Feeling Blessed

Well, it's been a while since I've posted on my blog.  Summer was hectic.  Not really my excuse though.  We went through a tough time in April and it took a while to get the spirits back up.  So here I am because this weekend really brought it all home for me.

I recently celebrated my 40th birthday.  40... I remember when I thought 40 was so OLD!  Not so much anymore.  Just days before my birthday, my very loving partner, Parker, asked me to marry him.  It had been a cold, wet day.  I was feeling about as great as the weather when the family made the trek up to the trailer.  I decided I needed a nap and headed inside.  While Mommy was napping, Parker was asking Ciara if it was ok if he asked Mommy to marry him.  Really?  I LOVE that he thought of her first!  Surprisingly, the weather cleared up, Ci went into the trailer to watch a movie (it was still freakin' cold), and Parker said "Let's go down and check out the sunset.  It might be one of our last this summer."  So I bundled up and away we went.  We sat there for a while, just chatting away.  Then he said "Let's head back".  I was freezing so it sounded like the perfect idea.  But before we left, he told me how much he loved me, that he couldn't imagine his life without me, and then, that big 6'4" man of mine got down on one knee and proposed.  Yes, I cried.  AND yes, I said YES!  It was amazing.  Before we headed back to the trailer he told me about his conversation with Ciara.  Well, needless to say I had more tears!  I felt truly loved and blessed.

But, it doesn't stop there.  This past weekend we hosted our 2nd Annual Breast Cancer Fundraiser at the trailer.  A little BBQ to raise funds for the Run for the Cure.  We decided a pig roast was in order.  We tied the event in with my 40th birthday celebration.  I posted on Facebook "If you want to celebrate my 40th with me, you'll have to come to the trailer" and, you know what, people did!  We had close to 40 people there!  It was a cold one but the food and company was awesome.  Everyone contributed in some way, a salad, dessert, games, tarps (thanks Mark), etc.  The rain held off the whole night.  We raised $550 at our little gathering.  So, once again, I felt very loved and blessed to have all these amazing people in my life.

And that's all for now.  I'm laid up in bed today but needed to get this out there.

If you weren't able to come to the BBQ but would like to contribute, here's my online donation page.

Donate here

Community

com·mu·ni·ty  

1. people in area: a group of people who live in the same area, or the area in which they live
2. people with common background: a group of people with a common background or with shared interests within society
3. nations with common history: a group of nations with a common history or common economic or political interests

When I think of the people at CrossFit Indestri (CFI), I think "community".  As defined above, #2 is exactly what it is.  Not necessarily people with a common background as we all have led very different lives and come from very different backgrounds.  But we are a group of people with a shared interest.  We all have a love/hate relationship with CrossFit LOL.

But seriously, it's very hard not to grow close to a group of people that you've completed a WOD with.  We cheer each other on, give encouragement to help keep them going, and give them a high five or props at the end of the workout.  We smile, we laugh, we sweat, and well, sometimes, we cry together.

Community is one of the top reasons I am still at CrossFit.  As much as I have learned that I love to lift heavy things, the people bring me back day after day.  Whether it's a "Hey Mighty Mouse" from coach Tyson in the morning or some "ribbing" from some of the members about whether we're ready for today's workout or not.  I don't think I could ever leave this type of environment.

Photo by Jennifer Nichol

This couldn't have been more true when I, unfortunately, had to take a total of 6 weeks off from CrossFit.  Between Pool School, a vacation, and some medical issues, it was the longest time away from these people that I've had in the past year.  And when I was going through my personal troubles, the only place I wanted to be was at CFI.  Kind of a Cheers effect.  You know "where everybody knows your name"...

While I was off, I received messages on Facebook.  "Miss you", "When are you coming back?"  "Quit slacking and get your butt in here!"  (My favourite).  Just made me miss CFI more.  So the first day I went back, I was a little emotional but boy, was I happy to see everyone.  Got some great hugs and "welcome back".

Another great testament to this community, well now more like a family, is how people stepped forward to help Chris achieve his goal at MetCon.  They were either there to watch him or there to help him.  Truly amazing!

So, if you're looking for a place where you can get fit and feel a part of a "community" like ours, then check out your local CrossFit box.  Ask the members.  I bet they say the same thing.

"Where everybody knows your name,

And they're always glad you came;

You want to go where people know,

People are all the same;

You want to go where everybody knows your name."

Where Everybody Knows Your Name by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/cheerslyrics.html

CrossFit Open Complete!

I actually started this blog post last weekend but I think I was still so tired!!

Check another item off my Bucket List, "Compete in the CrossFit Games Open".  As of today, that is complete!  What is the "Open"???

The Open competition is an opportunity for fitness enthusiasts from all over the world to compete in an international CrossFit competition.  The competition began March 6th with the "announcement" of the first workout, 13.1.  There were a total of 5 WODs (workout of the day).  Each were announced on Wednesday night and had to be completed, with scores submitted by Sunday night.
The first week, 13.1, was full of electricity.  All kinds of hype leading up to the big announcement.  The CrossFit community was a buzz.  Parker and I sat down in front of the computer and waited.  13.1 will be 17 minutes of: 40 Burpees, 30 reps of 45lb Snatch, 30 Burpees, 30 Reps of 75lb Snatch, 20 Burpees, 30 Reps of 100lbs Snatch, 10 Burpees, as many Reps as possible in time remaining of 120lb Snatch.  Here was my thought process:  "ugh burpees" then "75lbs!!!  Are you kidding me?  My 1 rep max is only 65lbs.  Well I'll be done at 100 reps (40+30+30)".  From Wednesday night on I had butterflies in my stomach.  What was I thinking?  I can't do this!  By Saturday morning I thought I was going to puke.  Reminded my of my old skating days.  Never was much of a competitor LOL.  Always lost my cookies before hitting the ice.

