe he did to, hmm. So off we went on our little adventure, took I-84 up through the Gorge, crossed over the Bridge of the Gods, and then up HWY 14 until we hit milepost 53- Dog Mountain. The ride up there alone is a beautiful one, with the abundance of beautiful trees and the big mountains, some peaks still covered in snow. I would have been content with the drive alone, but we were on a mission. At this point my running has been very little since my race in March. I still have issues with my right ankle from time to time. I wasn't really concerned that this 7.1 mile roundtrip hike would cause any problems. We get parked, situated, and start our way up. My boyfriend explains to me that the first mile up is the steepest, after that it shouldn't be so bad. I'm thinking this wasn't going to be so bad. The goal of Dog Mountain is to reach the top of this particular mountain. From the ground, it didn't look too big so I figured this would be like hiking up Multnomah Falls, except a little longer. What I failed to see on our way up was this...

Needless to say, the first mile was very steep. I stopped several times and had already tapped into my water. I swear the first mile alone felt like a million miles to me, my calves were so tight that I had to keep stopping and stretch them out. Nothing like an intense hike to tell you to get your ass into the gym more often! We finally reach a point in the hike where there is a fork and we have to decide which way we will go. Both paths ultimately lead to the top, and typically one is considered easy and the other hard. In this case, my options were "More Difficult" or "Less Difficult", either way it was going to be a difficult hike up. The "more" difficult path is shorter but steeper and the "less" difficult path is longer but a gradual climb. Naturally I opted for the lesser of two evils and gave my boyfriend a look. He smiled. Not even 5 minutes into my chosen path and I felt like I was dying, well my legs were anyway. Gradual my ass, it felt just as steep as the first mile in, I didn't even want to think about how difficult the "more" path was! Just as I'm starting to feel like I want to give up and go back to the car, we reach a clearing and  I get to see this...

Could you ever imagine such a view? I mean I've hiked up Multnomah Falls and thought that was an amazing view, and I've driven up to the Vista House on Crowne Point and thought that was a spectacular view, but this... there are no words. I assure you though, this wasn't the end of the hike. I was informed that we still had more to go, this was not the summit! What?! How could it ever get any better than this?! My boyfriend proceeded to point out where the summit was...

The summit is at the very top on the mountain in back.

So onward we went. By this point, I'm really feeling my calves and am constantly having to stretch my right calf. My quads are burning a tremendous amount, my feet are feeling a bit tired but overall I'm doing alright. Not even my right ankle is bothering me, so I muster through (with a bit of complaining and whining from time to time of course). We come to a point where there is another clearing and more outrageous views of the Gorge. I'm blown away by how high we've gone, that I managed to actually make it this far (and managed to drink all of my water up). This is what I saw...

No words I tell you, no words. The summit isn't too far off, but there is also a threat of rain now. Clouds are hovering over the mountains on the Oregon side of the Gorge and could very well be on there way to us. So we push forward to the summit. I almost can not believe that we actually made it. I'm so tired by this point that all I want to do is sit and breathe. We find a spot, rather I scout one out and plop myself down and we marvel at the view ahead of us as we snack on our grub. 

Eventually we begin to feel some of the rain drifting on over from the winds. The breeze up on the summit is a bit nippy and the clouds began to cover the sun up some. So it was time to say goodbye to the view and head our way back down. Back down the wide and narrow paths. The occasional passing of dogs, small and large. The moving aside for a runner on his or her way down. The mud that I was certain I'd slip and fall in but never did. Reaching the fork to decide whether we'd take the "Most Difficult" or "Less Difficult" route, I still chose the lesser of two evils. At some points we took off running down the path, and it felt good running. It actually felt better on my knees and right ankle to run then to just harshly walk down the steep paths. We made it out of the mountain without a scratch, and just as I can see the cars in the parking lot. Just as relief that I have made and am about to sit down in the comfort of my car, the inevitable happens! I slip and fall. Would we expect anything less from me? I did however, manage to go on this trek without hitting my head- yay me! The fall wasn't a bad one and my boyfriend actually caught my elbow and broke my fall pretty well. So no damage done. We laughed and headed our way out. 

The next day the soreness was quite obvious. My ankle was a bit sore but nothing like how I'd expected it to be. It was the following day that the soreness really kicked in. I started to feel parts of my body I hadn't felt in a very long time. And my ankle swelled up pretty bad as well. This hike was definitely a brutal one on my body, but it was a wondrous one to my spirit! I absolutely have every (insanely) desire to hike Dog Mountain again this summer. This time, I will be better prepared...

easing my way back in

It's been a long while since I've posted anything, but then there hasn't been much progress to post. I have no one else to blame for this but myself. In truth, it's been a rough start to the 2011 year. I can comfortably say that the rough patch has passed and in recent days I've been all smiles. It's a good feeling to be happy, genuinely happy. But I have faltered in a few areas of my life, things I'm not necessarily proud of but things that won't break me but make me stronger, and wiser. There have been some new people that have been introduced to my life, who've opened my eyes to other possibilities and experiences. And then there have been some wonderful people that have been re-introduced into my life that have brought a world of new depths and ideas. All of this has been quite invigorating to my senses. My mind feels as if it's been flooded with ideas, new desires and goals, a whole new possible path has been lit. There has been some change in my world, and I feel more change will happen in the coming months. What my new wants will lead to is uncertain at the moment, but what I do know is that I'm excited to learn more. Do more. Be more.

One big change that is now in effect is balance. Getting back on track on what I need to do to be centered and healthy. I'm starting this by getting back into yoga at least once a week. The lack of meditation and quiet in my life is obvious to me. Next is getting back to being strict with my food journal. I have this wonderful trainer, but she can't help me if I don't do the very simple things she asks of me. The biggest thing to remember is to not become overwhelmed with it all, to ease back into it all... slowly.

And did I mention that I am happy?