Lauren's Photo Journal May/June

Hi Friends! It has been quite some time since I have posted and I miss it. I want to catch everyone up on the past month of my life and we all know that good ole saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed living it!

Crossfit Dirty South Regionals Jax Fl

























































































































NIGHTS OUT ON THE TOWN
Katie and Emily Visit the ATL! -- FLUX PARTY

















































































CROSSFIT EAST DECATUR WODS
























































CROSSFIT DAHLONEGA CHALLENGE









































































































Took 1st PLACE in the Scale Division
(Scaled = 65 lbs instead of 95 lbs)

Two Days in a Row! I'm Back!

I feel really good to be X-Fitting again. Today's workout involved running and so I immediately caught myself about to say "I don't like running", but during my week at the women's personal development vacation in May one of the best things I learned was to Switch. That is, when I realize I'm giving me a negative message...switch! It is amazing the control my mind has over the rest of me! It worked so I ran 400 m x2 for time. First was 2.56, second was 3.0. I was surprised I didn't slow very much at all on the second one. I love the feeling of crossing the finish line! The other X-Fitters are running for their best time, and they are fast! I'm running to finish and I'm last and lovin' it. Occasionally one of them will cheer me on...it's fun and it simply elevates how confident I feel.

The rest of the workout was 50, 40, 30, 20 and 10 each pullups-them (jumping pullups-me), box jumps (box stepups), situps (real ones) and double unders. Lamarr had me do 30, 20, 10 then on the jump rope 90, 60, 30. Someday I'm going to do double unders. My stamina has increased immensely. When I started 5 months ago I barely could complete 10 jumps then had to rest and breath. Now I can go to 60 (with a little tripping but still pushing it). Overall Lamarr is telling me to work on form, not to add or increase anything for a while. Probably in a month or so it will be time for me to evaluate and up some of my 'moves'.
Well, bed time...I'm tired. I stopped on the way home and bought fruit, veggies and skinny pork chops which I cut in half and use as my morning protein at breakfast. I can eat it cold and snack on the way to work. Then at work I start the morning with fruit and cottage cheese. Also, in the spirit of healthy eating I'm spacing my little meals about four hours apart so I'm never starved. That really helps me eliminate temptation.
Well, as I said, it's bed time and I'm ready. Good night, l-m

Mental Attitude Counts for so Much!!!!

It's only been 14 days since my last blog. It feels like months. Since my great trip in May I've really fallen off the wagon going only about 3 times. And eating so poorly that today I was really feeling like my old self...not my new self (I like that feeling). My old self, lethargic, depressed, dull, mental confusion...low energy. Yuk!! So I did the 6:30 pm. workout and it was really tough. Not physically, mentally I mean. I was feeling negative and having trouble concentrating on what the sequence of exercises was. I could feel myself responding the way it did way back around my fourth week when I had a melt down and walked out. Zionna caught me that time and got me back on track. This time my awesome coach Lamarr spoted my confusion and lack of focus and got me focused on what I needed to do. I am so grateful for his intervention. I'm working out Tues, Thurs and Sat this week and I think that will put me back into the workout routine that I was enjoing so much up until I brok for vacation.

The positive news is that I am running regularly now when the W/out requires it. Monday last week the WOD was 200 m run, then 20 sandbag ...things..., then another 200 m run. I did six rounds and was surprised when I realized I ran 1200 m!!! Tonight it was a 450 m run and I opted for 300 m. I think it is prudent for me to ease into the running. But so far so good!!

I didn't tell you about the new expended box! NLP has rented the space next to the existing box and cut out the wall separating the two. Now it's one large really great box with two roll up doors...lots of air circulating and best of all two bathrooms! I heard there is going to be a 'ladies' room!! Thank God for small favors...although I must say the men at the box are very considerate, if you know what I mean.!!

Well, I'm filthy and sweaty so I'll close now and hit the shower. It really was fun and I'm looking forward to getting my glow back. I've got 23 more days to build up my stamina for my kayaking trip and to workout at East Decatur CrossFit when I visit with Lauren. l-m

Getting Back on the X-Fit Wagon

It's June 2nd and I'm suffering from the lack of organization that occurs when I take a nine day vacation. Nine days worth of work at work, junk mail at home, missed workouts, and of course my all time favorite unhealthy eating!! So, I must set at least two doable goals to work toward. Ok, here its is....#1 workout 4 x a week till July 8th when I leave for a kayaking trip in Savannah GA. (Oh good one!!). Next, #2, this is the longer term goal... Hmmm, ok let's back into this goal...The goal date is Labor Day...the goal is to be able to do the following with a 2 min. recovery between each exercise: run a 200 meters, 30 situps, 25 pushups, 50 wallball squats. Hmm, that's definitely a challenge! Ok, so back to my Mon/Tues/Thurs/Sat schedule. Just as a reminder, workouts keep me feeling clear minded, happy, energetic, enthusiastic, healthy, euphoric. I better print this blog and tape it to the dashboard of my car, till I get back into the routine again! Oh yeah, another serious motivator is that I'm paying for it whether I go or not!!!
Did you hear that ZOOM....that's me running to the car to go to the box on Thursday night! L-m

