Throwback Thursday AND Sunday Funday

I found this old Oly Sunday draft from February 10, 2014. Oly Sundays were my absolute favorite thing about CrossFit and I wish I still got to spend Sunday mornings with Coach Chad. He's killing it over at CrossFit Dix Hills now and he has a gorgeous pit puppy named Marley.

I think I max out my front squat somewhere around 165# these days. I can power snatch at least 75# because I did that during the 2015 Open. I also knocked out 30 power snatches at 55# on Tuesday. I did sets of 5 and one set of 10, so booyah. I'm dying over here about the 75# as heavy as possible power clean and two jerks. I'm pretty confident I could hit that at 115# and may have to test it soon.

I had these boots shipped from New York recently (thanks Mom!) and will be pumping my gas in this same outfit in Atlanta this winter!

Sunday Funday: Drew's Chipper

I went to open gym at CrossFit Identity this morning with the intention of catching up on my burpee challenge but when I got there I heard Drew say, "Alessandra wants to do a 30 minute chipper with me," and I said, "Sure." Drew welcomed me to CFID right away and she's a certified coach who comes up with great programming. I was excited that she asked me to participate. Sue and Maren were also game so we went about setting up and warming up.

This workout was hard and the other ladies were finishing their rounds a lot faster than I. They were coming back from their 200m runs as I was starting mine, and while I'm pretty fast at running, I wasn't making the time up. It was hot and I needed the energy for those power snatches.

At one point, during round 3, I starting getting discouraged, and then I remembered I fucking love CrossFit. There was no where I would rather be than at CrossFit so if I finished last, that meant I had some extra time doing what I love. Why was I in a rush on a beautiful Sunday morning with nowhere else to be? This change in attitude made me approach the rest of the workout differently and I finished strong in 30:21. I finished 1:45 after Drew, who finished first using 65#, which is a testament to her programming. Four women with varying ability, strengths, and weak spots all finished within 2 minutes of one another. That's pretty damn awesome.

Sunday Funday: My New Home in Atlanta

On Thursday around 2:45 PM, I got into my car and started driving south. I arrived at my boyfriend's parents' house at 10:20 PM on Friday night. There were multiple Dunkin Donuts and bathroom breaks plus a night at my beloved Hilton Garden Inn, but I am now officially an Atlanta resident.

I'm all moved in and I signed up for my new box yesterday. I had some time to kill before I needed to pick up my mom at the airport so I drove over to CrossFit IDentity. I met two of the coaches, Victor and Ryan, and had a look around. I bought my membership within 10 minutes. Ryan graduated from PT school and moved back home today, but I am excited to meet the head coach Keith later this week.

I got a quick workout in the hotel this morning. Obviously another Hilton Garden Inn. One mile warm-up on the treadmill, starting with an incline walk and then working up to an all out sprint. Then 2 rounds of 10 squats with 30# dumbbells, 10 deadlifts with 30# dumbbells, 5 man-makers with 20# dumbbells. Just a little something to make up for my utter lack of movement during my epic drive down here.

Sunday Funday: 31.2 Miles

I ran the Caumsett 50K yesterday, again. I know I said I retired from ultra running after Rock the Ridge, but I wanted to see if I could get a sub-5 hour finish. The answer is no, I could not.

It was really, really, really effing cold. Painfully cold. It's the first time I have ever run this race and never warmed up. I wore a sweatshirt over that top and a furry head warmer for the first nine 5K loops. I took them off for the last lap to light some fire under my ass and finish strong.

I really didn't enjoy running this race. I spent a good portion of it thinking, "This is neither constantly varied nor functional." I was bored.

We had some changes this year. We ran the 5K loop in the opposite direction and I liked it better this way. This was also the first year that there was an official marathon time marker. I entertained the idea of PRing the marathon like I did in 2012. As I approached the marker, the only thing I could think was, "Wow. The last time I ran a marathon this slowly, I was high."

