Happy New Year!

Hi everyone!

It's been several months (almost 4 to be exact) since I posted my last news - I have been slowly working through my health issues - mainly a parasite invasion of my guts that apparently has been there for A LONG time and re-balancing and strengthening my systems so I can keep the parasites from re-establishing themselves. Eeew. It's very shocking to hear how communal they are - I am a bit naive so I was surprised! (I think it's an Aussie thing where it's much more accepted to talk about worms than it is in North America?!).

Anyway - I have only been training 2x a week and have just taken 3 weeks off over the holiday period. I have been drooling over the Crossfit games posters (both men and womens photos) and dreaming of having similar set of abs and thighs as some of those wonderfully powerful women! I'm excited about 2010, nutrition, diet and most of all training!

Looking back at 2009 and where I started at:


late November - fundamentals class
December - one on one training with Jason
January
Deadlift (3RM) - 44kg
Frontsquat (5RM) - 25kg
Backsquat (5RM) - 24kg
Press (3RM) - 22.5kg
Overhead Squat (3RM) - 15.5kg
Ring Dips - struggling to get 2 on blue band
Pull Ups - same on purple band


NOW - at the start of 2010~~~~
Deadlift (3RM) - 82.5kg
Front squat (5RM) - 47.5kg
Backsquat (5RM) - 40kg (3RM 50kg)
Ring dips - no prob on blue band - now on red
Pull ups - working on red band

Have also completed the Crossfit endurance training and can run a 5km in 36mins (used to be about 45mins before) and completed a 30 day paleo challenge (after which I PBed my deadlifts!)
My favorite paleo breakfast!
Almonds, 1/2 an avocado, salsa (yummy organic) and turkey slices with an apple


Crossfit Endurance Running Certification with Carl


And I have kicked the parasites butt as well as lost about 10 cm on my waist and about 10lbs on the scales (but obviously added quite a bit of weight re: muscle).

Check out these pipes! (Visiting Storm on Rottnest!)


Will do my best to keep the blog updated a little more regularly and am back on paleo again and will post some meals as reference.

Happy New Year to you all and Train Hard!

A slow down for healing

I'm here...I haven't been training that much as I've been dealing with some health issues.

I had my regular yearly tests made earlier this year and they showed I was anemic. I spent a few months thinking about why that might be (all the while taking high iron pills thinking, is this really the right way to go about fixing my iron problem?) - I have a good diet and eat plenty of foods high in iron....what's the deal!?

So I went to a very good naturopath who also is a Crossfitter and we uncovered some of the issues as to the cause of my low iron. I've been working on solving them since I returned back from Canada - It's like peeling an onion - slowly working through the layers of it all .... sometimes they are pretty yucky feeling layers!

So I've slowed my training down to 1-2x a week and I am walking, doing yoga and trying to get a day in a week at the indoor rock climbing gym. And trying to get a lot of sleep because boy is healing hard work!!!

I'm Baaaaack!

Hey all,

I am back in Perth and raring to go....I think I'll see you later this week!

I managed to get one workout in at Crossfit Brisbane so many thanks to all the friendly faces there! It was great to meet you all and I enjoyed the workout.







One of the face might be friendlier than you think....Do you recognise him?



I met Sharif from Australia's Biggest Loser! It was great to see him in person and so inspiring to know that Crossfit had such an impact on his life.

Takin' a break

I'll be back once I hit Aussie soil. Ended up with a bit of a bug (no swine flu!) so I'm resting so I'll be good and ready to rock and roll once I'm back!

Many hellos to all in Perth!

Plank Rotations, Agility Ladders, Mountain climbers oh my!

Have had a busy week with a day trip to Whistler, visiting with friends and family and attending a wedding on Saturday. Was fantastic!