So Thursday I set up a one-on-one session with my coach, Tyson.  Time to work on that Snatch.  He coached me up to the 75lbs.  I did it!  It wasn't pretty.  "Get under the bar!  Under the bar" (those words still echo in my head).  On Saturday I knew I would get at least 1 of those 75lb Snatch lifts up.  So away I went.  My dear friend Tammy, my mom, Parker, Nate, and others yelling encouraging me to pick up the bar!  Not only did I get 1 up, but I managed to get 7 of them up!!  According to other members of our community, every time I got the bar up, I had a big smile on my face.  Damn right I did!  I was pretty darn proud.  Needless to say, I survived week 1 and was ready for more!

Next up, 13.2.  Same kind of excitement and electricity.  The anticipation of the announcement on Wednesday night... 13.2 will be 10 minutes, as many rounds as possible of: 75lb Shoulder to Overhead, 75lb Deadlift, 15 box jumps at 20" This was a little more my WOD.  Although the 75lb Shoulder to Overhead was a little trying with my shoulder.  Bad shoulder.  Damn muscle ups!

Then, 13.3.  The Wednesday night nerves were finally settling by this point.  Always exciting to tune into the website and watch the top CrossFit athletes tackle the next WOD.  Also, sometimes their reaction was just as surprised as our reaction :)   13.3 will be 12 minutes of: 150 Walls Balls (14lbs), 90 Double Unders, 30 Muscle Ups.  As you may remember from an earlier post, I did not enjoy this one at all!  This one crushed me.  To the point that I was holding back tears.  Really??  I had to do a serious reality check with myself that night.  Reminding myself that I couldn't even do a proper Wall Ball a year ago.  Let alone 150 at 9ft target!!  It took a little while but I got over it. 

13.4, almost there!  As we near the end of the Open with this WOD, you can tell that HQ was looking to weed some people out.  Those of us that still weren't lifting Rx (prescribed) weights in a lot of WODs.  13.4 will be 7 minutes of: 3 reps of 95lb Clean and Jerks, 3 toes to bar, 6 95lbs Clean & Jerks (C&J), 6 toes to bar (T2B), 9 95lbs C&J, 9 T2B, 12 95lbs C&J, 12 T2B, 15 95lbs C&J, 15 T2B, 18 95lbs C&J, 18 T2B.  If you complete the round of 18, go on to 21, then 24, etc.  95lbs Clean & Jerk!!  WHAT!!??  This was where quite a few of us surprised ourselves.  I missed my friend Cathy Jackson but I know this was a huge PR (personal record) for her!  I've heard that it was a very emotional and proud moment for Cathy and all those that were there to cheer her on.  Awesome job!  For me, my 1 rep max was 100lbs.  So 95lbs?  I told Tammy my goal was to get through the set of 3 and then take the rest of the time to get as many of the 6 as possible.  Low and behold didn't I shock the s@#$ right out of myself.  And again came the smiles every time that damn bar went over my head.  I made it through the 3s AND the 6s AND managed to get 4 more reps!  Super proud?  You bet!  Considering my current weight is 115, that's a lot of weight to be throwing over my head :)  13.4 definitely brought me out of the slump I was in after 13.3.

The Grand Finale, 13.5.  I'm sure I'm not the only one that felt this way, "Let's just get'r done!"  5 weeks was a long time.  Too many unknowns, so many emotional moments.  Really takes a toll on one's body!  This Wednesday, still excited to watch it but not really excited to do it, I sat on my couch with my laptop and watched 4 AMAZING CrossFit Athletes get completely and utterly crushed.  This WOD wasn't just a test of strength and endurance but also a major mental test.  13.4 will be Complete as many rounds and reps as possible in 4 minutes of:  15 reps 65lb Thruster, 15 Chest to bar Pull-ups.If 90 reps (3 rounds) are completed in under 4 minutes, time extends to 8 minutes.  If 180 reps (6 rounds) are completed in under 8 minutes, time extends to 12 minutes.  If 270 reps (9 rounds) are completed in under 12 minutes, time extends to 16 minutes.  HOLY CRAP!!  What a way to end the Open.  This was a truly crushing WOD.  Leaving many, I'm sure, emotionally and physically drained.  That's where your CrossFit community comes in.  Unfortunately for me, I had some health restrictions.  BUT, instead of just walking away, I at least did my 1 rep to get a final score.  Why not right?  So although I didn't feel the effects of this one, I saw many of my CrossFit Community that did.

Thankfully, we have a Box full of AMAZING people!  After the last athlete performed 13.5 on Saturday, we celebrated with great food and music.  We had a fun team WOD where the morning folks took on the evening peeps.  Full of fun and laughter, we tackled the WODs as a team and it truly bought everyone's spirits back up.  Although...  apparently us morning folks were accused of cheating.  I'm still waiting on an explanation of that one.  Scott???

Thank you for an amazing Open experience CrossFit Indestri!  I would say that my biggest highlight of the Open was not all the PRs (they rocked but), it was feeling that sense of community we always talk about.  I love our CFI group!  It truly feels like a family.  But when we do something like this, we don't just feel like a family, we act like one.  We're out there cheering on, encouraging, and supporting each other.  When we fall down, someone runs over and picks you back up.  Seeing everyone come out just to watch or come early/stay late to watch, was priceless. 

And THAT my friends is my most favourite and cherished part of CrossFit!

Watch out CrossFit Open 2014, I think there's a few CFI members that are going to come back with a vengeance!
Check out this great video that my friend Jen made of our community taking on the 2013 Open!