Sometimes you have great runs and sometimes your runs suck. This run sucked.

Sunday Funday: AMDAP and Some Soul

Today was a jam packed Sunday Funday. I woke up at 7 AM to bright sunlight and was confused as to why my body felt like I had just run a marathon. Then I remembered that I had competed in the Frostbite 2014 the day before and decided to go to the grocery store because I had an overwhelming need to drink Paul Newman's Own. I ate white rice with Kerrygold butter, which is almost as blasphemous as eating in on toast, and I washed it down with half and half (lemonade/iced tea not cream/milk) in my bed. I didn't have anymore Young and the Restless episodes to watch so I was a little sad.

I got myself dressed and headed on over to Brick New York for CrossFit speed dating otherwise known as As Many Dates As Possible (AMDAP). There was a great turn out and we had a 48 minute WOD. We spent 45 seconds doing an exercise and then moved on to the next guy to perform the next exercise. We had air squats, synchronized lunges, wallball tosses, partner sit-ups with the med ball, KB swings, and junkyard dogs. There were some cute guys but I was just excited to spend time with my new best friend Janice, who goes to Dynamix and judged at Frostbite. Speaking of judges at Frostbite, I may or may not have been hitting on one at Frostbite and I was pretty happy to see him at AMDAP. I made sure he got my number before moving on down the line.

This was awesome Heidi. Thank you for hosting it!

Weekend Windup with Some Oly Sunday Funday

All last week I was dying to get out to Long Island. I was in need of a Siberian Soul Reboot.

This is what you get if you Google image search Siberian Soul Reboot
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I made the 4 PM WOD at CFHK on Friday. It was a special blend of awesome and fml. I PR'd my sumo deadlift at 203#. Here's the video of me completing 2 reps. My form goes to shit. I have to be more aware of rounding my back.

Sunday Funday: Let's Pack as Much Fun Into Today as Possible

This morning I was in my car by 7:45 AM on my way to the Greenbelt Trail to meet my running friend Michael for a quick run. We were supposed to do the full 15ish mile loop yesterday but there was a bit of a miscommunication. Since I absolutely refuse to miss Oly Sunday if I am on Long Island, I had exactly one hour to run and not a minute more.

It was a warm 36 degrees this morning so I wore compression calves sleeves and compression arm sleeves underneath leggings, a tech long-sleeved shirt, and my winter running jacket. I also wore gloves and a hat.

As you can see, I am thrilled to be freezing my ass off in my car. 

Sunday Funday: Team Dangerous WOD

Yesterday might have been the best Sunday Funday in the history of Sunday Fundays. Yup, it was really that good.

I went to the Sunday Funday Team WOD hosted by Team Dangerous, the anti-clique of exceptionally attractive and athletic New Yorkers whose goal is to bring together fitness folks from all over to enjoy one another's company in my favorite pastimes - working out and drinking. It was at CrossFit Black Box on W 28th Street from 2 - 5 PM. (Note: You should Google CrossFit Black Box and not just Black Box when looking for the address. Otherwise you might end up at a burlesque nightclub instead like someone we know.)

I arrived a little before 2, slightly flustered and sweaty. I always forget how far Park to the westside actually is because it looks a lot closer on a map and it's not the whole park or anything. My friend Mark, who I haven't seen in four years, met me there and we had a joyous reunion while I struggled to get out of my two fleeces. Mark is a member at Black Box. Mark is also the only person I've ever met that manages to smell good, not okay but good, after two WODs. Something is up with that but we'll investigate in the future.

I signed a waiver and paid my $10 for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts to Dave who was manning registration. As a person who has headed up registration for multiple events, let me tell you that Dave's registration system was solid. And I got a hug so that was neat.

and Dave looked around and saw that it was good
courtesy of Team Dangerous

Sunday Funday: Oly Sunday 2

I had such a great time last week at Oly Sunday that I came back for more.

