A funny thing happened on the way to the Box, and final countdown

I am not "athletic"...yes, I run (well, when I'm allowed...fingers crossed that will be soon!) and I do Crossfit, did Bootcamp, hike and the likes, but I have never considered myself an "athlete".  I was picked last, for everything.  I was always shoved in goal, because I couldn't run fast.  I learned very quickly to hate ALL sports, especially after having balls, pucks and other moving projectiles thrown at me by the jocks with enthusiastic force.  Once PE became an option (grade 11), I was out of there!!!  And I didn't look back.

Fast forward a few years and quite a few pounds, and I rediscovered a passion if you will, for sweating.  I love to sweat...it feels good, it pulls the crap out of my body and it tells me that I am working hard.  Hot flashes aside, of course, but that's another blog!  So I continue to push myself, trying hard not to listen to the popping joints and nay-sayers who say I shouldn't, I can't, etc.  Yes, body parts hurt.  Yes, I am still close to last.  Yes, I can't lift as much or run as fast as others, but I.AM.OUT.THERE.TRYING.EVERY.DAY!

That brings us to last weekend.  It was PR Challenge, Part Deux.  If you recall, Part One was in December. That was the benchmark, to see who and how we've improved.  Two *WODS, completed a couple of hours apart.  Once all was said and done, I was DEAD LAST.  Granted, I had only started a month earlier. My rowing wasn't bad (2.5 minutes), push-ups were from my knees, thrusters was with a 35 lbs bar and pull-ups were jumping off a box.

*WOD 1 - Intro: row 500m, 40 squats, 30 sit-ups, 20 push-ups, 10 pull-ups, for time.
*WOD 2 - Fran: 21-15-9 Thrusters, pull-ups, for time.

A few months pass, and I keep plugging away everything Crossfit, intent on improving.  In fact, I stated, in no uncertain terms, I wanted to win Most Improved.  WANTED IT!

Intro WOD:

 Shaved about 30 seconds off my row!

 Actually getting my hip crease BELOW my knees...see,Trainer Josh?!

 Actually like sit-ups...weird, I know.

 They weren't pretty, but they were from my toes, dammit!!

Yes, those be bands, not a box, thank you very much!!!

Exhausted but very pleased with my effort.

Fran WOD:

Making 45 lbs look easy.  Trying to anyway.  RX (non-scaled) is 65 lbs for women, so I still have work to do.

What was the final result, besides the fact that I HEART Fran??

 MOST IMPROVED FEMALE!!!!
I'm with the Fastest Guy - Fastest Lady and Most Improved Guy were both away, having done their WODS the week before.

My award is an 8 kilo kettlebell, cash, a shirt and some socks!!  I have NEVER won anything athletic, besides the "Participation" ribbon.  This felt really good!!!!!

George approves!!

So now I countdown to 50.  Yes, in about 14 hours, I turn FIFTY.   Half a century, as my loving older brother likes to point out.  I don't even think it's middle age (yet).  Just a number, right?  Right!!

AROOO!!!

Yay for fitness,

Pouting

Just when I was getting back into running, they pull me back out.  And by "they", I mean my legs.  I am trying a different approach though, and hope to be back on the pathways soon, like in 2-4 weeks.  This has been rough, but at least I can still do crossfit, as long as I don't jump.  Drat, no burpees for me.  I am so sad.  No, really!

Had a great last week at Crossfit, strangely loving every WOD.  From pull-ups to wall balls, box step-ups, rowing, cleans, snatches and all the other "they sound dirty, but they're really fun" workouts, I am having a blast.  I can only get stronger, and that will help my legs.  David, my RMT, is also a crossfit coach, so he's doing his best to a) heal me, and b) teach me how to do these things properly so I don't fight the same injury down the road.  Sweet...because I want to keep being a Box-Rat, and I have about 12 races in the immediate future!!!

Yes, every year I say I'm going to cut back, and every year I get excited and sucked in and sign up!  I did sell my Hypo bib because I knew I was too injured to run it.  The lady I sold it to is awesome, and had a really strong race.  After scoring a bib from someone else, I did make it in to have brunch with everyone.  What an awesome, and awe-inspiring crowd.  Speaking of...when people ask why I run, I will now answer with this:  today was a new 8k race called Chase the Chicks, and while I didn't register, I did know some people running it.  While out for my walk down at Eau Claire (I really don't know what to do with myself on Sunday mornings other than show up at Eau Claire to run/walk/crawl), I came across the race route in time to cheer on the runners, so I stood with the marshal and we cheered, handed out high-fives and chatted about racing and such.  Along came a lone runner, near the back, and she was limping pretty good.  We both asked if she was okay and needed help, and she said no thanks.  You see, 2 years ago she was in a race and was hit by a truck.  After spending 5 weeks in a coma, and having since relearned how to walk...talk...swallow...and generally live, she decided she had to get back to racing and thought this would be a great start!!  I will never bitch about my legs again...tears were shed, hugs were handed out and I have immense respect for a lady I don't even know.  So strong is she.

So, between March 17th and October 14th, I have 1 10k, 5 Halfs, 3 marathons, 1 Ultra (50k), 1 29k trail race and 2 5k obstacle races.  And people are still trying to talk me into other events.  And let's face it...I'm rather easy when it comes right down to it!!  Poor David has his work cut out for him, but he knows how stubborn I can be.

Okay...I have to do my homework for physio, and then to bed.  Where did the weekend go???

Keep moving!