Beast Training-51 Days! (pushing along)

She be listening up to a point!

This is the face I give myself when I don't want to train and start wallowing in self pity and being draining.  It usually goes like this.  "A sista is tired!!  Tired, I say!  Bump these races.  No girl, stay positive. I gotta keep going because every step I take now, blah blah the fuck blah.  Chile, I'm ready to sit down."  Then I get on with the day's activities.  End scene.

The last few days of treadmill, CrossFit, and circuits have me feeling a way.  While I'm not depressed or anything, I wish my life was a little more exciting.  It's workout, do laundry, eat soup, spinach, or chicken, and sleep.  This mess is boring with a capital BORING.

Yesterday I accidentally woke up at 4:30am and took 2 showers.  This can't be life!

The weather today is pretty nice and I have a day of Zumba, struggle tap, and hip hop cardio.  There's reason to be happy.  Actually that's reason to be more than happy.  I do like dancing and yucking it up on Wednesdays.  And just like that I'm happy again.  See what Claire Huxtable can do?

We outchea doing big things!

I wish I could lift my arms this high.

I guess I'll look at the positives.  51 days to go.  I've still got lots of time to build my endurance.  I've got great ideas for food and drinks to take that day.  I'm really going all out!  I bought a waterproof iPod, so I'll have some music while I'm out there.  I'm going to twerk my ass off when it's over if my knees will allow it.  Best part is that then it will be time to countdown to the Super (115 days today!)

ok, let's get it.  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

Beast Training-55 Days!

It has been a trying day.  Actually it has been a trying couple of days, and I feel very tired.  It snowed again today (surprise!), and that forced me to cut my treadmill time short.  I was supposed to go 4 miles, but only did 2.  I emailed Kate to see if we could adjust the training schedule, so I have more time on the treadmill.  She added in one more day of walking/jogging.  This makes me feel good because the distance of the race is what I'm most nervous about.  I want to feel more comfortable walking for long distances.

 Today I struggled with the emotional part of all this.  I was frustrated because the treadmill was boring.  I'm overwhelmed by the task and the expectations I'm placing on myself.  I'm angry that it won't stop snowing.  I'm worried about injuries.  It's difficult not having anyone to complain to.  Just keep breathing, girl.

 Every week I make and share my health goals because making them public holds me accountable.  I'll think about a goal that involves relaxation or rest.  That would be nice.

I took this over my shoulder.  Such badass photography skills!

I kept the treadmill on or slightly below a 4.0 incline and around a 3.5 speed.  I think I can go faster, but it's a psychological barrier.  I don't want to fall off.  Get over it, girl!  Tomorrow I'll use my Camelbak and practice sipping while walking.  This will be the time to beat.

Aroo!  Aroo!  Aroo!

56 Days To Go!

Tonight I made my return to pole fitness class in Portland.  I signed up because I wanted to build my arm strength and because I love to dance.  I wound up being the only student tonight and got an intensive class.  I learned some nice stretches, sexy push ups, and a few tricks on the pole.

Food today was good.  I had a burger and beans for breakfast, beef shawarma for lunch, and a handful of potato chips for dinner.  I should have something more substantial, but I'm beat.  I'll do some meal prep this weekend.

I went to CrossFit (where I accidently foam rolled my boobs) and piloxing this morning, so I'm extra tired.  I must research electrolyte tablets soon.  So much to do!  On the exercise front, tomorrow I do 4 miles on the treadmill.  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

57 Days!

When I tell you that I'm tired!  This morning I went to CrossFit and instead of getting up at 5 AM, I decided to get up at 4.  It was a good time.  We did a workout called Grace, and girl was it challenging.  Though I didn't finish in the time cap )I wonder what it would be like t try it later in the day), I had fun and have a goal to strive for.  Only thing is that I didn't do any treadmill time.  

Tom gives me bunny ears.

