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Me & Peanut

Hello Loves! Happy Saturday! I'm finally getting into the groove of school, training, studying, and life, so hopefully back to semi-regular scheduled blogging!! The weekend after Labor Day aka the awesome California trip for Dumbo Double Dare (which you can read about a short thoughts here) was BUSY! I had made plans to keep the Peanut all weekend + had a school BBQ and CrossFit BBQ Saturday and run club fun Sunday.  I took the Peanut with me to everything - she's good like that. She spent about 6 hours in the pool on Saturday and two hours on Sunday. I LOVE that little girl - she's such a joy to have around and take care of! The school BBQ was fun - at my work BFF Nicolella's house.  Her dogs are AWESOME - seriously, they dive into the pool and swim to the bottom to get the ball - how cool is that? Peanut and I thought it was super cool - wonder if Scarlet would jump in?!?

Got to the Aspire BBQ late, but my bestie Jilly was there! I got to see her and her hubs, Tommy.  I LOVE love LOVE them! Seriously, would be lost without them. As always, I had a good time with my Aspire crew.  Didn't really talk to a lot of people.  Peanut and I didn't get there till late, so most people were in conversation.  I got to talk with TLyn and Kelly a lot, so that was good! Relaxed by Sandy's fire pit.  I love her backyard/house - so relaxing and makes me feel like I'm home.  It was a LONG day for both Peanut and myself.

Sunday started with Aspire Run Club........

I love my Sunday runs with the crew.  Our turnouts have been growing steadily and I love it.  Jess has even started coming.  She is brand new to running, and we all know how much I love working with new runners.  Ev comes too now! Such a good group.  The boy I have been hanging out with is in the picture too...but no disclosure on that...yet ;) After Run Club I also stayed and did some clean work with Caitlyn.

Got a new Clean and Jerk PR at 130#!



Kelly, Me, Coach Alycia

September 11th brought about the 9/11 Hero WOD - that thing was something different.  I really had to push myself.  I've been having some issues on my right shoulder, so it was a lot on my shoulder, but I did it.  We, as CrossFitters, do this to pay our respect and show we remember and value the lives lost.  There was NO way I was giving up! Took about 42 minutes, but it was done.  I did 95# for the lifts and 24" for the box jumps!





Aspire's Teams & Coaches

Last weekend we had a fundraiser competition - Beat The Streets - for Steve's Club. Aspire had a good turn out, as always!


Me & JC

I LOVE the thought of Steve's Club and really want to get involved - such a good thing and...some of my students are even in it...



Jake & Nilda - teammates

TLyn, Me, Nilda

I had a great time, as always.  I love doing CrossFit stuff, especially with my CrossFit crew.  It was good to see JC - one of my students from last year, and glad he has found Steve's Club.  Was good to hear how hard he has to work to get to the box to train and to keep his grades up.  Will have to check in on him! Had fun with my girls...and cheering on the other teams, from our box and others.

Team Snatchtastic - Jamie & me

I was lucky enough to pair with Jamie.  She's the best.  This lady is seriously AMAZING! When everything went down with my ankle, she was there when it happened and held my hand, she helped me with the girls before I took them to TN, she took me to and from the gym. Not to mention she is a BEAST! She got 1st in her last competition because she completed like 21 deadlifts in a min - I wanna say at like 175 or something too - amazing!

We had fun! At least I did.  I was the second to last heat, so I got to watch everything go down.  Lots of handsome CrossFit guys to check out ;)

As always, this past Sunday started with Aspire Run Club. It's just becoming a normality at this point haha!

 

This week has been good - Back To School Night at school and we got treated to sweet new cups from  our administration! Love them! I am so blessed to have a job I love so much.  I've taken a lot of time off this week, but yesterday I went and played with my snatch to see how my shoulder was feeling.  I do have my FIRST EVER Olympic Lifting Competition coming up...and....

I hit my FIRST EVER TRIPLE DIGIT SNATCH!! 100#!! Can you tell be the end of the video how excited I was?!? Even with my broken ankle this year, I've made most of my goals already - and just keep updating them!! CrossFit has changed my life! Can't wait to get my L1 here soon and start changing other people's lives!

