I just sat down with a bowl of Bubbies sauerkraut and Chris' homemade beef jerky, a glass of red wine, and Julie & Julia. I spent the beautiful fall Saturday photographing Heather and Alvaro's adorable twin boys (Angel & Xavier). I was only able to photograph for an hour because the boys were exhausted. I had so much fun though! It was great to see Heather (may have been 10 years?) and meet her husband Alvaro. They are such a beautiful family and are great parents!
After the photoshoot I met Chris, Timmy, Christin, and Martin at our new crossfit gym location to see if I could be of any help. I basically stood there while holding the equipment so it would not fall down. After taking Chris to the hardware store to get some nails for the equipment (or something) I stood around some more (playing Words, facebook-ing, messaging KDKA) until I started to feel bad/worthless enough and decided to leave. I was going to head home but decided to head to Beaver Valley Mall to get Barb and Graham's baby shower gift for Barb's shower tomorrow. I needed to feel productive and really did not want to go home to do nothing but sit inside and waste the beautiful day away.
Knowing I needed to blog about the happenings of the week I decided to pop in Julie & Julia in the DVD player to motivate me (for those of you who have not seen the movie, Julie blogs about cooking 524 recipes from Julia Child's cookbook in 365 days). The movie compares how Julie and Julia are similar. I got to thinking about how I am like the two of them. For those of you who know me AT ALL know I am not a cook. It is not that I cannot cook, I just don't particularly care to do it. So, obviously that is not how I am like them. Still searching... I finally found our connection. We all three have wonderful husbands. I could/would not ask for a better life partner than the one I married in July. He will do anything for me without a question. If I am having a melt down (as Julie often does while cooking) he will talk reason and if I tell him I want to become a professional photographer (like Julia telling her husband she wanted to become a cook) he is nothing but supportive. I am very fortunate to have the love of my life and best friend beside me!!! (enough cheese yet?)
Now, onto why I started this blog to begin with...
I did not work out as much as I would have liked to this week. I went to crossfit on Monday and sprinted 6x400s on Wednesday. At Crossfit I was able to do 3 pull-ups (kipping) WITHOUT a band for the first time EVERRRRRRRRRRR!!!! I have never been able to do a pull-up (not even when I was a child) so I was very excited! When I started going to Crossfit (in January 2009) I was only able to do a pull-up by jumping off a box. If I had been more consistent in attending Crossfit I am sure I would be able to do a lot more but I am getting there. Slowly, but surely. As for the Sprints – I wish we were still doing 200s. I thought sprinting 200 meters was bad until I sprinted the entire time around the track. I completed the 400s in 1:37, 1:50, 1:48, 1:48, 1:55, and 1:54 (an average of 1:48.6). Chris had wanted to me to complete the 400s in 1:45 (I am a little disappointed with myself) but I did them nonetheless.
Thursday, I spent my day off (November 11 – THANK YOU VETERANS!!!) with KDKA in Squirrel Hill eating sushi, spending money we do not have at Avalon Exchange. Thursday night was spent eating king crab legs, ice cream, and cake at the Cornmans for Jenny's birthday. Friday, I was too tired to do anything but come home and try to nap.
I hope to finish editing the photos of Heather and Alvaro's twins' pictures by next week/post. I will share them with you when I do!
Until then, CHEERS!
alyson
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Fr-Fr-Fr-Fr-Friday
I just got home from work, sat down, popped in Avatar, made a cup of tea, and I am talking to Chris until we are meeting at the Sewickley YMCA to participate in a swimming relay (from 6:30-7:30) to raise money for the YMCA scholarship fund for individuals who cannot afford a membership. I need my vegging time!
