I’d like to start with the fact that… had I not BEEN ON THE COVER OF THIS DAY’S WOD, I probably would’ve cherry picked and gone to yoga or done nothing or cleaned my house or whatever instead. But no… Justin posted a picture of me with Guido Trinidad, the owner of Peak360 CrossFit in Miami and CrossFit Games Athlete, from when I went down to Miami for Ultra. 

So I had to go. Of course, we had visitors in town at our box, and a couple guys were like, “Hey you’re the chick from the website! In that picture with Guido!” Yep. That was me. 

Skill: Rope Climbs/Legless Rope Climbs
WOD: For Time
800m Run
5 Rounds
2 – Rope Climbs (RX+ Legless)
5 – KB Thrusters Left Arm (55/35)
5 – KB Thrusters Right Arm (55/35)
10 – Box Step Ups with KB (55/35) 20″
800m Run

I call this one a crier. Cause I totally cried at the beginning of the 2nd round of rope climbs.
Thank GOD there was a 30 min time cap on this one. Once I finished my 2nd full round of rope climbs, I decided that we’d only be doing 3 rounds, instead of 5. Once I had that new, adjusted number in my head, I was ready to proceed. Amazing how that mental shit works. Of course I would’ve gotten through it, but yeah. Rope climbs, although I can do them, are so taxing on me. I LOVE doing them. I love that I CAN do them, but doing them when I’m tired, it’s like double unders. It’s self defeating, the more tired I am. And my hands just hurt. I break down when my hands hurt!

Anyway, I ended up finishing in 27 min and something. 27:26 or whatever. I was okay with that. I did 3 rounds, and both 800m runs, and I had my headphones for it, so we were good. Man that was a rough one.

I had decided to come in Sunday to get a little workout in, but decided I didn’t want to run, as I usually do on Sundays. I opted instead for the Ski Erg, which was actually great. I did 1000m on the ski erg in about 5 min. I don’t know if that’s great or horrible, but I figured it was about half the time that I’d run a mile in and 2/3rds of the distance, so I was good with that, haha (1600 meters in 11 min or 1000 m in 5 min.. hmm)

I also did my 50 GHD sit ups which I haven’t done in forever. I knew I’d be hurting but I wanted it. That soreness always makes me feel like I’m doing something worthwhile with my muscles, achieving something I didn’t currently have, attaining new strength, losing unwanted fat, shedding low self esteem, and making myself stronger all around. A lot of deep, stupid thoughts, but it’s true. When I’m sore, I feel more accomplished. (Sore to me does not mean “in pain” or “injured”.)

So yeah. I was sore for days from those GHD sit ups, but not like that one time. In fact, I’d say that today, almost 1 week later, I’m finally NOT sore from the GHD sit ups I did last Sunday. Jesus. Anyway, with all that being said, here’s what we did on Wednesday, 4/9.

Strength: 1RM Strict Press
WOD: 11 Min AMRAP
10 – BB Rollouts
6 – S2OH (135/95)
2 – Wall Walks

I got 105, again. I’m annoyed with my lack of progress, but it’s my own fault.

The WOD. BB means barbell, or evil wheels. This picture below is from almost a year ago, at the old gym.

These are Barbell rollouts or Evil Wheels

 So.. all abs. I was a little worried, but I was like whatevs. I ended up using my biceps and arms to compensate for the lack of strength in my core, so of course, after this WOD my arms hurt, in addition to my lower back and abs and wrists. Sweet.

I finished 3 rounds plus 9 reps. More than I had expected, so that’s cool. Wall walks suck.

I thought it was coincidence for awhile, but then I started to put two and two together. Whenever I drink my BCAAs before bed, I have strange, crazy dreams that night. I started to equate my dreams with BCAAs to my dreams when I take Tylenol or Ibuprofen PM, thinking that the muscle relaxing attributes to the bizarre dreams, but I have no proof or evidence of that. I just know that whenever I’ve taken any of the “PM” stuff in the past, my dreams are so real, it’s like I wake up wondering if they actually happened.

So I was like, cool, muscle recovery from BCAAs is like muscle relaxing from OTC painkillers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) + benadryl (diphenhydramine) which therefore cause weird, crazy dreams. Worked for me.

But tonight I actually googled it, and found LOTS of results! I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE!

(FWIW I also take Taurine and Magnesium supplements daily, as they are supposed to be a great combination with BCAAs for stress management and stress levels)

Some dudes get wet dreams, some dudes just report to have vivid dreams like I have, but so far, I haven’t found any scientific research or anything, nor have any girls reported this. I also have pages to sift through, but I wanted to post this before I forgot! Woooo

EDIT: I found a site that states that when you have vivid dreams, it is usually a sign that you’re in Stage 4 of sleep, which is where there’s an increased production of growth hormone, which controls aspects of metabolism, physical growth and brain development. Hmmm.. those BCAAs are working!
http://www.csun.edu/~vcpsy00h/students/dreams.htm

Oh, here’s a picture. 🙂 I took it last night.

