MS City To Shore Bike Ride & Allie's Birthday

Hey Loves! Know what I just realized?!? I didn't fill you in about my awesome weekend.  Last weekend I participated in the MS City To Shore Bike Ride.  I rode my bike 80 miles (couldn't do the 100 this year).  The picture to the left is the main part of my team minus Paul and his daughter Emily.  I meet the guy on the far left - Mr. Sieber - on the first mile of the same ride four years ago.  The girl on the right of me (in the white jersey) is his daughter, Ro.  I ended up becoming great friends with her since then, and I've rode with them every year since.  The year I meet them, I was biking with a team from South Jersey, but I really didn't know anyone.  I have been living here about 2 months.  I was suppose to crash down the shore and stay with the team, but I ended up after the ride that year back at the Sieber's house.  They fed me and welcomed me like family.  They've been stuck with me ever since!
I honestly look forward to the ride and getting to see them.  Ro's schedule has finally changed and hopefully we are planning on doing monthly happy hours. Anyways, it was a BEAUTIFUL day for a ride. 

The weather was perfect and I had a great ride. I've already signed up for next year and am looking forward to it.  Justin & Alycia said we can design some CrossFit Aspire jersey. I can't WAIT! I love my box, so rocking them while riding will be a great idea! Ro has MS so she gets a special jersey.

Me & AC

Me & Allie - Birthday Girl

Tricia and me

Sunday was spent with my CrossFit loves for my girl Allie's birthday.  They cooked out and we all brought some food/drinks/sweets. It was a fun afternoon with some of my favorites.  Much needed relaxing day after the bike ride Saturday!

Be In Love With Your Life

Source: Wodify

Hello Loves! Hope your week is off to a great start! LOTS on my mind lately! Things are going great! I'm getting back into more at CrossFit, I'm less then two weeks from California and seeing DA, I have Boston this weekend AND I'm getting back on track with the balance of life. Lets recap this weekend a little since I didn't do a Sunday Fitness Recap post. Friday we did push press.  I PR'ed at 105#.  It was hard.  I did two sets of 3.  I got one on video, which of course has me cheating the first rep (I push jerked it) but having a beautiful third rep! It felt good, heavy but good.  So I am excited about that. I just got that.  I'm excited that even though I was out for a couple weeks, things are coming back. So, it's not letting me share the video, but here is the link...
http://www.youtube.com/embed/N1cgjNzLbJM

So that WOD wore me out Friday - I was happy that I ran. It was hard and I could tell I did not have the movement in my right ankle all the way back, but it was a start. And we have to start somewhere.  :) Friday night we had our monthly box crew dinner.  We went to El Camino Real in Philly. I was a good girl.  I didn't eat and only had one drink. (we will discuss why in a little bit! It was a fun time.  I started having some pain in my right side/ovary so thankfully someone had some Naproxen.  Took some and was feeling a little better - enough I could walk normal.  I swear one day my endometriosis is going to be gone, hopefully. I'm more excited it did not escalate and turn into another hospital visit like last time.  Yes, it happens more then I'd like to admit actually. When I got home, I just crashed...hard.  I slept in till about 11:30.  It felt great. I missed the chance to WOD, but after looking at the WOD for that day there is no way I could have done it.  Squat movements and my hip is still not working right so would have been a no go for me. However, I did play on the trainer for a little bit. Which was nice.  First time in a WHILE and my ankle worked wonderfully. I also did some tabata work - situps, pushups, and handstand holds. Felt good.

 

Sunday was some food prep and relax day. It was also the first day in a LONG time I was super homesick. No Mama Dukes to hangout or take to brunch. No SIL to hang with.  It was Mother's Day and I missed my Mama Dukes. Also, I never sent my gift for her or SIL (or SIL's birthday present...I am the WORST I know).  It's on my To Do list.  Along with a million other things. I did however make myself breakfast - eggs and bacon (on the foreman and it was AMAZING), chicken salad for the week and pulled our steak for me and Allie for dinner.  I did lay down for a little bit on the couch to watch Grimm and catch up on my show. Look at how Scarlet curls up behind me.  She is SO stinking cute! I did take them to the farm to get some veggies for dinner and the week.  When I got home I made some Paleo ranch - HOLY AMAZING. Sad I waited so long to try it. Allie came over Sunday evening.  I made us steak and veggies - amazing. I love cooking.  We were still hungry (or maybe I was haha) so I also made some Paleo chocolate chip cookies -- and yes, cavemen would have eaten them back then had they known about them. I used coconut flour.  I like the ones with almond flour better.  Maybe I just need to play with the recipe.  I'm not sure. It was a great end of the weekend.  Little Game of Thrones action and bed! 