This week went by surprisingly quick for me. Not really sure why but I am not gonna complain! I had a pretty good week. Monday I went to Crossfit. We did a max effort snatch (3-3-3-1-1-1). I was only able to use the female bar (35 pounds) because I am weak but I did it nonetheless. Gotta start somewhere, right? We then completed a WOD (workout of the day) of: 10 box jumps, 1 clapping push-up, 9 box jumps, 2 clapping push-ups, 8 box jumps, 3 clapping push-ups, all of the way down to doing 1 box jump and 10 clapping push-ups. I am not able to do clapping push-ups but I was able to real push-ups the entire the workout which for me is an accomplishment. I completed the WOD in 7:20. Tuesday (Chris' birthday) I was lazy and did not run (I was supposed to run 12x200 meter sprints). My knee was still bothering me a little and I did not want to push it. On Wednesday, I went to Crossfit again where I did a max effort pistols (5-5-5-3-3-3) using a rope to help keep my balance so I could get up and down. The WOD for Wednesday was a 15 minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) of 7 dead lifts and 7 push presses with dumbbells. I dead lifted 65 pounds and I used 10 pound dumbbells for each arm to do the push presses. I completed 14 rounds plus 5 dead lifts. I was pretty pleased with this work-out as Chris and Timmy completed 11 to 12 rounds. Granted, they are lifting much heavier (I should have added more weights) weights but it is all relative, right? And yesterday I met Chris at the Quaker Valley track and I completed the 12x200 meter sprints I was supposed to do on Tuesday. I felt much stronger! Obviously a good sign. I completed the sprints in 46, 46, 47, 48, 46, 45, 47, 48, 46, 46, 46, and 44 seconds with an average of 46 seconds. While I was in the middle of the workout people started to show up for a middle school aged girls Arsenal soccer game. While running one of the legs I heard a kid yell “Go lady. You can do it!” I know I am 28 now but when did I become a lady? I mean, being called a “mam” is one thing but a “lady?” I don't know, but that sounds a little bit older to me. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the kids cheering me on. I will take any encouragement I can get!
Usually on Fridays I am able to come home and enjoy a rest day but Chris and I are meeting at the YMCA to swim (as I mentioned above). At least it is for a good cause. Besides, I need to burn off the left over Halloween candy and chocolate cake I ate during the past week! Tomorrow, I hope to get another Crossfit workout in (Saturdays are usually pretty tough) and set up the equipment (if it is delivered) in our new gym. Otherwise, I hope to show KDKA the Southside/Squirrel Hill area. Possibly hit up a wine bar I have been wanting to try out for some time. And on Sunday, I have a photoshoot with two friends of ours, Barb and Graham. They are expecting their first child (a son) on Christmas Eve so I am going to take pregnancy photos of them. I am excited to do this! I talked with her today and she seemed excited as well. Maybe I will post some of the photos I take on my next entry!
Have a good weekend! Stay warm and I hope you enjoy the extra hour of sleep we get on Sunday! :)
This week went by surprisingly quick for me. Not really sure why but I am not gonna complain! I had a pretty good week. Monday I went to Crossfit. We did a max effort snatch (3-3-3-1-1-1). I was only able to use the female bar (35 pounds) because I am weak but I did it nonetheless. Gotta start somewhere, right? We then completed a WOD (workout of the day) of: 10 box jumps, 1 clapping push-up, 9 box jumps, 2 clapping push-ups, 8 box jumps, 3 clapping push-ups, all of the way down to doing 1 box jump and 10 clapping push-ups. I am not able to do clapping push-ups but I was able to real push-ups the entire the workout which for me is an accomplishment. I completed the WOD in 7:20. Tuesday (Chris' birthday) I was lazy and did not run (I was supposed to run 12x200 meter sprints). My knee was still bothering me a little and I did not want to push it. On Wednesday, I went to Crossfit again where I did a max effort pistols (5-5-5-3-3-3) using a rope to help keep my balance so I could get up and down. The WOD for Wednesday was a 15 minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) of 7 dead lifts and 7 push presses with dumbbells. I dead lifted 65 pounds and I used 10 pound dumbbells for each arm to do the push presses. I completed 14 rounds plus 5 dead lifts. I was pretty pleased with this work-out as Chris and Timmy completed 11 to 12 rounds. Granted, they are lifting much heavier (I should have added more weights) weights but it is all relative, right? And yesterday I met Chris at the Quaker Valley track and I completed the 12x200 meter sprints I was supposed to do on Tuesday. I felt much stronger! Obviously a good sign. I completed the sprints in 46, 46, 47, 48, 46, 45, 47, 48, 46, 46, 46, and 44 seconds with an average of 46 seconds. While I was in the middle of the workout people started to show up for a middle school aged girls Arsenal soccer game. While running one of the legs I heard a kid yell “Go lady. You can do it!” I know I am 28 now but when did I become a lady? I mean, being called a “mam” is one thing but a “lady?” I don't know, but that sounds a little bit older to me. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the kids cheering me on. I will take any encouragement I can get!
