Speedplay

Well, I get an A for effort...

My run got interrupted at 4:45 this morning.  Was a mile and a half into it...

Was supposed to do five one mile repeats at 10K pace, total 7 miles.  It would have been hard.  I'll find out next Tuesday...

What can you do?  Life sometimes gets in the way, dammit.

Crossfit WOD

AMRAP in 12 minutes of:

• Squat Clean Thruster (CLUSTERS) 135#/85# - 20 reps
• CLUSTERS 165#/105# - 15 reps
• CLUSTERS 185#/125# - as many as you can until the time ends

Core - 4 max effort L-Holds

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20 reps @ 63# + 15 reps @ 83# + 9 reps @ 93# = 44 reps total

L-hold: 25, 15, 20, 18 seconds.

Starting at 85# and ending at 125#?!  Maybe, one day.  I didn't sleep much at all last night, so was proud of my CLUSTER performance.  It was heavy, but I got that bar over my head and (whew!) didn't drop it on my myself.  

It was good to be back working out around my pals!

Crossfit WOD (on the road)

7 minutes of burpees.  I did 100.

Was happy to get to 100 as the evening was hot and humid, my feet were in the sand, and I had had a double scoop of ice cream a few hours before!  Glad not to skip the workout, but reminded me of how diet helps sharpen performance.  Or not...

But it's summer and it was the last day of vacation, so...oh well.

I think my PR for this 7 minutes of burpees WOD (which I do at home every other month or so) is about 112.

Long Run

14 miles.  120 minutes.  8 1/2 min pace.

14 very warm miles along the busy Currituck highway at 6 AM.  Did it in 2 hours...that's 8 1/2 minutes per mile!  Officially too fast, but...I was having fun so just decided that as long as I didn't slow down at the end, I should keep up the pace.

Running away from home is always a good thing.  It either breathes some fresh life into my miles and gives me some awesome scenery or, as in this morning, makes me appreciate what I've got at home.  I love the beach and appreciate the time near the shore.  But my idea of a fun run really doesn't involve a mostly flat out and back along a two-lane road.  It makes me appreciate the area in Virginia where we live, where I can drive 10 minutes to a handful of different trails that zig zag around and up and down and back again.  If I had to choose today for the rest of my life, mountains or beach, I'd choose mountains.  I wouldn't need time to think.  (And if there was a lake near those mountains in which I could jump after a long run...consider me there.)

But it was hot and humid this morning.  Probably about 75-ish degrees and 90% humidity.  Yes, I wore sunscreen even though half of my run was done before the sun came up.  I was looking everywhere for a sprinkler that I could put my hat into and then put it back on my head; I love the refreshing feeling of a cold-water hat!  But every where I looked, it seemed that the too-manicured yards had just been watered.  And the too-expensive in-ground sprinkler system turned off just as I approached.  Humph.

Finally, as I neared the turn-around point (which was mapped out in my car a few days before) I saw a sprinkler that was ON.  Hoorah!  I took my hat off and, and a few feet from some watery relief, I slowed to a walk.  As I reached my hat out, the sprinkler turned off.  I laughed out loud!  But as the Sprinkler Gods laughed at me, I looked 'em in the eye and cursed them.  I didn't need any sprinklers to have a good run.  Take THAT!

Speedplay

I got to sleep in today...until 5:30.  And I got to do speedwork outside rather than in my basement on my treadmill.  Both very good things.  I'm a lucky girl.  When I started it was still dark, the moon and a few stars out.  I was the only runner on the road.  Fun, fun, fun.  Temp was mid-70s, definitely 90%ish humidity.

Yasso 800s.  If you don't know what these are, click here to find out.  My goal for the Yasso 800 is 3:30.  I did 5 this morning--total of 5 1/2 or 6 miles--and I think I'll work my way up to 8.  The first was pretty easy and the next four were tough.

Here were my results:
3:18 (normal me...going out too fast)
3:40 (hmmm...slowed down to much)
3:40ish (where was the 1/2 mile marker??!  MIA...)
3:35 (close!  very close.)
3:31 (ended well...I like that).

Nice to have worked out--hard--and done by 6:36 AM.

Crossfit WOD (on the road)

Crossfit Reston has this handy sheet of WODs for those people who want to keep up some Crossfit-like workouts on the road.  As I hardly ever travel, I only look at it when I can't get out of my house to the "box."  (Still seems strange not calling it a gym.)  But I'm at the beach for the week, and I'm not sure if the Crossfit at the Outerbanks is worth the drive.  Rather than take the time away from my family, I looked at the 35 WODs and chose this one for today:

Perform rounds of 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2- and then 1 reps of:

• Burpees
• Squats
• Hand release push-ups

The countdown workouts always seem easy until you get to 7 and realize how far you have to go...!

Did it in 7:31.

I did this on the beach, while my kids were in the "foamy" state--in between awake and asleep--and other families were still out on the beach, fishing or walking their dogs or just hanging out.  I did it on a towel but that didn't keep the sand from getting all over my stomach and legs and hands and even my hair.  Not sure how that happened, but I'll probably be washing it out for a few days...

