Training Alone

I stumbled across this article and it's completely true; true athletes (who are into competing) need to read this and let it set in to hit home.

http://trainhardlivesmart.blogspot.com/2014/01/training-alone.html?m=1

To sum it up a bit, it explains the benefit of training alone when no one is there to push you. You utilize your inner strength and see just how mentally tuff you are. It's not just about training physically but mentally as well. A competition needs mental preparedness and is a total mental game during the WODs. 

Practice how you compete right?! 

I immediately related to this article because in fact do train alone, no partners, no box, no trainers. Since I can not afford to train at a CrossFit Box (very very saddening and irritating), I have to train at a globo gym. I am forced to put my head phones in and zone out completely to anything and everyone around me. I have me, myself, and I when I train; I am my own supporter, my own trainer, and my own worst enemy. 

I have been told by most of the trainers and pple at my globo gym that most guests are totally intimidated by me; Iabsolutely love that. I don't worry about anyone else or talk to anyone. It is me vs the weights and the WOD and my fears. I don't take notice of anyone around me and what they're doing, I just focus on what I'm doing and why I'm there.

I have more dedication and determination than most and those attributes are definitely my strong suit. I wasn't always this way-I trained my mind that way.

This is a good (short) read that I recommend.

Training Crossfit vs. CrossFit as a Sport Article

This is pretty awesome:

http://chrisspealler.com/training-crossfit-vs-crossfit-as-a-sport/

Week Recapage

This week was a doozy with my WODs and work and classes.

Since I recieved my Caffeine and Kilos snapback I wanted to pair it up with my IamProjectX Pirates of the Caribbean tank. Every time I wear it everyone thinks I'm an OG!

 

Clovis WOD:
150 Burpee Pullups
10 mile run
This sucker sucked! I did 15 burpee pullups and then followed with a mile run. By round three i was like "ahhhh" No really this WOD is totally mental; your mind will tell you to stop before your body will. The burpee pullups are seriously your rest periods cause the mile is long and continues forever it seems. Your mind wander during that mile; my thoughts ranged from "i think i need to walk" to "man i gots this!"
This took me two hours; after wards, my feet had blisters, my hands torn up, and my legs like jelly.

When I'm gone majority of the day, I have everything with me. Gym bag, lunch bag, purse, locker room bag etc. 

After my day I went to restock my fuelage so I had lots to carry in. So of course I carried it ALL! No second trips for me; I am far from lazy but I chose to grab it all. I always manage to still unlock my front door and lock my car! Tip: get a retractable keychain for your house key. I wear my lanyard around my neck and pull my key to the lock. 

For my post WOD eats, I make protein pancakes before I leave and store them in my tortilla warmer. This sucker keeps these babies so moist! I choose to make multiple little ones instead of two large or whatev, way easier to eat when you're on the go in your car.

My protein PB marshmellow pancakes:

1 scoop Cellucor PB Marshmellow protein ( use my discount code: PeaceloveFit to get you some cellucor.com)

1/2c oat flour

1mashed banana

1 egg white

Cinnamon

Water to mix

Dash of baking powder

.mix. If too thick I add more water.

 

 Push Press Max 20 reps
I learned from Kendrick Faris that your wrists should face up/vertical not horizontal like most think and do. I got some tips as well to move my hands out a little more than what I have in this video, keep elbows out, rest bar in the crook of your shoulders. 

This dealio ends TODAY(Oct 20)!!! but m5 and get a FREE vortex mixer! But you have to use my code:PeaceLoveFit at checkout on Cellucor.

Progress picture of my traps-no flex. I'm not lookin t my bi's but my trapezius! This was taken before my WOD so I pump! I am so proud and happy with how my body is responding to my CrossFit program. My body has seen more changes in these past few months than the last yr before of just doing BB.

I had 13.4 as part if one if my sessions.

