Mindset

Over the last few years I have completely convinced myself that I NEED rest days. Plural. Many. Multiple. I could not possibly do back to back or 6 days a week. I wouldn't be able to move! Apparently in my head I work out like these guys:





Let me clarify. I do not work out like these guys. I promise. Some days it feels like it, but I know in my tired little brain that I don't. Why all the rest then? No clue. I think it was a way for me to feel balanced at first, and then it became a "rule" in my head. As I get more drunk on the Crossfit Kool-aid I need to be working out more days to make the progress that I would like to. Change? Scary, I know! This week Sam and I decided would be our week to add workouts and see if logistically it would work. With work, kids, and life it can get a little busy.

The plan:

Sam: Crossfit 6am class M, T, Th, Fri
         Team Fexy Track Night: Wed

Ann: Crossfit 6pm class M, T, Th, Fri
        Team Fexy Track night: Wed

We can bring the boys to track night and we don't need sitters for the WODs. Pretty great plan. Until.....Yep, Sam got sick. Got a nasty bug Monday. I've been following my plan this week and so far so good. I'm tired, but apparently just life will do that to you.

I've been going strong this week:

Saturday: Olympic lifting seminar (3 hours)
Sunday: Girls on the run 5K
Monday: Crossfit
Tuesday: Crossfit
Wednesday: Track
Thursday: Crossfit - Girls night "Grace"
 Friday: Crossfit (that's the plan)
Saturday: Murph with CFA
Sunday: Rest

I'm doing more stretching and mobility to keep the soreness away. So far so good. Turns out I don't need 3 rest days a week.  Weird, I know. I'm not sure every week will look like a 6 day a week workout, but I can/want/need to do more than 3. It's almost bathing suit season - gotta get toned!

* Funny story - if you have read my blog for a while (thank you), have raced with me, or even know me - you know that I'm not scared of a porta=potty and there are few in the tri-state area that I haven't used. I've stopped at more than one house during a race to use the bathroom if I have too. There was even a squat behind a dumpster moment. Yep. When you gotta go, you gotta go. Sunday was no different. The 5K traffic was terrible and there were no porta potties in site. Solution? Pulled over and went in the bushes. Keeping the tradition alive!

Ripping off the bandaid

I have been thinking a lot about Triathlon lately.....do I want to still do them or hang up my Tri shoes? Sam and I talked about selling my bike, but I just couldn't commit to it. I felt like a quitter and getting ride of my Tri stuff just didn't feel right.

I reached out to a friend on my Tri Team and asked for some guidance. She basically told me that I should do one more - can't end on a DNF - and see how I feel. If after a successful Tri I feel done then I have some good closure and know that Tri's are not for me. On the other hand, maybe it's what I need to catch the bug again.

So, what did I do? I promptly registered for a Sprint in July. It's a race I've done before (I do love to compare data) and it's close to home. The Colonial Beach Sprint Triathlon. Sam is going to do it "with" me so that takes away some stress. A few teammates are doing it as well. After I felt like throwing up I did start to get excited. Getting back into this is going to be good. Closure or rekindle my love of racing - I'm ready for either one.

A few things that are different this time around

1. Sam and I do not qualify for Clydesdale and Athena categories anymore. What!??? Clydesdale for men is 220+ and women is 165+. I am pretty excited about that!

2. Went for a run/jog with my Garmin for the first time in a LONG time. Had to change the settings because I'm down 10 pounds since the last time I wore it! Need the accurate weight for the heart rate monitor :)

3. I have not worn my Tri kit or racing gear in about a year because it didn't fit. Tonight I will go home, try it on, and hopefully have some more breathing room.

Here's to ripping off the band aid and seeing what Team Hardman is really made of!

115 days

That's how long I have been eating clean.

                   

 Two of the sayings I used to roll my eyes at. After 115 days (well, much sooner into it than that...) I totally am a believer. I have drank the kool-aid. Abs really are made in the kitchen. I promise you, you will never be able to out-exercise a bad diet. A cheat meal/day here and there? That's very different than a bad diet overall. I actually noticed my abs peaking through this morning (yep, flexin in the mirror). All the changes I see in my body, attitude, and ability keep me moving in a cleaner direction.

It takes 115 days for:

1. a snail to crawl 1 mile

2. a pig's litter to develop (mmmm, bacon)

3. a tomato to grow from start to finish

4. a Chik Fil A waffle fry to go from potatoe to fry


I'm working up the nerve to post some more before and after pics. If only there was a tan to go with the after pics :)