TRAP CITY! Seriously, my shoulders are looking and feeling amazing. Now to reduce the fat around them…(arms)

Hah, I wonder how many people got married on this date? 4/4/14/ HOW CLEVER.

Not really. Sucks that we’re out of those numbers now. Not until the 2100s! Pretty crazy. Jesus, I can’t even imagine. Anyway, deadlift day. I’ve been saying I’m one wrong move away from tweaking my back, so.. I figured today I wouldn’t go too heavy.

Of course I tried for 345 but only got it like, 1 inch off the ground and said no way. Nope. It doesn’t matter that much.

Today’s WOD:
Strength: 1RM Deadlift

WOD: 12 Minute AMRAP
200m Run
1 – Deadlift (315/225)

** Add 1 Deadlift each Round

YAY running. The less I like something, the more I need to do of it. That ended up being the reason I came in to do this WOD.

 I ended up completing 6 rounds plus 1. That was a tough one, but one I could do well at too. I didn’t RX the weight because after doing heavy deadlifts, just doing the RX weight of 225 seemed ridiculous. I used 185 instead.

So yeah, 6+1. boom.

Skill: 6×1: 3 Cone Drill (10yds) Record Fastest Time
WOD: 3 Rounds
50 – Wall Balls
30 – DU
10 – MU

Cone drills suck. They make you feel like the skin is separating from the bottoms of your feet through your shoes. I don’t recommend. Just run instead.

 As I can’t do muscle ups, the mod is 3 ring rows and 3 ring dips per MU. So.. 30 ring rows and 30 ring dips PER FUCKING ROUND. Holy hell.

Fortunately there was a 20 min time cap or something. I got through 2 rounds plus 32 reps. It was not fun. Good times. I think I’m still sore from all the upper body stuff. It’s good though, I need it.

Oh fun plyo pushups. My first WOD back from Miami and I was ready to go!

Strength: 1RM HBBS
WOD: 8 Minute Climbing Ladder
2 – Plyo Pushups (2-45′s/2-25′s)
2 – Pull Ups

I ended up getting 235 on the high bar back squat. My max is 255, but I really prefer low bar. Whatevs.

Plyo push ups take everything to a whole new level. Even my massage therapist friend Chuck commented on how tight my chest was, and this was days later, mind you. I got through the round of 12, and even got an extra rep in. Pull ups were banded. Started with a purple band, switched to a green band, and in the end, used both. Pull ups fail. Oh well. Someday I’ll weigh less than 200lbs and I’ll be able to pull all this weight up to the bar. 🙂

I started my previous post to include this as well, but that took on a life of its own. I had previously scheduled my 14.5 to be done at Peak 360 in Miami, where I had done my Level 1 training but I still wanted to be sure that was all okay.  After my yoga class at Bala Vinyasa, I drove over to Peak 360 just to make sure.  I talked to one of the coaches, Noah, and he was all helpful and told me the schedule and all that happy stuff. Sweet!!! I wouldn’t be doing my Open wod til Saturday morning.

This took a huge weight off my shoulders.. all I had to do was get up a little early and head down there Saturday. The best part is, I’d be going and hopefully getting back before the madness of Ultra started, so traffic shouldn’t be an issue! The OTHER best part is, April said she’d go with me! Super cool! Having someone there that you know is so much better, especially in a gym that’s not your home gym!

We walked in Saturday morning and I met with Guido, who is the owner and repeat Regionals athlete for the CrossFit Open (he made it again this year, along with Noah!) Congrats, guys! I also saw Peter, who was our Wodapalooza Liason this year. Meaning, he’s the one who’d gather everyone before their heats started. I did my warm ups, and then told Peter I wanted to do 14.5 with him. 🙂 He joked that I’d have finished my entire WOD and he’d be on rep count 15. Noooooo! Come on, Peter! You’re totally gonna beat me!

Well.. we got started, and I basically died for 21 minutes and 23 seconds or whatever it was. I remember at one point I felt like I was either going to puke or black out, and was so so so thankful that we HAD NOT eaten yet. April even said that she saw my face at that exact moment, too. Hah. I didn’t know I had a “I’m about to black out” look, but it was insightful, nonetheless. 🙂 To hear her cheering me on was really freakin cool. It motivated me to keep going. 🙂

So happy to be done! Guido is cheering on Peter in the background.

When I finished, Peter was still going. So.. after I dropped to the floor for a minute to catch my breath, I sat up and cheered him on, of course! He was on his set of 9 reps of burpees and thrusters! Awful to see someone else finish and you have to keep going, but I cheered him on, anyway!

