Beers & Burpees

OH SNAP WE MOVED!

2009-12-29T17:11:00.002-05:00

Check us out at our new home www.beersandburpees.com

Soo OFFICIAL !

<3 KTo

All Roads Lead to PR City!-KTo

2009-12-23T23:22:00.001-05:00

It's December 23rd, I'm done all my shopping, I don't have work tomorrow and I'm not going out. Wait What? I just chose to stay in and get a good night's rest before our Christmas Eve WOD at 9am? Wait, I'm staying in so I don't die in a WOD...who am I ? Well I guess after seeing the crazy amount of stability and control I had this past weekend when I opened up the 09-10 Snowboarding Season, I've falling back in love. Not that I ever truly fell out of love with Crossfit, I've just been preoccupied by the holiday hub bub and what not. It happens to all of us there are just some weeks you don't make it in as much as you'd like.

Today's WOD
Buy In- 3 sets of Romanian Deadlifts with a 35lb kettlebell- wow my balance needs some work

Deadlifts-3-3-1-1-1-1-1

: CHOOOCH is SENOR OCTUBRE!

Deadlifts are my ish and the road was cleared to PR CITY, so there the Tribe went. 215lb PR for me & E2 10lbs over my last PR. I'm pretty proud & excited. Remembering what a struggle it was to get that 200lb PR and this wasn't even close to as bad. Makes me think I could of hit 225 today... Also I think the whole 12nooner class PR'd today. GOOD TIMES.

Buy Out- Tabata Push Press 45lbs - We used our new clock which was the highlight of this buy out because I'm generally scared whenever I hear the word TABATA. Although recently I've decided certain tabatas are not that bad and I enjoy that crazy burst of movement and cardio it brings....as long as it's not squats.

Back to the Snowboarding- I took a small trip up to Blue to get my snow legs back. Mission accomplished...needed? I really barely did anything to "get my legs back" they just went. There was no pain, except when I tried to nosepress into a backside 180 just fucking around and caught my edge landing me on my head. UGH. Muscle wise it was amazing how solid I was. Just skating and cruisn with one foot out in general was completely controlled with little effort. I was amazed, excited, happy and calm with my headphones on just jamming. There's something I will always love about snowboarding alone , it's my favorite therapy. I got to the top of that little Pocono Mountain and couldn't help but giggle, my season is here & my body is stronger than it's ever been, this is going to be a sick winter my friends.

GET OUTSIDE

2009-12-19T15:16:00.002-05:00

So I can’t get to the mountain today BUT…

Paleokits & Coconut Water..ALL DAY SON

Hahaha so I built a kicker off my deck and got slingshotted onto a few of my dad’s storage boxes. I broke them. 2 stunts to start off the season! GET OUTSIDE PEOPLE it’s beautiful!

Check out Crossfittribe for some fun pics of our tribe’s snow day!

Annnd I'm BACK!-KTo

2009-12-16T10:54:00.002-05:00

Well my vacation is over. Lame. That week off was full of Crossfit, baking, sleeping and Mad Elf. It was refreshing and gave me the time to get all Christmas things done. Now I'm looking forward to the Holiday Season & New Years! 2009 was an all around bitch of a year for me and most of the people I love. From job losses, to jerk guys, and work woes it hit us all somewhere this year. I'm hoping I file the happenings of this year like all other lame years. I look forward to remembering this year like I remember 1995.... I was in 5th grade and probably spent my time jamming to TLC's "Waterfalls" and rocking one strap on my jean overalls. Yea I was the hotness then. So maybe soon 2009 will go like " I was probably jamming to Lady Gaga, Crossfitting and getting tattooed. When you put it that way it doesn't seem so bad...

Yesterday's WOD

JACKIE aka Fran Cough

1000M Row- BIG UPS to the Birthday Girl Erin Today! Yesterday she really helped me improve my row did the row at 4:07 with 26 strokes per minute. It made sense to me, and my legs are long as hell giving me that break on the way back. HOWEVER, that still murdered me.

