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

Day Trip to NorCal

Yesterday, Garrett and I decided to make a day trip up North, to get a little R&R.
Currently our schedules don't mesh very well, when I have my days off garrett is working, and when he isn't working I have hours up at the store. I initially had plans for Sunday, but since they fell threw, and we both have been wanting to get out of town, we decided to take advantage of the day.

We headed out to Santa Cruz, it started out as a overcast and misty day, but after a wonderful breakfast at the Seabreeze Cafe, there was quite a wait (we waited 40 minutes!), but it was SO worth it, saying that my breakfast was delicious is an understatement!

my amazing Castro Valley Omlette

I got the Castro Valley omelet! Ahhh! I am a sucker for artichoke hearts! The omlete plates where priced at about $11.00, but clearly, based off of my photo they give you plenty of food, so it is totally worth it!
Served with potatoes and toast, this baby held me over ALL day! I am hoping to try some of their homemade muffins or cinnamon rolls the next time that we are in Santa Cruz!

After we ate, we made our way back towards the beach, with the sun finally making its appearance, we headed towards the water. The idea of just laying out on our towels and an occasional dip in the water is what we had been dreaming of!
There were quite a few people out on the boardwalk, and on the beach, so after a few hours we decided to make our way to a sweet get away, up the highway called Panther Beach.




 I don't think that Panther Beach is a secret, but is most definitely a hidden gem. To get there you pull off to a dirt parking area off of highway one, and make your way down a path that has been created to get to the beach. I was so disappointed walking up to the entrance, there was so much trash. I just do not understand the thought process of some people; if they want to continue to enjoy and love a place, they need to help maintain it. By simply picking up and disposing of their trash (in an actual trash can, not at the top of the hill) they are doing their part in not only maintaing the area, but making the world a cleaner place. Well there is my little rant for the day haha.

After climbing around on some rocks, clearly you can see with my hair,
the wind was EPIC.

 There weren't many people at Panther Beach, but there is enough space that even if there were I don't think you could really tell. I found the beach on Pinterest, and the link did say that it is a pretty sweet surf spot, and I totally believe it! The waves that were just crashing onto the shore were HUGE!
We did some hiking around on the rocks around the coast, then decided to put our things down to attempt to jump into the water.

Garrett jumping into the crazy waves hitting the shore

Long story short, IT WAS CRAZY! I don't think that we got more than waist deep, I was taken out (legitimately, knocked off my feet) multiple times. It was fun, but we definitely would have fought to get further out into the water before we could enjoy it. Garrett and I had a great time, the views, the salt, sand and sun on our skin was all we needed.

Hey, look! I can do that too!

So the picture to the left is of me doing a pistol squat. in 2012, I made an amazing group of friends! Tyler (Garrett's older bother), Hidi, Crystal, Garrett and I all worked for a weight loss company called Wellspring. We basically liked to talk about how we would change the world with our ideas on fitness and health. We called our group SmackWorkXF. We decided that anytime we went somewhere cool, we would take an awesome picture doing a pistol squat. It was pretty awesome because during the summer of 2012 Garrett and I drove across the country and well garrett got good shots, because I suck and couldn't, still can't really do them haha. But here we are 2 ish years later, we are still keeping our tradition alive. From CA, to PA, to NC, we are all doing our own thing, but I can never forget the friends that I have made, and the pistol squat pictures that keep us together :)

I was so excited for this

We spent a couple hours at PB then decided to head into the city (San Francisco) for dinner! I love the city, it is my favorite place to be.
My mom and I have raved to Garrett about a place called Grubstake, that serves real Portuguese food, and being that we like our Portuguese background, obviously this place is one of our favs! not to mention that the food is bomb(dot) com. So that is where we decided to head for dinner! We started with the linguica and french bread appetizer- seriously, like Garrett said, " I wish linguini were healthier for you." Because serially I would eat it ALLLLLL the time!

Pork Chop Dinner at Grustake

For our meals, I got the sautéed shrimp and garlic plate, and garrett got their famous pork chop dinner. Our plates where clean at the end of our meals, so safe to say we enjoyed them! You can not leave this place without trying their Piri Piri sauce, or their chili verde sauce, as it is now called. It is jam packed with flavor and a great punch! SO GOOD!








For dessert, we made our way to Ghiradelli Square to get a sunday and some hot chocolate, there isn't much to say, because our pictures say it all. we were excited for what was about to happen! haha

Clearly Garrett was excited

whatttttt up!

All in all, we had an AMAZING day! Nothing makes me happier, than some sun, sand, the ocean, and my man. 

Just an FYI- to help my skin and hair recover from all that fun I love to use:ENJOY Hair Mask, and LUSH Ro's Argan Body Conditioner. Both are life savers to help moisturize and replenish the skin and hair after a brutal day in the sun, and ocean. 

Thanks!

xoxo

Tori