Crossfit WOD

Teams of 2. AMRAP in 15 minutes of:

• Row 250M
• Wall ball shots (20#/14#)

At 3,2,1,go - Team member #1 starts rowing and Team member #2 starts doing WBS. When TM#1 completes 250M - they switch stations. This continues on for the entire workout. Score is total number of wall ball shots completed.

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246.  Rx for me.  

Fun workout--doable but still tough.  My partner Eric is completing his third week so it was fun to urge him on.  He should have done heavier than 14# medball, but...the trainer said to do 14# so he was doing 14#...

Long Run

W&OD.  12 miles.  1:43, turns out to 8:40ish minute miles.

No iPod today--wanted to make sure my head was on straight and I could push through.  I think I was one of the only on the trail without some sort of electronic device.  I can't use one in the Marine Corps so I am trying not to use one every long run.  On the W&OD I'm tempted to use one but usually run too quickly when I'm listening to fun music.  So it's just me, my thoughts and my footsteps out there.

I had to take Wednesday off as well as Thursday this week to prepare myself for a fun medical procedure that required me to fast and then make myself pretty dehydrated.  The second part of Thursday was spent recovering, taking a blessedly sweet nap in the afternoon and drinking more water than I thought my body could handle. I did all the right stuff and ran really well.

Speedplay: Hills

It was my second attempt at the Sisyphus Session.  It went better this time, despite legs so tired going down stairs is uncomfortable.  I modified it a bit, starting at level 3 rather than 4, and added a minute of recovery between sets.  I also added another minute to that before the last set--I needed a little more time to get mentally ready.

But that's what the marathon is all about--running on tired legs when your brain is telling you to stop.  Pushing on, believing you can do it--knowing you can.

Here was this morning's workout, started around 4:40 AM:


The Sisyphus Session

Warm up (wake up) 10 minutes (8:50ish pace)

Set 1 (8:27 pace):
30 seconds @ 3 percent incline
30 seconds @ 1 percent incline
60 seconds @ 3 percent incline
60 seconds @ 1 percent incline
90 seconds @ 3 percent incline
90 seconds @ 1 percent incline

3 minutes easy (8:34 pace), 1 percent incline


Set 2 (8:27 pace):
30 seconds @ 4 percent incline
30 seconds @ 2 percent incline
60 seconds @ 4 percent incline
60 seconds @ 2 percent incline
90 seconds @ 4 percent incline
90 seconds @ 2 percent incline

3 minutes easy (8:34 pace), 1 percent incline

Set 3 (8:27 pace):

30 seconds @ 5 percent incline
30 seconds @ 3 percent incline
60 seconds @ 5 percent incline
60 seconds @ 3 percent incline
90 seconds @ 5 percent incline
90 seconds @ 3 percent incline


2 minutes easy (8:34 pace), 1 percent incline

Set 4 (8:27 pace):
30 seconds @ 6 percent incline
30 seconds @ 4 percent incline
60 seconds @ 6 percent incline
60 seconds @ 4 percent incline

90 seconds @ 6 percent incline
90 seconds @ 4 percent incline


3 minutes easy (8:34 pace), 1 percent incline

about 8 minutes cool down, slowing gradually to 9:05 pace

52 minutes-ish...can't remember exactly. 6 miles.

My soaked shorts and jogbra are hanging on my tub.

Crossfit WOD

Tabata Intervals. 8 rounds of each exercise before rotation. Every Rep Counts.

• C2B Pull ups
• Hand Release Push Ups
• Air Squats
• Burpees

Core - 2 rounds of 30 unbroken GHD Sit Ups

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33, 64, 128, 150 = 275. 

Not too shabby, though Chest to bar pull-ups were just regular pull-ups.  Those and the hand release push ups are places I could have done better.

Recovery Run

Just a short three miler on the treadmill this evening. 26ish minutes.  Just time to think.

Yesterday's humorously hellacious WOD has left me battered and bruised.  The inside of my right thigh is black and blue from all those rope climbs, and my legs are toast from...I'm guessing the run, a mile total, lugging a Kiefer-weighted bag on my back.  

But how could I not run today?  The Women's Olympic Marathon early this morning was so inspirational.  Their effort was so impressive.  I was sad for Kara Goucher that she dropped back early as I know her goals were loftier than her results--same goes for Shalane Flanigan.  Heart-breaking, really.  My older son asked me if I could run as fast as the women in the marathon.  I laughed!  Nope, I said, they are running almost TWICE as fast as I do in marathons.  So humbling!

One of these years an American will be on the podium again.  Only two have been there before: Joan Benoit Samuelson, gold, in the debut women's marathon in 1984 and Deena Kastor, bronze, in 2004.  (I cried like a baby when she crossed the finish line.)

I'm not a night runner, but I ran around 8 PM tonight.  After a dinner, which consisted of: burger with brie & honey mustard and a stout.  And then some gelato, bacio flavored in case you wondered.  It was a calorie-filled weekend, so I was glad to finish the weekend with a good, healthy run.