Usually on Fridays I am able to come home and enjoy a rest day but Chris and I are meeting at the YMCA to swim (as I mentioned above). At least it is for a good cause. Besides, I need to burn off the left over Halloween candy and chocolate cake I ate during the past week! Tomorrow, I hope to get another Crossfit workout in (Saturdays are usually pretty tough) and set up the equipment (if it is delivered) in our new gym. Otherwise, I hope to show KDKA the Southside/Squirrel Hill area. Possibly hit up a wine bar I have been wanting to try out for some time. And on Sunday, I have a photoshoot with two friends of ours, Barb and Graham. They are expecting their first child (a son) on Christmas Eve so I am going to take pregnancy photos of them. I am excited to do this! I talked with her today and she seemed excited as well. Maybe I will post some of the photos I take on my next entry!
Have a good weekend! Stay warm and I hope you enjoy the extra hour of sleep we get on Sunday! :)
Monday, November 1, 2010
Boo...
I am sorry to say that I was unable to finish the second of my "twelve half marathons in 12 months" challenge...
The alarm (well Chris woke me up with what sounded like an alarm clock) went off at 645 on Saturday morning. We got up, bundled up, and were out of the door by 7:30. The race was in Moon Twp so we got there in no time. I had originally thought the race started at 8 but we waited around until 8:30 to start. It was pretty chilly! We had to scrape ice off my car before we left and pump the defrost full blast to keep the windows from frosting. Luckily, this time I did not have to dig for my scraper under three beach chairs and the beach blanket from our Labor Day weekend Ocean City trip like I had to the first time I needed it. Anyway, we got to the church (St. Phillips) around 7:45, picked up my packet, used the restroom (having to go to the bathroom during a run is almost as bad as this knee pain), and relaxed a little before the race started. Waiting around for the race to start is the hardest part. I am already nervous to begin with but seeing everyone else there who I am running with/against only intensifies my anxiety/nerves.
The race started promptly at 8:30 (here is the map of the run). There was a 5k and a 10 mile race. I was feeling great during the 5k loop and continued to feel pretty positive until about mile 4.2. My left knee (that has been giving me problems) was starting to hurt a little when I saw Chris at the point where the 5k runners turned in to finish and 10 milers kept running. I was feeling very positive and thinking I could definitely run another 10 miles. It wasn’t until just after the 4 mile mark that the knee pain started to become unbearable. It is the strangest thing! It goes from there being hardly any pain to excruciating. It feels like my knee is just going to break in half or tear if I run another stride. Luckily I had Chris' cell phone with me (he had mine so he could browse the internet while he patiently waited for me) so I called him to pick me up.
I only blame myself for the knee pain. The last time I got out for a long run (when I didn't last more than 4.5 miles) I was doing a pretty good job rolling out my IT Band with a foam roller consistently Unfortunately, I got out of that habit about as fast as I got into it. I had planned on rolling it out after my workouts last week but once I got in the house, I got sidetracked with something I needed to do/or would have rather been doing. My knee throbbed for most of the day after the race and didn't feel too well when I tossed and turned while sleeping but felt a lot better yesterday. It has only seemed to cause me pain if I put too much pressure on it, stand on it for too long, or allow my leg to hang without any kind of support underneath it.
