Training 11/10-11/14

Monday 11/10-

To start all I really want to say is, THANK GOODNESS for deload weeks! haha

Back Squats

3x3 @ 60% =120 lbs

Snatch

2x 80%=75lbs

1x 85%=80lbs

1x 90%=85lbs

METCON:

400m run

Fran @ 55 lbs

400 m run

Fran @ 55 lbs

400 m run

**Finished over the time cap of 25 min- probably somewhere closer to 27 min. 

- This workout. Do I really need to say more? After the first round of Fran I was toast. As silly as it may sound, I tried to use the time running, and doing thrusters as my "down time," the time that I was able to recoup and catch my breath for the pull- ups. ugh, those pull-ups... I really wish that I had them down better, like I said in my previous post, doing high volume of some gymnastic movements kills me, and that is what I am hoping to improve. 

I know, I am not cool enough to take off my shirt yet, but it was sooooo hot, and I was so sweaty haha

Tuesday 11/11- 

Veterans Day

9am workout:

Hero WOD- "BLAKE" 

100ft walking lunge w/ 45lb plate over head

24in Box jump

20 Wall Balls #24lb

10 HSPU - I used a 45lb plate and ABMAT to modify

Anthony gave the class a 30 min time cap, within that time I was able to finish 3 rounds, +3 lunges... I kinda feel guilty for not pushing through and finishing through the time cap, but I got a pretty good shinner on my last round of box jumps, and just wanted to be done. 

All in all, thank you Blake for your service and sacrifice. 

Thank you to all the have served, are serving, and will serve. 

I thank you everyday for our freedom. 

workout #2

16min AMRAP

6 push press - #75

12 cleans- #75

24 sit ups

Bearcrawl the width of the room

= 4rds+ 3

during

after... haha

Adrina and Lawrence were not able to make it to the gym for the Hero WOD, so I told her that I would go back later to workout with her again. Garrett was nice enough to make up this good little burner (after many ideas were nixed by Adrinia and I...haha) My body hated me when I first started the workout, but when the 16 minutes where up it definitely felt nice to have moved after earlier that day, and my binge watching ARROW on NETFLIX. My whole family is totally obsessed with the show, if you haven't watched it you totally should. 

Thursday 11/13-

Heavy Dbl Pwr Snatch- 105lbs

- I was finally able to get into the 100 club! haha. I have been stuck at 95lbs for my snatch forrrrrever! 100 felt like cake, and 105 went up just as easy, it was a good day for me! I attempted 115, but wasn't getting it up high enough ( in my standards haha- meaning I wouldn't have to drop under it at all) but it was nice to test the weight out, who knows what can/will happen come max week ;)

drop to 3x1 @ 90%- 95lbs

RDL 3x5 @ 135

METCON-

9 min AMRAP

30 Double Unders @ 175lbs

10 Deadlifts

= 4rds+8 reps

-I love deadlifts in a workout, its my absolute fav, and even more I love heavy deadlifts. Its a movement that I can pull a relatively heavy amount of weight for reps, its kinda like my confidence booster. The weight for this workout felt easy, just the way I like it... After my first round I even took off my belt ;) I lifted au natural haha...

But on the other hand, ugh, double unders. A couple weeks ago, they where on point, they felt great! More recently on the other hand I feel like I am struggling, I am not finding a rhythm, and am getting frustrated, which isn't helpful at all in a workout... Once again something that I need to focus on, and practice everyday just to get back into the groove, I guess. 

Friday 11/14-

Clean & Jerk 

x2 @ 80% - 110 lbs

x1 @ 85% - 115lbs

x1 @ 90%- 120lbs

Back Squats

3x3 @ 40 % - 80lbs

METCON-

10 min AMRAP

10 OHS #65 lbs

100 m run

= 5rds+10

Oh, overhead squats!

-Felt good after this workout, other than my lower back lighting up, I was able to stabilize relatively well and get the OHS done! After the workout I asked Garrett how they looked, he said I was defintily playing with the line of parallel on set, but over all for me, there was improvement! I am happy with that!

