All Aboard!

After a super duper fun night at Charlicia’s Friday night – and FAR too much wine, I got up early on Saturday morning to make it to CFF’s Oly Lifting Class. My legs were pretty sore from the week, so I decided to work with Kirsten on my jerk. A few team Saturday’s ago, I hit a new PR of 60k on my jerk. I was hoping to surpass that, however as soon as I started warming up I felt it was going to be a “weak” day. I slowly climbed from 25k, 35k, 45k, 55k, and 60k. My first attempt at 55k failed. But I took a few moments of rest (well, more like I stopped for some gossiping…) and tried again. I got it over head no problem. I decided to go ahead and try 60k immediately since I was feeling pretty good. It was a successful lift, and unfortunately I ran out of time to add any more weight for another set. As soon as Bill began to write the teams up on the board I knew it was going to be an interesting day for me. I didn’t know any of my teammates. (I guess that means I need to get better at introducing myself!). My team included Kilo (or Chris – apparently he’s made a triumphant return to the Fort), Johnny, and Dan who I have never met, they are pretty fresh out of ramp-up. The WOD required your team (in pairs) to complete a 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m row, while your other pair of teammates were completing an AMRAP of 20 barrier hops (20”) and 20 push press (25k – for the ladies). I started at the AMRAP first, and flew through two rounds with my partner. However, after those two rounds I really started to feel those push presses, they got pretty heavy fast. Our predetermined strategy ended up going out the window and I just decided that as long as we had someone moving I was happy. We ended up with a combined ten rounds. I completed several of the barrier hops as it was my strong suite (I really like jumping!) Then it was time to head up to the rowers. Like an idiot, I pulled 500m the first round instead of 400m. Oops. Our team was the last to finish on the rowers, which really hurt our overall score. Bill took our overall time on the rower (in seconds) minus our number of rounds in the AMRAP, the lowest score won. We didn’t win, but I know we all got a GOOD workout in!

Sexy CFF Girlies at the Blues Bar!

he CrossFit Fire First Annual (ok – so I’m making that part up…however, it was a blast and hopefully we’ll make it an annual or even a seasonal thing!) Train Crawl was Saturday evening! We had a great showing – 32 of my fellow CrossForters came out to ride the rails and…well, uh PARTY! Let me tell you – it was a quite a show & I've got several battle wounds...maybe next time I won't insist that Zach give me so many piggyback rides! We all had a wonderful time and it was great to see some of you outside the fort and in a more sociable setting. Thanks to everyone that came out – it made my evening, truly! I would love to plan another so I’d like to hear your feedback. Although, according to Charlie our train crawl was only a scaled option B since it didn’t go all the way to the city. Maybe next time I’ll plan an “Rxd train crawl.” What do you all think?

Monday was a day off of work for me, thank you Dr. Martin Luther King! I worked out at the 8am and worked on my press for strength. We were supposed to complete 3 sets of five and attempt to do more than five on the last set. Unfortunately the bar got a little too heavy on my last set and I only was able to complete 4 reps. I didn’t dwell on the failure and just pumped myself up for the WOD. It was a two part AMRAP including wall balls (30 reps) & pull-ups (15 reps), and box jumps (30 reps) & ring dips (15 reps). I really wanted to complete two full rounds of the first AMRAP but my pull-ups slowed me down. I only got 1 round + 36 reps. I’m going to continue working on my dead hang in hopes of increasing my upper body strength. I knew I would do pretty well on the second part of the WOD because box jumps are a strength of mine. I ended up completing 2 rounds + 30 reps! I was pretty happy with my performance and knew I gave it all I had.

Today was a rough day back at work. But Zach was a doll and surprised me with homemade chicken salad wraps for lunch! It really made my afternoon to see him, plus the food was delicious!! We made our way to the 5er at the fort for some heavy deadlifting. I completed two sets of five at 71.5k, 82.5k and then the last set I was able to complete 7 reps at 93.5k. I am really looking forward to testing our new one rep max for deadlift. Before we started the “games programing” I was only able to DL 100k. And now my training max (85% of my old SRM) is at 110k! I’d love to make it up on the whiteboard for DL – it’s actually one of my CF goals this year. The WOD was another AMRAP tonight…15:00! Yeah, I know…seems crazy long right? But I actually liked this one. We had 5 power cleans (40k), 10 pistols (5 on each leg), and 15 sit-ups. I’m really starting to like heavy cleans, and pistols – well, they’re always fun! I was really proud of myself tonight for completing all of the pistols unassisted, this was first for me! I ended up getting 10 rounds + 15 reps. Overall, I was pleased with my performance and ecstatic I got the pistols!

Zach and I made our way home to my parents’ house (I’m babysitting my siblings for the week, my parents are in Mexico – lucky ducks!) to make a yummy paleo meal (flank steak and broccoli – YUM!) It was quite delicious if I do say so myself! Even my brother and sister liked it.

Zach and I have been gluten free for 18 days now. I am feeling so much better and stronger. We’ve decided to really cut down on the sugar as well since we want those BEACH BODS for spring break! I am really hoping to fit into the bikinis I bought…here’s hoping!