Hit the gym again on Sunday and today and I'm HURTIN'....learned a new one from Kelly, one of the coaches at Vancouver Crossfit called plank rotations. You hold a plank pose on your elbows for 1 min, then rotate to one elbow, keeping your shoulder blades in-line and arm above your body, also in a straight line. Facing down, left side and right side is one rotation. We did 5 and it hurts to laugh today! Oh god does it hurt.....yeah for stabilisers!

We also practiced deadlifts both days and I received some tweaking on my technique. It's so interesting to see the evolution of technique and how it can deny or allow you those jumps in weight. Fallguy, my brother gave me some feedback about my pullups as well and I find them easier already! Look out unassisted pullup! I'm coming to get you!!!!



Sunday WOD: 5 rounds for time
300m row
10 mountain climbers
5 box jumps

Time: 11:10min (was proud of this as it was only 2:20min behind my bro)

Today we did agility ladders - doin' fancy footwork basically. I shouldn't have gone with my brother as he and the guy beside him started pretending doing the jig! I got the giggles and quality went WAY down! More practice on deadlifts today and I smashed by 3 rep max (previous 72.5kg) today by lifting 79.5kg!

WOD: AMRAP in 10 mins
Double unders - 60 reps

A far cry from Fallguy at 406!!! I think these will be my next goal... miss you all in Perth!

Crossfit Vancouver cures Jet Lag

Hey there! I'm writing to you from West Vancouver and we landed safely last night in Vancouver. I managed to get about 7hrs of sleep last night which is more than I expected. Got up this morning and was feeling a bit "wobbly" in the head, stomach and legs after traveling for more than 24hrs the day before. Nothing like a good Crossfit workout to fix things!

Here is my brother Fallguy and I at Crossfit Vancouver's new location.


So after getting the grand tour and meeting our coach for the session, Popeye (who had a large rottweiler following him around the whole time!) we got down to business:

Warm UP: 400m jog, timed 400m ball run (12lbs) 2:32min (sorry we are in lbs now!)
Strength: deadlifts - worked up to 115lbs (~52kg) worked on my technique

WOD: "Christine" 3 rounds for time of:
500m row
12 Body weight deadlifts (I stuck with the 52kg)
21 box jumps






By the end of round one, my bro informed me I was looking a little "green around the eyes"! I was feeling a bit woozy, but I made it through....sort of....we both threw up!


Hahahaha - Just kidding! (it's water!)

Time: 18:53min

Cross Fit Total

We did a Cross Fit Total workout at The Cell last night. I didn't have a lot of expectations so I didn't have a goal in mind. Considering I was REALLY out of shape 6 months ago and hadn't been working out regularly since early 2008, I am really proud of my performance! Based on my body weight, I'm about 10-12kg off of the "Intermediate" Benchmark! Wwwooot!

Back Squat - 60kg/65/70x (got the 70kg on a second try but it doesn't count)
Press - 33.5kg/35/37.5x
Deadlift - 80kg/85/90 Personal Best!

Total = 190kg or 418lbs

Here is a Deadlift Sequence - Jason thanks for correcting my technique. It makes all the difference in the world!




I'll be on the road for the next 5.5 weeks and will be visiting Crossfit Vancouver as well as hopefully Brisbane and Gold Coast. I'll also be doing a few workouts on my own in my small hometown so stay tuned for how creative I can get to find somewhere to do pullups!

Row Row Row your boat

This week has been the first stormy week in Perth for the season and Friday it rained so hard that the storm drain wouldn't empty the parking lot water for quite awhile.

The workout of the day went from running to rowing for cardio. I think we would have been bruised if we had gone outside! It was pelting!