Crossfit WOD

31 Heroes WOD

As Many Reps As Possible in 31 minutes of (Teams of 2):

• 8 Thrusters (155#/105#)
• 6 rope climbs
• 11 Box jumps (30"/24")

Partner #1 does this while partner #2 picks up a sandbag (45#/25#) and does a 400M sandbag run. When partner #2 completes run, partner #1 picks up the sandbag and does the run, and partner #2 continues wherever partner #1 left of in AMRAP.

Team score is total number of reps completed.

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The 31 Heroes Project came about in response to the Chinook helicopter crash that took place on August 6, 2011 killing 30 military service members and one military working dog.  The WOD is 31 minutes long to honor the 31 heroes who died--one minute for each hero.  There's a whole lot more information about it here in case you're curious.  It's a partner WOD for those who had a partner for obvious reasons--when you're in the military, everything is about the life of your buddy.  His life is in yours, and your life is in his.  Literally.  

Though it was a partner WOD, I had no partner.  I didn't realize that 99% of the participants--um, all but me--had called their friends ahead of time and prearranged teams.  Oops.  So I did it by myself, which did seem fitting for where I am in this moment of my life.  It wasn't a huge variation of what's listed above.  I just started with the 400M run and went through the rest of the skills after that.  

We had to come up with a team name--anything patriotic.  Others chose Apple Pie, Team America, and Patriots.  I wanted to think of something clever and, since I was by myself, something befitting of that.  So, I was Team George.  George Washington exemplified what one leader can do, right?  So I wanted to show--mostly myself--what I could do.  In retrospect, if I had realized that there was a canine involved in the heroes project, I would have named my team o' one "Sweetlips" because that was the George's favorite dogs (of many--he was a dog lover.  He once returned his enemy's dog at the end of a battle.  Read about it in this children's book.  Alas, calling out "Sweetlips!" at the end of each round sounded a little risque, so...I went with George.  

So it started.  I am a pretty tough gal, but this WOD really tried to knock me flat.  The run was fine--my youngest son weighs 25 pounds, so that wasn't bad--I have training for that weighted run all day, every day. The box jumps are one of my strengths.  I chose a lighter weight for the thrusters; I went with just 55#.  I wish I had done more, at least 75#.  

But the rope climbs.  Damn!  The rope climbs.  I actually like climbing ropes in WODs and am pretty proud of the fact that I'm able to scramble up and down them.  But I've never done so many, and it's been months and months since I've done them.  I think I spent half of these 31 minutes just staring at the rope, thinking lots of thoughts about how it was me vs the rope.  You can do it.  You can do it.  You can do it.  No complicated mantra here.  

During one break from the 6 rope climbs I walked away from them a little and saw a book lying on a bench. It must have been from one of the kids whose parents come to workout, and their kid sits on the side and reads or, more likely, plays on some cool device that starts with an "i" that I would never let my kids have.  This book was The Book of Manners for Good Girls.  My mind kind of swirled and my gumption shot up. That was me and still is me--a good girl.  Who was always focused on good manners.  But maybe too much.  We so often look at our girls and tell them to quiet down, stay clean, say please and thank you, follow directions while their brotherly counterparts have more flexible rules because of more flexible expectations.  

I attacked the rope the next few times thinking of what I wanted for my daughter, and other girls--to be tough, to try things they might think they can't do, to yell from the rooftops, to laugh in an undignified manner, to get as messy as the boys.

Anyway, long story short: I almost got 4 rounds, by myself.  I was two box jumps short. Uncharacteristically of me, I fell on the box and just couldn't get up.  I had tears in my eyes and was super emotional about the whole thing, from the WOD but also from the week.  

Long Run

The best laid plans of mice and men... often go awry.

Well, I aimed to do 14 miles but life got in the way.  Hiked for 2 hours on the Pacific Heritage Trail while talking to dear ol' mom.  It was gorgeous and good to be out for that long...I think I ran for about 30 minutes at the end.

What can you do?

Crossfit WOD

AMRAP in 15 minutes of:

• 6 pull ups
• 8 T2B
• 10 SDHP (70#KB/53#KB)

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7 rounds, Rx.  Was happy to Rx this sucker...it looks so easy written there.  But it's three grip skills--and my right hand is definitely paying the price for that, and for my stubborness in switching to ring rows once I started feeling some pain.

My toes to bar are getting a little better, but I'm still not able to do them one after the other after the other.  I think this and double unders should be my focus for the rest of the summer.  SHOULD be!  

I'm hoping my hand is better before Saturday, when the WOD includes rope climbs.  And I think it's 30 minutes long or something like that.  I'm not sure if I should look and then know what to expect or just show up, and be ready for anything.  Hmm...in the meantime, I'll hopefully sleep better and more tonight, take the day off tomorrow, and just run on Friday.

My first day at 36.  I'm pretty happy with where I'm at, physically.  Best shape of my life, feeling tough and strong and capable.  Lucky me.

