Central Valley Throwdown & Expo

This week I took it relatively easy. I followed the gyms programming until Wednesday, then decided to rest, and work on a little fine tuning of movements for the throwdown on Saturday.
Waking up Saturday morning, I was beyond nervous. I have never felt like I did that morning, or before each event. I was nervous, my body would heat up, my heart would race, and I would feel sick to my stomach. Then the clock would count down 3...2...1... GO! and it was gone. I was able to get out on the floor with the 13 (I think) amazing ladies in my heat, and throw it down! I know it is awesome to watch the pro's do this stuff, but I am even more amazed by the women that I competed with yesterday. We all pushed our limits and broke down barriers doing the best we could with each event!
I will always say I am disappointed, that I know I could have done a few more reps than I did, I could have finished that last run, I could have lifted a little more weight, but over all I am proud of myself. With each event I did more than I did practicing the event, I PR's my clean by 5lbs after working out all day, I had an amazing day with my CrossFit Reedley family, and last, going into the event my goal was to finish Top 15, and I finished in 5th place. Pretty Awesome!
I would have to say over all my top favorite things about the events were: 1. Being in the same heat, and the lane right next to Diane. She pushes me, in the best ways, so it was nice to have her by me. 2. Getting a PR on my clean! I didn't even squat clean the 130lbs haha, so I am confident that there is more strength there, I just have to dig it up!
I am not sure when I will do another competition, but I am excited. I am excited to put in some more work at the gym, push myself with new goals, and reach them. It feels good to do better than I thought I would, but now I am motivated for a top 3 spot since I was so close to it this time around.

Workout #1- 2-min-drill: I didnt not do as planned... haha. Everything went out the window from what I had done in practice, I blew myself up on the snatches, but I was able to keep a good amount of reps, throughout the entire event. In practice I got up to a 115 reps, and in competition I was able to get a few more reps in, I got a total of 123.

Workout #2-  Rope-a-dope: I was confident going into this workout initially, and I didn't even finish it in competition. Ultimately, I wasn't prepared for the rope that was used in the workout, and I was completely blown up from WOD 1. I was/am so disappointed that I want able to finish the workout. I got through the first and second rounds for a total of 2 runs, 5 rope climbs, and 160 single unders. With 40 seconds left, I took off for my run starting the 3rd round, and I didn't make it back to my mat for point, but I wanted that run so bad. I struggled to get as far as I did into the event , when I was expecting to do so much better is what kills me.

Floater #1- This was a max box jump. I was able to get higher than I got in practice, which I was stoked about, I was able to roughly jump 35 in!

Floater #2- We found out what the workout was that morning, it was a 3 min Airdyne bike ride, and the 3 min to build to a 4 rep max front squat from the floor. I got a total of 14 cal on the bike, I first attempted 125 for the clean/front squats it felt super easy, so I went for 130 and was able to get the clean, and the FS! Yey! for me.

Here is a picture recap for Saturday!

Diane and I getting through those knee to parallel

Ugh, those rope climbs did us all dirty.

Getting ready to do our 2nd floater 

Anvil's 7pm ladies

Because we have to have a flexing picture

At this point, I was hungry and tired and just wanted to be done.... but then

I PR'd my clean at 130# lbs!!! whoop hoo!

Overall I had a great experience, I am so thankful for my friends and family who came out to support me, and I am ready for another one. Monday is the start of more training ;)

Thanks

xoxo,

Tori

Training & Prepping for HOH

So this post is late- I had a busy weekend! I had a good week of training though! 

Here is a recap!

Monday 8/11: I started my day with a 3 m run, in Fresno, at Woodward Park before work. It was nice to get out of the area where I normally run, and get a different view. I kept a decent pace, but I did slow down quite a bit on my last mile, and had to walk a few times. My calves have been a little tight, I need to make sure that I am taking the time to work on my mobility. With the amount of exercise that I do with short muscle contraction, I have to make a conscious effort to elongate the muscles as much as possible.
The 2nd workout for the CVT was also released! And, just like the teaser pictures had shown us there are rope climbs! I was/ am still nervous for it, but after practicing it a few times, I don't think I will do to horribly haha. My first attempt I finished the workout in 6:25- fresh.