13.4 7AMRAP

3 shoulder to OH (95)

3 TTB

6 shoulder to OH

6 TTB

Cont. increasing by 3 to each until time is up.

I did better than I did surfing the Open earlier this year so that's a plus but I felt like uhh I could have done way better! I wasn't to happy with myself with it.

10min AMRAP

5 HSPU

10 box jumps 30/24

15 cal row

This went by fast but it was brutal on the legs since I did this after stregnth. So my HSPU are different because im trying to do them without the wall support. I come down, balance, and kip up into a free standing handstand. Its a work in progress for sure. I make sure my box jumps are more efficient-i jump back up as soon as i land on the ground. Most usually come back down, roll back on their heels then their toes and jump up. An efficient box jump is when you come down on your toes, barely land and jump back up. Getting the groove down is tricky but you'll find they are faster.

So I was conversing with my buddy while doing 30in box jumps and I ate it! While ok really the box ate me! I didn't fall completely, I caught myself so my face wasn't planted down. I totally yelled "Shit!" really loud and then strayed laughing! It was my bad and I was like aw man I don't want to have to deal with this! Chunks of skin off leave for a long healing. I use Emu Oil on all my scraps, scabs, etc and it works beautifully.

I made my Chocolate PB Swirl Banana Bread during the week. I ate it in the mornings sandwiched between my chickloaf with some of my Cinnamon Nut Butter. So yummy!

Saturday was uber busy for me. I had my ACLS (advances cardiac life support) class, I went to the gym, rushed home and left for the Stockton Thunder Hockey game. Four fights and a 5-0 win! Yes I enjoy life outside the gym! It's not Crossfit alllll day (but really majority haha crossfit for life!) I do make time for my family and friends. Some get wrapped up in this fitness lifestyle and dont make time for anything else. Especially the food and clean eating can absorb a person. Live a little and don't seclude yourself; go out with family and friends to restaurants and don't bring Tupperware. Guess what?! If you're not in the fitness industry or on comp prep or your job is to stay fit (model), you don't need to be 100% all the time because that's not a life to live. You want to be afraid to eat? Or afraid to miss the gym? This is a LIFESTYLE! Meaning you're in it for the long haul, so missing a gym session EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE or having a different meal besides tilapia and asparagus EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE is OK! Having that one day off or that one meal won't drastically change your body. Think of all the time you have ahead of you living that lifestyle. A long time right?! Yes. But also life is short so why not enjoy it!

Ok my rant is done.

Week Recap

When I wake up, depleted, and unfed (left pic). I'm downing my homemade carrot cake bagel sandwiched with my apple chickloaf and spread with my espresso nut butter. Post feed (right pic) and body charged ready to go WOD it up, about 40mins after eating. I use foods to build my body and fuel my workouts. As you can see my body gets fuller and appreciates the lovely nutrients!

This is totally random but this caught my eye. Miranda Oldroyd (Crossfitmiranda) 'liked' one of my pictures! Yup, I had to snap a picture to document it.

My post WOD nutrient inhale:

-a semi-frozen KillCliff (I stick in an hot before leaving to the gym, pack in a cooler, and it's perfectly ready to drink after).

-my brownie batter pancakes (almond flour, egg white, cellucor molten choc protein powder, banana, vanilla, water) with almond in a medicine cup (benefits of a nurse) with measurements on it. I make these before leaving, put in Tupperware, and have them ready to inhale after. No they aren't hot but they are yummy and their texture are just like they were made right then. I eat them while drivin to work and sometimes I make a mess and end up with some nut butter on my steering wheel. 

Broad jumps at the end of my set and man these can be brutal if you are squatin low, jumpin far, and using your whole body to jump as far as you can, you'll feel the burn! Doesn't take much to to get you worked!

BEST DELIVERY EVER!!!