My legs have been getting banged up so I finally started wearing the knee high socks. Often mistaken for some cultish CrossFit fashion trend, they protect your shins from barbell scrapes and bruises. I'm wearing a pair of American Apparel knee high socks that I've had for years but have never really worn. I used to think they made my legs look fat but now I think they look pretty good.

Sunday Funday: Oly Sunday

This morning I awoke to a gluten-induced hangover and I took my sweet ass time getting out of bed. I finally got myself dressed and out the door to CrossFit Central LI.

my CrossFit Pittsburgh tank has finally arrived!

Sunday Funday: Birthday Bikram

Today I woke up with a mild headache from the Dewars I downed last night, but nothing remotely close to the hangovers I've learned to deal with over the years. I was starving and no one would eat with me so I took myself out to brunch at East End Kitchen and then got a pedicure. Then I went to the office for an hour before heading to Bikram. I know what you're thinking - Who is this responsible person and what did they do with ISOOM? It scares me too.

Bikram Yoga Herald Square gave me a free class for my birthday, which is on Wednesday, and I needed to take advantage of it before I leave for my vacation. The 4 PM class with Elizabeth had just the right number of people in it - it was neither too crowded or to empty.

this photo was taken after class was over

I had noticed an improvement in my Bikram skills when I went in Houston, but I amazed myself today. I usually struggle in awkward pose (that funky chair pose-like move that requires standing on your toes and looking like you really have to pee), but I was able to hold my balance pretty well. Although I had trouble crossing my legs all weekend because my quads felt like someone had taken a weed-whacker to them, I was able to wrap my foot around the other side of my ankle in eagle. And I made a right angle with my body in standing head to knee pose and got my elbows down.

Not everything was easy. My standing bow pulling pose kind of sucked. I realized that I was holding my foot instead of my ankle halfway through my unlimited month last spring, which was a real gamechanger, but unfortunately I reverted back to my old mistake in class. My triangle pose was pure shit but my glutes are so tight that I was surprised I got into that lunge at all.

The most incredible moment was when I lowered down into toe stand pose for the FIRST TIME EVER. I didn't even mind that I couldn't get back up. I also rocked camel. The very first time I tried to do camel, I was convinced I was going to paralyze myself. Today I was all, Sure - let me just bend my body back so I can see the wall and rest my hands on my heels. N B D.

In the case you want to see what these poses are supposed to look like, go to this site.

I was surprised by how not-hot (I wouldn't go as far to say cool) the room felt. I thought Bikram in the summer would be a nightmare based on one class I took in June 2011, but I felt less gross and sweaty leaving the studio today than I did in March. I get really unhappy when I shower after a workout and then start overheating as I try to get home or back to the office. What's the point in showering if I end up just as disgusting as I did beforehand?

CrossFit has obviously made me stronger and more fit, and these improvements are showing themselves in other workouts. I demonstrated my increased strength by carrying my friend and co-worker up 9th Avenue on Saturday.

why do guys instinctively donkey kick their legs out?
you have to wrap your legs around the person carrying you

Sunday Funday: Burpee Edition

Today I got up when the alarm went off for the third time, put on my workout clothes, and headed to the track. For those of you whose property values aren't being lowered by the proximity of an eyesore of a middle school, finding a track may be more difficult but there's usually at least one in a town. For my Manhattanite readers, there's a really nice track up at Riverbank State Park in Hamilton Heights.

looking fierce with my medicine ball

the eyesore of a middle school

I decided to do a workout modified from a WOD I saw on the CrossFit Hell's Kitchen website. I briefly entertained the idea of doing pull-ups from the jungle gym until I saw that the school replaced the old set that I was thinking of and there's not really a place to do them on the new one. Excuses excuses.

So I mosied on over to the track on the other side of the school with my 8 lbs medicine ball and liter of water to start my workout.

