Brady's 5th Birthday Party!

Saturday October, 4th we celebrated Brady's 5th birthday with family and friends.
Of course it was an Ironman themed party! We all even tried to get the same Ironman shirt from target, which I thought was pretty awesome lol!

It was such a great time. It had been so long since the last time that all of us had been together ( not all are in pictures), the time that we can all spend together is so special. 

Here is a picture recap of the day! 

All photos where taken by Erin's sister Toni :)

The sweet banner Erin had made!

Birthday Boy!

My Family

From left to right:
Garrett, Me, Max, Mom, Hayley, Brady, Erin,Chris, Xavi

More family

Auntie with her loves

Family and Friends

Birthday boy with his cheesecake

of course we got him a WodToys barbell

Thanking Pizza :)

I just think this picture of Hayley is so cute!

All in all, we had a wonderful day with family and friends. I can't believe that Brady is already 5 years old, time is flying by. 

Thanks for checking out the blog!

xoxo,

Tori

Training 9/29- 10/04

Monday 9/29-

Getting ready for my last set of squats.

| Gym day |

It felt good to be in the gym today!

For gymnastics we worked on our deck squats and pistols. I am not very strong with pistols so I stubbled. I have to work on my own ability to squat on one leg supporting my body weight. For strength we did some back squats at 85% which totaled 165 for me. They felt relatively easy which was nice.

For the metcon, we did 4 rds, 2 min of max med ball cleans, and 2 min rest within that rest, run a 200m. I didn't attack this workout full force since I have been working on focusing more so with/on my runs, and knowing that I had to run tuesday, I was just glad to get a workout in. 

Tuesday 9/30- 

| Run Day |

I am working on staying committed to the times that I said I would run. With that in mind, after a long day of school and work, I went out for my run! I drove home straight after work, changed into my running clothes, put on my shoes, and headed out the door. Today was a 3 m run, just getting in the miles. I kind of pushed myself this run since I got home later, I wanted to finish asap so I wasn't running alone after night fall ( I guess that is motivation!). Overall my run felt good, I finished my run with an overall time of 27:38:3, at a 9:04/mi. 

Wednesday 10/1- 

| Run Day |

Today the Merrin's arrived! Since I wanted to be at the airport for their arrival, I had to wake up early to get my run in, and I actually did it! I work up around 5:20 am and was out the door around 5:40 am to get going! It definitely took me a little longer to get warmed up and moving, but I was glad to keep my over all pace around9:45, which was my goal. I ran a total of 5.2 miles, with an overall time of 50:39.4, at a 9:44/mi pace. All in all, I felt good on this run, especially with it being my longest run in about a month!

Thursday 10/2- 
I know, I know... this should have been a run day, but I had a long day of school/work... and spending time with my babies was so much better. :)

Saturday 10/4-

| Run Day |

Well I am proud of myself, I woke up early and got my run in... AGAIN! My first "long run" three weeks out from race day (lord, pray for me... haha) I ran a total of 8.3 miles, with a 9:53/mi pace. I ran a full 10k, no breaks/walking! It was slow, my body didn't really warm up until mile 4, but I got it done. Miles 7 and 8 where my slowest, I would run for 5 min, and walk for 1 min. I was pooped. I ideally wanted to keep my overall pace around 9:50/mi, so I was a little slower, not by much, and that was with walking. So keeping my half time under 2 hours, definitely looks do-able! 

September Favorites

September Obsessions:

It is so crazy how fast September has gone by! Being occupied with work and school, the days are just flying by, but personally I am okay with it. October is one of my favorite months of the year. I love when (if, here in the valley) the weather cools down, I love the fall colors and smells that start to pop up in all of the stores, and of course its my birthday month! I am suuuuper excited for this month, because on the on the 1^st, the Merrin’s land in sunny California, and for 2 whole weeks. We will be having Brady’s birthday party here, going to the zoo, and shhhhh, it’s a secret, but we are going to DISNEYLAND for Brady’s 5^th (tear*) birthday! I cannot wait! Overall, I am going to  be one happy Auntie.

Well, lets get to it!-

Most of the time I am the girl that throws her hair up into a bun, curls her lashes, throws on a coast of mascara on, and calls it good; I more recently have been on the hunt for a simple routine to help me “spruce” up my look for date nights, nights out with friends, or for the days I just want to add a little “oomph” to my step.

I love to watch make-up artists, “How To” YouTube videos, but most of the time the looks are so complicated (for me at least) and I honestly just don’t want to commit the time to creating the look. Recently, a few of the people that I follow have posted videos on their versions of “daytime glow” or “How To: Create a fresh face when you’re exhausted.” (to be honest, for these videos, their minimal make up, is like M-A-X-E-D out make-up for me haha) I was intrigued and decided to take a little from both videos to help create a make up look for me. To create that look I actually went out and spent money on make up! I purchased 3 items that have helped me so so much with creating an easy, fresh faced look, for when I want something a little more than mascara on.

