Kelly...

...my least favorite WOD of all CrossFit WODs, but perhaps also the most symbolic of my passion for CrossFit.

For any of you who saw me work out that day, the second part of that sentence probably comes as a surprise. The only thing I looked passionate about that day was wanting to quit, and wanted to quit I did. Though I never said it out loud, my body was screaming for a tap out. But a few things happened at the end of the workout that I will always carry with me, that only fuel my addiction for the sport of fitness and that keep me coming back for more...

I remember that near the end of the 4th round of Kelly, the music playlist was transitioning between songs, and all I could hear was the heaviness of my own breath and my own mind telling me to quit. Then, I looked up and saw about 10 of my fellow Crossfitters. Though most of them had finished their own workout, they didn't pack up their things and head to their next errand or stick to their own routine in the corner of the room. They circled my box, cheering me on and urging me to do just five more box jumps, five more wall balls...I started the 400m run of the last round and I couldn't believe that I was still moving, even at the snail's pace it was =)

I walked out the door and started a very slow jog, but I wasn't alone. Mase, Alex, Kevin, and Chris were there, every step of the way...

"C'mon Faith, you're doing great...Just keep going, you gotta dig deep...Start to pick up that pace...You're always there for us, and we're there for you!" I had no energy to even respond at the time, but there is nothing like the feeling of having nothing left and having such an amazing crew of people stand behind you (literally!) till the end.

When we reached the gym the whole CFV team was there to push me through those last reps. My body was sending me some new signals as chills ran up and down my arms. I didn't know what it meant but I just kept going.  When I was finished with the workout I must have gone through two bottles of water and still ended up with a very gummy cotton mouth (FYI: hydrate before your workouts!!).

So the message behind Kelly for me? There is no workout too hard to accomplish, no matter how daunting. Chills and scars let me know I'm alive. And no matter how much you may degrade yourself, you have an entire community of people who will never let you fail.

Yay Zone!

Been doing Zone for the past two weeks with only one cheat meal a week, and it's been going great! I feel better, more energized, cravings are severely diminished...Now what I have to start focusing on is the quality of the foods I eat. Though I've been eating in Zone proportions, a lot of my carbs have been coming from unfavorable sources, so I just need to start dialing it in a little more.

The Affiliate Cup Qualifiers are this weekend, and even though I won't be able to make it to the actual competition day because of school, I'm excited to do the WODs. I've never done double CrossFit-WODs in one day, so it should be an awesome experience.

Thoughts

So I realize I just posted about an hour ago, but as I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep I had a lot running through my mind, and I figured what better place to rant than my blog =)

Today was a crazy day--being so nervous about the mile run, running the hardest I ever have, never feeling so disappointed in myself after such a big PR...lots and lots of energy spent. After the run was done and I could finally start to regather my balance and my legs, I really only had one thought running through mind..."I was so close, just 5 seconds and everything else I have to do is a breeze!"

This train of thought continued to occupy me until just a little while ago, as I was staring up at the ceiling and realized a few things:

1) Running is my ULTIMATE goat. BUT, it doesn't matter how much or how well I can do of any other exercise. If I only focused on those things I do well, then I'd be missing one of the real beauties of CrossFit in its ability to expose our weakness and train us to be fit all-around. Even though I feel like I perform generally well during WODs, it's no doubt that if there's running in a workout I'm seriously lagging in my numbers.

In past workouts involving running, it's almost as if I would give in and accept that I would do crappy during the WOD. It's the complete opposite of my other goats that I tend to give a lot more determination and training to, but since it was always a big goat, I allowed myself to create that mental outlook.

2) I have an amazing month of training up ahead of me!! When I really start to think about the PR I had today after not running for so long, it gets me so excited to think about how with continuous training this month, I could seriously knock that 9-minute standard out of the water at the next testing date. I have posted about my troubles with running time and time again in the past, and I feel like today was the major kickstart I needed to start ironing out my weakness instead of hiding from it. 

There have only been a few times where I've been seriously down on myself in the gym, and every time that happens it only takes me that day to realize that it's the exact opposite of who I am, how I want to be, and what this whole process was meant to be. Even though I can forget this from time to time, I truly believe in the power of personal progress rather than comparative progress. As only Bill and Colin and a couple of other CrossFit friends could know, my fitness now versus nine month ago is seriously night and day. I am so excited for every PR someone hits in the gym, no matter how big or small, and it's an appreciation I should probably start to offer myself every once in a while =)

3) Last, but absolutely not least, our CFV crew is AMAZING!! I was so thankful to have your support and encouragement today. Not to sound too cheesy, but you all are an incredible blessing. You push me so hard to do things I never thought I could ever do, and I am so grateful to have you in my life.

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Hamstring Notes: Crazy thing about today was that my hamstring tightened up on the warmup run, even though after the actual mile was done it was fine. That could be because of adrenaline or the fact that my glutes and legs were burning like crazy all around (just touching them was painful!), but interesting still since I sprinted that last 400m so hard.

5 Seconds...

Did part one of Level 1 Testing today, and I was super nervous about the mile run. I've never run faster than a 10 minute mile, let alone having to run a sub-9 minute mile. 

Seriously, I know I've been off from running because of my hamstring for a while, but I still wanted to kill the run, and I have never pushed myself harder on a run in my life. My legs were burning like crazy and I sprinted the last 400m with everything. When I got into the gym, was super dizzy and I just collapsed.

5 seconds. Feeling pretty frustrated right now, being so close and especially knowing I can hit everything else on the list well. 9:05 is a big PR for me, and even though not feeling it as much right now, I am happy about it. I also know that I pushed myself to my limit, which is all I can do. Guess till next time...

PS Thanks so much to everyone at the end! Sorry if I wasn't the most sociable after the run =) 

Peaches!!

I haven't had a peach in a long time, and now that they are in season I am so excited!! One whole peach is a block (as opposed to half an apple or pear), and they are so super sweet. YUM!

Did lots of PNF today, very painful at first but I can definitely tell the effects. L-Sit is up to about 8 seconds now, almost there!! =)

Hardcore Zone

Working on Zone straight for a month...hardest day has definitely been today (normally an off day), but pulled through =) With the exception of working out a little hunger and cravings, the diet makes me feel great.

Tried jogging a little bit today, and my hamstring tightened up like crazy the first time. Then I rolled it out a little and tried again an hour later, and even though it was still tight, it was better. The rolling has been helping a lot.

Max Handstand: 1:49