Workout:

run 1 mile with 8 lbs medicine ball

60 burpees

run 800m with 8 lbs medicine ball

30 burpees

run 400m with 8 lbs medicine ball

15 burpees

Lie in the grass and die

Running with an 8 lbs medicine ball is not easy. The actual WOD had women using a 14 lbs medicine ball, but I don't own one of those so tough luck. I alternated arms each lap around the track and held my iPhone in the other. I'm glad I had my workout playlist to keep me going because it was hot and tiring.

Sixty burpees is harder than running an ultramarathon. That's all I have to say about that.

after the last burpee

that's cool. just leave me for dead.

A soccer team gathered to practice this morning. I think they were a little put off by all the grunting and groaning coming from my side of the field.

yes, I took this from my prostrate position in the grass

Burpees in the grass is a messy business and my shower was covered in clover leaves.

I'm feeling very accomplished for a Sunday morning. Since I'm normally still in bed trying to determine who is lying next to me without waking him up, pretty much anything I do on a Sunday morning is an improvement, but this was a difficult workout and I'm impressed with myself.

Sunday Funday: Bike Boat Bike

My friend Alyssa decided we needed to spend a Sunday Funday casually riding a 50 mile bike ride out east. Turns out it was a typo and we had signed up for a fifty-EIGHT mile bike ride called Bike Boat Bike. It ended up being a lot of fun (I think?) and we both survived (kind of.)

We spent Saturday night at my parents' house because they live an hour away from the starting line. Alyssa, bless her heart, picked my drunken hungover ass up at the New Rochelle train station and then babied me as I cried about my impending death, struggled to swallow water, and analyzed minute details of a conversation I had had with the 23 year-old man-child. Remember the 34 year-old? Some people just must be known by their age.

Anyway, so Alyssa and I drove the bikes down to Long Island to enjoy a surf and turf feast with my folks. Alyssa's awesome dad loaned me his mountain bike, put air in the tires, showed us what to do if we had mechanical issues, and wished us luck. And he loaned us the Wrangler so we could be mistaken for cool surfer dudes on the highway. Have you ever noticed the number of women who will slow down and look over to check out who is in a Wrangler?

I obviously overslept the next morning, but we managed to be on the road with gas, iced coffees, and breakfast sandwiches by 8 AM.

Alyssa got us set up at Strawberry Fields and we were on the bikes by 9:25 AM.

And then I started to panic because I had ridden a bike ONCE in the past decade (on Shelter Island last summer) and it was not on a major highway with trucks. I also realized that the bike was too big for me to put my foot down at red lights. Can't stop, won't stop.

Alyssa ended up much farther ahead of me and I was silently cursing her for thinking this was a good idea. We met back up at the first rest stop and by then I felt a little more confident on the roads.

Bike Boat Bike has multiple distances that allow you to visit either Shelter Island or Orient Point. I love Shelter Island and demanded that we go there.

on the ferry from Greenport to Shelter Island

view from the ferry

My dad and sister and I went to Shelter Island on vacation last summer and went on a 13 mile bike ride on one speed bikes that were lying around the Pridwin Hotel. Turns out our ride was a good part of this course. It's a heck of a lot easier to ride when you have a few gears with which to work.

We rode along Shore Road, back around the other side of the island, and then went to Ram Island. I love Ram Island, hills and all.

Alyssa passing the Ram Island Inn and telling me not to Instagram her butt

The volunteers were awesome and the aid stations were well stocked with snacks. I enjoyed peanut butter, honey, and Nutella sandwiches and scarfed bananas and Fritos and blue Gatorade. And then my teeth started to ache.

Somehow I ended up ahead for the Shelter Island portion of the bike ride. It was probably the lack of traffic and risk of being taken out by a tractor trailer.

peonies

We felt pretty great on the ferry back to Greenport. Seventeen more miles couldn't be that difficult, could it?

my fuschia sports bra decided to run all over my yellow tank, again.

It could and it was. The wind was brutal and the dust was blowing everywhere. After hours on the bike, my pikachu was really over being squashed into the saddle.

