WOD:
50 Double Unders
40 Push Ups
30 DB Rows 20#
20 OHS 65#
10 Wall Walks
1 min plank
1 min wall sit

I'm pooped! It has been a long week at work, a busy week with sports, a disaster trying to drive through downtown (Mumford & Sons Music Festival) and instead of sleeping, I'm wide awake playing on the computer!

We leave tomorrow morning for our Labor Day Family Camp. I'm probably the only person packing a 53# kettle bell and jump rope. My competition is 1 week away and I will be out of town for work Thursday and Friday. I need to get in as much as possible. My sister once told me that it's not like studying for a test. I can't cram the week before and expect to have great results. I guess I will keep that in the back of my head as I start to FREAK OUT even more than I have the last 6 weeks!

If you have a minute, check out the recipes I added earlier. The Chia Pudding was delish...and gone! I ate the entire thing in 2 days. YUMMY yummkins.

When we get back from camp, Infinity will be opening the doors to our new box. I can't wait.

I hope you all have a fun and save holiday weekend. I'll report back on Monday evening (after football and soccer)!

Last night I made two treats for the family! (recipes below)

If you know me, you know I do NOT like to fix anything that takes longer than 10 minutes to prepare and then eat! These were both easy.


No Bake Coconut Cookies
1/2 cup virgin coconut oil (find quality coconut oil
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup raw honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
Place cookies in the freezer to harden. Once hardened, remove to a lidded container. Store container in the freezer or fridge, depending on your preference.

Chia Pudding
2/3 c Chia Seeds
2 c unsweetened almond milk
1/2 t vanilla extract
2 T dates
2 T unsweetened coconut flakes
Mix & refrigerate

WOD: EMOTM Snatch Complex
           2min AMRPA Back Squats
           1 mi for time

On the way home from working out last night, I was talking to Nick about my 1 mile PR. I have shaved 30 seconds off of my time. I was proud of that! If you know me, you know that I have maybe one competitive bone in my body. 95% of the time, I could care less what anybody is doing around me. I don't count weight, I don't watch reps, I don't look at the board to compare my scores. Running is usually the only activity where that 5% shines through. I must admit, it sometimes feels good to pass these young kids and know that whatever I'm doing, it's still working! But, I also humbled by those runners who pass me or push me to puke status. I guess I can appreciate those around me. The faster and slower :)

In my conversation Nick reminded me of this: My goal is to be healthy. My goal isn't to be the strongest, the fastest, the best...it's to be me. A healthy me. As long as I go in everyday and do my best, I have won.

Who is this Ken guy, anyway?!

Often times, I go without mentioning how grateful I am for somebody helping me. A simple, "thank you" doesn't always seem like it's enough. I have had some great running coaches. For me, running is something that I have to dig deep to find within myself. Nobody is there running beside me the entire time yelling down my throat to keep pushing myself until the very last second. I guess somebody could do that, but that would be expecting a lot, right? When I run, it's me who is yelling at myself to keep pushing to the finish line.

Crossfit is different. When your hands are behind your head and that clock beeps, I am fighting my own mind to keep pushing but there are also others there helping to motivate me. Someone yelling (encouraging) me to pick that weight back up, rest in 30 seconds, give more, give more, GIVE MORE!

I have had some good trainers and I have had some GREAT trainers. Nick, my husband, is a great trainer. Do I listen to what he tells me? Maybe 85% of the time. I respect his knowledge and his skill but I always say, "he just doesn't get me" or if he's trying to motivate me, I'm rolling my eyes or talking back. He takes a lot of heat. I give him that much.

But, the one trainer that I hear in my head over and over again is Ken. The picture below was taken at Regionals this year.

Besides his massive beastly structure and his build, he has an attitude. Ken was my trainer at the first Crossfit box I went to. He moved and then we moved shortly after. Ken will give me crap for showing up late, call me out when I'm talking in the back and tell me to add more weight to my bar in addition to his other "training" duties.

About two years ago, I asked Ken a question. I don't even remember what the question was...but his nonchalant response was, "What are you going to do about it?" OOOOOOHHHHH, that mad me mad! I wanted an answer. I wanted to be told exactly what I needed to do to improve whatever it was I was asking him.   Time went on..... he kept giving me a hard time for showing up late, talking in the corner, not adding enough weight, blah blah blah. I roll my eyes (not to his face, like I would my husband) but I kept going to his class.

Something I have realized since that question two years ago: I always ask myself, "What am I going to do about it?" Only I can make something happen. The support, the yelling, the pushing...that happens but I need to show up (and probably stop chit chatting) to do the work.

So, in a round about eye rolling way, thank you Ken for the best words of advice I have ever received. I appreciate ALL of your help. I may not always know what "to do about it" but I know quitting or not giving 100% is not the answer.

rewarding with food

I'm struggling to make a conscious effort to not reward myself or my children with food. This is a new concept and huge attitude shift for the entire family.

Looking back, I think the majority of the rewards I have given has been rewarded with food:

You peed in the potty? Lollipop.
It's your birthday? Restaurant and favorite cake.
You scored? McDonalds.
You behaved at the grocery? Candy bar at check out.

I could go on and on. (Almost embarrassing, isn't it?)

Food is comfort. Food makes us feel good. Food brings happy memories. But why?! Everything I mentioned above that I am doing with my kids is exactly what my parents did for me! It's ingrained in my mind.

How can I change this behavior? My kids don't need the treats. They need my love. My love isn't candy or fast food, it's quality time.

So, what am I going to do about it?

I'm starting to reward them with special time. With three kids, they all want our attention. It's hard to spend one on one time without jealousy sneaking in. Instead of McDonalds, we will do something fun. Maybe we will go fishing, take a fun bike ride, play catch...just the two of us.

I'm holding myself accountable. I'm going to have to do a little bit of redirecting so the kids don't feel like this is a punishment.

Just like anything else in life, it takes time, patience and consistence.

dreaming about pistols

I woke up at 3:30am and had pistols on my brain! All I could think about was needed to practice my skills.

I can do pistols but they aren't pretty and it isn't graceful. It's almost painful to watch.

I found this video and am going to try this tonight:



This is a three step video. If all goes well after tonight, I'll post the other two videos with my progress!

Plan A to Plan Z

Endurance: Trail Run/Hills

Last Sunday, I mapped out my week. I took into consideration all of the sports practices and work and carved out time in each day to make sure I was able to fit in my strength, endurance, speed work, rest, etc.

Well, the plan changed on Monday, again on Tuesday.....

I'm learning the art of becoming flexible. I have a treadmill and a light garage gym so I am able to do work at home, if needed. I was able to get in 5 gym WODs and 3 long runs (3+ miles).

I'm 13 days away from the Crossfit competition. I heard people talking about it today and I could feel the anxiety start to build up. When I run, I always know what to expect when I sign up. The miles and the course are published. I won't know what the workouts are until I show up. Clothes, shoes, swimwear, nutrition...There is so much to think about!

The gym gang met at a local park to do some hill work this afternoon. It felt great to sweat and push myself! All about good company!

After coming home to shower off all of the poison oak, we ate dinner. The picture is dark, but the kids were so happy. We had grilled salmon and everyone had seconds and thirds! My good little eaters!