It was a great experience. I love knowing that I can drop in to Peak 360 and feel right at home. Having this awesome network of people is just so cool. I know these people from competitions all over the state, and everyone just sticks together. They all cheer you on and motivate you, just like it’s supposed to be! I love my Florida CrossFit family. 🙂 I am so lucky.

Peter and I in front of the infamous BE wall at Peak360 Miami! So happy 14.5 is over!

Guido Trinidad smiling with me after I finished 14.5 at Peak 360.

We got to Miami on Tuesday the 25th. We knew we’d be away from the office, to work remotely, to see friends and family, and I expected to do a workout here and a yoga there. I like making plans because then I tend to keep them more, so this is exactly what I did.

I have a weird anxiety about doing things in unfamiliar places. Miami is a familiar place for the most part, and I’m comfortable turning on my “Miami-driver” persona, so that’s no biggie. But.. doing yoga at a Baptiste studio in Miami? I was a little nervous. I did some research, found a Baptiste affiliate by the name of Bala Vinyasa Yoga and then got the go-ahead from both Mary Lyn and Anna, who collectively knew the owner as well as the instructor whose class I had my heart set on attending. Luca Richards.

I love the Mind Body Connect app because I was able to find the studio, see the class times, the instructors’ bios, and pay for and schedule my own visit right from my phone. Ultimate convenience (they didn’t pay me to say any of this, they don’t even know that I’m writing about them) but.. the ease of scheduling is totally worth mentioning! I loved it. AND.. with the appointment made, I was much more likely to stick to my schedule and go. Thursday. I was going Thursday, I had to go Thursday, it’s when I said I’d go! I’m gonna go. I went. I even left early to make sure traffic wouldn’t be an issue, and of course, it was, but I got there with plenty of time. Found it right away, went in and said..

“Hi! I’m here representing Big Fish Yoga!!!” And Luca was like OH MY GOD! MARY LYN’S STUDIO!!!!! It was pretty great. 😀 I of course bought a t-shirt, said my hellos and waited for class.

Now.. class. The instructor was great. Luca was amazing. But… this was not Big Fish. It was full of people from Miami. Miami people. Miami snobs, assholes, bitterness, cynicism. They were just there to work out. To get their yoga on. To whatever it is people who live in Miami do at yoga. Okay there were a few really nice people, but everyone else? Eh. PASS.

I was the only one HAaaing.. I was the only one laughing, smiling, and seemingly enjoying Luca’s jokes and comments. It was sad. Here we were in this big beautiful yoga studio, and I was really truly the only one enjoying the class. Everyone else was just going through the motions.

At least that’s how it seemed. And if that was really the case, how sad? This reminded me why I never liked yoga before. Because THIS is what it was like, and in Boca Raton, of all places. The most un-accepting, unwelcoming place on earth.

Basically. I love Big Fish. I’m so glad I practice yoga in a happy place. Jax Beach is awesome. The end. 🙂

Trying to re-capture my excitement from my 14.4 experience is difficult, especially as I sit here with a chore list a million miles long. (We leave for Miami tomorrow.)

BUT.. I was ecstatic! What WAS 14.4? Well, if you follow crossfit, you’re probably sick of hearing about it already, but here it is:

In 14 min, complete as many rounds of the following as possible:

60 calorie row
50 T2B
40 wall balls (20/14)
30 cleans
20 MUs

Well.. hah.. I stopped dead in my tracks at the toes to bar. FIFTY??? Ugh…. okay. There go my hands.

Last year, I was happy to get through 19 TOTAL.. as in, a set of 3, a set of 6, and then a set of 9, and then 1 of the set of 12. Yeah. and those were broken up. I remember how miserable I was. I remember people standing around me, Chad, Tom, Thomas. Pushing me to keep going. Ugh. How embarrassed I was for sucking so badly. I didn’t want to relive that.

I told Tom that I wanted him and only him to judge me, and I didn’t want there to be a lot of people around, because that encouragement is more frustrating than it is encouraging. And for people who are really good at everything, they don’t get it. They don’t know what it’s like to be the fat girl who does crossfit who is really doing the best she can without falling apart at the seams.

So.. I went into the gym around 4ish. Knowing full well I wouldn’t be wodding at 4, or at 5p.. But 6p? Yes.. maybe that would work. Nobody stays for the 6p classes! Everyone wants to go out and party and do stupid shit, so yes.. 6p on a Friday, in Jax Beach. Perfect.

I went in, hung out, stretched, wandered, cheered others on (yeah yeah I know.. more encouragement than anything else. Total hypocrite here.) I feel it’s my role as the strong, fat crossfit chick to cheer others on. I dunno. I do it.