Speedplay: Hills

It's my 36th birthday today, so I had to do something with 36 in it.  So...  36 minute workout, which turned out to be 4.2 miles.

Warm up 10 minutes

Four sets of:
1 minute at 3%
1 minute at 4%
1 minute at 5%
2 minutes at 1% recovery

6 minute cool down

Sorta Crossfit-like workout now that I look at it!  It was an easier version of last week's hill treadmill workout...  I haven't been sleeping well and much, so I have to be careful not to overdo it.  I'm not good at taking rest days.

But happy birthday, me.  :)

Crossfit WOD

For time:

• 20 shoulder presses 95#/65#
• 400 m run
• 15 push presses 135#/95#
• 400m run
• 10 push jerks 165#/105#
• 400m run

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10:11.  Didn't Rx.  I think I could have though it would definitely have taken me five more minutes, but it would have been a struggle and my back doesn't feel 100%. Better not to push it, I think.  And I hate just standing there, staring at the bar.  

55# for shoulder presses (did 65# last week and my back did NOT feel swell afterwards)

65# for push press (had 85# ready but nearly fell over when I lifted it for the first time)

85# for push jerk (I earn the slacker award for this.  Coulda shoulda done 95#...next time!)

Glad that it's week four in marathon training...  I had a slow week last week for a few reasons, some physical but more mental reasons.  I'm still focused and in great shape, and looking forward to getting past the hillwork of this week and next and getting to speedwork.  So I can be a speed demon at oh-dark-thirty!

Crossfit WOD

Well...Crossfit Reston is closed today, so...I took a day off.  Tomorrow I'll go for a 3 or 4 mile jaunt, maybe at night.  I've never done that before, or if I have I can't remember.  Not super safe for a woman running alone, but...

(Mary Chapen Carpenter's "I Take My Chances."  My favorite song.  Ever.)

Long Run

8 miles, Seneca.  1:12.  That's 9 minute miles on the dot.  Damn!  Right on the mark.

The main trail that I do is four miles, out and back.  So I did it twice.  I meant to run the same time, or aim to be faster the second time, but my head was too full of thoughts and I forgot to check my watch.

Because of scheduling purposes (darn it when life gets in the way of my running and training) I couldn't do 14 miles today, so I switched it up and will run that next week.

It was supposed to be bloody hot (best said in an accent I don't actually have); heat index near 100 or something.  I like the heat--I am someone who is constantly cold, constantly wearing a sweatshirt around our too-cold, a/c-pumped-up-too-high house--and I love to run in just a jog bra and shorts.  I was going to do the W&OD today but because it's hardly shaded, I opted for the well-known Seneca.  It was about 85 when I ran, but didn't feel too bad.  I was drenched by the time I stopped, though, and shamelessly took off my soaked jog bra and threw a shirt on before taking off to my next destination, where I changed from sweaty runner to sundress-wearing lady.  But I was happy to be a sweaty runner underneath.

That night I went to a Legwarmers concert with some of my girlfriends.  I yelled the words out as if I knew them (I'm horrible at remembering lyrics) and broke out some dance moves that have gathered too much dust.  I drank way too much and danced like a crazy person with them.  The night ended way too soon!  At 1 AM.  :)

In case you don't know me, I'm the second from the left.

Off Day.

Wish I could report that after a miserable night's sleep my long mid-morning nap was sandwiched between breakfast in bed and a massage.

Nope.  Took my sons and one of their friends hiking at Riverbend Park.

This actually translates into: watching two three year olds run ahead of me on the way out and calling to them for "quick feet!" on the way back, and carrying a 26-pound squirmy screamer on my back.  It was fun, though; was happy to get out of the house on a day that will soon be miserably hot.

Crossfit WOD

3 rounds for time of:

• 20 KB Swings ( 70#/53#)
• 30 Anchored Sit ups
• 400M run

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10:56.  Rx.


My first time doing 53#...I attempted it once before but nearly killed somebody when I dropped it.  A secondary accomplishment today: not decapitating anyone during those 60 swings, most of which were good, some just so-so.  I'll take that.  Had some stuff to work out so to speak, so glad there was some running involved, though my legs were heavy and I was slow from yesterday's 'mill hills and today's swings.  


Still, happy to be there.  Grateful to have a strong heart.