 

Train Smart - Lift Heavy - Eat Clean :)

 

~xx

M

Playlist Thursdays + Update

Hello loves! ALMOST the weekend! I can't wait! This time year is always the hardest at school.  The kids have completely checked out and for the most part, so have a lot of teachers.  I do games and activities during this time.  We are doing a M&M activity tomorrow testing the Mars Co. theory about the percent of each color come in each bag. Should be fun - at least in my opinion.  Will be hard as with the food challenge, no M&Ms for me whomp whomp.  Yesterday marked 80 days till my favorite time of the year - OHIO STATE FOOTBALL SEASON!! I can't WAIT for this year, and to be able to go back for a game or two! I miss Ohio.  I really think in the end I want to end up in Columbus or Cinci.  I just love Ohio and feel the most at home there. But before we jump ahead to football season, we have summer summer summer timeeeee! Who doesn't love summer? The beach, pool, and fun with my friends.
DA called last night -- first time we really really talked since everything went down....I'm not sure what will ever become of us, but I will always care about him even if we aren't a "WE" ya know? Ah whatever.  It's summer, going to go out a little more and have fun.  Maybe go on some dates and see what happens! Life is meant to be lived right?!? I feel like right now, I have a lot of people who still doubt me.  Sorry for the language, but I am kind of crazy with that picture to the right.  I have a LOT of people I have to prove wrong - including when I doubt myself! This summer is BIG for me.  I'm not 100% sure I have a job yet (Bell and Mollet swear I do), I am getting my L1 this summer, I'm going to do 2xday 3xweek this summer and try and get some of my strength back AND I'm working with my friend Katie at a pool. Maybe this summer I'll also meet John Cena's type friend, or The Rock. This picture of Cena snatching makes me love him.  I have The Rock on my lock screen and Cena on my home screen right now.  Creeper status almost haha.
CrossFit is going fabulous this week - the Tripod was back together - Me, Allie and Chris. On Tuesday, we were the only three there.  I love those two!
Had my 8 week check up on the ankle yesterday - no MRI which is the best news.  Cleared to start running up to 3xweek depending on how it feels and after I get refit for shoes. Going to try and do that soon. 6 more weeks of PT and as long as by the end of that I can go up on my toes, I am set. Excited to start getting slowly more and more back each day.  Lots of icing in my summer that's for sure.

Now my Playlist Thursdays -- I need to do this more regularly. I love music and doing this. Theme is songs you want at the end of the marathon (or for me just a mile run as I recover haha). Pick me up songs is what I call them.
Same format.
Something Old: Songs that are at least 5 years old. (I know that isn’t too long to be considered old, but music turnover happens quickly.)
Something Current: Songs that have been released within the past year.
Something to Consider: This is the wild card category. Feel free to list any song: old, current, guilty pleasure, underground, whatever

Something Old
Artist: Missy Elliott
Title: Work It
Side Note: This song still makes me want to dance.  My students and I have music on Fridays - they don't know this song except "yea, it's old Ms. Love , my mom listens to it" hahaha
Quotable: “Love the way my ass go bum-bump-bum-bump-bump/Keep your eyes on my bum-bump-bum-bump-bump/And think you can handle this badonk-a-donk-donk"

Something Current
Artist: Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Wayne
Title: High School
Side Note: I LOVE this song. 
Quotable: “Anyway, I felt him, helped him,  Put him on lock, seat-belt him, Took him out to Belgium, welcome"

Something to Consider
Artist: Robin Thicke ft. TI & Pharrell
Title: Blurred Lines
Side Note: I LOVE this song. This makes me want to move all the time. 
Quotable: “OK now he was close, tried to domesticate you But you're an animal, baby it's in your nature Just let me liberate you"

I love music! So fun! That's all for today :)
~xoxo
M

PS Don't forget about my SweatyBands Giveaway!!