WOD - 3 rounds for time (scaled down from 75 squats, 50 situps and 25 burpees)
800m row (instead of run)
50 squats
30 situps
10 burpees

Time: 23:54 mins

The Workouts that Made me Cry

Workout 1

Press 5-5-5
26/27.5/28.5kg

WOD
Run 200m
15 Pullups (Red band)
20kg Thrusters 15 reps
Row 250m
15 Pullups (Blue band)
20kg Thrusters 15 reps
Run 200m
15 Pullups (Blue band)
20kg Thrusters 15 reps
Row 250m
15 Pullups (Blue band)
20kg Thrusters 15 reps

Time: 18:32min

Work Out 2
Front Squat 5-5-5
35/40/42.5

WOD
5 rounds for time of:
45kg Dead Lift 10 rep
18" box jumps 21 reps

Time: 14:29min

maybe in six months from now, I will do these again and have improved on my cardio...will keep you posted

Blood, Sweat and now Tears

When I was young, I remember running with my gym class and always being at the back of the class, even as young as 10 years old. I was never good at running but I always pushed myself hard and many times, I'd start to hyper-ventilate just to keep up with the other kids. I was embarrassed I couldn't run as well as they could. I'm sure hyper-ventilation on its own isn't so bad....it's they sense of panic for not being able to breathe that is the worst part of the experience!

In the last week, I've had two times at The Cell where I've pushed myself hard enough to reach that panic stage. The point at which my chest starts to close up and I begin to panic because I cannot breathe. I can now add "tears" to the list of the old mantra of "blood, sweat and tears" because I have cried on both sessions this week. Once with each of the coaches, Stef and Jason (thought I'd make it even!).

Strangely, it wasn't as embarrassing as I thought it would be, mostly thanks to the amazing acceptance, understanding and support Stef and Jason give. I always feel so ugly crying, not unattractive but vulnerable where this part of me that is tortured, twisted, squished up, and soul-wrenching surfaces. That what it feels like on the inside - like I'm allowing this part of me to show - a place where I'm deeply vulnerable.

Surprisingly, what comes up from my depths behind it once it's surfaced is a fire, a determination and something that feels like what you might experience while watching a life grow - like those time-lapsed videos of seeds growing. Almost a detached form of awe.

Fran vs. Fran

Fran has finally come back into my life - 5 months after my first go!

I did my first Fran workout in December for part of my fundamental training. It was HUGELY scaled (thank god or else I would have seriously been crippled!).

December Fran was:
15-10-5
6.5kg thrusters (most likely not anywhere near below vertical!)
12-8-6
Pullups (purple band)
Time: 7:14min

April 09 Fran was:
21-15-9
20kg Thrusters (way better form now! Thanks Jason! hate those medicine balls but they work!)
Pullups (red band)
Time: 7:26min

I was disappointed as I was trying for 7:14mins....I tried, Jason yelled..cannot be too disappointed though. I'm really pleased to move from the purple band to the red and complete the work out. Yeah!

The Week it Was

Last week I felt better than ever after taking the previous week off (except for one workout). I was beating myself up a little about it but I listened to my body and it said, I need a break!

I did my first TABATA workout, I had a personal best for my back squats and I did my very first full, as prescribed workout!! It was a big break through week and I feel it was largely because I listened to my body, back with a vengeance after a good break!

April 14/09
Back Squat: 5-5-5 45/50/52.5kg

WOD: 3 rounds of time of
Run 800m
Squats - 75 reps
Sit ups - 50 reps


time: 29:45min (!yeah!)

April 15/09
WOD:
1000m row
50 pull ups (blue band)
100 Push ups (knees)
150 squats
1000m row

time: 27.05 mins


April 18/09
TABATA 8x 20sec work/10 sec rest (2min rest between rounds)
12kg Kettle Bell Swings - 12
15kg Push Press - 6
24 inch tire jump - 8
Burpees - 3
Rowing (calories) - 4
total score: 33

Emotional Pain Today

Today was a really tough day. I haven't trained for 5 days and haven't been getting enough protein in my body the last few days. I've been feeling mentally exhausted...full moon? Crazy work schedule? Who knows but I sure felt it today during my workout. I fought for every single repetition and strangely, found myself fighting to keep control over my emotions! I felt like crying pretty much the whole workout....has this happened to anyone else out there? I would be fine once I was doing the movement but as soon as I transitioned between movements, I would feel the uncomfortable lump in my throat and would be fighting to stay in control of my emotions. I was determined not to cry!