Thanks for reading! 

Now that midterms are over, hopefully I can keep my blog posts a little more frequent, rather than getting them in on the weekend! 

xoxo,

Tori

Training 11/3-11/8 & CrossFit Invitational ReCap!

Monday 11/3- 
This week at the gym was our last week of heavy squats. This week was designed for us to be a t higher percentage of our max, for more set/reps, which (fingers crossed) in turn would lead to a new PR for our max week!
We did:

Back Squats 3x10 @ 73%  = 140lbs

Last set of 10, bumped up to 155 lbs

Snatch work @ 65lbs

- I was supposed to work this a little differently, but squats took me a little longer. I decided to throw lighter weight on the bar so I could focus on positions, and making a better connection with the bar.

Wednesday 11/5- 

Back Squats 4x5 @ 160lbs

For the lase set of 5 I bumped up to 165

-I was surprised at how light the weight felt this training day. I was getting down into full depth, and was able to stay more upright than normal in my squat. I have a tendency to loose my upper back and fall forward. I was so excited!

Pusch Press 5x3 @ 95lbs

METCON-

7 min AMRAP

7 OH squats #75

7 Lateral jumps over the bar

7 Toes 2 Bar

Finished: 3rds+3 reps

-This workout was so tough, especially after the squats in strength. I had a hard time stabilizing and squatting the weight in the OH position. Although, there was a struggle, I was so happy because that was the heaviest weight I have ever OH squatted in a workout, and my toes 2 bar, are getting better. After this workout, I decided that I need to continue to work on my gymnastic skills. Things like toes 2 bar, pull ups, push ups, and double unders. I can do a few, but then I am maxed out. I want to build up a sense of endurance for these movements, and be able to string them together.

Thursday 11/6-

Heavy Triple Pwr Snatch - hit 95lbs

drop to 3x1 @ 90% = 85lbs

RDL 

3x5 @ 135

METCON-

10- 1

Box Jump

Deadlift @ 185 lbs

Finished: 8:47

-I was so happy after this workout! I did all box jumps, which I typically will step up on some haha! I was also able to do the workout RX'd at 185- It's not that I have never lifted that heavy in a workout, but I have never lifted that heavy and with that large of a rep scheme. I felt strong with every lift, except the initial pick up of the bar, I could definitely feel the weight pull me down, and me rounding a little, but when I continued with the reps, I felt like I was straightening our my back again. When we lift heavy like that again, I will have to remember to ask whatever coach so I can work on correcting it, or staying mindful of my positions. 

Saturday 11/8-

Back Squats 

4x3 @ 88% = 170lbs

3x3 @ 85% = 160lbs

**this strength day was supposed to be 8x3 @ 88%

Garrett and I where heading out to San Francisco, so I went to the gym early, while he was training his clients to get my workout in, and I was able to get through my strength. After the dead lifts on Saturday my back was definitely feeling a little sore. It was disappointing because my legs felt good enough to squat the heavy weight, but the pressure on my back was killing me. I was/am nervous with the way I felt about these squats, I am afraid that it may have gotten in my head for max week. I just have to keep telling myself that I AM going to hit 205 for my back squat, I am right there, I can feel it. Fake it, till you make it, right? Lets just hope the positive talk works!

Sunday 11/9- 

 CrossFit Invitational!

For my birthday, Garrett got us tickets to go and watch the CrossFit Invitational in San Jose! Four teams where there to compete for the " team world champ" title! USA, Canada, Europe and Australia. Of course, we where there to support our country, the beautiful red, white, and blue! 

We where excited to see all of these athletes, because we have never seen anyone other than those that compete in the NorCal region. It was an awesome chance to see the best of the best in CrossFit represent their countries all in one place, and one that wasn't as hard on the budget as going to the CrossFit games.

Here are some pictures from the event!:

The arena before every one got there, reppin CrossFit Reedley

Well we had to change into our sweet new USA shirts haha

intermission

Ah! I got to snag a picture with Kara Webb, one of my top favs! 