CrossFit Made Made My Trip Awesome

Where to start! I had an awesome nine day trip to N. CA, with 70+ awesome women ranging in age from 18 to 72! The days were filled with extreme physical activities, and growth seminars that pushed me to my limit physically, mentally and emotionally. I loved it! Four and a half months of serious CrossFit WODs really paid off for me. I was mostly able to physically keep up with women in their 20's and 30's (remember I'm 60). I felt no fear about the extreme sports activities we did and in fact, at times volunteered to 'go first'. I was mentally prepared!! When I was winded I was able to recover in about 30 to 45 seconds (all that rowing!!) and proceed with the activity. I ROCK!! The facilitators of the seminar asked that we not ruin the experience for future attendees by sharing the specifics, so I won't, but I can tell you my stamina is greatly improved and when I ran out, my mental stength kicked in and I was able to go just a little further!! The first couple of days I did stretching, and warm-up exercises, then 20 situps, 15 push ups and 20 squats. It felt real good. After that the 'program' was strenuous enough that I was getting a fierce workout everyday without my modified XF WOD and there was no time. I'm home now ready for the Tuesday WOD. I plan to continue to w/o 4x week. It just feels so good!
Oh yeah I can tell you about the pole, because it's in the organization's advertising. At the Oct. seminar, I climbed a 66 foot telephone pole by grasping 3 inch metal handhold/toeholds, then stepping up and grabbing the next metal handhold/toehold. It was super hard for me cause I'm short with short legs that were fat and weak. Part of that climb I literally pulled my body up with my arms, so my legs would reach a toehold. I did it out of sheer stubborness and determination! The front of my legs each had 3 x 10 inch bruises from losing my toehold, swinging my legs to get another toehold and banging my shins against the pole. Not Pretty! Well, this time I went up the pole like a spider monkey!! Stopped one time to strategize, then I was at the top, not winded, not afraid. CrossFit stengthened my body and my mind! Wish I could tell you about everything but integrity and courage are two of the promises I made to myself last week so mums the word. Last week opened my eyes to all the great things I can do! CrossFit workouts are making it physically possible. If you can't reach me this Saturday, it's cause I'm at the beach taking a kayaking lesson! Till next time, L-m .

Crossfit Imporving My "Game" in So Many Ways!

Some Background:
I have played sports my entire life. In high school when I had to make the decision between sports and marching band (I played the trumpet) it was no contest. I am by no mean athletically gifted in any way. I like to think of my self more as the "Rudy" type, barley a speck of athletic ability but a whole lot of Heart. I played volleyball up until I was around 21. I still coaching volleyball and totally love it but when I moved to Atlanta I wanted to get involved in a team sport. A friend told me about a sport called Gaelic Football. Gaelic Football is a mix between soccer,basketball and rugby with no tackling. It is a great adult sport because not matter your background (soccer, volleyball, rugby ect) everyone has some basic skill that they are not familiar with and have to work on mastering. For me it was using my feet. This will be my fourth year playing for Clan na nGael and I absolutely love it. I recommend everyone comes out and tries it! We are sponsored by Fado's Irish Pub and the girls on the team are all amazing women.

Coaching Volleyball















Gaelic Football season is starting up and I am very excited to report on the effects my 5 months of Crossfit training has done for my game.

- Recovery time is ridiculous! No like really really ridiculous. There are a lot of soccer like sprints in Gaelic and I never felt winded.

-Stamina is freaking amazing! I could have run for days.

-My kick has gotten so much stronger. I am booting line drives into teammates chest harder than ever.

-I have always been a slow kid and this season I am catching and passing people!

It is almost hard to believe this is my body.

The last practice I went to I had some gnarly rope burn on my right ankle, of course I am right footed. Kicking and planting didn't feel great but I can wait til it is healed up and I can give another progress report.

Gaelic 2009



















One more week til the CFED team leaves for Regionals in Jacksonville, Fl! This weekend I am off to Boston for my sister graduation and to visit Crossfit Providence. My Mom gets back on Sunday and will be posting again. . . I cant wait to hear some of her story about her trip.

Thanks to everyone who is reading and commenting! I love hearing your feedback =)

Heres to Health!!!

Minding your Mind

The longer I Crossfit the better I am getting at overriding the message my brain is sending to my body that I can go no further, I can push no harder. This weekend I hit a place I have never been with Crossfit, true fear. My fight or flight response kicked in and was telling me to fly away, I wanted to cry. . . and I almost did, it was close. My mind was telling me I was going to fall off the rope and I believe it for a second and was really scared. A moment of truth, do I tell my self I can do it and push on or slowly lower myself to the ground and give up. I dont even remember make the decision before I had taken a few deep breaths and lifted up my legs to inch closer to the top of the rope climb. Victory. . . in more ways than one!

Shana, my trainer, reminds me to "commit" to what I am doing whether is a lift or working on muscle ups. I am understanding what that really means. Committing mind and body. With only 1 you are only 1/2 as strong. Pumping out those last 2 pull ups when you think you have nothing left. Not dropping the bar when you only have 2 OHS left. Finishing!

Not only in Crossfit but in my everyday work and home life I am seeing the effects of learning this "commit"/keep pushing mentality. I bet many of you reading this know exactly what I am talking about. . .

My outside appearance has definitely change, (I am going to take some update pics before regionals) but what is not see on the outside is my confidence level and this understanding of my ability to finish ANYTHING!

Looking great in your bathing suit is nice, being healthy and not having to go to the doctor is fabulous but when I talk about Crossfit one of the first things I mention is the confidence and strength in mind you gain.

I have more work to do both mind and body but I wanted to share this with you because it is important to identify it then work on it. Time to get to work!