Tomorrow is more CrossFit, pole dance fitness (to help me build my arm strength), and Piloxing.  We're getting closer every day.  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

Beast Training-59 Days!

  

For dinner I had a steak fajita and some pineapple.  Having solid nutrition is important and something that I continue to work on.  Today I had a salad and some Wheaties.

Today was interval day, and Alex gave us oodles of stuff tonight in HIIT class.  My lunges are much better when I put 2 fingers on the barre for balance.  My legs are so wobbly!

Earlier today I spent some time climbing stairs.  Every time I have to choose between an elevator and stairs, I think of having to climb big hills.  Then I take the stairs!  

Tomorrow is a rest day, but I spend it dancing up a storm.  Also, I'm really proud of Alex for going to CrossFit this morning.  She's getting ready for the Super in 123 days.  What a Spartan.  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

Beast Training-60 Days!! (eek)

Today was the first Monday in a month that hasn't been snowed out!  I was finally able to get to EverProven to do my strength circuit.  While most of it can be done anywhere, I feel like I'm pay closer attention to form and push myself more when I do it away from home.

 This week is a different circuit from what I've been assigned to do previously.  I did kettlebell rack walks for the first time.  I tried carrying the ones I use for swings, but I could hardly hold them.  I used some teeny weenies and was able to get it done.

Brian was there doing his on ramp and came over to take some pics of me doing the press portion of the day.  My legs look super ashy because I was on the floor earlier.  At least that's what I'm saying.  haha  Not sure why I look so giddy. Must be my excitement. 

Tomorrow is back to CrossFit (Tuesday's are CF or intervals), so that's exciting.  I had a really awesome day and hope tomorrow rocks too.  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

Valentine's Beast Training-62 days

Soon the race will be 2 months away!  yikes.  Time certainly flies by.  Every day I hope I'm doing enough to prepare, and I just think about facing a steep hill and wanting to pass out.  It's really nerve wracking, even though I know I should leave future problems in the future.  I should really start thinking about what pack I'm taking.  I still have my pal Oscar, but I bought a bigger purple one.  No name yet.  We'll see what she feels like during race day (if I take her).  

Today I went to Dance Fusion and it was fun.  I actually sweated a good amount and worked extra hard on squatting low. Now if I could only get those lunges lower.  meh, be patient, right?

I emailed Coach Royce about setting up a meeting for next week.  I want to talk to him about building strength while losing weight.  I also want to chat about protein sources.

It's snowing again and the gym is closed tomorrow.  I should have gone today, but I chose to do some writing work, housework, and shopping.  I needed more lotion!  hmm, I wonder if one of those Leslie Sansone videos would be a good substitute tomorrow.  

Things are starting to get busy around here.  The Open starts soon, spring conference travel will begin, and classes are rolling along.  I have to be vigilant about making time for my Spartan activities.  When I meet with Coach Royce, I want to set another weight loss goal for the race.  I'll definitely be in the 200s.  Could I make it to 250 by April?  Probably not, but I can definitely make it by June.

ok, time for bed.  I think shoveling is a good workout.  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

Beast Training-63 Days!

Today was an awesome Friday the 13th day of Soartaning up!  Friday's are interval/CrossFit days.  I like doing my intervals, but I like classes where the pace is set for me.  I strolled into the 5:45 class like the queen that I am and proceeded to give the people what they want. 

2 big victories today!

1.  I graduated to a bigger box for my scaled hand stand push ups.  I'm afraid of heights, so anytime I can trust my arms to keep me from falling, I feel a real sense of accomplishment.  

2.  I went to Piloxing after CrossFit, and because I was the only friend there, Alex put together a lovely stretching routine.  I was encouraged by the increased flexibility in my hips.  I remarked that this was a good routine to do before Valentine's Day, and we had a hearty laugh.  Let's face it.  Our relationship is a series of hearty laughs.