CVT WOD #2

200 yrd Run/Carry (used a 40lb KB)

3 Rope Climbs

40 single unders

200 yrd Run/Carry

2 Rope Climbs

40 single unders

200 yrd Run/Carry

1 Rope Climb

40 single unders

200 yrd Run/Carry

Getting through those rope climbs

Tuesday 8/12: We did like 2 mini WODS, I felt like I was able to push in each workout. In the second work out we did a 8 min AMRAP- 10 pull ups,15 thrusters, and 30 double unders. I was super stoked that I was able to get my pull ups done in sets of 2 or 3, and I was able to get about 6 DU at a time! Progress!

Pretty sweet pic with Diane- Pushing through those thrusters!

tire flips

Wednesday 8/13: Well I was supposed to run, and that didn't happen, I just struggled to get out of bed, and needed the sleep. I swear by listening to your body, you wont ever regret it.
At the gym I worked on my snatches at the weight we would be using in the competition (#65lbs). Just making sure that I am as comfortable as I can be with the movement, as I can be. Then we did a quick burner of 3rds: 20 jumping lunges, 10 HSPU ( I used the box to maximize my movement, and work on my strength in that position) then 400m run. It was good, definitely felt the burn in my legs. After that I did a second run through of CVT WOD #2- I was definitely tired from the gyms workout for the day, but it was good to do it a little fatigued since it is not going to be my first workout at the competition. Even being fatigued I got a faster time (5:51) Adriana killed that workout in like 5:27, she was my motivation to push!

Thursday 8/14: Thursday was a good squat day! I was able to 3x2 at 90% (175lb) getting stronger with every week, I then did light deadlifts, I didn't want it to fatigue me to much for the upcoming week. Our METCON was one with SDHP and I hate them, it sucked, end of story haha.

Adriana and I getting SDHP's done!

Friday 8/15: I spent allllll day with my co workers prepping for our stores 3rd annual Hell of A Half. I never really understood all that went into the production of putting on a race, but now I do! There are countless hours put into every single detail you can and can't imagine to put on these types of events. I am very lucky to have been apart of such an event.

Saturday 8/16: The day of Hell of A Half, we were all up bright and early 4 am to get started on race day to get the course ready to go for runners. It is amazing to watch runners come together in their community and all have one goal, to cross that finish line. I am amazed by the finished who came in close to an hour, and amazed by those who pushed themselves to their limits and were able to complete within 4 hours. It is so cool to see what the body and mind can do.
At the store I kind of feel like the odd ball at times because, people share their opinions about how I am not really a "runner," to them I cross train, I am a crossfitter. It gets really annoying. At our race, a "crossfitter", an amazing woman, athlete, and coach at a local CF gym called Sawtooth, Tanya got 3rd place at our grueling hot half marathon. I love seeing that "people like me" can come in and kick all the "runners" butts!
After the race and clean up, I went to my moms and fell asleep, immediately. I was so exhausted, it was so nice to sleep. I then headed home to spend the evening with Garrett. We ended up heading to Fresno so I could pick up his birthday present, I was able to take the plunge and purchase him a GoPro. I hope he enjoys it. It was hard to figure out something that he wanted, and I just was on the search for something that he could use, and would love.

Sunday 8/17:  Sunday is the day of rest. And it was for me. I
have really slacked on my running this week. Being a woman, training for the Central Valley Throwdown and working long hours took its tole on me. It was nice to sort-of sleep in, lay in bed, watch TV, and work a few hours at the store. It's a new week, and I will get back on track with my running :)

--Here is a picture of our awesome shirts we had printed for CVT, I am so pumped for 13 of us to rock these tanks/tees and show what CrossFit Reedley is all about! James always does an awesome job on all the shirts that I have ever seen! I will always recommend/go to him if I am in need for screen printing!

JMI Studio - jmiscreeningstudio@hotmail.com for inquires!

