March Update

I have really dropped the ball with updating this thing! Instead of going back and making entries for the last two weeks I will just sum it up with this recap of the major events.

March 13/14 - CrossFit Games Central Southern Texas Sectional Qualifier, Austin TX

To sum it up, there were three WODs and I didn't completely suck at only 1 of them. The first WOD was a 2k row followed by max rep 185 lb. deadlifts. I was shooting for anything under 9:00 on the row and 10 deadlifts. I managed to make it off the row at about 8:38 and get 11 deadlifts. I was very pleased with this, because just about 9 months ago I could barely get 165 lbs. for reps. So, that was good. After WOD 1 I was in 16th place.

I knew WOD 2 (3 rounds of: 2 handstand push-ups, 6 95 lb. ground to overhead, 10 burpees) would give me trouble because of the HSPUs. I was right, and I wasn't able to get a single one. This plummeted me in the rankings and I was basically out of contention for top 30.

WOD 3 was a chipper and I did relatively well. I really struggled with the double unders in the grass, but I was able to eek them out one at a time. I made up some time in the final movement (15 65 lb. snatches) which was good, because I have never been confident with those.

It was a great and awe-inspiring weekend to watch all of the strong Texas/Louisiana Crossfitters. Next year, I will much stronger both physically and mentally.


March 20/21 -Seabrook Lucky Trails Pelican Challenge, Seabrook TX

The "Pelican Challenge" consists of a half marathon on both Saturday and Sunday. Wendy and Melissa from Crossfit Bay Area ran the half on Saturday which was awesome. I felt pretty good (except for a huge blister on my left foot) and finished right at 2:08. Wendy was able to finish her first half marathon (she attempted San Antonio but had to DNF due to IT band problems) and Melissa also completed her first half despite pretty bad knee pain. The weather was perfect and it was great to see everyone finish.

I woke up Sunday morning pretty stifff - I should have definitely moved around a little more on Saturday afternoon. I put a large Band-Aid on the bottom of my foot, taped it on, changed shoes and I was ready to go. The weather was much cooler and very windy on Sunday, so my legs felt even more tight because I just shivered up until the starting gun. As soon as I started I knew I was moving slow. I think it ended up being about an 11 minute mile pace! My hips were SO tight I felt like my legs might just pop off at any moment. I walked quite a bit which was pretty demoralizing, but I figured I was okay as long as I kept moving to the finish line. I finally finished at 2:38. Not a great time for me, but not too terrible either considering the shape my legs were in. My mom and dad were there waiting at the finish line for me which was great. As much as it sucked at the time, I think I will probably do it again next year! Well, depending on when CF Games Sectionals fall. Hopefully my sister Meredith will be able to do it too! Also, even though I have run a full marathon, I forgot how tough it is - mentally and physically. Meredith is running in Nashville's Country Music Marathon at the end of April, so I definitely have a newfound respect for her!

Up next:

Time to gain some strength! Really going to focus more on going heavy during WODs rather than going for the fastest time. Also will pick up CFE WODs again consistently on Tues/Thurs afternoons and Sunday mornings. And cycling! Can't wait to get in some good rides. I will keep everything short though, don't want any endurance events to eat away any muscle gains.
Crossfit Bay Area is starting a 30 Day Paleo Challenge on March 27 and I am signed up! I don't eat TOO terribly right now, so it won't be a dramatic shift, but just another level of discipline. I'm looking forward to it!