I had to go to a workshop at school and I successfully avoided soda and brownies. This is not to say that these are no good. I'm glad I didn't have them because carbonation and excess sugar make my stomach hurt, and I chose not to trade momentary yummies for physical pain.  Also, can we get some Pepsi up in here?

I picked up Valentine's Day presents and didn't eat any chocolate.  Look at God!  🙋 I was hyped for chocolate milk when I got home, but Brian had dark chocolate syrup.  I felt so duped.  That stuff is nasty!

Tomorrow is my Valentine's Day workout with Brian.  No, not that!  We're going to Alex's class and CrossFit.  Good times for our heart before Sunday's blizzard.

I'll post pics from previous year's Valentine's workouts.  I wonder if we'll look much older.  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!  

  

Beast Training-65 Days!

I don't think I've ever wanted something so bad in my whole life!  I'm 65 days away, and I'm starting to get more excited.  For the past couple of days I've been sidelined with a cold.  In fact, I was so tired last night that I went to bed without posting an update (I went to HIIT class).  I took medicine and rested; I'm feeling ready to get back to it!

 Today was a ok day.  I went to Zumba this morning and hip hop cardio tonight.  Sometimes I wonder if my time would be better spent on the treadmill or doing  laps with kettlebells (ooh, I should carry kettlebells around during my stairs workout), but I think making time for dance fitness offers two benefits.

 The first is physical.  I like that it promotes coordination and quick movement.  My ankles and knees often feel stiff, so having some added mobility will help me when I have to move across uneven terrain.  Switching direction while dancing has improved my balance.

 The second is mental.  I get to work and laugh alongside my Super buddy (and super buddy) Alex.  There are no giggles on the treadmill; there are always giggles with Alex.  Actually, today we had cookies.  So much Spartaning up!  Alex always makes me want to be a better athlete.  Today I told her that wall climbs are my next goal.  (Maybe I'll shuffle ball change my way across the finish line.). 

 Tomorrow is a distance day, so my plan is to hit the treadmill before and after Zumba.  My goal is 2 miles before and 2 miles after.  I'll be sure to have some podcasts ready to listen to!

Time for bed!  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

Beast Training-67 Days!

GG

This is how I'm looking with all this snow out here!  Girl, I'm not driving to EverProven in this death weather.  I also have a bit of a cold.  Clearly everything is coming together.

Despite the snow interruptions, I'm really happy with my training progress.  I plan  to spend more time on the treadmill with Oscar.  I'm going to do a couple of miles tomorrow and check in with Kate.

I'm thinking about doing Tough Mudder in September!  Races just opened up in September, after my Spartan season is over (barring having to go to VT!)  I wonder how different it is from Spartan.  The obstacles look much higher.  I don't like heights.  I'll check out more.

Time for bed.  

AROO!  AROO!  AROO!  

Beast Training-70 days!

Today I had a pineapple, celery, and apple juice.  I also went to the 5:45 CrossFit class.  Now it's time for bed.  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

Wow! Beast Training-71 Days!

Almost 10 weeks to go!  Today I got in the treadmill.  I did 1.5 miles at 4% incline.  I feel like I could have done more, but I had to get to work.  On Saturday, my goal is 5 miles.  It's important to get those long days in.  I'm bummed that I can't do them outside, but the treadmill is a good substitute.

I continue to work on my nutrition. For breakfast I had some reheated chicken, spinach and a couple slices of pineapple. It was all very delicious and not too heavy.  I am still president of the Super Spinach Fan Club!

I had an annoying headache today, and I hope it feels better tomorrow. Despite having a headache, I got up and did some walking.  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

Beast Training-72 Days!

Today was a rest day, so I went to Zumba, struggle tap dance, and hip hop.  The 7am Zumba class is pretty quiet.  I often pray that someone louder than me comes to class.  I want a hype team.

This was today's dinner.  I heated up some cold supermarket rotisserie and ate it with spinach leaves and pineapple.  This was a great alternative to fast food!!