Training 10/27- 11/1; and A Little Bit of an Emotional Ramble

This week just wasn't a good week of training. It was so the point that I didn't even want to do this blog post on it. But, in the end, I realized that bad weeks, make the good weeks better. I was recovering from having an awful cold the past weekend. I probably shouldn't have worked out as soon as I did, and rested more, I know. That is most likely the reason why I felt like poop the majority of the week, but I missed the gym, and I just wanted to workout. 

Looking back, I should have listened to what my body was telling me because almost after every workout I left the gym mad. I am actually embarrassed of my behavior in front of my gym family/friends. I shouldn't have acted that way. I will say it now and you will see it again in this post, I was a major drama queen, and I am sorry for anyone that had to be around that haha. 

I am hoping that the current week 11/3- 11/8 is much better! 

Monday 10/27-

Back Squats 3x10 @ 70 %

Snatch 5x2 @70-75 % 

METCON-

7 min AMRAP

3 Power Snatches @ 70 lbs

5 Burpees

Finished 6 rounds + 1 snatch

Tuesday 10/28- 

This was a bad day- It started with the strength, I was able to hit 135 for my first of many attempts, but I just couldn't hit it again. I was angry and impatient. It got the best of me. No bueno.

Power Clean | find a heavy double; then drop to 85% for 3x1

Pause Deadlift 3x3

4 Rounds for time-

15 burpees

200 m run carry w/ 14lb medball

50 double unders

I finished around 13 minutes, I wasn't really paying attention to the time. In my mind I didn't really complete this workout because I gave up on the double unders, and only did 25 in the second & third round, and in the last round I did 100 singles. It was a bad day for me, I was a major drama queen :(

Wednesday 10/29- 

the intent was there to work out. I actually started to workout, then mother nature decided to visit early, and I didn't have any necessities on me so I had to stop :( Being a girl is the worst sometimes.

Thursday 10/ 30- 

Find a heavy double power snatch; got up to 85 lbs

Then drop to 3x1 @ 85 %

RDL 3x5 @ 100lbs

METCON-

2 rds for time

100ft walking lunge

25 Shoulder to over head 75#

35 KB SDHP 55#

45 sit ups

Finished in 11:52

Friday 10/31-

Back Squats 8x3 @ 85%

I wasn't really feeling 100% and couldn't get all my squats at the 85% so I broke the sets up. 

4x3 @ 85% 165#

4x3 @ 80% 150#

Then; Clean and Jerk 5x2 @ 70%; 95#

- I stayed with the lighter weight for C&J so that way I could work on staying on my heels a little longer to get the bar up into my hip. I haven't been making the best connection with the bar, which in turn is just hurting me and my lifts, so I took a step back to work on technique a little.

METCON-

7 min AMRAP

1 plate burpee, 25#

1 box jump

2 plate burpee

2 box hum

ect. 

Was able to complete round of 8, and got 12 reps into the round of 9.

Saturday 11/1- 

Anvil Hero Workout- "King Eli"

3 Rounds | Eli's favorite number

9 Squat Cleans | his age

5 Front squats | born in the month of May

28 Burpee Box Jumps | on the 28th day

200 m run

5 Deadlifts | the year of 2005

Womens weight 95#

Finished in 22:52

On October 18th Eli was hit by a car, and killed, while playing in his front yard. Many at our gym where and our affected by this tragedy, because his mom Chenda came to our gym, and many of the parents/kids knew him through the Immanuel school system. CrossFit Reedley planned an event to help with raising funds for the family and, as a community come together in this time of need. 

This tragedy has brought up so many buried memories for me. When I was 8 years old, I was also hit by a car. The woman stopped, pulled me out of the street, and left me. If is wasn't for my neighbor who was driving her son to school, I would have never been able to find some sort of justice for this accident. Eli was hit and dragged two blocks, and then was left there by the boys that hit him. All I could think about is, what would have happened to my little brother if he saw that happen to me? How would my family be today, if I wasn't lucky enough to be alive? What,and how could that woman (for my accident, and the boys that hit Eli) live with herself after her actions? What is it like living my life with the affects of this accident- the hip pain, the fact that I may never be able to carry a child because of this?