It took eight weeks for me to receive these babies! I designed my very own Reebok Nano 3.0s and man it took a while. There are so many options available and to create; I knew exactly the colors I wanted cause I mean most know by now black & grey are my signature colors with pops of white and red. I had my best bud help me design them until they were perf! Reebok Nanos customization are so popular and in high demand their normal 4-6wks of receival had to be extended. And they even reimbursed me for the shipping since their quote of arrival would not be true. High five for Reebok! Don't blame the Crossfitters for snatching them up! I literally ripped the box and yanked them out! Slipped em on and rocked around the house to break them in except they need no breakin in! I'm serious; I wore them the next day and they were just fine!

I had them on before I left my house and I couldn't help snapping a picture of their awesomeness!

My snatch is improving since I'm working on it just about everyday! My thumbs are so sore and rubbed raw! Hook grippin it up! I noticed since I've been wearing my Oly lifters, my feet are planted and I land stronger and back on my heels. 

Another delivery! Caffeine and Kilos Tuxedo SnapBack!

My bud and I know their hats go out fast so when they did a release on a red SnapBack and had the tuxedo restocked, we needed to jump on it! My bud ordered me mine (since I couldn't order myself) at that time, shipped it to my address (he lived in another state) and said merry Christmas! Haha we exchange gifts early apparently! 

By the way my bud ordered this hat about noonish on Friday and I received it late afternoon on Saturday! Fast shipping! And it came in a stamped out C&K box.

My struggle for completing my Crossfit program at a globo continues and continues to get more frustrating! I hate it but I love Crossfit more and waaayyy to much so I endure! I'll get in a box eventually and I'll appreciate more than one could know. Until then, I appreciate all the crossfitters that give me props for busting my crossfitter arse in a globo gym. Can't fight a love like mine haha

Week Recap

Another week of my new Crossfit program down and guess what??? My clothes don't really fit...easily.

These were the first pair of jeans I've tried on since last year. It was a struggle and a few wiggles to get in those babies! I had to walk a little waddle-y and couldn't bend over in fear of ripping them right down the middle of my bum! My dad even said to me "Carah are those a little tight for your new muscles?" Haha I loved it! 

Heavy cleans action! Need to focus on catching my cleans low and then drive up. I was told I used to catch high and then ride it down. If I catch high stay high. I've also learned that your clean should look like your snatch; you are coming up in a deadlift and powering through your hips. 

Recovery was a 'Tasty' KillCliff icy cold straight from my ice box (which I keep in my car and cart around everywhere!)

I have been researching and decidin which brand of Oly lifters to get. Obviously I would have gone with the infamous Adidas but due to be around $200+ I could not afford them. Then down to Reebok's, Nike's, and Adidas Powerlifters. Again cost came to mind, so I went with Adidas Powerlifters 2.0. They have great reviews and I knew since they were going to be my first pair of Oly lifters, I wouldn't be able to compare them to any other ones. They are good to start with and eventually I may down the road get the pricier ones. I was uber excited to get these which I got on Tues an then Wed was a recovery day so I couldn't touch a weight. I was bummed cause I wanted to test them out right away. So Thurs came and those babies were awesome! It's amazing how much better my feet are planted and better stability I have in my lifts. I've had them for a week and no complaints.

These were my post-WOD protein pancakes. I wanted to capture how tall the stack was but they started to fall as I was taking the picture! I pack these up in a container and have them ready for after my WOD.

Gym bag essentials: Oly lifters, PR wraps, cellucor BCAAs, KillCliff, weight belt, chalk, rogue knee wraps, knee sleeves, WOD journal, tape...hmm I think that's it but it keeps growing.

 Cracking open my ice cold KillCliff right after my WOD! Ahhhh

Straight flexing on the way to the gym 

"Holleyman" WOD:

30 rounds-

5 wall balls

3 HSPU

1 power clean

I had to scale the clean because NCCFLab's weight for this WOD was 155 for women and I can't clean that...yet! I used a 15lb ball though and completed all the HSPU even if I did kip them.