So I'm starting to think I can actually do this thing!  I can finish this race.  Tomorrow I go for a long walk, and I plan on doing some inclines.  Today on The Obstacle Dominator podcast I heard information about improving my posture and tips on knee protection.  All this prep makes me more excited to get out on the course.  Also, my friend Nichole made me her WCW.  Seeing a pic of me with my Sprint medal makes me want to work harder.  

 My legs aren't tired, but my knees ache from yesterday's workouts.  I wonder if I'll ever get rid of this knee pain.  I'll have to ask Coach Royce.  I want to meet him next week.  It's been too long!

I'm not sure why kombucha is so great, but I'll try this tomorrow.

A great day.  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

Beast Training-74 Days!

Another day of snow.  sigh  I didn't go out in it, so no strength circuit at EverProven.  However, I did get caught up on my squat challenge work.  Then I did 30 push ups for the Spartan February challenge.  Note: I still owe 30 for yesterday.  Finally, I stretched out on the floor.  Popeye and Deenies were a great hype team.

Tomorrow it's back to CrossFit!  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

Beast Training-76 Days (Walking Indoors is Boring!!)

Today my goal was to go 4 miles, but it's cold and icy outside.  I put on my luchador socks and strutted over to the gym.

First I went to the indoor track over the basketball court.  I quickly lost count of the number of laps I had done, so that was classy and awesome.  I did have a backpack full of stuff to simulate the race course, but no Camelbak.  I brought a small bag of honey roasted peanuts, so that was pretty badass.

Feeling like this really shouldn't be this difficult and that maybe a PhD should have prepared me, I went down to the treadmill and hopped on.  I walked for a bit and listened to the end of The Read.  I had the brilliant idea to try out some of the presets.  Note:  When they ask you for a maximum speed and incline, don't think that they're just being nice and won't use it.  So after that heart attack, I did a manual program and put it on the maximum incline to see how I liked it.  

It's on 10.0, but fuzzy because I couldn't keep still.  I really liked that experiment.

After the gym I went to the library and picked up a portable foods cookbook.  I have to think about race nutrition, so I'll try some of these recipes.

There are some yummy things in here.  

Tomorrow is a rest day, but I plan to hit the gym and do some more walking and swimming.  That will be nice!  More snow is on the way.  That will not be so nice.

AROO!  AROO!  AROO!  

Best Training-77 Days (extra rest day)

Today I had to do some work for school, so I didn't go to CrossFit.  I also didn't have any clean underwear, but having to work sounds like a classier excuse.  I guess I could have blamed the weather too.  We got a few more inches of snow.  oh yeah, I was watching Scandal too.  (Really, I don't know how my laundry situation got so bad, but luckily tonight I am back to being knee high in fresh panties!)

Tonight I shook off the cobwebs and went out to a goal setting workshop at EverProven.  It was phenomenal!  Here are some goals I identified for 2015.

Physical

1.  Achieve a 400 lb. deadlift.

2.  Squat below parallel.

3.  Complete Spartan trifecta.

Personal

1.  Complete saving challenge.

2.  Hit my 200 lb. weight loss target.

3.  Learn to roller skate.

Interpersonal

1.  Mail more letters to friends and family.

2.  Learn the names of fellow athletes at EverProven. 

3.  Continue to develop my feminist fathlete outreach and body positive fitness message.  

I wrote a couple of my goals down on the whiteboard (Kevin gave me a pound because we're both on our way to the 400 Club!) and had a great conversation about OCR training with Amanda and a few other Spartans and Tough Mudders.  I'm so glad I went out tonight!  

Eugene really has a gift for facilitating discussion.  Matt modeled the process of breaking a goal into action steps.  Elliott is going platinum.  Kate handed out worksheets like a boss.  So many great coaches at EverProven!  

Tomorrow will be fun.  I've got to walk/run for 4 miles.  I'm rewarding myself with a fun dance fitness outing.

AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

Beast Training-78 Days (A Walk on the Wild Side!)

Today I had my own dramatic entertainment!  Coach Kate and I hit the stairs in the Cocheco Mills Building.  I didn't know that the building was so important.  I also didn't know about the Dover flood of 1896.  I want to go back and read all the displays.

At one point we took a wrong turn!  It looked like Walking Dead!!

 We also sawsome people in line for a spaghetti lunch.  That made us hungry. mmm getties!!  *walker voice* 

Because it's week 2, we added some extra work. She told me that I could use the treadmill while the streets are a mess.

Tomorrow I'll head to CrossFit.  No piloxing though because Alex canceled class.  I'm also going to Spartan up and get through my ridiculous to-do list.  I'm really excited to do some lifting tomorrow!

AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

Beast Training-79 Days!

Note:  I've been in a funk lately because I'm surrounded by people who say terrible things about their bodies.  I see them at the gym, interact with them online, read their writings, and it makes me angry and sad.  I just need to get that out there.  I've been waving the HAES and self-love flag, but I feel like it's a never ending battle.

I'm also feeling nervous because the Western Massachusetts Beast isn't happening.  I'm feeling more pressure to finish NJ or be forced into Vermont.  I could always fly somewhere for a Beast, so all is not lost.  ok, enough fretting.  Back to today's update.

I wore new socks today.  tee hee  

"If EA can get her curls to CrossFit, girl you can get yours in there too."

Wednesday is rest day.  7am Zumba was cancelled, and I had to leave the house around 10:30 so the plow driver could clear the parking lot.  I ran over to Weight Watchers (One day I'll share my WW story.  It's a mess!  haha I hit the 20 lb. loss goal right on the dot.  That was cool.  While I don't talk a lot here about losing weight, I have lost weight and am almost at another big milestone.  I guess I'd share the deets if anyone asked. whatever)

 I was still feeling funky, so I decided to go to the noon CrossFit class.  I had seen EA post on Facebook about going to CrossFit on a day when she wasn't really up for it, so I decided to do the same.  I debated getting on the treadmill, but went with the class instead.

 After a rowing warm up, good stretches, and some other fun, the WOD had 5 rounds of burpees.  At the last round, I was pooped out and got some encouragement from Kylie.  She told me to keep pushing and to try for one more burpee.  I decided to go with it and did more burpees than I thought I could.  I always learn a lot from other CrossFit athletes.  I was also able to do something nice for a classmate, so going to class turned out to be a great thing.  

Here's me and Kylie!

So much snow outside!

Tonight I went to hip hop cardio and Alex's mama gave me some pound cake. Score!!  I'm sure the Spartans sold pound cake at their bake sales. 

Tomorrow is a long walking day with exercises built into the walk.  I'm nervous about dealing with the snow, but I'll just leave future problems in the future.  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!

Beast Training-80 Days!

Today's programmed workout did not happen because we got a huge snowstorm!  I went out and did some shoveling.  I made sure that I squatted extra low.  

I got this wig for Halloween as part of my Beyoncé costume and decided to wear it while shoveling.  It made everything more festive. 

 Today I took some Tylenol because my upper back hurts.  hmm, I wonder if that's from the Sunday Zumba toning class.  My inner thighs hurt too, but I'm sure that's just yesterday's barre class saying hello. 

I'm hoping that I'll be able to get to CrossFit and other workouts tomorrow.  Zumba is cancelled, so I'll do my top secret substitute dance workout.  We'll see about nighttime hip hop.  Tomorrow is technically a rest day. 

I had to deal with bullshit fat shamers today, and it infuriates me when women project their insecurities onto me.  I'll try not to stay angry, but instead will seek out ways to be of service and continue to eradicate those petty places in myself. 

I'm feeling good today despite the backache.  I'm looking forward to getting back in the gym!  I'm reading Joe DeSena's book before bed for more training tips.  AROO!  AROO!  AROO!