 

Monday started with some PT.  I'm getting stronger and better at a lot of things.  Still have a good chunk of movement to get back. 

 

Once I got to school I got to leave - we had a softball tournament. I wish we had a normal season - I think the girls would really like it.  Instead, we practiced for 2 almost 3 weeks and then played 3 games yesterday.  We lost 2 and won 1. I love this group of kiddos - they are awesome!

Source: Wodify

After school I went home and got ready to WOD - it was Split Jerks and it was going to be my first time back since I broke my ankle to trying Split Jerks. I did it.  All 4 runs which means I RAN A MILE!! WOOT WOOT! I also did lunges. No DB or bar, just body weight, but I did them.  It's progress. I did the Split Jerks at 95# and the conditioning at 75#. Feeling good this morning.

 

Now lets also discuss my last post...I do NOT want to lose weight like a normal girl. PLEASE don't get it twisted.  Maybe I didn't express myself right. I USE to have a goal weight.  I USE to want to weigh 150-155 and was focused on that. Now what I want is to lose FAT.  I want to gain muscle and cut the fat.  That is where I struggle.  I can't figure out how to do that. I'm working on it, but I haven't figured it out yet. I am toying with the idea of getting a second gym membership. For a spin class, yoga class and a pool. I need that stuff. I need to get more focused and work on stuff.

10 Days! 10 days till I get to go see my babe! I am SO excited!

I can't wait to see him and be face to face.  It's been so long.  I know my family isn't 100% ok with it, but he knows that. And he knows he has a LOT to prove to a LOT of people. Right now, I know that I miss him and I love him.  That is what I am worried about.  Us and figuring out what we want to do.

What do you think about a second gym?
What do you think I should do to cut fat?

~xoxo
M

Can Santa Fund Races?

So - here it is...heading into the second week of Decemeber.  I have big hopes for next year and minimal finances to support those hopes haha!! I'm trying to refocus my lift and budget to get things paid off and me in a good place.  I would really like to be able to do the Half Ironman in Augusta with friends, but I currently don't know if I will be able to.  I desperately need a new road bike, and more importantly I need a group to train with! I also have a couple races (halfs, TRIs, 5Ks) I want to do.  I need to set a race fund into my budget. Or just get Santa to fund some races haha :)

I've also been invited to join my buddy Paul and head to Guatemala for 2 weeks in July to work at schools and with educators down there for the first week and travel the second week.  Again...have to see if I can work out the money.  I just keep telling myself it will all workout the way it is suppose to in HIS plan.

Last night's WOD kicked my tail - there was not strength then metcon - it was just 10 sets of 3x3 Power clean to front squat to push jerk and get heavy! I got up to 100# - 55, 65, 75, 85, 90, 90, 90, 95, 95, 100! Cait and I stayed at 90 and worked on our form and again at 95.  Our last we were just going to do 95, but wanted to see if we could get 100.  I try to focus on not caring about the weight, I want the form first.

I am going to take off from CrossFit only for the main reason as I have WAY to much to do. At least as of right now I am.  I have basketball till 5. I could squeeze in the 5:30 or 6:30 class...maybe...I have to get to the post office and mail my ornament for the #hungfortheholiday swap - I wrote the date down wrong.  Thought it was the 19th to mail by, but it was last week - EEK!

Anyone else feel like they have a MILLION things to do and not enough time?!?
How is Christmas only 14 days away?!?!?
How'd you #SweatPink yesterday?

~xoxo
M

And I Would Ride 100 Miles & End Up At The Shore :)

Today is October 1st...can you believe it?!? October 1st! I can't believe it.  This month is full of LOTS of fun things - I get to see Meg-moe, Nic and their family to celebrate Nic's new bundle of joy, Mom is coming up for a just us weekend, I have a couple 5Ks on the books AND most importantly is my Princess turns 1!!! I can't believe she is already going to be one! We had our usual Sunday night skype session last night and we (Mom & me) got to see the Princess take some steps. I can't believe how big she is getting and I can't wait to go home the end of the month and see her. Michele wants her party to be Halloweened themed so I've been stalking Pinterest and the internet to find fun ideas.  I don't get in till super late that Friday, so I am trying to find stuff I can help her make all night/early morning to get ready! I LOVE Halloween and having parties so I am excited :)