Happy National Running Day :)

Hello Loves! Happy National Running Day and Hump Day!! Remember that today only you can save $20 off a Rock'n'Roll race --> check out the discounts here. I want to sign up for the Vegas, Nashville, VA Beach and Philly race, but not sure where I'm going to be yet come fall so....have to make up my mind if I will register for any of them at all. Are you running any of them?

Also, make sure if you need a new watch - check out Timex. I love timex! Own 4 haha! Timex is celebrating National Running Day by asking runners to tweet or post to Instagram with #IMARUNNER. They will be giving away 60 Timex Ironman watches to runners who use the hashtag. In return for each eligible submission, Timex will also donate $5, up to $15,000, toward One Fund Boston.

For a chance to win a Timex Ironman watch simply submit your unique running story on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #IMARUNNER on June 5^th by 11:59pm EST. Users can also enter by submitting a photo or story directly on the Timex Sports Facebook page “#IMARUNNER Tab” (http://bit.ly/12qH3Xb). Winners will be selected at random and official rules are located here: http://bit.ly/147ilKy.
Also - last one I know of -- Women’s Running Series is offering $20 off registration for the half marathon distance! The deal is active 12:00am PST and last till 11:59pm PST on June 5th. For more information visit this link.

Ok - so that's all I really have for your today.  Trying to figure things out.  Had a good talk with Mama Dukes last night. I'm going to just keep my head up and see what happens.  I'm really hoping that Camden brings me back next year, but I don't know what will happen yet. I'm a planner.  I like set plans.  Right now, I have NONE! I'm trying to not let that freak me out or stress me.

Yesterday we took the whole 7th grade to Baltimore.  It was a really good time.  G & I kept my homeroom. We had fun and so did the kids.
Tonight I am cleared to start running and CrossFitting again.  I'm heading to PT after school, then meeting my old running buddy Jen for a small (like a mile or less haha) run! I'm happy that I can share today with our running community.  We are also running in our metcon tonight - not sure I'll do that, might row instead. Depends on how the ankle is feeling. I'll let you know :)
Are you celebrating National Running Day?

 

~xoxo
M

I'm Back - LONG Week Off

Hello loves...I've been MIA since I went to California. I am trying to process life as well as I can.  Right now I'm stressed beyond belief.  Trying to find what makes me happy as well as trying to find a job and figure out what to do with the whole DA thing.  Funny how life works....when it rains it pours. I'm trying to focus on what I want for my life and I know it might make some people mad, but I have to do what I have to do.  Mama Dukes did a good job with me - I'm a smart girl with a good head on my shoulders.  I have faith it will all work out - in HIS plan! :) So I won't blog a TON but I'll share pictures with you....

Pinkberry at the Philly Airport en route to DA - I made a 90 year old friend - she forgot her money so I treated her to some Pinkberry -- she was super cute and I hope if my Oma is ever in an airport and needs something that there is someone to hook her up too :)



DA & I at Sunset Terrace - one of his favorite places in Thousand Oak

Wine, comfy clothes, couch, basketball playoffs & DA - perfect Saturday night

Sunday play date at Santa Monica Pier

Then we just sat and talked and got to stare at this :)

Tabata handstand holds during after school program with a student

Justin & Alycia talking to over 100 people from my box....

25 day challenge - Paleo eating, lots of sleep, WODs + rest days, mobility work - just getting healthier

Last Friday morning of PT - hopefully two more weeks -- still need a lot of ankle mobility

Track meet with my students in BLISTERING heat last Friday

Happy Hour with the work crew Friday afternoon

Xfinity Live with the original Jersey crew

Trying to bike or row 30 mins a day this month - so got on the trainer Saturday night and watched "Trouble with the Curve"



Sunday morning was started outside with sunshine & 2500m fun -- 500m sprints with a min recovery

Sunday afternoon I took the girls to the beach to play with Bobby -- then had a BBQ at the box to kick off our challenge!!

