Jumping off the Treadmill

After a long hiatus, I am adding regular runs back into my life! I have registered for all 3 of NYRR's March races, with the possibility of a February race in there as well. In addition, I've Post-it noted some evening runs with a friend here in NYC for next week.

Now that my work day extends past 8pm, the plan is to squeeze some quality (and distance) runs into my day - at least until the work pile becomes unbearable. Hopefully I'll be able to get a weekday morning run in there as well. Fingers crossed, the game plan is as follows:
  • CF/Lift 6x a week, following the main site 3 on, 1 off.
  • Supplement with at least 2 weekday evening runs, and perhaps 1 morning run.
  • Race or run one morning per weekend, preferably not on a CF/Lift day.
  • Rest one day per week. Completely.
I'm not sure how realistic this is, as I'll soon be working 7 days a week. But if I keep the runs short and quality - I am optomistic. And flexible. Most importantly, I'm excited to see how all the increased lower body power will influence my race times (not to mention the fact that I am not overtraining and running superfulous mileage).

Ahem.

I'm going to keep saying that to myself, in order to silence the mileage whore (who is currently kicking and screaming) inside my brain.

Toot



I admit, this is also posted in the training log, video and all. But really, can you blame me?

Don't Forget to Scrub behind your Ears

I hate leaving the house un-showered or, heaven forbid without brushing my teeth (hey, don't judge me- it happens!). Occasionally, my socks don't match. And, I'll admit that I've even left home wearing an outfit primed for a spot on the worst dressed list (that's what I get for not owning a full length mirror). Obviously these are things that happen under extenuating circumstances - hitting snooze one time too many, tax season exhaustion leading to extreme mental fog, cruddy lighting in the bedroom, misplaced fashion sense. But when they do happen, the occurrence is rarely (if ever) repeated the following day. I mean, who in their right mind would purposefully set themselves up to feel icky? Again?

Little things, that when overlooked, can completely set your day on end. Now, being intelligent people, we take pains to avoid sabotaging our day with something completely in our control. Right?

Well, let's look at this past week. Training partner was out of town. I had the best of intentions to continue along without her, following the CF main site and getting some runs in. Got sick, didn't train for 9 days. 9 days! My training partner returned, and with her came my mojo. Going to the gym was no longer an option - it was a scheduled, non-negotiable portion of my day (even when solo). Planned the evening before, and adhered to.

Light bulb moment - no matter what the workout was, or how I performed, I felt better after training. Alternatively, when I got sidetracked and didn't make it to the gym or for a run, I felt icky. Which begs the question - if I know that I feel icky when I'm (for lack of a better word) lazy, why do I allow those days to happen? Repeatedly?

There is no reason that I can't make time to train every single day that I plan to. I may have to alter my workout to accommodate time constraints that are beyond my control, but I should be able to squeeze something in, whether it be some KB swings, a quick run, or some body weight exercises. Without fail. No excuses.

Remember - shower, brush your teeth, check the mirror and be flexible with your training plans. You many have to short, go body weight, heck - even Body Sculpt with Gilad. But get the training in.

Just don't be icky.

Tuesday's Tip - January 27th

"Familiarity breeds contempt - and children." - Mark Twain


It's cold out there. Figured we could all use a little reminder to be safe ;)

Kleenex, Puffs, or the Store Brand?

Mondays. I always dread them, and yet....once they're upon me I find them somewhat exciting. Maybe it's because the entire week is laid out before me, blank and ready to be filled. There is something oddly cleansing about Monday mornings, once you get past the initial horror of actually having to return to the real world :P

Speaking of - after an entire week of rest and recuperation, I am back in action! Last week I was felled by a monumental cold that pretty much left me useless for anything other than tissue consumption and self-medication. I normally would power through and work myself ragged anyway, but my training partner was out of town so I had the perfect excuse to be self-indulgent :)

I'm still trying to decide if the rest was helpful or not, but what's done is done.

Well she's back, and today I hit the gym for some much needed action.

What's your game plan when it comes to illness and training? Do you forge forward, regardless? Or do you take the time to heal?

Tuesday's Tip - January 20th

"Your fighting weight is the weight you don't have to fight." - Heather Braswell

Monsters and Mortals, a reflection

We all know athletes whom we admire, perhaps even idolize. They are the people whose records we chase, whose training programs we follow. The people we want to be like when we grow up. If you're really lucky, they're also someone you can call a good friend.

It's easy to be blindsided by their brilliance and to occasionally overlook their human frailty. But behind every prom queen is a math team dork, and behind every CrossFit Monster there is a Mortal.

If you don't believe me, just ask Gillian:

The Road to the 09 Games - Gillian 1
The first part in a series of interviews with Gillian Mounsey. If you're not already a subscriber to the CrossFit Journal, subscribe! I promise that it's worth it, even just to gain some insight into what makes an athlete like Gillian tick.

Tuesday's Tip - January 13th

"The best way to lose weight is to close your mouth - something very difficult for a politician. Or watch your food - just watch it, don't eat it." - Edward I. Koch

Taking a Breather

Today is a rest day.

I have a love/hate relationship with rest days. While intellectually I understand that all strength gains come from rest days, mentally they just wreck me. I feel lazy. Unmotivated. Sedentary. Did I mention lazy? It's not difficult to rest. But it is difficult to refrain from the self-flagellation that results from a overzealous type A personality. Changing my thought process from "I'm allowed to take a day off" to "I am required to take a day off" is tough. However, history has shown that running myself ragged certainly hasn't worked for me thus far - so embrace the rest day I shall.

No more over training for this chica.

But I'd sure love to go for a long run today....


Tuesday's Tip, January 6th

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Rose by any other Name

Yesterday, I walked over to my 6'0" tall, 150 lb boyfriend Bill. Upon reaching him, I took hold of his body and balanced him across my shoulders. I then proceeded to squat down and stand up. 5 times. Oh, and did I mention that he was holding on to 2 5# bags of flour?

Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?

And yet, it's pretty damn close to the truth. Just swap out the 150# boyfriend holding an additional 10#s of flour and switch it for a 160# barbell. Doesn't sound nearly as impressive, though :)

Back Squats, 5 x5
130, 140, 150 (PR), 155 (PR), 160 (PR)

2009 is off to a good start ;)

Many thanks to the folks at Crossfit South Brooklyn!

Turn, Turn, Turn

Well, I originally intended to wax poetic about the endless possibilities afforded to us with the turn of the calendar. About wiping the slate clean and starting anew. But I'm just not in a sappy mood, not even remotely.

I could reflect upon 2008, and all the things the past 12 months have brought me. About my goals for 2009 - what I want to achieve, the person I want to be. But I'm just not feeling particularly introspective.

I am, however, feeling pretty damn kick ass.

Here's to 2009 and 12 more months of butt kicking workouts. Not to mention the humor we'll find along the ride.

Happy New Year!