--and on a side note, here is my newest picture of inspiration ;)

Alessandra Pichelli is an amazing athlete, I would kill to move as fast, be as strong, and have a booty and legs like hers! 

Alessandra Pichelli- Crossfit Games 2014
Image Credit goes to diffracted_photos on IG

My Current Must Haves

Quick and to the point-

"These are a few of my favorite things" (in my best song voice, which isn't all that hot haha). There 5 items that I have been using frequently! I do not use/ or have very many products simply because I am the girl who likes to get up and go. I am to lazy to wake up earlier to do my hair and make up, especially because I work out everyday, just thinking about getting ready and then taking my make up off before working out sounds exhausting. 

1. Maybelline Pumped Up! Colossal waterproof mascara- I am a mascara kind of girl. That is about all I have the patience for. I had been hearing tons of review on this mascara from the YouTube videos I watch and decided to give it a try myself, and I LOVE IT. My lashes are voluminous, long, and there is minimal flaking. Awesome! I can even go through a water polo practice with my lashes looking fabulous! 

2. Breath of Fresh Air Toner Water- I am a huge fan of Lush's toner waters.I use Tea Tree Toner after washing my face morning and evening. Since it was summertime, I started to use the toner as a "refresh" in between swim lessons and workouts. I started to find that Tea Tree began to be a little aggressive on/for  my skin with using it more regularly, so I stopped by my local LUSH to visit my great friend Lauren (here is her link to her blog, CHECK IT OUT!) and she suggested Breath of Fresh Air, and of course I'm sold!. Since BOFA is jam packed with aloe, rose, and herbs the product helps deliver a soothing feel still having the antibacterial proprieties that the Tea Tree Toner offers.  

3. Batiste Dry Shampoo- Well like everything else, I am lazy, so of course I hate washing my hair, I will go 3-4 days without washing it. Thankfully my hair doesn't smell awful after a couple workout days, or no one has said anything haha. I feel that this shampoo helps give me volume, a clean feel, and clean smell, and that's all this girl needs! This brand is definitely one of the better brands I have tried. They have tons of smells ( I tend to go for the "clean" smells) and they even have a spray that has a color tint to it, so you don't have to worry about having any left over powder residue because its the color of your hair! AWESOME!

4. it's a 10 miracle leave in conditioner- I used to use this regularly when I was in high school since I struggled with dry damaged hair from being in the pool everyday for 2 hours at a time. Since then I always pick a bottle up every summer to give my hair the extra moisture that it needs. They do also sell another type, that has additional keratin in it. I tend to stay away from that one because the shampoo/conditioner that I use has keratin complex in it, and if I do both my hair tends to get super dry, and straw like, due to the overdose in protein.

5. The Wet Brush- after reading other blogs, I decided to give this brush a try and like everything else, I am so glad that I did! I can throw my hair up in a bun, go through a polo/swim practice, take my knotted nasty bun out and brush my hair out nicely, no pulls, yanks or tears shed with this brush! I also feel like I have less fall out while brushing. This is my go to if I don't have a wide tooth comb on me. I have 2 of these, one in my swim bag, and one in my room, so I have it when I need it most!

These products help with my minimal maintenance through the summer months, hopefully they can do the same for you!
Thanks for reading!
xoxo
-Tori

As Summer Is Coming To An End....

Well here is to the start of a new week, and it is going to go quickly since we are busy at the store with our Hell Of A Half Marathon, and I start coaching our middle school water polo teams this week! Then next week on Thursday I start school! This summer has gone by so fast, I am not ready for it to end, especially after this past weekend. For this post I am going to start with the most current events, and then recap the past week. Overall I had a good week, a lot of weight has been lifted off my shoulders since I have been able to get somethings off of my chest (thats a lot of body part references haha). It is nice to feel relieved and refreshed and ready to attack this next week!

Excuse the cheeks! but YEY, for handstands!