Now I am waiting to talk to DA today -- hopefully figure some stuff out.  Put out a bunch of applications so far, so fingers crossed for that! I'll be back to normal blogging this week AND I am officially changing the name to Lifting Love -- working on finding someone to help design it -- if you know anyone, let me know :)



~xoxo

M

Getting Back To Business

Hello Loves!! Hope ya'll have had a good week! Things are slowly getting back to normal for my schedule.  Still takes me a little longer to do some things (walking up stairs, walking in general, carrying things places, etc.) but I am getting there.  The ankle (this is the BEST it has looked so this isn't all the time but a REALLY REALLY good day haha) is getting better.  Color is going back to normal and for the most part the swelling isn't to bad.  Obviously it is the worst about 3 in the afternoon. 

A full day of school does wonders to it, but it really doesn't hurt on the ankle side.  I am having issues with the achilles and my posterior tibial tendon (this one is the WORST part). The tibial tendon is brutal.  It hurts almost all the time.  PT has been focusing on range of motion for my ankle and getting the Tibial tendon and achilles better.  I'm doing everything PT Adam has asked me to do.  PS I really like him - he's a runner so he gets it.  I don't just want my movement back - I want to be able to run and lift! The exercise in the picture is the pits. Pick my foot up then out then back in then down. OUCH! He has said I can do standing CrossFit movements - basically squats and deadlifts.  Nothing where my feet may move yet, but I'm hopefully only max 2 weeks out from that.  It's nice being a head of the recovery curve!!

This week has held some awesome CrossFit WODs.

Tuesday - Squats - my box is doing an awesome program right now for squats - I want to play and can't - hopefully soon! My first time trying to squat again. I did 2x6 at 35# and 2x6 at 55#.  I did sets of pistols on just the right leg in between.  Then the box did a metcon with running and movements -- I just did some of the movements - 10 front squat, 15 Push Press, 7 squat, 15 push press. I was exhausted so called it there.

Wednesday - the box did split jerk EMOTM so I did pull ups with the orange band in stead - 5 PU EMOTM for 7 mins.  I was DEAD at the end haha. I barley got the last set out in the minute. Then the Metcon was a 10,9,8...1 with running and movements I couldn't do so I did - 30# (woot woot) DB single arm rows, 20 sec airdyne sprint, air squats and then another 20sec airdyne sprint. I was last done.  Felt good to be moving again. Lets quickly discuss how Tuesday's fun had my poor right leg JACKED up.  It was so knotted up and sore.  I got Nilda to roll me out.  It was awful, but totally needed.

 

Thursday was BIRTHDAY day so I gave myself my first deadlift back - 3x3 at 155#!! Woot woot! You're welcome self :) Don't worry - I got a video of my last set so ya'll could see --

It was awesome! I wrapped it to give it some more support.  I currently can't wear my nanos due to my swollen foot/ankle not fitting in it so I rocked the socks last night :) We then had two metcons - 1 was 5 rounds 5 deadlifts (100#) and burpees so I subbed situps.  I tried to test a KB swing instead of a burp, but that was a bad idea - it hurt. Metcon 2 was max pull-ups and 10 evil wheels.  I stuck with just the Orange band (2nd to last band) and struggled.  My arms/lats were sore from Tuesday and Wednesday still haha. I got 5,3,5.  I've gotten a lot better at the Evil Wheels.

Also this week - I had ordered the girls from my box a little something to help say thank you for all the help while I was down and out.  They were so fabulous to me.  I gave a couple of them their yesterday. They loved them so I was glad to hook them up.

They thought it was funny that it was my birthday and I was giving stuff out. But always better to give, especially to people that have only known you for less then 8 months yet have become some of your closest crew and like family!! I know I say it all the time - I LOVE my Box.  CrossFit Aspire has seriously changed my life!

I did get spoiled at school yesterday -- thankful to love my job.  Honestly - yesterday overwhelmed me. Lately people have really been making me feel pretty cool - telling me how much of an inspiration I am for my weight loss stuff and CrossFit stuff and still going while injured. I really appreciate it.  If I can help anyone else see the light, I'm all for it.  I LOVE my life right now and wouldn't change a thing.  I am blessed beyond measure with a fabulous family, a job I love with staff that rocks, friends from all over the world to keep up with and a box that has changed my life with people who've become a family. Lucky Lucky girl I am!