I made this comment to a friend, who stated that we need to have sympathy for both sides involved in this accident, because every one was hurting. I didn't understand, why have sympathy for those that that hit, and continued to keep driving, and left a little boy in the road. The pain that the family of the son, grandson, nephew and friend,  is now feeling because he is now gone. Why feel sorry for the boys that should go to jail for their negligence?   She responded to me by saying that she would pray for me, that I heal from the pain that I am having, and that I shouldn't live my life with such a grudge, that it would ultimately ruin me ( she didn't direct that to me, she said "a person"... but ultimately in the conversation it comes back to me). When I read that I felt my chest fall into my stomach, and immediately began to question myself, the quality of life that I am living, and if I am a good person or not. Not the best feeling, let me tell you (although, I am sure we have all felt this, and you are well aware.)

Just typing this, my heart is racing, my mouth is dry, and my body is beginning to tremble. I don't want to be a person who lives my life with a type of hatred or grudge. But seeing the hurt and pain that Eli's family is having, brings up all these memories, things that I have suppressed and held back; because in reality, there is nothing that I can do to change my circumstances, what has happened to me has made me who I am today, but it doesn't take away from the suffering that I have to deal with for the rest of my life. 

I know, I am kind of rambling, but I am hurting right now (admitting my feelings- BIG STEP, haha) . I am struggling with letting go, and trying to move on, to try and forgive, because that is the person that I want to be. But, at the same time why do I have to do that? When I was the victim, when I am the one, on every cold day is reminded of my accident, when my hip stiffens, or my hip dysplasia acts up. This is something I know I will need time to work on how I see these events. 

All in all, my heart is heavy for his family and for those that knew him, more so than the hello that I had here at the gym. The little bit of pain I felt, sweat that covered me, and tears that ran down my face through out this workout will never be enough... But, What I love most about crossfit, is that we can come together as a community, we throw down, and support each other in a time of need.

In my last round of King Eli, finishing up the front squats.

Thanks for reading once again,

xoxo

-Tori

Training 9/10-9/12

This is definitely going to be a shorter post about training, since I already posted about half of the week, but here I go!

Getting through some Thrusters 

Wednesday 9/10- FRAN, enough said. haha (If you don't know, Fran is 21-15-9 rep scheme of Thrusters and Pull-Ups)
The gym has decided to retest some of our benchmark workouts that we did a while ago. I have never actually done Fran. Back in January I logged that we did a AMRAP/running Fran, so I didn't really have a time to beat. This time around, I set the standard. The biggest difference between the two workouts (other than the actual set up) was that I did the workout in January completely modified. I did banded pull ups, and used #45lbs for the weight. Last week I was able to do the workout as RX'd at #65lbs with unassisted pull-ups, and finished in 7:50.

Sometimes seeing your own progress is hard. I can look around the gym, and say "man, she has gotten so strong." or "Geez, pull-ups are so easy for her." (clearly I compare myself to others to much *working on it*) Doing Fran opened my eyes, and helped me see how far I have come since April, which is when I started to go to the gym more frequently, and pushed myself a little more. Looking back I remember how hard a #65lb thruster used to be for me, especially when it came to doing multiple reps. I remember when I had the biggest mental block of life, and couldn't get pull ups. These struggles felt like mountains, mountains that I thought would never get easier, or even worse, that I would never get over.