So finally I’m ready. I have been talked into wearing gloves, and then I decided to tape up my hands too, and then put the gloves OVER the tape. GENIUS!!!! I need to buy gloves, let’s just leave it at that.

I basically warmed up on the rower. Elizabeth started cheering me on, and I stopped her right away. “Elizabeth, please don’t. Not this time.” I said in between rows. She immediately quieted down, and was awesome enough for asking others to be quiet as well. (THANK YOU!!!) Basically, I had like 5 people standing around watching me quietly, haha. The only person I wanted to hear was Tom. I could see others watching, but I didn’t care, because I was going at the pace I was comfortable with. Once I got off the rower and got ready for my T2B, I prepared myself for the worst. My hands were going to hurt, possibly tear, rip and bleed all over the damn place, (inside the tape and gloves.)

My first T2B I did back to back. WHOA! I need to just do one at a time here. So I did the classic Marc Spinks move. Jump up and grab on to the bar, kip, stick your butt back, bring your toes up to the bar, jump down. Once on the ground, flip around, and repeat, except facing the other direction.

It became a pinwheel. Could probably make people dizzy, but it’s how I kept going. One after another after another. Tom commented over and over how strong my T2B were, and how much power I had in them. I was completely relieved and floored at his compliment, and appreciative. He knows how to motivate and encourage without making me feel like a douchebag, or like a failure. I could talk to him and ask him questions, and he’d answer them, and we’d keep going. “How much time is left?” “What number am I on?” etc.

I didn’t miss a single one. People were standing around watching. I wonder what they were thinking. “Damn I can’t believe that fat chick can do those toes to bar..” “I wonder if she’ll get a better score than me.”

(I had watched two leaner, lighter people earlier not finish their T2B, and that scared the shit out of me. If they couldn’t do it, how the hell could I do it???)

But I kept going. And then I reached my 50. It was a fucking miracle. Not a single “no-rep” either. I didn’t want to waste ANY of my effort on a no-rep. That wouldn’t work for me! At the 50 mark, it was 13 minutes. I had one minute left.

(At one point, in my last 10 reps of Toes to Bar, I heard Tom yell to someone to grab me a wall ball. He was confident that I would finish and go on to do my wall balls)

So.. with my wall ball in place, I began. And it was SO LIGHT! Why?? Because it was 14lbs. We always ALWAYS train with a 16lb wall ball. That 2lbs missing made that shit feel weightless. And I killed it. Did 16 unbroken wall balls in like, 40 seconds, took a breath, picked up my med ball again and did 10 more. I did 26 fucking wall balls in under a minute. AND I WAS DONE.

I could’ve totally done one more, but that’s okay. 🙂 My final score ended up being 136. I was ECSTATIC! I couldn’t believe it. Beaming, smiling, cheering. I was so proud of myself! Not one tear on my hands, either. Just some sweaty skin that had peeled up, but no rips, no stigmata, no holes, no blisters. AWESOME. I laid on the ground in sheer relief and this huge rush of pride came over me. It was incredible.

My post on Facebook read:

I finished all my toes to bar and then completed 26 wall balls!!!!! My goal was just to finish the T2B. A year ago, I could barely do 10 at all, and tonight I did 50 in about 6 1/2 minutes. Eeeeeeee so excited! Thank you, Tom Stamper. 🙂 🙂 🙂

 Tom replied:

You crushed it! All I did was help you realize you could do it. My job is the easy one! That wall ball didn’t know what hit it….. 26 reps in under a minute….. Wow

 Beaming doesn’t describe it. I was ecstatic. I couldn’t believe it. Progress. THIS is progress!! Slow, steady, beautiful progress.

Conquered 14.4. 🙂

I didn’t know if this was really facebook-worthy, but I can totally post it here and not feel weird about it.

So I ran into an old Crossfitter friend today and I waved hello and said “What’s up?” but she looked at me like “who are you?” with this totally confused look on her face. So I carried on (we were at a restaurant and walking to our table when this all happened) and as I was sitting down, I thought, holy crap… maybe that wasn’t her. Am I crazy? Saying hi to random people..

And 30 min later, I get this message on FB:

“Girl, I am SO sorry! I didn’t recognize you…you look amazing!! A friend was with me…and I realized as we were walking out that it was you. He goes “Oh man, you better apologize, she’s super nice!” haha whoops! But seriously, skinny mini! Good to see you! Have a good rest of the week and sorry again!”

Hah.. Pretty funny. And humbling! I was like, what? Really? I haven’t even changed that much physically in a year! Maybe she was just saying that to make an excuse for not recognizing me.. We’ll just go with that. Easy way out. She didn’t recognize me and came up with that excuse. Perfect.