Sunday 8/10: Sunday was a beautiful day. I started my day just a tiny bit earlier so I could get out and get a run in on the beach. I wanted to be lazy, but at the same time I had to take advantage of nature, the sounds and smells of running on the beach. My run was slower than normal, I had a 10:26 pace, but it was a wonderful run. I saw dolphins swimming in the water, and a seal hangin' out on the beach, putting on a show for everyone walking by. By midday, the sun was shining, there was a breeze, and the water was so inviting. We knew we had to take advantage of it and head down to the beach to soak up some sun, boogie board/body surf,and working on hand stands! I was finally able to stick it for a little longer than a millisecond... haha. After a few hours, we headed into downtown Cayucos to try a restaurant called Duckie's Chowder House for lunch, which has wonderful clam chowder and melt in your mouth calamari and fries! We also went to Brown Butter Cookie Company to see what these bad boys were about, oh man were they delicious. We personally like the traditional style of cookies, they were so yummy! For the last half of the day we hung out at the house with the family, other than the hour or so that we took Russell down to the bach for a walk and to explore, he is so crazy! We ate a yummy crab dinner, then were on the road to head home. We were/are so sad to have left, but are so happy and thankful for the time at the coast with family. It is so nice to come home refreshed and relaxed, ready to take on the madness ahead.

Nice way to relax after a run.

takin a break

a seal, just hangin out!

All smiles on our beautiful beach day

I swear he says that he loves me.

Saturday 8/9: We started our day late on Saturday, and took the advantage of the vacation by sleeping in. For me since sleeping in is until 8 am, I was able to wake up, sit on the patio and read my book. It was wonderful! After Garrett woke up, and we got some food in us, we went for a walk on the beach with Russell, then we headed back to the house to get ready to head into Morro Bay to get some lunch. We tried out Giovanni's, which was a very popular place. The clam chowder, garlic fries, and fish and chips were delicious! We headed home with full tummies, rested, and chatted with family. We then headed out for dinner with the family, and had a wonderful time at a restaurant right off the marina, and golf course. When we came home, Garrett, Mark and I decided to tackle the 750 piece puzzle we found in the house until it was time for bed. Overall, it was a wonderfully relaxing day, and I wouldn't ask for anything more.

The view from my bedroom/patio

our beach date with Russell

An evening stroll/dip on the beach with my love

Birthday Collage :)

Friday 8/8: First- Happy 23rd Birthday Garrett! I was supposed to get up and run, but I "forgot" to set my alarm a didn't wake up early enough to get out in the morning for my run, and there is no way I was going to run in 90 degrees of central valley heat haha. Instead, I packed, and we headed for the coast! Garrett's Grandma and Grandpa Johnson rented a beach house in Cayucos, CA. We are so lucky that they rented a beach house for the family to come and enjoy, it was so perfect! We could not have asked for a better weekend to get away and be with family. Generally the weather in Morro Bay/ Cayucos is overcast and cold, or at least that is what it is like whenever I have been there. But this weekend was perfect, It was overcast and foggy in the morning, but it cleared up by noon and we had sunshine all day

Thursday 8/7: Thursday was also a pretty good day in the gym. I am excited,
I feel like I am getting more and more comfortable with the bar on my back, and getting out of the bottom of my squat. I was able to do 3x2 @ 90%  which ends up being 175 lbs for me. Although I felt a little off, being bloated and wearing a belt is not the business haha, I was really excited for how easy these lifts felt! On the other hand I gave the METCON just about everything that I had. We did a ".com" workout. It consisted of 10 rds, 1 min on, 2 min rest- 3 deadlifts ( I did them at 195), a 60 meter sprint, and then max burpees until the minute was up. I was able to get a total of 87 reps (reps where counted by the amount of burpees)... I was just glad to get through it haha.

After that workout, I decided to do out competition workout again. I wanted to see what the workout would feel like after doing a ton of work before it. I am not sure if because it says WOD 1, that we will be doing it first or not so I want to be prepared. I was able to stay pretty close to my first try, I got a total of 115 reps, and that is positive, because Garrett counted for me. It was definitely tougher to do after another workout, once again that makes me nervous. I just don't want to show up looking like a fool at this thing.