1. Beauty Blender
2. NARS Radiant and Creamy Concealer
3. L'Oreal BLUR Foundation

Other than make up I had a few other items I fell in love with over the last month or so!

{via}

1.     Jolyn Swimwear – I have never been the girl to hang out on the beach, and just tan. When Garrett and I where at the beach last month I was fed up with moving tops, and losing my bottoms every time we went body surfing. I was on the hunt for a suit that could hang with me, not fall off of me. Being a swimmer/polo player, I am so surprised I hadn’t heard of these suit sooner! From sunny San Diego, Jolyn created these suits for the swimmers, polo players and surfers.

They are double lined, made with a polyester* blend (so no stretching out!), the fabric is imported, but they are made in the U.S.A. The bottoms (and a few top styles) have ties in them to keep your bottoms on when you are doing more than just laying out! Halleluiah! They have them in patters, and solids. I have an addiction, and just want every color possible. I would suggest her bikinis to any and every girl!

2 

       Perfect Bar- Mmmm. Well people in San Diego know what they are doing, creator Bud Keith stated, “whole foods are the only acceptable source of nourishment for your body.” Isn’t that the truth! I have eaten a handful or protein/energy bars to help with supplementation when eating a full meal is not ideal, and none have fit the bill for me. Now lets get this out of the way; yes, I am into CrossFit, and yes, many CrossFit athletes eat/are sponsored by this brand. No, this is not me following a trend or a fad. I’m not an idiot, I know that people are doing anything to capitalize on the fitness craze called “CrossFit.” I do my homework, and try to make sure that product that I am investing in is truly giving me what I want.

{via}

These bars are au natural (kept in the fridge at your local store to maintain optimum freshness). To sum up their site Perfect Bars are: Non GMO, filled with complex carbohydrates, jam packed with protein, gluten-free, with an abundant amount of delicious and healthy fats, and complete with 20 different super foods inside!

It’s pretty self-explanatory why they are my new go-to snack. They are delicious, and on a long day packed with classes, these help hold me over, and maintain energy until my next meal. My favorite is the Cranberry Crunch! 

And last, 

Chuck Taylor Low Rise Converse- I needed a shoe that wasn’t a gym shoe. These are your basic, everyday shoe, and they get the job done. Just what I needed.

Thanks for reading,

I hope that everyone has a great October!

xoxo,

Tori

Training 9/22-9/26

Monday 9/22-
I was in a poopy mood this evening. I wish I was like the person who didn't let people affect them, but that's not who I am. I didn't really want to be at the gym, which isn't like me at all. I didn't want to workout, again, which isn't like me at all. Instead of doing nothing, I did get through the strength and gymnastics. My lower back was still sore from last week, so my front squats weren't quite at 80%, more like 70-75% at 115 lbs.

Hollow Plank – Accumulate 2 min

Strict or Kipping HSPU 5x TQF

Ring Rows x 75

Front Squat 3×5 @ 80%

Tuesday 9/23- "Run Day"
3.06 miles 9:43/mi pace
Blah, I really didn't want to run. I used to love getting up and going out to run, but this past training I have not been feeling it at all. I think it took me an hour and a half before I actually got up and out the door, but when I finally did the run wasn't bad. My legs where a little sore/tight, and I dealt with some cramping of my quads from front squats on Monday. Here in the store, I always tell customers that the hardest part of the run is actually getting out the door, and doing it. I need to start taking my own advice.

Wednesday 9/24- "Run Day"
5.06 miles at a 9:51/mi pace.
I went for my run after teaching the 5pm class at the gym. The weather was perfect. I was very pleased with this run! I went 3 miles before I stopped! When I stopped, I was at the cemetery, and said hello to a friend that passed in May, and well I was a little shaky the rest of my run after that. Ultimately. I was glad that I didn't skip out on my longer run, and that I committed to getting it done!


Thursday 9/25-

“KAREN”

150 wall balls for time

Cristal's amazing artwork, and us suffering through wall balls. 

I know, I was supposed to run today... buuuuuut I haven't done "Karen" before, and I want to set a mark for all of the benchmark workouts, so that way in 6 months or so when the gym retests them I have something to mark improvement. I was able to finish this workout sub 10, just barely! I finished at 9:52, being under 10 minutes was a goal for me, and I am glad that I got it. But, at the same time, I know that all of my reps weren't the best they could have been, so it kinda defeats the purpose of doing the workout. I have been beating myself up about it the last couple days, but looking at it, now I have no choice to do better, time and rep wise. 

Friday 9/26-

For time:

2o Burpees over Bar

20 Hang Clean to Thrusters 95/65

Run 400m

10 Hang Clean to Thrusters 115/85

10 Burpees over Bar

Run 2oo m

5 Hang Clean to Thrusters 135/95

5 Burpees Over Bar

100 m run

Let me tell you about not wanting to workout! Man, now that it is dark by 6:45, by that time all I want to do is be home, in my jammies, watching or reading Harry Potter! In the end, I was convinced to do the workout, which ended up being a good one! I was surprised at how easy the thrusters felt, for reps, and as the weight got heavier. I love that feeling, being surprised, its nice haha.  I was able to finish the workout as prescribed, in 12:53. 

