I have a cookie dilemma,
I purchased it at lunch.
It’s from Penn Station.
It’s been in my purse since I got back from lunch.
Now it’s on my desk.
It is magical.
I’m having a HELL of a day.
Interns suck.
Projects suck.
I need a cookie.
I went to CrossFit at 6:30 a.m.
I want a cookie.
I don’t like failure.
I do like cookies.
What shall I do????
I am happy to announce that my 3 baby step goals from last week were a success! YAY! Go me!
And since I do love being successful, we’re going to try this again.
Week 2 – Baby Steps
1. Write down everything I eat.
2. Take out one “bad’ thing. My focus is cookies.
3. 4-5 days of CrossFit training.
I had the opportunity to train the next group of Girls on the Run coaches today! So much fun! So excited I got to be a part of the beginning of their GOTR adventure.
Short and sweet tonight – looking forward to watching the ladies rock the gymnastic arena tonight (which actually already happened and I know the results).
What is your goal for the week?
The Color Run. The Happiest 5K on the Planet? Probably not.
If you remember, my goal was just to enjoy this race. Goal complete! I did enjoy this race. I started met up with my cousin and a few of her friends. One of the girls was totally up for walking so I had a buddy. My cousin had a goal of running the entire race and was successful! YAY KERI! I ran into two great friends who were also running.
It was a PERFECT day – weather-wise. Anyone who lives in the Midwest knows the extreme drought we have. I heard on the news today that 25 of28 days of July have been 90+ degrees. We had a lovely rain shower Friday afternoon that cooled things off. Bottom line – it was the perfect day for a race.
Pre-race. All pretty and white!
Now, let’s talk about the organization of the race. We were supposed to start at 8 a.m. We didn’t start moving toward the start line until 8:30, starting at about 9. The path was pretty typical for raced at White River State Park. However, there were too many people for the final leg of the race that used a smaller sidewalk. Recommendation – better organize the start. Maybe use corrals – not necessarily for time but for number of people to start each wave.
Our first view of the starting line.
Let’s chat about this color stuff. The color itself is a powder and was sprayed with large squeeze bottles (think ketchup/mustard plastic bottle). On the website, it stated if you want a ton of color run on the outside, less color run down the middle. The first color was orange and I went right down the middle – I received NO color. The next color area – yellow – was a bit more color as I was on the outside. The next 3 color stops – blue, pink, purple – we waiting in a line to get sprayed with color. Still nothing like the advertisements, I was disappointed.
You were also given a color packet to use at the end of the race at the celebration. Cool idea – yes. However, you had to run with it. There was also a list of things to bring – towel, change of clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc., but no bag check. Maybe these could be handed out as you cross the finish line. And a bag check would be nice.
The aftermath.
Overall, a good day! I had a good time, good company and a fun event. Given the cost of the race, I doubt I will do it again.
Have you run The Color Run? Did you have a good time? What other type of fun runs are out there?
Yesterday I did CrossFit for the first time. Today, I cannot move. There may be a bit of drama in that last statement. I can move. However, it takes a few groans, a bit of rocking back and forth and some good momentum to get moving.
I first discovered CrossFit though my Twitter friends. You know, My Trainer Bob and a few of those other Biggest Loser girls. (We’re totally BFFs.) And I thought, “Interesting – not gonna happen – they’re super skinny now, I’m not.” Then I found out that my friend Liz does it too. Liz is a super cool gal from Canada who decided to move to Melbourne after travelling for months and doing things like, hiking Mt. Everest. I live vicariously through her. Through our many conversation (me reading her blog), I’ve noticed one thing we have in common – once we start working out, it’s all good. It’s the getting the motivation get to the work out that sucks. Sometimes, it’s just nice to know someone feels your pain. Anyway, her CrossFit post convinced me to try. (Dear Liz – I promise I am not a stalker. xoxo Pam!)
But where is there a location near me? Next thing I know there is this lime green paper on my mailbox advertising CrossFit Thrive. And guess what – it’s within walking distance of my house. Or biking – should I ever get my bike. Or a 2 minute drive.
I let it sit for a week. Then I called last Tuesday more information. Dan (a.k.a Danimal) is the owner and trainer. He was very nice and informative. Answered all of my stupid questions – what should I bring, what should I wear, will this kill me – typical Pam questions. I told him I’d come by maybe Wednesday but definitely Thursday.
So, I went for my first session on Sunday. (Seriously, I think I could really live out-of-state! I’m chicken to go to CrossFit down the street!) Lucky for me, there were only 2 of us. And the other girl (thank goodness) had only gone a few times.
So we did two rounds of the warm-up:
5 pull ups (I cheated a put my foot in a strap to slingshot me to the bar.)
10 push ups (girly style)
10 kettle bell swings
10 squats using PVC pipe
Then we did some hip and shoulder stretches. But not your basic stretches, really intense stretches.