Burpees

Deadlifts

Wednesday 8/6: Wednesday started with a run! This was my first "tempo" run, or running at race pace. I'm not quite at my actual race pace, but I got as close as I could without burning out. I did a half mile warm up, then focused on each lap which were at 9:20, 9:27,9:40, and then a quarter mile cool down. I obviously went out a little too fast for my first 2 miles, by the 3rd I did have to stop to walk to catch my breath a little, which slowed my overall pace, I am still proud of the work that I did! 

At the gym we worked building to a heavy snatch from position one (the hip), I tied my PR from the floor! This is pretty exciting, just because I know my strength is there, its obvious, I just have to work on getting under that bar. I haven't quite figured out how to drop into the bottom, ultimately what I think that it comes down to is that I just think about it to much. So, I'm gonna try to do less thinkin' this week ;) haha... At the gym we did a nasty combination of clean and jerks with pull ups, I was super stoked, I did the workout at RX'd weight, and I did all 50 pull up! Strength is there! Lawerence from the gym is pretty cool, he pushes me. The way he says things to me is almost like he is doubting me and it pushes me more, I like that. He really wants me to do a team event with him, and 2 others, buuuut idk about the whole team action haha.

getting through my last clean & jerk

Tuesday 8/5: Tuesday was an ehhhh day for me. I just didn't feel 100% for the workout. It was a tough one, a lot of running (a total of a mile), thrusters @ 45lbs and T2B. T2B, are really discouraging for me, I think that is why I didn't care for this workout so much.  I tried to do the workout as prescribed, but I probably only got 20/40 T2B, I got my legs u higher than normal, but I just can not find a rhythm for them, and it seems like my toes NEVER touch! I can't beat myself up to much about it, I am glad that I did what I could, and that was still an improvement. Gotta keep working to keep getting better!

Struggling through those toes2bar

Monday 8/4 : I started my day with my training for my half in October. Mondays will always be my favorite training day, simply because it is always an easy 3 mile run, just get out there and remind your body what you are going to be doing to it for the rest of the week. This particular run felt good, and I have been rather pleased with all my runs, I think I am getting better at pacing myself so I am not miserable through out a majority of my run. I was able to keep a 9:48 pace over all, and my goal for my half is to keep a 9-9:15 min mile, there is still work to do, but I am confident that I can get there

Monday night, I worked on training for the Central Valley Throwdown that I mentioned. They released their first workout! Us girls warmed up, worked our snatches, worked on our pull ups then went into the workout:

WOD 1:

2 min at each exercise-

Snatch-65lbs

C&J- 55lbs

Thruster: 45lbs

Hanging Knee Raise- on rig

Since this was out "main workout" for the day, it was tough, but I felt like I was able to move through it at a decent pace. I lost count, but roughly I think that I got 120 reps total- I made  this is my goal for everytime I attempt this workout, I do not want to get less than this amount.

Sarah, Adriana, Diane and I all doing a run through of the workout

Inspiration and Training

Hello again!
I am getting this post out a little late, I have been a little busy, and just didn't make time to reflect on the past week.
Over all I had a good week of training, and well living haha...

To start this past week 7/25-7/27 were the Crossfit Games- 3 days of intenense workouts, watching amazing athletes fight for a spot on the podium naming them "the fittest on earth." In 2011, this was the start of my love for CrossFit, when I first saw the games on ESPN I knew that it was something that I would love, and something I needed to start doing. I always get butterflies watching the athletes compete, watching them hit new PR's, watching them push through plateaus, and of course the smiles, fist pumps and congratulations from all the athletes after each event. Kara Webb, an athlete that I have had my eyes on (mostly because this is Garrett's CrossFit girl friend haha, I have to keep an eye on the competition ;) ) was in first for the first couple of days, then she sadly has been dealing with some nerve issues, and one of the workouts just aggravated it more so, and she withdrew. UGH! I wanted her to win so bad! She was doing do good! I mean she hit a 250lb OH squat! Camille Leblanc Bazinett ended up taking the title of the fittest woman on earth. She is an amazing athlete, she has worked hard, and it is awesome to see that pay off. For the men, well we all thought Rich Froning was out of it, that he wouldn't take the games this year, but of course, he won, Mr. 4-peat. haha They say he isn't coming back but I hope he does, he is an amazing athlete. But, on the other hand I want to see some of the young guns, who showed they were not messing around this year, fight for that title against Rich, because otherwise, for a few years all that will be said is "oh, its because Rich want there."