WOD
AMRAP in 20 mins
35 kg Backsquat - 5 rep
5kg Wall ball - 10 rep
12kg Kettle Bell Swings - 15 rep

I liked this off of Crossfit Vancouver's website.

Blogging Hiatus

Hey everyone...I'm back! Was super busy as my mom was here visiting us for two weeks. We had a great time and I even dragged her down to the gym! Thanks for the support Mom! Thanks for the photos Stef!

PAIN Storm

Did my first Pain Storm at The Cell on the weekend. 30 mins of pure Crossfit Workout!

As Many Rounds as Possible of:
15kg bar
Snatch Grip Deadlift x 5 rep
Hang Snatch x 5 rep
Overhead Squats x 5 rep
Behind the Neck Press x 5 rep

Total: 18 rounds!

No words can describe doing Crossfit for 30 mins straight. I started out thinking it would be a purely mental challenge although I hit about 9 rounds and started to feel like I was going to vomit! Adrenalin? Not enough breakfast? Tired from previous workouts? All of the above? Perhaps....The storm drain outside was looking appealing a few times but I managed to keep the milk and cookies down (actually, no cookies were eaten during this week!) and sweated through 18 rounds! Congrats to all of my workout partners and thanks to my fiancee, and coaches Jason and Stef yelling at me to keep going! I couldn't have done it without you!

The Week it Was

This was a week of Squats and Deadlifts and a few little tricks in between.

Monday's workout:
Back Squat
3-3-3-3-3
42.5/43.5/46/47.5kg (Personal Best!)

WOD
200m run
15kg Clean and Jerk - 7 reps
200m run
15kg Clean and Jerk - 5 reps
200m run
15kg Clean and Jerk - 3 reps

Time: 15mins? (I forgot to write down my time!)

Tuesday's workout:
Deadlifts
3-3-3-3-3
65/66/67.5/68.5/70kg (I fought for this last set!)

WOD - Sandbag Complex
For time - 25 times
15kg Sandbag press
Burpee - Clean- Press-Overhead Lunge

Time 8:26sec

This workout seemed easy but holy crap are sandbags difficult to get off the ground when you are tired! It's like trying to pick up a really heavy water slinky!


Thursday's Workout
80 airsquats
5 muscle ups
60 airsquats
10 muscle ups
40 airsquats
15 muscle ups
20 airsquats
20 muscle ups

Time: 15:46mins

Muscle ups are HARD! The point is to be like the rock-star gymnasts that can get up onto the rings without any help by 'muscling up' from a hanging position. I tried the scaled version - kneeling. I was 'cheating' (or so I thought) by squatting down instead of being on my knees. The first round I used my legs more than my arms although after the first round of 80 airsquats, I was HURTING! My legs were useless and jello - hurting more in a squat position than helping me get up on the rings....who was I kidding!? The rest was really hard work and to make it worse, I wasn't getting enough depth on my squats so Jason gave me a medicine ball to hit every time on my squats...here's me hurting and swearing all the way back up!

Crap vs. Cash

This post is sponsored by L-O-V-E!!!! (and some pocket change).

I'm tired of being controlled by sugar cravings, feeling like I NEED to eat ___________ (cake, muffins, chocolate, ice cream, cookies...) and seriously wanting to kick this habit's ASS!

I'm prepared, I pack huge lunches, healthy snacks and sometimes it still isn't enough to keep me from drifting towards a sweet hit. I'm convinced that 90% of the time, it's just habit.

NO MORE! Monday - Friday I will be good and someone has agreed to pay me for it! That right folks, a $1/day is enough motivation to keep me away from the CRAP I've been eating and my workouts are thanking me for it.

I will not open the money pot until I have done a pull up unassisted and then the cash will be my treat to do something with...new running shoes? massage? or some new work out clothes? To me that seems to be worth more than a cookie a day!

Highschool Flashback!