Throughout this workout the thrusters were the easiest part! Awesome right! But I do feel like I paced myself a little to much on them, this is where I feel that I could have shaved some time off in the workout since I haven't really learned to string my pull-ups together. This is now noted, and I know where to push myself the next time that I attempt the workout. Pull-ups felt relatively easy, I was working out next to Holly, and man that woman pushed me. I wanted to rest so much more, I am so glad that I was next to her, because every time she jumped back up on the bar I knew that I had to get up to. I was able to string a couple reps together, then would drop to singles. I did get a few sets of 3 pull ups, but I felt like my reps were a little short. I wanted this workout to be as accurate as possible so I decided to stick with numbers where I knew the pull-ups where good. After completing the workouts, I know that I can get a faster time. I have a new goal of working to get 5 pull-ups consistently through out a workout. I am excited, it might take a little time, but I know I can get it.

Pull-Ups:The filter makes me look buff ;)!

Thursday 9/11-  
13 years ago, a day I will never forget. A day of vulnerability, but also a day that America stood together. Prayers for all the lives lost that day, for their families. Thank you, to all the men and women who risked their lives that day. 
It may not have been that very day, but this is a day that changed my life forever. My brother, Chris, joined the Marine Corps to protect our country after this day, to end the fight on terrorism. Thank you to all that have taken the oath to protect and serve. 

After Fran, I really didnt want to workout, I was tired and sore. I thought of our workout as a "hero WOD" an hour of hard work for those that have lost their lives due to 9/11.

METCON:

30 push ups

1 mile run

30 Deadlifts At Body Weight (#155lbs )

Over all I was glad that I was able to get a workout in, it was a good one. I was really surprised how easy the deadlifts where. I broke them up into sets of 10, but I think I could have done sets of 15. I finished the workout in 11:50.

DU during Annie

Friday 9/12-  We tested another benchmark, we did Annie. A rep scheme of 50-40-30-20-10 of double unders and sit ups. UUUUGGGHHH.  I struggle with double unders, and that's where I got most frustrated. I know they are getting better, but when they are bad, they are bad. I turn into a 2 year old and throw my rope on the ground, and curse under my breath haha. Then I take a deep breath, regain my composure and try to get through them. I am stoked that I was able to get 17 in a row one round! That is the most I have ever done! Sit-ups where easy, and I felt like I was getting through them super fast ,I have the butt burn to prove it :( . Every time I do sit-ups, it never fails haha. I was able to finish in a little over 13 minutes at 13:09! It will be interesting to see how improve when we retest them.

These three workouts where a great way to end the week. I have seen how I have improved, and where I have room. This is why I love Crossfit, there is always room for improvement.





Here are some shots from Monday and Tuesday's workouts, getting work done!-

Wall Balls, suck balls.

Nose&Toes

Sit uuuuuupppps

G2O w/ 95 lbs

lateral jumps over the bar

Thanks for reading,

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

Workouts and My Newest Obsessions

Dead lifts (#185) during "Diane" -7/21

Workouts at Anvil, were just as challenging this week as ever. We did enough deadlifts and wall balls to last me at least a month! haha Last week, we did deadlifts as a part of our strength (like we will continue to do for the next couple of weeks) I was really excited that for 4x5 I was able to pull 205, this week I did 5x4 at 210! AHH, so excited, and I am no where near as sore as I was after last weeks! I am hoping to get 220 for this upcoming weeks lifts, fingers crossed I am feeling strong enough. I am hesitant just because we did A LOT of deadlifts this week. Monday (7/21) was Diane's birthday, so we did the "girl" Diane, I'm not sure it that is the best way to reference that, but I have deleted and retyped and nothing better is coming to mind haha.

HSPU- or more of my bun touched and I was good.. haha -7/21

(The Girls are a series of workouts that crossfit has created, and are named after women... ie: diane, grace, karen ect) Diane is originally 21-15-9 of Hand Stand Push Ups, and Deadlifts. At the gym we changed it up a little 15-12-9-6-3 of those exercises, except to be able to complete the workout, I did deadlifts at 185 lbs and  HSPU I did a rep scheme of 10-8-6-4-2.

Wednesday (7/23) we did a circuit style workout with wall balls, and basically what it comes down to is that I hate wall balls, I have gotten better at them, but I still hate them. After my workout I went up to Turlock to visit with my Grandma for a few hours. i love being able to spend time with her. I know I should do it more because I am only an hour and a half drive or train ride from her. 