Pikachu on the average day, "Hooray! Let's invite a boy, preferably one who was in middle school when you graduated high school, over to play!"

Pikachu after bajillion mile bike ride, "No sex for you."

It took like 6 hours, but I finally got back to Strawberry Fields. And then I couldn't find Alyssa. I ate a watermelon while I waited.

And then I went to look for her.

And then I started to call people because I was bored.

And then I made small talk with other riders. Apparently the mountain bike was significantly heavier and more difficult to ride than a road bike. As one man told me, since I did so well on the mountain bike, I could have been to Manhattan by then if I had ridden a road bike. I don't actually know how to ride a bike besides for the purpose of staying up right, so I had no idea if this was challenging or not.

Alyssa finally appeared after being sent on a 2 mile detour by some well-meaning riders. (Or so she claims.)

As Sunday Fundays go, this one was pretty sick and I don't even have a hangover. Instead I got a sunburn. I didn't even know I could get sunburned. You live, you learn. Who's riding with us next year?
 

Not So Sunday Funday

I survived the wedding.

Sunday Funday

Yesterday was an epically good Sunday. I didn't go out Saturday because my body has been possessed by good decision making aliens and watched Ted on the couch with Lauren instead. I was well rested and awake when I received a text message inviting me to get in bed across the street at 9 AM. If this is being a grown-up, I'll take it.

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I had been looking forward to Sunday all week because I had plans to go see Jurassic Park 3D. Yes, one of the best movies from 90s, in all of its original glory, IN 3D! I laughed, I screamed, I buried my head in the shoulder of the person sitting next to me - it was glorious. Remember the scene where the velociraptor jumps on top of the kitchen table? It is so much better when the velociraptor pops out of the screen!

I felt like Tim one day in my office last summer.
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We stopped by Juice Generation before the movies and sneaked in our own snacks. But I insisted on getting popcorn too because movie theater popcorn is the best. When I was little, my mom would take my sister and me to the movies and let us have "movie dinner", which is just another way of saying, "You can eat popcorn, candy, and soda instead of anything of nutritious value tonight." I had a wonderful childhood.

PB Açai™ bowl

The PB Açai™ bowl was pretty dang good, but I think the granola could have been replaced with Cap'n Crunch. Apparently not the point of Juice Generation but meh.

I caught up on some work and then Lauren and I went for a 5+ mile walk around Central Park and back.

I honestly just wanted an excuse to wear a shirt that said I've run a 50K

Lauren made a delicious dinner of spinach pasta and roast chicken and then we watched Chanel West Coast make an ass out of herself on Ridiculousness. I am living the dream.

Sunday Funday: Best Sunday Ever

Today I went to the Konica Minolta Big City Classic. Yesterday I saw this post on Facebook from a kid I went to college with complaining that no one wanted to go because of the rain. I love college lacrosse so I immediately commented that I wanted to attend.

This kid was a goalie on the Trin team so from here on out we'll refer to him as the Goalie. This morning I woke up drunk, per usual, and assessed my life. Had to pick up my debit card from Dylan Murphy's, standard, and then watched some Freaks and Geeks while the world stopped spinning.

The Goalie and I met at the Port Authority at 2:30 and headed out to the MetLife Stadium. We were giddy with anticipation. NCAA laxers, beer, lax parents screaming nonsensical things - can life get any better than this?

We went to watch the second and third games. Duke played Syracuse and I'm partial to Duke lacrosse players. I told the Goalie Duke would win. He was skeptical. Um yeah, who was right? The Syracuse goalie was letting all sorts of nonsense in the net. It started pouring halfway through the game, but a little rain didn't hurt anyone. No way were we leaving early.

Hopkins vs. UNC

Then Hopkins played UNC. My sister is a diehard Hopkins fan, therefore I love them too. Unfortunately they never win when I go to their games. Sorry guys!

We had a great day. I can't remember the last time I had this much fun.