Then we moved onto our skill training. Basically, this is just a few minutes to work on a skill that you will most likely use at some point during CrossFit. We worked on overhead squat with the PVC pipe – focusing more on form than anything else.
Then we get into the WOD (Workout of the Day):
3 rounds
10 plate rotations (each side) using 10 lb. plate (Hindsight – I should have done more weight. Slacker!)
10 SDLHP (sumo dead lift high pull) using a 25 lb. kettle bell
300 meter run
The WOD should be done quickly, for time. I finished my 3 rounds in 12:15.
First CrossFit workout for a girl who hasn’t done any strength training in months – I’m going to call it a success!
And since I have a week trial, I wanted to go back – today. My quads had a very LOUD and PAINFUL opinion about that idea. Given that today’s WOD (which they post on Facebook & Twitter, which I think is super awesome) was 150 wall balls for time. (They call this workout Karen. I will need to get to the bottom of this naming business.) My brain thought that sounded so fun! My legs were actually crying as I watched this video. And yes, I’m so fearless, I look up the WOD on youtube.com before even thinking about going.
In a perfect world, I would get up tomorrow morning for the 6:30 a.m. class. I know I won’t be able to go tomorrow night because of GNO (Girls Night Out) with Laura, Carrie and Nicole. We’ll see.
For an actual explanation of CrossFit, here are a few links from the interwebs. Please note – I’ve done this one time. I’m not an expert. I’m not recommending it. I just went one time and enjoyed myself enough that I may go again (if my legs allow).
Have you tried CrossFit? Do you have another favorite at the moment? Do you have random interweb BFFs (blogger you stalk follow that seem like real friends sometimes)?
As you may (or may not) have noticed, I’ve decided to take a little break from my sweet blog. It was premeditated. I’m not too busy to blog and I’ve had lots of things to say, but I needed a break.
I’ve read over my blog many times in the last 16 days and I’ve noticed a few things. First, my blog is very negative. I don’t want this to be a negative place. I want it to be fun, entertaining and maybe encouraging. Second, every time I wanted to blog in the last 16 days, I was in a negative place. Third, I hate listening to people always bitching and do nothing to change their situation.
So I’m starting over. But not deleting all of the past because, in life, you can’t delete your past. It’s always with you. You learn from it or dwell in it – your choice. Today, I’m starting over and learning from it.
I’ve also decided that I set incredibly lofty goals for myself. And when I set said goal and do not meet them, I begin on this downward spiral that just sucks! For everyone! Including you, sweet blog! I’m not saying lofty goals are not good. I love a good goal. But those have to be attainable. Losing 50 pounds in a month – not attainable unless you’re on the Biggest Loser. Running a marathon and not training – not attainable, especially since you cannot run a mile. Taking a nap on Sunday afternoon – totally attainable, and happening in a few short minutes.
Baby Steps – Week 1
July 22 – July 28
So there you go. Hopefully, you’ll stick with me as I figure this out.
What is one small goal/habit you’d like to focus on over the next 7 days?
**Warning** If you are looking for a funny, motivating or joyful post – Skip this blog today.
Why? Because I am in a funk!
I’m on vacation. I wanted to go somewhere, of course at the last minute but decided against it.
I have a place to stay….just needed to get there. Too expensive to fly. Too lonely to drive by myself.
Then I decided to buy a bike.
When I left my house yesterday to buy said bike, I found a nail in my tire.
$50 later, I find out I need two new tires on the front of my car. Totaling $300.
Called my car guy and got that price reduced to $200.
Went to store and stared at my $88 bike for a minute or 20. She’s pink. I want her. Maybe next year.
Came home to find the cat food infiltrated by ants.
Can’t get new tires until tomorrow. So I’ll be waking up at 6:00 to be at the shop by 7:00 to be back in Noblesville by 9:00 for an event, then meet a dear friend for brunch/lunch after.
I laid in bed until noon then decided I had to do something.
Now I’m writing this incredibly lame blog post.
Things I’ve realized during this vacation:
Bah-Humbug.
Seriously, where has 2012 gone?! We’re half way through and rather than putting my new years project list in a drawer and forgetting about it. I want to revisit it. Update it. So, let’s do that, shall we?
Project #1 – Be nicer to myself.
I’m going to say this is a work-in-process. Setting more realistic expectations for myself – this may never happen. I want to achieve great things. I just need to continue to work on letting myself be ok if I don’t meet those expectations. Maybe I should start a 3-tiered expectation system (normal, above-average and Pam-land)?
Project #2 – Be true to myself.
Again, work-in-process. I am lacking in the conscious effort to see friends/family sub-project.
Project #3 – Run like the wind.
I’ve got nothing except a huge fail here!
Project #4 – Grow my fancy little blog.
Project #5 – Find a clear direction
So, there it is. I believe I have a ton of work to do in these next 6 months! How are your projects/resolutions/goals for 2012 coming along?
Just the Left Bean 