7/23

7/23

I wasn't able to make it to CrossFit Valkommen, but an acquaintance through the gym/crossfit had a tragic event happen to her and her family. Her nephew, of only 5 months passed away from SIDS. Being that many don't prepare for funeral services at such a young age, the gym put on a free workout, where we could come together and raise funds for the family. If you would like, and are able to donate to the families funds, here is the link For Levi.

7/24

My double under were soooo good! 7/23

Thursday(7/24) we did more heavy deadlifts, thats when I hit 210 5x4! We also did a killer Ground to overhead workout. I tried to push through this workout, when I wanted to stop, I tried to keep moving, it was tough. I am glad I was able to the workout at the RX'd weight of 95#, especially after doing heavy DL.

Adriana & Diane finishing strong

This Weeks Training...

This week at Anvil was tough, like a sneaky tough! I mean it's not that the workouts look easy, I knew that with the combination of our strength and the METCON I was going to get a killer workout, but I didn't think I would be as sore or exhausted as I have been this week!

We started a new strength cycle, that is focusing on getting comfortable with our snatch positions, and getting under the bar. Garrett is in charge of putting the strength programs together, I swear I'm not being biased haha, but, I like what he has done, and how he has set them up. He has done such a good job. For those of that are consistently going to the gym, we have seen huge improvements with our over all strength and technique with all lifts (including gymnastic movements, that what the last 4 weeks were focused on).

I have been consistently going to the gym since the beginning of June, I definitely have my good and bad days, but it has been pretty awesome to see/notice them improvements that I have made. This week stringing 4 pull ups together was no problem, in a work out I have been able to string double unders for sets of 6 and that is a HUGE improvement for me haha, and on Thursday I was able to do 4 sets, of 5 Deadlifts @ 205lbs, when my last max was 225lbs. Since I signed up for the Central Valley Throwdown & Expo I have been trying to better all areas of my fitness. I know that I am strong, but there are a lot of gymnastic movements that I need to work on, like: double unders, push ups, and pull ups ( and maybe now, even, rope climbs!) I am getting better at them all, I just need to be at my best by the 23rd of August! What I noticed in workouts is that I know how to pace myself, I know when I can work, and when I need to rest. On the other hand, at times I sometimes feel like I don't have the mental drive to push through in the last few minutes, to go balls out, and get as many reps as I can. It's almost like I tell myself that I need to rest to keep going, that I wont be as efficient if I don't catch my breath, or I will have nothing left, but its at the end so I can rest after. I don't know, all I know is I need to work on it, that is one of my goals for this next week, to push harder, to drive and to string 5 pull ups in a row haha!

This week I started to keep track of my workouts, in an actual notebook. I love the idea of how handy our phones are, I have Evernote, my notepad, and a ton of other apps, but there is something about physically writing down what I did for the day, and being able to flip through the pages to see all of the improvements that I have made while filling the notebook.

I hope that this will be a tool that can help me see progress and to stay motivated, rather than putting myself down. There are more days then not, that I doubt myself, and really slam my progress and body image. I have a hard time being happy with all that I have done, who I am and how I look ( I know, getting deep haha) but this is a constant struggle. I feel like no matter how hard I work, my body wont cooperate, in all areas like, strength, size, ability. I think working at S2S has a alot to do with it. I feel like many of my co workers dont take me seriously because I dont look like the average marathoner, or because I dont really run in general. Ugh, if any of you reading have any tips or advice on how to deal with kind of stuff please, help a girl out! haha. This wears me down, and I know that I need to stop stressing like I do or I will never believe or see and improvement that I make.

Here are a few pics from this week!

7/19/14- Saturday Morning Workout-
I cant tell if I am smiling or am in pain in this picture haha.

Garrett got more pictures of me not working out that he did of me actually working out.

Gotta chalk up!

Clearly this workout killed us all!

7/17/14- American KB Swings and Box Jumps are killer!