However, I was able to stick to my training/working out schedule last week. I did all of the workouts I was supposed to do on their scheduled days. On Monday Chris and I did 8x200 meter sprints. Our street is pretty flat and straight so we were able to do them right in front of our house (I am sure we looked crazy to our neighbors – I am not really sure many people in Beaver County workout because I get lots of “you're crazy” looks). I completed the sprints in 39, 48, 47, 50, 51, 49, 53, and 47 seconds with an average being 48 seconds. I went to Crossfit on Tuesday and Thursday. On Wednesday I did 10x200 meter sprints in 46, 48, 46, 49, 45, 48, 48, 50, 48, and 46 seconds with an average being 47 seconds. So, despite the disappointing run on Saturday I am proud of myself for sticking to the workout schedule I had for for all of last week.
After Chris picked me up during the race, we headed straight to the REI in Robinson to shop for some five fingers. The first thing Chris said to me when I got in the car was “we need to get you some five fingers. That will help you so much.” He even said he used to have the same knee pain I have had but ever since he has been running in his five fingers he has not had any problems. I first tried on the Treks. They were a little snug but unfortunately they didn’t have the next size up in those (surprisingly I need the bigger size – I have small feet and usually need the smaller sizes). Then I tried on BIKILAs. They were almost impossible to put on. These shoes fit like gloves so I have to spread all of my toes wide for each toe to fit in their designated location. This is much harder to do than one would think! Our toes are so used to being squished together that they do not want to spread easily and for some reason the BIKILAs were much harder to put on then the Treks. Anyway, after finally getting my left foot in the “shoe” (took me about 5 minutes – it was getting a little embarrassing) I was able to put the right one on almost immediately. The BIKILAs felt better than the Treks but Chris was afraid the BIKILAs have too much traction on the bottom compared to the Treks which could end up defeating the purpose of buying the five fingers to begin with. Since I could not make a decision, we shopped a little at REI (found myself a nice down winter coat) then went to Barnes & Noble to look for engagement calendars we like to use for training/daily schedules/work schedule (I bought an Andy Warhol one for my personal life and a Zen one for work – I figured I would need to be reminded to “Zen out” more often at work than I would at home). Once we got home (Chris and I both get very overwhelmed while shopping so we did not last long) I hopped into a warm bath with Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets while Chris browsed the internet (his favorite thing to do) for five fingers. Knowing how much I love the color pink he found the BIKILAs in hot pink and orange. However, I did not end up purchasing anything yet but I think I am leaning toward the BIKILAs because they felt the most comfortable AND they are hot pink (obviously!!).
I will let you know if I end up purchasing them and what I think as I start to run in them. I am actually pretty excited to give them a try! Hopefully running in the BIKILAs will also help some of this knee pain that is causing me so much trouble.
Happy November and Monday! I hope you have a fabulous week!
Alyson
The alarm (well Chris woke me up with what sounded like an alarm clock) went off at 645 on Saturday morning. We got up, bundled up, and were out of the door by 7:30. The race was in Moon Twp so we got there in no time. I had originally thought the race started at 8 but we waited around until 8:30 to start. It was pretty chilly! We had to scrape ice off my car before we left and pump the defrost full blast to keep the windows from frosting. Luckily, this time I did not have to dig for my scraper under three beach chairs and the beach blanket from our Labor Day weekend Ocean City trip like I had to the first time I needed it. Anyway, we got to the church (St. Phillips) around 7:45, picked up my packet, used the restroom (having to go to the bathroom during a run is almost as bad as this knee pain), and relaxed a little before the race started. Waiting around for the race to start is the hardest part. I am already nervous to begin with but seeing everyone else there who I am running with/against only intensifies my anxiety/nerves.