Speedplay: Hill workout

The Sisyphus Session

Warm up (wake up) 10 minutes (8:50ish pace)

Set 1 (8:27 pace):
30 seconds @ 4 percent incline
30 seconds @ 2 percent incline
60 seconds @ 4 percent incline
60 seconds @ 2 percent incline
90 seconds @ 4 percent incline
90 seconds @ 2 percent incline

2 minutes easy (8:34 pace), 1 percent incline


Set 2 (8:27 pace):
30 seconds @ 5 percent incline
30 seconds @ 3 percent incline
60 seconds @ 5 percent incline
60 seconds @ 3 percent incline
90 seconds @ 5 percent incline
90 seconds @ 3 percent incline

2 minutes easy (8:34 pace), 1 percent incline

Set 3 (8:27 pace):
30 seconds @ 6 percent incline
30 seconds @ 4 percent incline
60 seconds @ 6 percent incline
60 seconds @ 4 percent incline
90 seconds @ 6 percent incline
90 seconds @ 4 percent incline

2 minutes easy (8:34 pace), 1 percent incline

Set 4 (8:27 pace):
30 seconds @ 7 percent incline
30 seconds @ 5 percent incline
60 seconds @ 7 percent incline
60 seconds @ 5 percent incline

3 minutes easy (8:34 pace), 1 percent incline

5 minutes cool down, slowing gradually to 9:05 pace

43 minutes-ish...can't remember exactly. 5 miles.


Adapted to the treadmill from the workout found at http://running.competitor.com/2012/02/training/workout-of-the-week-the-sisyphus-session_22493

MAN would I kill to do this workout at the place where they took the picture in the link above.  Ugh.  Trying to appreciate what I've got--beyond amazing health and strong legs--but seriously, one day I will run in California.  One day.  And can I just move to Colorado tomorrow?!

Anyway, this was another tough workout, and would have been at any time of the day.  It was so tough, though, that it went by quickly.  Had to focus pretty hard on getting through it.  Now I have to stay hydrated through the day, and try and roll out on my trusty rusty foam roller later tonight after kids' bedtime.  Which I am already looking forward to...is that bad?

Definitely try out this workout.  If you do the last 90 second on the fourth set, I'll send you a gold star...

Article: Can Crossfit make you a faster runner?

http://running.competitor.com/2012/07/training/can-crossfit-make-you-a-better-runner_54325

They think...not so much.  But some of the explosive training stuff (think: box jumps and jump rope and squats) help.  And making your body strong sure can't hurt...

I dunno.  I think it helps me more than this article says, but I only know my own anecdotal, work-in-progress evidence.

I will report that my body looks much better than it did just with running!  ;)

Crossfit WOD

AMR(reps)AP in 12 minutes of:

• Hang squat clean (135#/85#) 20 reps
• Hang squat clean (15#/105#) 20 reps
• Hang squat clean (195#/125#) as many reps as you can until the time expires
  

Core - 4 rounds of Toes-to-Bar to failure. Rest as needed between rounds

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20 @ 63#
20 @ 73#
13 @ 83#


I'm satisfied with my effort and results, but next time I'll start at 73.  Or 75.  The whole rounding up (do you really need to add the two plates of .5# on each end?) thing bugs me.  It feels like I'm cheating.  So I report honestly...this time.


Glad to practice my toes to bar, which I'd really like to master because I think I have the core strength.  Grip strength and kip are the issues...dammit!


For the four rounds of T2B: 10, 5, 6, 6.

Recovery Run

Um...there was no recovery run today.  Instead, I simply recovered from my week!  Something behind my right knee feels like it was stretched too much...

The ignorance loaded in that half of a sentence makes me smile.

It actually has hurt since my fun treadmill hill workout on Tuesday.  So just two running days for me this week, which is fine.

17 miles this week again, this time in two runs.  Good WODs.  Looking forward to week three...

Crossfit WOD

Teams of 2. Only 1 team member working at a time.

AMRAP in 12 minutes of:

• 20 SDHP's (75#/55#)
• 20 Push Jerks (115#/75#)

Every minute, both team members do five pull ups.

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Team names were famous pairs.  Our team name was Bert & Ernie...inspired by my fan club. my kids, who came to watch and support (with my husband).  

Five rounds + 13 reps.  55 pull-ups total.  Kipping was good and strong today.  My fifth pull-up the last few minutes was questionable, but...

Funny thing is that this WOD would have been much better if the weights had been as listed above.  But someone wrote on the white board 35# and 45# for women...not sure if that was the newcomer weights or what.  We did 35#, which felt strange and light--I kept running to look at the whiteboard to make sure that was right.  So my partner and I did SUPER light weight, but...she was new and it was still fun, and the pull-ups guaranteed a good workout.  55 of those and my arms will be feeling it tomorrow.  And WHEW I won't be too muscle-y because I didn't lift heavy.  God forbid a woman have too many muscles...

Long Run

12 miles.  C&O Canal (one of my top two favorite places to run...other is Potomac Heritage Trail).  1 hour, 45 minutes.  8:40 minute pace.  A little fast.  Oops.

Got lucky with the weather, again.  About 75 degrees, not too muggy...clouds overhead were ominous, but it never rained while I was out on the towpath.