This WOD seemed like it went on forever; it took me close to an hour to complete it so I got lots of conditioning in. 

My Inspiration: Crossfit Athlete Danielle Sidell

Interview with CrossFit Athlete Danielle Sidell

I have been following Danielle on IG for a long time and I find her an amazing athlete and one I definitely look up to. After reading this article, I realized we started in the same boat-athletes growing up and as we are grown up, we want something more. Out of school she began bodybuilding, same as I did, because she wanted to get bigger, same as me, until her supervisor told her to attend a Crossfit workout. I was not told to do CrossFit, I found my love for it on my own with me reaching out myself to learn more. Crossfit is a "love it or hate it" sport and we haven't turned back since.
She has been doing CrossFit for about a year now and the strength she's gained within that year is astounding. I would say I started CrossFit a year ago but I didnt do 100% CrossFit, I more like incorporated it into my bodybuilding regimen. So I can't really say I have been Crossfitting for a year. I have officially say I have been Crossfitting for half a year...thats more like it. Anyways I want to have gained as much progress as Danielle did in just year. It's all about the drive and dedication so knowing how far I came and how far I can go, will keep my striving for the best. 
I have started a CrossFit program in hopes to become a better athlete, gain stregnth, and little more (a secret for now). I unfortunately have to complete my program in a globo gym (shocking I know!) but I can not afford a box at the time; Im not letting that stop me from what I truly love. I have also learned that Danielle, as well, trains in a globo gym during the week, so we're in the same boat: no Crossfit equipment! 

I hope one day I'll be able to meet Danielle Sidell and let her know she has been an influence on my path of CrossFit.

Disclosure: photo used from www.theathleticbuild.com

11 things only Crossfitters would understand

100% correct:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=X4tlOvXkZC8&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DX4tlOvXkZC8%26feature%3Dyoutu.be

First Time CrossFit Competitor: Garret Fisher

Man Beneath the Hair

This video goes into the thoughts and ideas of Garret Fisher. Who is he? He is a Crossfit athlete who made it to the Crossfit Games this year for the first time. He even kept up with the big boys like the infamous Rich Froning and Jason Kalipa.
Watching this video is so inspiring and I wish I could personally tell him that. It's amazinf how the power of Crossfit athletes influence me so. Garret came out of nowhere and has made such a huge impact in a matter of months. That is the beauty of the Crossfit Community, sharing and broadcasting athletes left and right. He made it to the (upper) top and his hard work should be noticed. I do notice it; I follow his IG and FB account. Want some inspiration, go follow him.
His 19 year old sister, Lauren Fisher, is equally amazing. She will be someone to watch for sure. I follow her on her IG as well. Here is a video of here doing a 72k snatch. Seriously she may be young but man she is on my list of inspirations! Check her out!


I keep tabs on the Crossfit Games Site because of what they post and put out their to the Crossfit community. I find inspiration with the big and small athletes and I want to thank the community for putting their athletes on blast!

The Eights CrossFit WOD

I loved and hated this WOD. It seriously tested myself of my endurance and will power. 

My weights: 14lb ball, 25lb KB, 95lb barbell.

These are simi-heavy for how many rounds are involved. So by round 6, that wt felt waaayy heavier than it actually was. On many of the last reps, I had to seriously had to give it all I had just to get out of my whole of the front squat or catch the bar low in the jerk. Chalk became my friend since I was a sweaty mess and then I became a chalky mess.

My face was dripping so bad with swat it was constantly running into my eyes and mouth. Lets just say I left my essence all over the floor, bars, balls, and bells! 

Truth of Cellulite

Found this link from my Box owner. 

Basically low down of it you can be uber fit and still have cellulite. 

http://breakingmuscle.com/womens-fitness/the-dirty-little-secret-of-the-female-athlete-cellulite

(Yes indeed Annie Thorisdottir and Julie Fouche have cellulite!)