This weekend was my 100 mile bike ride for MS. The City to Shore ride is probably one of my favorite things I do.  I love getting to ride with Ro, her Dad, Paul and this year Paul's daughter.  This year was a BIG struggle for me. I think I am still learning Paleo and don't know exactly how to eat Paleo style that makes me set for such an endurance challenge.  I will figure it out though. With that being said - the first 40ish miles SUCKED.  I couldn't seem to get going, I felt horrible and was super dizzy.  We got onto the century loop and I was having a hard time focusing my eyes.  When we got to the rest stop - I got caught by the medics.  After taking my BP & pulse, they thought I was having a blood sugar issue so they made me eat. A lot of non-paleo items so I cheated.  I finally got cleared to leave the stop - the first 8-10 miles I felt like ass.  My stomach hurt. I had a little mini melt down - cried and just was ready to quit.  I was really having a hard time mentally thinking that I may have to catch a SAG vehicle. Mind you this whole time - Ro's dad is talking to me, trying to get me to smile and telling me it was going to be ok. If it was my legs giving out - I'd be more ok with SAG but when its something you can't control - I was pissed. I don't quit. And I really didn't want to that day either.

Now, two things you should know - A - I meet Ro's dad on the ride 3 years ago at mile 1. We got to talking and I rode the WHOLE way with him, Ro and Paul. I instantly knew that I really really liked their family. At the time I was with a different team but they were serious riders who didn't really want time with me.  When we got to OC that year, they invited me over for dinner and to hang out, and the rest is history. the second thing - B - I didn't train. Not one lick.  I had not been on my bike since the MS ride last year.  It's hard because in Knoxville, I ALWAYS had people to ride with and train with. Here I don't.  However, I have recently found a team that is closer to me that I can hopefully start hooking up with.

Now I told Ro's dad after my 5 mile cry that I was going to stop at the next intersection and get picked up.  Well when we got there, it was only cops and no MS people so I kept going.  The next intersection was the same thing and at this time we were so close to the next rest stop I figured I'd just go there.  By the time I got to that rest stop though, I felt a lot better.  So I said I'd aim for the next stop. Wouldn't you know after we pulled out - I skipped the next stop and just kept going. I felt great.  I was moving good. My legs felt strong. I could see and my head felt good. The last stop we all linked up again.  We had 13.1 miles to go from that stop till the boardwalk in Ocean City. I knew I could do it.  I was worried about the crazy bridges, but I knew I could do it even if I had to get off and walk the bridge.  I didn't.  I powered right up them.  I owe this ride to my team.  For dealing with me.  Having to stop longer at the century loop stop to get me cleared. I'm already looking forward to next years ride (and training too).

Quick Recap of September Goals

Fitness

 1.Run at least 4 days a week. This happened up until last week - took it off bc of bike race
 2.Go to CrossFit 3 days on 1 day off (may flux first two weeks of month due to HM program) DONE :)
 3.Rock the Philly Rock'n'Roll half marathon.  DONE :)
4.Squat September -- started with 5...adding 5 every day! Goal is 150 by end! Done :)

Personal

 1.Go to church at least 2 of the 4 Sundays. I still need to find a church I like...thought I had, but I haven't.
 2.Be working on the 30 day Paleo challenge through the gym. Done - some cheats b/c of races, but trying to figure it out
 3.Be more social nope - haven't done much haha

Blogging

 1.Write a post at least every other day. Almost - not every other, but def better :)

So....with that.... here we go

Fitness

 1.Run at least 3 days a week (one has to be a LONG run of 5 or more and one has to be Speed work!).

 2.Go to CrossFit 5 days a week

 3.Rock the Heros to Hero run & Vineyard 5K (maybe get one under 35).

4.Plank EVERY day this month!

Personal

 1.Go to church at least 2 of the 4 Sundays.
 2.Be working on the 30 day Paleo challenge through the gym (ends the 10th) and then transition to a more Paleo life every day.
 3.Be more social/gett out more

Blogging
 1.Write a post at least every other day.


~xoxo
M

Longest Bike EVER - Rocky Top 100 07.04.09

On Saturday, Leah & her neighbor Christi (now my new biking friend) did the 32 miler for the Rocky Top 100. Had some MAJOR hills and steady climbs, but we all completed it and had some AMAZING beer after :)