Thoughts while running:

• Lots of guys out, especially boy-scout-looking groups biking.  About a dozen with a few fathers along for the ride (literally).  Was happy that they were getting out together, but...where were the girls?  What are the girl scouts doing today?  Please don't tell me going to a ballet or something lame and inactive like that.  Blech.  And then there were about four mother-son teams, running and walking.  Again: WHERE ARE THE GIRLS?!  
• So I'm a rule follower.  Can I be a free thinker, ever?  I'm good at following directions and realize that, at age 35, I should probably start thinking for myself sometime soon.  If I don't, I'll never do it and I'll be going with the current for the rest of my life.  Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?  How do I know if the current is good?  Is it possible to be both a rule follower (I totally blame my Catholic upbringing for this one) AND a free thinker, a I-walk-my-own-walk type of gal?  Hmmm...
• Working on a children's book in my head.  Stay tuned.  Must churn out rough draft this weekend.  Or I'm not sleeping on Sunday night until I do.  I can't just blog for the rest of my life...

I totally pulled a presto-chango at the end of the run.  I had fifteen minutes to change from a sweaty mess to a lady who lunches.  The added challenge?  I couldn't go home to do it--I needed to use the fairly icky C&O bathroom at the picnic area at Carderock.  Luckily it was cleaned while I was running, so the ickiness factor was lower than normal.  It's hard to stop sweating while in a non-ventilated, non-air conditioned outdoor bathroom, but I managed to wet down my washcloth, get it soapy, and do a little Ranger shower.  I pulled off my nasty-ass running clothes and put on my nice clean clothes, went a little crazy with perfume (Stella, just a sample) so you couldn't smell my sweat, and pulled my hair up and back in a bun.  Make-up would come later, after I gobbled down a pre-lunch apple and almond butter snack in the parking lot of the lunch spot.  Luckily the other lady who lunches and I are on hand-shaking terms, not hugging terms, so she wouldn't have to get too close...

On my way to the car it started to drizzle.  As I was thinking how lucky I am, a huge wasp zoomed and disappeared into my car.  Well...you win some, you lose some.

Crossfit WOD

4 rounds for time of:

• 10 hand release push ups
• 10 Shoulder presses ( 75#/55#)
• 200M run
  

Rest 2 minutes betyween rounds.

Core - 5 max effort L-Holds or 50 ABMAT sit ups

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1:20, 1:44, 2:42, 2:38.  Rx.

I'm not sure I should have Rx'ed this...my back was all askew during it.  The two trainers had a mini-debate on whether or not I should have lowered the weight.  I was about to, but head trainer Maggie told me to stop.  Maggie is someone you do NOT question.  I had to rest between reps on all sets but the first.  I came in last--yeah, yeah, I know I'm supposed to only be competing against myself, but finishing any workout last is NOT something I am used to doing.  And I don't like humble pie.

My best L-hold (hanging from pull-up bar with legs straight out in front of me) was 30 seconds.  Average was about 23 or 25.

But after a tough hill workout yesterday morning, I am okay with the results above.  Not thrilled, but....  I'll sleep just fine tonight and enjoy my well-earned rest day.

Speedplay: Hills

My morning...

4:30.  Stumble out of bed and into running clothes.


4:35.  While lacing up, watch this:

4:40.  Hop on treadmill.


Here was my workout:


Warm up 10 minutes (9 min to 8:34, the pace at which I did the rest of the workout)


Set 1: steady pace 1 minute each @ 4, 5 and 6 percent incline
2 minutes recovery @ 1 percent incline


Set 2: steady pace 1 minute each @ 5, 6 and 7 percent incline
2-3 minutes recovery @ 1 percent incline


Set 3: steady pace 1 minute each @ 6, 7 and 8 percent incline
2 minutes recovery @ 1 percent incline


Set 4: steady pace 1 minute each @ 7, 6 and 5 percent incline
2 minutes recovery @ 1 percent incline


Set 5: steady pace 1 minute each @ 3, 4, and 5 percent incline
2-3 minutes recovery @ 1 percent incline


Cool down (run at 9 min pace) 8 minutes


Walk 5 minutes.


5 miles total.


5:30.  Shower

5:40.  Take youngest son from my husband (grateful my run wasn't interrupted due to his 5:15 AM wake up time!)

My legs--after yesterday's 160ish air squats and this workout--are TOAST.  I pulled it off because I was asleep by 9 PM. This was a great workout.  I might do it again next Tuesday!

Crossfit WOD

4 rounds of:

• 1 minute muscle ups
• 1 minute toes-2-bar
• 1 minute air squats
• rest 1 minute
  

Scoring system: each muscle up (including band muscle ups) rep is worth 5 points (MUTs 3 points), each toe2bar is worth 3 points, and each air squat is worth 1 point.

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MUAs: 6 + 7 + 9 + 9 = 31 (77.5)
T2B:  10 + 10 + 8 + 8 = 36 (108)
AS:   45 + 43 + 41 + 40 = 169 (169)


TOTAL: 354.5


Muscle ups.   Ugh.  I think they'll be my new year's resolution.  Yeah, I know it's just mid-July.  I like to plan ahead, and I am THAT far from doing an actual, real one.  


Well, I have to forgive myself a bit because my left hand has a rip and it is now worse (why don't I take days off??).  So toes to bar really hurt, and I haven't done them in at least a month, maybe more.  I can't kip them--I have to reset everytime--and that is a huge time waster.  But I got up at 3:30 AM (thanks to kids) so  this WOD was done on almost five hours of sleep.