Did a couple of things this week that I haven't done since highschool!!! Why do I sound like an old fart when I hear myself say this? I mean isn't it a reasonable expectation that we should all keep our flexibility, balance and endurance levels from our youth? Sometimes life gets in the way....

Monday's workout started out with handstands! Doing them against the wall kind of freaked me out - worried I was going to bash my head on the wall as I kicked up but got the technique down thanks to Jason! Graduated from the wall in to free standing handstands with some spotting! Whhoooo hooo!

Handstands
Backsquat 3-3-3-3-3 (38.5/40/41/42/43.5 kg)

WOD
5 rounds for time:
pull ups - 5 reps (blue band)
ring dips - 5 reps (red band)
20kg Thrusters - 5 reps

time: 8:30min


Tuesday's work out was another blast from the past - rope climb!!! Do any Canadians out there in their 30's remember the Canadian Fitness Test? I used to HATE this test - pushpus, situps, shuttle run, endurance run and long jump. They also used to make us do (or at least try) a rope climb!

Deadlift 3-3-3-3-3 (65/67.5/68.5/70/71kg)

WOD
5 round for time of:
10kg medicine ball run - 200m
5kg ball slams - 10 reps
3x hand of hand rope climb

time: 13:43min


And finally the forearm killer on Friday! Deadlifts, deadlifts and more deadlifts! It's funny how sometimes the limiting factor of my workouts ends up being something completely different than what I expected. For example I thought my legs were going to be the weakest part and my forearms gave up in about round 7!

Squats 3-3-3-3-3 (32.5/35/37.5/40/43.5kg)
1 x 15 backsquats - 35kg

WOD
10 rounds for time of:
30kg Deadlift - 15 reps
Pushups (knees) - 10 reps
time: 13:10min

Barbara leftovers

Yum!

Back Squats 3-3-3-3-3
38.5/40/41/42.5/43.5 kg

Almost one handstand on my own and a very sorry 1/2 handstand pushup (no rubber bands)

WOD
Pull ups -blue band 5reps
Ring Dips - red band 5 reps
Thrusters 25kg - 5 reps

5 rounds in 8:30mins

Barbara's a Bee-atch

Did Barbara today with some AWESOME crossfit ladies - hugs out to the gals - thanks so much for sharing the pain!



WOD:
3 rounds for time of:
20 Pullups (Blue then purple band in round 2 and 3)
30 Pushups (knees)
40 Sit ups
50 Squats
Time: 20:05min

I'm not kidding when I say this work out was H-A-R-D! We were all sweating and really pushing to get through it. We all made it thankfully and after I had been sitting on the ground for awhile stretching, I tried to stand up and got the head spins. Stef sacrificed his gorgeous nectarine to my low blood sugar cause - thanks Stef!

On top of being very dizzy, my arms did some weird things....from my elbow down to my finger tips felt like I had ants crawling under my skin, electrifying everything and I could barely close my hand. It's as if nerves and muscles were over stimulated and 'firing' like crazy!

I got the giggles as it was the strangest feeling and at the same time, it reminded me of a good friend of mine, Brendan, who has cerebral palsy. Often while at school with him, my friend Nat and I would constantly invite him to come rock climbing with us - not to be mean but because Brendan was normal to us - we loved (love) him so much, we constantly forgot about his physical disability. For the first time in my life, I know what he must feel like - not having control over his arm and having to learn how to cope with how it feels to be "firing" muscles all the time.

My hat's off to you Brendan....I now think you are even more wonderful than before and it is a good reminder to myself (and all of us able bodied people) to never take mobility for granted! Crossfit hurts, it's painful sometimes, sometimes you feel like you're going to puke or you cannot make it through but you always do. I'd like to dedicate my workout today to Brendan - you are my hero for so many reasons - mostly because you are the fastest reading, typing, tipsy bike riding, banjo playing (well pretend banjo), kayaking, Arabic speaking friend I know! I love you!

Gimme a B!.....