How's your week been?
Any fun weekend plans? I'll be enjoying birthday fun with loves!

~xoxo

M

PS I go to TN in 7 days for Joe & Jacky's wedding and seeing lots of loves and getting my DOGS back!!!

PPS I go see my DA in 28 days!!!

CrossFit Weekend + Fitness Recap

Happy Sunday Evening Loves! I haven't been here since Thursday - it was a FUN busy weekend!! Friday was good at school - I wore pants to work (first time since I broke my ankle). I told ya'll about my ankle last week and how swollen it was so I wanted to make sure that Friday it was up even at school. So, if you see in the picture, that is how I taught the majority of my lesson. Then I got into my rolly chair and rolled to help the students and make sure they knew what they were doing. I did fall twice at school.  It's been over three weeks, and I had not fallen yet; however, Friday I feel once in the cafeteria and once in the hall upstairs. We shall see what happens tomorrow.  It's Spirit Week at school, so I am excited to see all the munchkins in their fun stuff.  Should be a good week!

 After school, Chris took me to the box. I did the workout to the right.  It was a good WOD.  I used 10, 15, 20 and 25# DBs for the arms. I only used the 25# DB for pullovers and 10 of the 15 hammer curls.  I was just trying to push it as hard as I could.  I had to use the 10# DBs for the lateral and front raises.  Not sure why I can't do anymore then it. I am LOVING all the working on the pull-ups. I am getting better at them.
After I got my WOD on, Tara came to the box and picked me up.  She was going to cut my hair for me. She forgot her scissors so she took me back to her work - Hello Gorgeous. Between her and AC hooking me up -- my hair is looking FABULOUS! It's the first time I've cut it since last May when I donated it to Locks of Love.  I am LOVING my hair!  While she was fixing me up - was talked about the competition on Saturday she was competing in (which I was suppose to be competing in).  It was her first one so I was STOKED for her. I did my first comp back in January.  I had a blast, so I just wanted her to have a blast too! After she cut my hair, I went back and got ready.  I went and had a drink with Chris and T. (side note - I stopped my Whole30 already, had a MELT DOWN Thursday night about my ankle and school stress and so forth - more on that tomorrow). It was a good night!

Me & AC

B, Tara, Me & AC

I slept in Saturday, which was fabulous. I spent an hour talking to DA, which is always like an added bonus because we don't get to talk that often. Plus getting to start my day talking to him means it will be a fabulous day! I'm a nerd, I know :) Alycia came, picked me up and took me to the box. I caught a ride with her, Justin and Ryan to Philly for the competition.  AC came for a little bit too!! A couple people competed - Nick, Tara, Brooke, Ron, Jake, Dan and I know I am missing two or three more. It was a good day -- they all did well.  After the competition was done some of us went to Percy Street Barbecue for food and drinks. It was a good time. I love how much we all enjoy cheering each other on. It is so awesome! We have such a fabulous group of folks -- I love it! It was a LONG day for me and I was exhausted by the evening.  Chris drove me home. I laid on my couch and did nothing. AC came over and we had some drinks -- after the Phillies game, Nick and Allie came over too. I was glad to have some company, and not to have to leave the apartment.  My arms were SHOT haha.



Today I went to Open Gym. Guess what I wore - capris!! I got them over my foot :) Woot Woot! I was beyond happy about this.  I had an original plan for my WOD today, but it got changed up some.  I started with a row. I worked on my pull-ups.  I even did some with JUST the orange band. It was awesome.  I still can't believe I did it. Lots of hard work, but I am happy!

Fitness Recap
Monday - CrossFit
Tuesday - off
Wednesday - CrossFit
Thursday - off
Friday - CrossFit
Saturday - off
Sunday - CrossFit

Hope ya'll have had a great weekend!!
Did you do anything fun this weekend?
Any cool new workouts you've done lately?

~xoxo
M