I have to make myself another cup of coffee right about...now...

Recovery Run

5:15 AM, 3 miles, treadmill.

I think I heard a creak when I started running...was laughing to myself as I woke up and warmed up that 9 miles seemed super fast.  By the end of the second mile I was ready to go a little faster, but...

Would kill for a nap later today; since that it is highly unlikely, I'll settle for an early bedtime, a hurrah of sorts for the end of week one of training.  Only 15 more weeks!  I better enjoy it while it lasts.

Total mileage: 17 miles.

Crossfit WOD

Teams of 2. Only 1 team member working at a time.

AMRAP in 15 minutes of:

• 20 Pull ups
• 20 Wall Ball Shots (20#/14#)
• 20 KB Swings (53#/35#)

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It's but a scratch!

Saturday workouts are always team workouts, always an AMRAP.  You have to come up with a team name, which usually is my least favorite part, although a few weeks ago I was paired up with a gal and we had to be a band--in a moment of early morning humor I chose Barenaked Ladies and was chuckling the whole time.  Today we had to choose a vehicle--and we were Team Mini.

6 rounds + 14.  I RXed, my partner did Ring Rows and lower weights in the medball and kettlebell.  She kept me going with the pull-ups--was proud of myself for not switching to Ring Rows.  I'm not sure if the (younger) guy next to me was miffed or inspired that I was doing pull-ups as he did ring rows.  I felt strong--got through 58 pull-ups with just one rip...not bad, felt strong.

Long Run

10 warm miles in 1:27, from mile marker 17.5 to 22.5 on the W&OD.

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A tiny bit faster than I'm supposed to do (I'm running 8 minute miles in the marathon so I should be doing 9 minute miles for my long runs), but I was pretty happy with this since it's not that long a distance.  I have a tendency to zip a bit too much when I'm feeling good, and I was feeling pretty good.

Long runs are the few times I actually get to think, uninterrupted.  I am so unused to thinking, uninterrupted, that it takes me a few miles to focus.

Yesterday my father was inducted in the Ranger Hall of Fame in Fort Benning, Georgia.  I'm pretty proud of him, and wish I could have been there.  Today I was thinking of all the stuff I learned from him, and from him being a Ranger, and from Rangers in general.  Here's what I got, in no particular order:

• How to be tough.  One of my first Ranger-related memories is Ranger Day in Savannah.  They were playing..Ranger football?  I'm not really sure--I wasn't sure then, and I'm not sure now.  All I know is that most of the guys' shirts were ripped by the end, some were bloody, and there was am Ambulance parked alongside the field.  Ha!
• How to approach a tough thing with humor.  Maybe this is my father's doing (regardless of who gets credit, I'm grateful).  My father and his Ranger buddies would always laugh and joke about how tough something was, but had a somebody's-gotta-do-it mentality, and they knew that the buck stopped with them.
• How to define family.  Your brother was the guy fighting (or snoring, or cracking jokes) next to you.  Your sisters were the neighbors who brought your family dinners when your father was away and someone was sick.  Your family were those people who came to your Christmas dinner when you were too far from home to get home.
• How to push yourself.  People who know me think I'm nuts because I exercise as hard as I do.  "Your intensity is...too much" I hear.  Well, what the hell is the point?  I have seen people--usually guys--grunt with pain and know that if they can push through it, I can, too.
• How to have a few beers and kick back.  It's something I still enjoy, especially with my Peace Corps friends.  But there's nothing better than watching your straight-laced dad loosen up and laugh until he can't talk reminiscing about the crazy shit he and his friends got themselves into in Ranger School...
• That brawn is as important as brains sometimes.  Maybe I'm not talking about muscles here, but just the willingness to be part of a team, to be a follower, to do the stuff that needs to be done.  Especially when that job is related to public service, to protecting our freedom.  What can I say?  I'm more patriotic than my neighbors.
• That it sure seems that guys have more fun than girls.  In second grade, I realized the Girl Scouts sucked so my father happily volunteered to show my sister and I how to live off the land in grade school.  The list goes on, but... Most of the time it seems like this is still true.  Would I change my gender?  I guess not, because of the whole motherhood thing, but...jury's still out.

I turned around at mile marker 22.5 and the weather warmed up a bit--I was lucky to have it cloudy and almost drizzling for the first 5-6 miles.  To add to my Ranger-ish thoughts, I put on the album of cadences on my iPod and listened to the jodies that I listened to growing up.  Immediately I was brought back to West Point, to Savannah, to Fort Lewis.  Back to a happy spot in my life, a much simpler time.

I am proud of my dad, and I'm proud to be his daughter.

Crossfit WOD

3 rounds for time of (20 minute cap):

• 400M run
• 20 hand release push ups
• 10 KB Snatches right arm (53#/35#)
• 10 KB Snatches left arm (53#/ 35#)

Core - 20 Glute Ham Raises

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10:42


22# KB.  My back and shoulders were a little sore, so I decided to back off on the weight a little.  I think I could do 35# but...maybe next time.  Push up form was just okay in the middle set.  


