Aqua Helen

Riley and I got stranded in Minneapolis Friday night, but we stayed in a pretty cool hotel, Crowne Plaze, that had a jr olympic size pool. Riley had the grand idea to try a hotel version of Helen that we named Aqua Helen. Here's what she looked like:
Aqua Helen
3 rounds for time of:
100 meter swim
21 dumbell swings (R used 45 cause that's the biggest they had and I used 30#)
12 burpees
Riley: 10:21
Michelle: 13:21
His easiest part was the swim and the swim was my toughest. By round 2 I was taking breaks and by round 3 I was floating to survive. It felt good to do somewhat of a CrossFit workout again. Pictures to come.
We made it to Alaska yesterday and got our snowshoes rented so that will be our adventure today!

CrossFit Total

Did CFT and increased from 365 to 408 since October!!!
Back Squat: 135
Shoulder Press: 68
Dead Lift: 205(pr)
I'm thrilled that the strength cycle helped me so much! Gonna take a break for a week and then work on cardio on my own while on vacation. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas...see you in Jan!

10K Run

Although I'm still doing the strength cycle, I couldn't resist giving today's WOD a try. I ran the 10K in 52:14 with the family... so Riley pushed the stroller...woo hoo! This is a new pr for me...8:25 pace!!! My old time just last month was 56:32 (granted, I was pushing the girls then) I got a new pr on my 5K time as well: 26:20 compared to 27:16 back in August. Wow! CrossFit continues to amaze me...I'm hardly running and I'm continuing to get faster. I'm actually kind of sad that the strength cycle is coming to an end but it did feel good running again.
Since I've been terrible about blogging lately, I'll try to remember my past work outs:
Yesterday/Friday: Did a few sprints to warm up. Full Power Snatches 7x1...no new pr's b/c my left shoulder was starting to hurt. I think I only got up to 65#. I worked on regular snatches 5x3 and stopped around 55#. Did 50 box jumps as fast as I could and then a 10 min ab workout.
Thursday: Shoulder press, push press and push jerk. New pr on the shoulder press- I bumped up to 70 lbs from 67. Maxed out doing 7 dead-hang pull-ups at home.

One of Those Days...

I woke up this morning excited that I was going to have 5 whole hours to myself. I had booked hourly care for the girls so I could get my hair cut and do whatever else I felt like doing. Well, at 9 this morning I got the girls bundled & packed for a day away from home. I was ready to head to the gym but when I tried to start my car it wouldn't turn over. Riley was gone and not picking up his phone and the thought of staying in all day made my skin crawl. I texted Dymphna and within 5 minutes Rick was over rolling my car out of the garage, attaching jumper cables, and getting my car to start again. God bless Rick! I was apprehensive that it was going to be "one of those days" but all turned out well after all.
I bumped my front squat up to 100# (pr from 95) and then worked on snatch grip dead lifts and power snatches. I bought groceries in a quarter of the time it takes me with the girls, got more texture added to my hair, finished shopping for Ellie's birthday, cleaned a portion of my house, and went on a quick run. And I feel refreshed having a day away from the girls. Well worth the $20 for childcare!
For my run I did CrossFit Endurance from a few days ago: 1mile Time Trial. I warmed up with a 1/2 mi jog and then ran my mile in 7:10 and then cooled down with a mile jog. It wasn't that long ago that running an 8 min mile felt like a far-fetched dream, so again, I'm thrilled at the improvements CrossFit has made in my running. Cheers to a great day!

Push Press Push Jerk

I got two new prs today: 85 in tAlsohe pp and 90 on the pj. I also did CFE on the C2 machine and I was able to stay under a 2 min pace for the first 2 rounds so that was a first as well!

6 Months of CrossFit

WOW! Ok...so looking back 6 months to the pictures I took when I started Crossfit made me scream...literally! I can't believe how much my body has changed. I'm down to my goal weight (which was my pre-Saedi weight)of 130# (first thing in the morning) and I've put on a lot more muscle. Although this isn't the lightest I've ever been I can tell this is the healthiest I've ever been. I feel strong and toned and I have energy. I'm now a CrossFit addict.
Here's me just starting CrossFit June 1,2008:

After 3 Months of CrossFit Sept 1, 2008

After 6 Months of CrossFit Dec 1, 2008:

(BTW, I KNOW that bathing suit is NOT flattering on me (Dymphna) BUT to be consistent I will continue using it for my picture progress. Just ask Jen & Nat, who can vouch for me that they've never seen me wear it in public) :)