"Fittest Man & Woman On Earth"
Photo courtesy of Box Life Magazine

Now back to reality of my not so hard week of training compared to these games athletes haha...
Monday (7/28) marked the start of my half marathon training, and uuuugggggghhhh! That's all I have to say haha! There are currently a few fires burning in our area, which makes breathing in the central valley harder, and even harder when running! Other than struggling to breath while running, I have been struggling to get up early enough so the air quality and heat wouldn't affect me as bad, it is just so hard. I get up early on Tues/Thurs for my spin/circuit class, so on the other days when I can sleep in, I like to! I did end up wearing my Garmin, haha. Mondays run was my first run, it was hot, the air was bad, and I was way to eager when I started my run. I went out way to hard, and wanted to die at the end of my 3 miles haha. Wednesday and Friday I made sure to pace myself a little better and was able to keep a consistent pace without killing myself. Sunday was supposed to be a long run of 4 miles, but I just wasn't feeling it and decided to skip it. I know, I know, I can't do that, so this week I am not going to skip it haha. For my first week of runs I am excited that I got out for 3/4 of my runs, and felt decent about them.

I also continued my CrossFit training throughout the week,but I decided to take Tuesday as a rest day.
Monday- was modification of a CrossFit games workout of the 21-15-9 complex, and it was killer. I was so pumped that I was able to do pull ups through out the workout, and every rep counted.
Wednesday- we did a nasty combination of 200m run, box jumps, and push press. Adriana, Diane, and I all went Rx'd at 75lbs. It was super tough, I didn't know if I was going to be able to hand with the weight but was glad I attempted, and completed it.

Clearly not enjoying the push press

runnnnnnnin

Jumpin on the box! 

Cheering on Adriana, she didn't want to go RX'd , but she did and she killed it! 

Thursday- this was such an awesome day! In my last post I did say that I wanted to attempt 225lbs for my deadlifts the following week, well I attempted and succeed! Over all I was really pleased with my strength exercises that day, I was strong with my back squats at 165lbs, and was able to keep my torso up and shoulders back, and I was able to hit 3x3 225# deadlifts!

Friday- I didn't do any strength, Diane, Sarah and I decided to work on movements that may be in the Central Valley Throw down. 

Garrett came up with the worst workout EVER.

10 wall balls -1 Rope climb

20 wall balls -2 Rope climb

30 wall balls -3 Rope climb

40 wall balls -4 Rope climb

50 wall balls -5 Rope climb

It was definitely challenging, it got into my head a little bit. I am nervous if we will have to, and how many rope climbs we will have to do, these were tough after working on all those wall balls. I am continuing to work on my weaknesses, so hopefully they are as strong as they can be for the CVT. 

Working On Getting Up That Rope

Saturday- I caught up on some strength that I missed through out the week. I was stoked that I was able to get some heavy front pause squats, the heaviest I have done through out this cycle, 3x2 @ 125lb with a 3 second pause. 

The workout for the gym was killer. It was HEAVY, like heavy. RX'd was 95lbs. 

9-7-5

power clean

STOH

2 min rest:

4rds

200m run

12 Front Squat

6 Bar Over Burpees

clearing enjoying these squats

I knew it was going to be tough, but it was a whole lot tougher than I thought that it would be...

I struggled, but was glad to complete a the weight prescribed. 

It was a goal this week to be able to complete as many workouts as possible with prescribed weight, to push as hard, and as fast as I could with each workout, and I am continuing with that push into this week. 

Over all I am pleased with this past week. I hit goal markers that I didn't know I could. I am so thankful with for the gym and the motivation from all of the members. Excited for another week of training!