Traveling CrossFitter

I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!! What a fun, showout, amazing week in Cali. I know one thing that is for certain; the weather in Laguna Beach is a lot cooler than this TX heat. Mad props to all the athletes I coach daily in this heat.

I am so glad I went to support CrossFit Central at the 2010 CrossFit Games. I have stronger friendships with my co-workers after this past week and even more thankful to have the best job ever. I could not be more proud of Jess, Jen, Carey, Lindsey, and our Affiliate team. Job well done!

While I was on vacation, one of my Relentless athletes was also on vacation. The pic above is Michelle from the Tu/Th Deep Eddy 6:30am boot camp on top of Cascade Mountain in the Adirondack's. Michelle writes, ".....gorgeous hike! This was about 2.5 mile hike straight up...almost like stairs except they were rocks and branches ...and let's just say all we do in CrossFit made each one of those steps so much easier! I felt so strong like I could keep going up and up and up and up! :) Thank you!!!!"

Weekend Recap

Me & my Dad before his 1st workout

Crazy CFC team chillin'

My brother (all black) finishing competing in the max Snatch workout

(chanting...SHOWDAD...SHOWDAD)

This past weekend was a test of strength, endurance, skill-sets, and mental toughness at Hell's Half Acre. I traveled to Ft. Worth as a spectator, sister, daughter, co-worker, and friend AND loved every minute of it. This year was quite different for me since I was not competing, but I enjoyed getting to cheer, support, and showout with all the other CrossFitters from across the southern states. (New show word...ShowRita).

My Dad competed in the Masters division. He has spent the past 6 months training for this weekend. I would get phone calls every other day, sometimes even daily, with him recapping his day's workouts, his plan of action for the week/month, and asking for some coaching tips with the CrossFit workouts. Unfortunately, his weekend ended earlier than planned due to a torn bicep in the 2nd max thruster workout. I do not tell him enough how proud I am to have such a solid, caring, loving male-figure in my life. He did a helluva job...not many 54 yr. old men can say they did what he did. For that, I am so PROUD!! My favorite part of the weekend was my mom, sister, and I cheering SHOWDAD..SHOWDAD...SHOWDAD...SHOWDAD.

I also got to cheer on my younger brother who trains at Grapevine CrossFit. There is nothing more fulfilling than cheering for your family and witnessing hard-work pay off in killer workouts. ShowBro-- You did an amazing job this past weekend!

A big CONGRATULATIONS to the Double C's. As many of you already know, our Affiliate Team took 1st place and Jen Cardella (3rd place) and Jess Sharratt (4th place) are advancing to the 2010 Games. hoLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLer!!! I train and work at the best box in the world! Not too many people can say that. Nice work bad-ass CrossFit Central team. I must say that my 2nd favorite part of the weekend was watching Lisa Thiel perform 10 perfect muscle-ups in the final workout with having only completed 1 two days prior. Now that is impressive.

After a long weekend in the sun and convinced that I was sun poisoned, my Sun Goddess status has returned. I no longer feel poisoned by the 100+ temps all weekend. Life is good. Can your weekend top my weekend?

3, 2, 1 SHOWOUT!

Thanks, Emily!

My good friend, Emily, surprised me today with a SHOWOUT wristband for Sectionals this weekend. Just to preface, Emily would never say the word, showout, and always argued that it was not a word. So when I got the good luck gift today, I was more than surprised; I was ectastic. Thanks, Em! This is the perfect gift, especially for WOD#3 on Sunday.

I decided to sport my blue nail polish with my Showout wristband this weekend. Clearly blue represents 1st place, and that is how everyone at CrossFit Central will end on Sunday. We are taking all the top spots. 3, 2, 1 SHOWOUT!!!

Pain vs. Pleasure

Over the past month I've grown to learn a lot about myself in more ways than one thanks to my dear friend, Tony Robbins. A hand full of us coaches are going through Get the Edge and Personal Power. Each and every day I am challenged and pushed outside my comfort zone and forcing myself to raise the temperature. The discussion on Pain vs. Pleasure really hit home. I have listened to the CD probably about 5x. Tony reiterates how the need to avoid pain is a greater motivator for many people than the desire to pursue pleasure. Honestly, he could not be more correct.

This thought process applies to so many aspects of life. For instance, the weight/diet battle that so many people struggle with daily. So often the the pleasure of enjoying the entire chocolate cake or the huge plate of nachos is more pleasurable than achieving a fitness goal. The pain associated with resisting the indulgence is greater than the pleasure of achieving the end goal. So then ask yourself: What will be the pain if don't follow through? This concept applies to relationships, day-to-day tasks, basically everything. The goal at the end of the day is learning to control pain and pleasure.

Last year I was a mess before the Regional Qualifiers in Ft. Worth leading up to the 2009 CrossFit Games. I was still learning the sport, not confident in my abilities, and taking everything way too seriously. Fast forward to today and the tables have turned. I have fallen in love with CrossFit all over again. I am blessed with the ability to compete at an elite level with phenomenal athletes. Last year all I saw was the pain in competing, because I was scared of failure; this year I see the joy and pleasure with competition. This weekend I am competing because I can compete. This weekend I am competing in honor of my grandfather who is battling cancer. This weekend I am competing to celebrate the gifts and talents with God has blessed me.

Take that pain. 3, 2, 1 SHOWOUT!

ShowDad

(my Dad)

I was fortunate enough to spend Saturday night celebrating an early birthday for my sister with my parents, siblings, and Whitney. I also labeled dinner on that night as my Valentine's date with the greatest man ever--my Dad. The older I get the more I realize how blessed I am to have such loving parents and a positive, solid, loving father-figure. Many of my friends growing up came from broken homes and did not have a dad in their house. I used to take this for granted, and not think twice about how lucky I was to have a Dad who loved me and demanded so much from each of us kids. Don't make the mistake of taking your parents for granted. Life is too short.

Not only is my dad the best father ever; he is also competing in the Masters Division for a spot in the 2010 CrossFit Games. I love it! A big showout shout out to ShowDad!!! I can't wait to compete along side him in May at Regionals in Ft. Worth, TX. My Mom calls my dad and I a "fitness cult." Lol!

Not only has CrossFit Central changed my life; it has changed my family's life as well. Everyone is my family does CrossFit now. My mom has even started working out 3x a week with my dad as her coach.

How has CrossFit changed your relationships with others?