The race started promptly at 8:30 (here is the map of the run). There was a 5k and a 10 mile race. I was feeling great during the 5k loop and continued to feel pretty positive until about mile 4.2. My left knee (that has been giving me problems) was starting to hurt a little when I saw Chris at the point where the 5k runners turned in to finish and 10 milers kept running. I was feeling very positive and thinking I could definitely run another 10 miles. It wasn’t until just after the 4 mile mark that the knee pain started to become unbearable. It is the strangest thing! It goes from there being hardly any pain to excruciating. It feels like my knee is just going to break in half or tear if I run another stride. Luckily I had Chris' cell phone with me (he had mine so he could browse the internet while he patiently waited for me) so I called him to pick me up.
I only blame myself for the knee pain. The last time I got out for a long run (when I didn't last more than 4.5 miles) I was doing a pretty good job rolling out my IT Band with a foam roller consistently Unfortunately, I got out of that habit about as fast as I got into it. I had planned on rolling it out after my workouts last week but once I got in the house, I got sidetracked with something I needed to do/or would have rather been doing. My knee throbbed for most of the day after the race and didn't feel too well when I tossed and turned while sleeping but felt a lot better yesterday. It has only seemed to cause me pain if I put too much pressure on it, stand on it for too long, or allow my leg to hang without any kind of support underneath it.
However, I was able to stick to my training/working out schedule last week. I did all of the workouts I was supposed to do on their scheduled days. On Monday Chris and I did 8x200 meter sprints. Our street is pretty flat and straight so we were able to do them right in front of our house (I am sure we looked crazy to our neighbors – I am not really sure many people in Beaver County workout because I get lots of “you're crazy” looks). I completed the sprints in 39, 48, 47, 50, 51, 49, 53, and 47 seconds with an average being 48 seconds. I went to Crossfit on Tuesday and Thursday. On Wednesday I did 10x200 meter sprints in 46, 48, 46, 49, 45, 48, 48, 50, 48, and 46 seconds with an average being 47 seconds. So, despite the disappointing run on Saturday I am proud of myself for sticking to the workout schedule I had for for all of last week.
After Chris picked me up during the race, we headed straight to the REI in Robinson to shop for some five fingers. The first thing Chris said to me when I got in the car was “we need to get you some five fingers. That will help you so much.” He even said he used to have the same knee pain I have had but ever since he has been running in his five fingers he has not had any problems. I first tried on the Treks. They were a little snug but unfortunately they didn’t have the next size up in those (surprisingly I need the bigger size – I have small feet and usually need the smaller sizes). Then I tried on BIKILAs. They were almost impossible to put on. These shoes fit like gloves so I have to spread all of my toes wide for each toe to fit in their designated location. This is much harder to do than one would think! Our toes are so used to being squished together that they do not want to spread easily and for some reason the BIKILAs were much harder to put on then the Treks. Anyway, after finally getting my left foot in the “shoe” (took me about 5 minutes – it was getting a little embarrassing) I was able to put the right one on almost immediately. The BIKILAs felt better than the Treks but Chris was afraid the BIKILAs have too much traction on the bottom compared to the Treks which could end up defeating the purpose of buying the five fingers to begin with. Since I could not make a decision, we shopped a little at REI (found myself a nice down winter coat) then went to Barnes & Noble to look for engagement calendars we like to use for training/daily schedules/work schedule (I bought an Andy Warhol one for my personal life and a Zen one for work – I figured I would need to be reminded to “Zen out” more often at work than I would at home). Once we got home (Chris and I both get very overwhelmed while shopping so we did not last long) I hopped into a warm bath with Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets while Chris browsed the internet (his favorite thing to do) for five fingers. Knowing how much I love the color pink he found the BIKILAs in hot pink and orange. However, I did not end up purchasing anything yet but I think I am leaning toward the BIKILAs because they felt the most comfortable AND they are hot pink (obviously!!).
I will let you know if I end up purchasing them and what I think as I start to run in them. I am actually pretty excited to give them a try! Hopefully running in the BIKILAs will also help some of this knee pain that is causing me so much trouble.
Happy November and Monday! I hope you have a fabulous week!
Alyson
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