Went to a new class today...instead of 9:30, went to the hotter 12:15.  I was the only girl in a class of about 7.  I was smiling to myself, wondering what their expectations of me were.  I'm a runner, so...this WOD is a good one for me.  I was first in the first two rounds, and one guy finished his push ups faster than me so he got out on his last 400 before I did.  Damn!  I'll catch him next time.  I was in the mood for a tough workout that I could throw myself into, and was grateful for this one.

Speedplay: Hills

4 miles, hills.  Treadmill.
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Woke at 4:45...after not being able to sleep (thanks to thoughts & west coast time).

Warm up = wake up.

1 mile warm-up, 1.5% grade
2 x 3 min at 3%
2 x 2 min at 4%
2 x 1 min at 5%
2 x 30 sec at 6%
.75 cool-down, 1.5%

Total: 4 miles, 34:25 min
warm up at 8:57 pace, workout at 8:34 pace.

Week One.

Week One:  Aw-yeah, aw-yeah...

"Whether you believe you can or believe you can't, you're probably right." Henry Ford

M      Crossfit WOD


T       Speedplay: 4.5 miles, hills, treadmill, medium intensity (8ish minute miles)


W      Crossfit WOD


Th      Rest Day   Ahhh...


F        Long Run: 10 miles, W&OD, medium to low intensity (8:30ish minute miles)


Sa      Crossfit WOD


Su      Recovery Run: 3.5 miles, treadmill, low intensity (8:30ish minute miles)

Crossfit WOD

WOD#1 - AMRAP in 6 minutes of:

• 30 double unders
• 8 pull ups

Rest 5 minutes then:

WOD#2 - AMRAP in 6 minutes of:

• 50 foot shuttle run
• 100 foot shuttle run
• 5 burpees
  

Core - 25 hip extensions holding  25#/15# db's

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WOD #1: 

3 rounds + 5 DUAs.

Pull ups are getting a little better, though my grip needs to improve.  I got one tiny blood blister...that doesn't even count.  I shortened my rope significantly and the attempts were MUCH easier...was the first time I thought I might be able to get those double unders sometime before 2020.  Still, I was pretty disappointed in my low number of scores.  Was aiming for five.

So, I was looking for redemption in...

WOD #2:

8 rounds + 5 burpees  

Women started with burpees.  Kicked ass in this, not to toot my own horn or anything.  :)

Crossfit WOD

FGB - Fight Gone Bad

1. Wall-ball: 20/14 pound ball, 10 ft target. (Reps)
2. Sumo deadlift high-pull: 75/55 pounds (Reps)
3. Box Jump: 20" box (Reps)
4. Push-press: 75/55 pounds (Reps)
5. Row: calories (Calories)
   

The clock does not reset or stop between exercises. On call of "rotate," the athlete/s must move to next station immediately for good score. One point is given for each rep, except on the rower where each calorie is one point.

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Wall-ball: 29

SDHP: 52

Box Jump: 57

Push-press: 71

Rowing: 43

Total: 252.  RX.

I'm not starting my training until Monday but wanted to record today's WOD: Fight Gone Bad.  It was pretty tough, and I went out a bit too fast--well, no, let me restate that.  I wish I had been able to maintain the speed of my first round.  I got 104 that round, and then slowed to 80, then 68.  Next time I aim to do 300 and be able to kick ass the whole time, not just the first round. 

But all in all, a lot of fun!

The Beginning.

So I'm starting a new blog.  Call me crazy...yeah, I know it.

I can't find any good training program on the web that incorporates Crossfit and more traditional running training...so I'm creating one, or at least recording what I do.

I've been Crossfitting at Crossfit Reston for about five months.  I go three times a week, and hate to miss a WOD.  I love it--makes me feel strong and cool and young.  I also appreciate how many guys workout there--the increase in testosterone is such a nice balance to my estrogen-filled mom world.

I've run 5 marathons, 1 50 miler, 4 half-marathons, so...I'm no newbie.  I recently won my age group at a trail 10K (43 minutes) and shocked myself.  I knew that I was one tough cookie but DAMN I am also a fast cookie!  I turned to my daughter when I found I came in fourth overall (for women) and first in my age group and said: "I'm the fastest mom in the world!"

Now that I've realized I'm the fastest mom in the world (move over, Paula Radcliffe), I've got the Marine Corps Marathon ahead of me in 16 short weeks.  I'm aiming to kick some serious ass.

My goals in that race:

1. Remain injury-free.
2. Push my own limits and have fun while training.
3. NOT puke during or after the race.
4. Run a sub-3:40 marathon so I can...
5. FINALLY qualify for Boston.
6. Inspire a few people along the way, or...
7. Keep myself motivated.

A little about me: I'm a stay-at-home mom; I've got three kids.  5 year old daughter, 3 1/2 year old son, 1 year old son.  They keep me busy as a stay-at-home mom.  Follow my parenting/reading with them here.