Training 9/15-9/20

This is what I call HELL week at the gym.

Monday 9/15-

3 rounds of:

20 KB SDHP (70/55)

20 Wall Ball Shots (20/14)

2o KB Swings ( American, 70/55)

rest 1 min

record time for each individual round

This workout jacked me up. This was the first time that I have done american kettlebell swings at #55 lbs, and I wasn't ready for it, haha. I got through the first round okay, but the last 2 were a drag, I could barely move through them. I finished the workout somewhere around 14 minutes. I immediately dropped to the floor and tried to stretch out my lower back, the rest of the week was history. I was basically babying my back the entire time. 

Tuesday 9/16- 

12  min AMRAP

15 Box Jump Overs (24/20)

10 Push Jerk (135/95)

5 Pull Ups

10 barbell lunges lunges (135/95 front rack or back rack)

15 Butterfly Sit-ups

I was able to get this workout done at RX, and able to finish 2 rds+ 30 reps within the time cap. I had to wear my belt for the push jerks, and lunges, I felt like I was going to just loose my core if I didn't. I was hoping that I would feel better after this workout, since I got up to move, in comparison to the rest of the day, but who was I kidding haha. 

lunges where tough, my face says it for sure. 

Wednesday 9/17- 

5 rounds of:

200 meter run

12 target burpees

I went to the 5:30 am class this day to visit my BFF Kennia. She isn't able to come to the 7pm class anymore, so I sacrificed some sleep to see her face. It was totally worth it :) For this workout, I set a target around 10 inches, and finished just under 12 minutes. 

Thursday 9/18- "Run Day"

for time:

30 Bear complex

*heavy as possible with good form. 

I really wanted to do this workout, but my back was still killing so I decided I should probably go for a run instead since my half-marathon is only a month away! I ran 3 miles, with a 9:25/mi pace. The run felt good for not running in a little over 5 weeks. After this run I have actively decided that for the next month I am only able to crossfit on Mondays and Fridays, since my running schedule has me running Tues, Wed, Thurs, and Saturday. I kinda hate it, but I feel like I will hate running more on race day if I don't actually start running, no matter how late in the game this is haha. 

Friday 9/19- Rest day- worked on mobility, pull ups , and trying to get chest to bar. 

Saturday 9/20- Saturday workout! 

I made up strength/gymnastic work from Monday.

Handstand Shrugs 5×5 (small range of motion, shrug down and push up)

Ring L-Sit – accumulate 2 min

Kip Arch to Hollow 3×6

Back Squat 3×6 @75% = 145lbs

The workout for the day was a running/partner "Cindy" 5 pull ups, 10 push ups, 15 air squats.

our group was able to get through 2 rounds + 15 reps ( that's each of us doing 1 round of cindy, one person working while 2 others held a plank) and finished with a 800m run.  

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

Happy Wednesday!

Ugh, I have been so behind with my posts!
I can't believe that we are already half way through the week!
I have been so exhausted lately. I haven't been a full time student in about a year and a half, juggling 2 jobs, and working on my training both running and crossfit, is definitely wearing me thin.

I am not stoked about all of my classes, but am happy with my first semester at state. I am as positive as I can be with school at this point, I know next year will be a good year with more in depth classes. It might be silly, but the class that I want to take the most from is my gymnastics class. I was able to hold myself in a headstand for a few seconds! Whoo hoo! haha.

I have really come to enjoy coaching polo. I was so nervous at first, I loved playing polo, but I knew teaching it would be another story. It is going well! The kids are a great time, and it is overall just a great experience. Because I am coaching, I am not working much at the store other than on weekends. At the moment I feel that may be best, I have been a little stressed with the way things are at the store, it is not an environment I enjoy being in. Addressing issues in the store has become harder and more complicated than I thought it would be. I think taking some time to do something different, find myself, and give myself some time, going back to "normal hours," about 20 per week, will be best for me. The owner of he store has a couple of incentives running, it is pretty awesome to have to chance to sell shoes, and earn some free gear doing so! Keeping me motivated!

The past weeks workouts have been good! (9/4-9/9) It is easy to get into the gym, and get my workouts in, but a whole other story when I am talking about running. I am hoping to get my runs in, throughout this week. I am also hoping to find a running buddy to keep me motivated! Ahhhh, I just hate thinking that I am slowing someone down. Either way, I need to start running, like now, my half marathon is only 5 weeks away! Crazy how fast time flies by!


On another note, I am going for this whole Coconut Oil craze for hair growth. I will do anything to help with faster hair growth, and maintain healthy locks! If anyone has any tips/ their own experiences with it, please let me know! I will keep you posted on how it goes!