Wednesday, November 24, 2010

CSpin Thankful


It's been a bit since I have posted regularly.  Things have been going about the same for me.  Still Crossfitting.  Still eating well for the most part.  After my 30 day Paleo challenge, I find myself living 90 Paleo and 10 percent with things that I missed (beer, some grains, some bread, a bit of cheese here and there, and pizza once or twice).  However, I usually keep to one cheat meal or night per week and then it's back on the train.  Nonetheless, I've been thinking about what I am thankful for on this holiday week and after my family and friends, I've come up with the following:

1.  CrossfitCarmel:  Without a doubt in my mind, Crossfit has changed my life.  If you look at the My Progress tab, you can see what I mean.  Physically, I am a completely different person than I have ever been.  I am stronger than I've ever been, and I'm more confident about my endurance and abilities to work out than ever before.  The first day I went to Crossfit, as out of shape, soft, and lethargic as I was, I doubted if it was for me.  I had never been so sore in my life.  It was indeed, the hardest physical experience I had ever done.  Five months later, I say the same thing each time I come home.  Crossfit pushes my body and mind to the limit and beyond each night and instills a sense of accomplishment like none other.  What is equally as valuable is the network of friendships that have developed there.  The spirit of Crossfit is like none other.  Kudos to the coaches at CrossfitCarmel for have a great thing going.  I'm thankful for you bigtime!

2.  My Chiropractor:  I have been getting adjusted for several years now at Premier Sports Chiropractic.  Ok.....so Dr. Mike is one of my best friends, but besides that chiropractic care has made a huge difference in my life.  I rarely get sick.  I have more energy, and I do the things necessary between adjustments.  Some folks only get adjusted when they are in pain, but where I get adjusted it's more of a lifestyle approach.  So when I told Mike that I was bored of running, personal training, globo-gyms, etc, he was the one that said, "Dude....you need to try Crossfit."  My reply was, "What exactly is that?"  And the rest is history.  I'm thankful for our friendship Mike.

3.  My wife:  Ok....won't be sappy here, but I've made a huge discovery about getting healthy that has nothing to do with what you eat, how long your run or work out, or what supplement or vitamin you are taking.  It has to do with sacrifice and support and my dear wife Heather is the epitome of that.  She has never complained, commented, or vented about how much I attend Crossfit.  I drop my kids off to her at the end of her working evening every Monday night so I can attend the 7:30 p.m. WOD (Workout of the Day).  I sometimes stay on Saturday morning for two WOD (or two hours).  She never bats and eye and is a champ.  She's supportive, encouraging, and an amazing woman.  I could not be doing what I'm doing without her and I am more than thankful for her.  By the way, she has a cool blog called All Kinds of Goodies.  It's really good.

Being healthy is important to me and there is no one way that works for everyone.  However, I think I've found what works for me.  I hope you can find what works for you because I must say that after 38 years, it's finally fun.  Happy Thanksgiving.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Where are You Supposed to Be



Great short video advertising the Crossfit Journal online.  This is a great resource even if you are not in to Crossfit.  For any fitness enthusiast, there is tons of great "healthy" information.  Love the latest video posted about a Boston mom who took up Crossfit in order to make it in the military AT AGE 39!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Griff

On this Veteran's Day, I went to the 5:30 Advanced Class at Crossfit Carmel.  Fittingly, the WOD was a hero workout.  


"Griff"
For Time
Run 800 meters
Run 400 meters backwards
Run 800 meters
Run 400 meters backwards

This Crossfit WOD is name in honor of USAF SSgt Travis L. Griffin, 28, who was killed April 3, 2008 in the Rasheed district of Baghdad by an IED strike to his vehicle. Travis is survived by his son Elijah.  

My time:  12:36 and I was not the last to finish despite my anxiety of running with elite guys....two who finished in the 9 minute range.  Crazy times!

This was my first real run in my Vibram shoes.  WOW!  What a difference!  No heel striking.  No supinating!  Post workout soreness set in to my calfs and man...they are still on fire.  However, I can see how the Vibrams can really help me run more efficiently.  I wonder if the Vibrams were the reason for my first 800 meters being 3:40 which is INCREDIBLY fast for me, or if it was the fact that I was chasing all the advanced guys, many of whom are triathletes, endurance runners, and much smaller guys than I am.  Either way, what a great way to honor Veteran's Day, and what a great Crossfit WOD!



Sunday, November 7, 2010

Vibram Five Fingers

In my quest to become a better runner, I decided to take the Crossfit plunge back in June.  If you've read my blog or just know me in general, you will know that I'm quite addicted, enthused, engrossed to/with Crossfit.  However, as I got deeper into Crossfit, I have run less and less.  But I want to apply my gains w/Crossfit to running and get after my goal of a sub 2 hour half marathon at some point.  I also just want to become a better runner and stop suffering from so much pain when I train for distance races.

A handful of Crossfitters with whom I work out wear the Vibram Five Fingers shoes in hopes of becoming a more efficient runner.  As silly as these shoes look, everyone I respect who wears them swears by them.

I've taken the plunge. 


I'm hoping for the following:
              • Stop heel striking.
              • Stop pronating.
              • Eliminate knee and lower back pain after training for long distance running.
              • Become a more efficient runner.
Monday night will be my first workout with them, so stay tuned for a report of how things go.  

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Hopper

It's been about a week since I had the motivation to post something.  Not because I was bored.  Not due to lack of motivation.  After completing the Whole 30 Paleo Challenge I found myself feeling better than ever, but like most people (I think), I need something new to keep me motivated.  I'd like to lose more weight so that I can attack a half marathon under 2 hours.  That's been a goal of mine before meeting Crossfit.  Ok....get to the point, right?

I continue to eat very well.  I indulge no more than once per week whether it be a meal or beer, but the day after, it's back on track, trying to live as close to a Paleo lifestyle as I can w/out obsessing and being so rigid.  I want to enjoy my food...always have.

This morning was the weekly/weekend Hopper WOD's at Crossfit Carmel.  (Click on the link to read what a Hopper is for you non Crossfitters.  The first WOD was 4 rounds of:

400 meter run
50 air squats

My time:  17:30....fairly pleased

Usually, that is enough for me, but I decided to stay and see what the 10 a.m. WOD would be.......

A Hero WOD
CINDY
20 minutes AMRAP (As Many Reps as Possible)
5 pull up's
10 push up's
15 air squats

My result:  13 plus 5 pull ups and 10 push ups (I felt like Cameron from Ferris Bueller's Day Off trying to decide if I was going to do this or not.)

Watching the first heat get rounds in the 20's, I knew I was spent, but I just wanted to finish and give it a try WITHOUT QUITTING.  My point today?

You can read about all the Hero work outs and more about Crossfit here.  

I always need something to chase and that ebb's and flows:  Eating Paleo for 30 days served that for me and finishing Cindy after already completing a WOD did that for me.  Learning how to do air squats (what seems like a simple thing) properly today did that for me.  Stretching (after throwing out my back did that for me)  Crossfit has taught me not only to push myself further than I thought I could, rather it's taught me how to be a complete fit person.  Stay tuned......Crossfit Carmel is going to start a new challenge:  100 days of burpees and I'm going to complete it!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Secrets from the Food Industry



Great information sent to me by our friend Lindsey. (Check out her blog Enjoying Healthy Foods!)
Very insightful information on the FDA stamp of approval and not taking sugar as criteria. Insane! One of things that has made a huge difference for my overall fitness has been the elimination of sugar. Enjoy the video.

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