50 Thrusters 45lbs- I really don't want to talk about Thrusters. UGH.

30 Pull Ups- I did them in sets first of 10 then 5 then 3 then 1 haha. But I got them done with NO tape and my hands NOT ripping. AWESOME.

Found this great piece on callouses from BEAST SKILLS Check it out if you're sick of your hands holding you back....

Greengas and I ended the WOD with a trip to France to practice on the Eiffel Tower. We took the Jet she powered with green gas from her family's stash and was there in like 1 1/3 minutes, srlsy. Here we practiced our of synchronized pullups. Look for it in the Crossfit Games 2012.... Some have likened it to a beautiful ballet on bars. I think I just took the shape of a unicorn...

Rosemary You are AWESOME for making this PIC!

Last night E2 and I got together and made an amazing dish of ground turkey, onions, mushrooms, garlic and sweet potatoes! We have also decided to partake in our friend Sam's 100 Days of PALEO starting 1/1/2009...but honestly it will probably start halfway through 1/1/2009 because hangover food will be a necessity. JUST KIDDING PALEO GODS & STEVE! I'm sure I can find some hangover food, eggs & coconut water ALL DAY. Anyhowamigoingtosurvive, 100 days brings us to April 10, 2010. 2 days before E2's Birfday & at the Crossfit Nutritional Cert, in LAS VEGAS. HA.

YUM!

Also, in true KTo fashion( and you can say what you want) I will still partake in the occasional brew. Like I said before, go for taste not quantity. Because honestly, it's not the brews I drink, it's the Choco Tacos I have for breakfast.

BLOG NEWS! Well we bought the beersandburpees.com and are working on moving our blog from blogger to wordpress. So look for that soon, I just got done transferring all our archives there 'cause I know you bitches love all our posts!

All Jacked Up

2009-12-15T23:06:00.010-05:00

Monday 6-mile run

Tuesday WOD "Jackie"
1000 meter row
50 thrusters
30 pull ups
My time: 14:20

My first roommate in college had a smoking hot boyfriend named Jack. He was a stand-out student at Villanova University. Standing way over 6-foot-tall, he was a baseball player on a full ride. There was one thing about him I could never get over. . . His nickname was “Jackie.” His mom called him Jackie, his friends called him Jackie, and we called him Jackie too. This girlie nickname was way too feminine for such a stud. But who was I too judge? I stayed silent yet perpetually annoyed.

Fast forward 12 years. Five days after giving birth to my second son, I was still in a complete pout that he did not have a vagina, and I was at a loss for another boy name. My stepson Joe had my father's name, and I named my first son Kevin after my brother. His father sat down in the chair next to my bed and said, "I'm not getting up until this kid has a name." I looked up at the TV, and Jack McFarland from Will and Grace was doing a soft shoe number he referred to as "Jack 2000." And five days after he was, my son's name was born.

One look in his eyes and his nickname was born too. Much to my surprise, there was no other option. He's such a Jackie. Jackie Boy. Jackie Boo. Jackie Bear. Jackie Packie. The list goes on, but they all begin with the same word and end with the sweetest little smile in the world.

The WOD Jackie? Not so sweet. And as you can see from the sweet after shots, I was not smiling. It looks as if there was a pool of sweat around my head, but that's just my original sweat angel. I tried to get up once, but had to quickly get back down. It was pretty nutty.

It began with a 1,000 meter row. Erin gave us some efficient rowing tips prior to the WOD that I tried to employ. I think the tips slowed me down today, but in the long run they will make me a better rower. My old strategy was anything but strategic. I just spazzed out and rowed as hard as I could fast as I could, eyes closed, teeth clenched, grunting loudly. When was I breathing? What was my damper setting on? Was I resting on the way back after the pull? Was I even pulling hard enough? My answer to all these questions was wrong, wrong, wrong. I finished the row in 4:28. That is lower than half my PR for the 2,000 meter, but I think the E-tips will help me improve in the long run.

I thrust myself into the next part of the WOD. Fifty thrusters. For the two non-Crossfitters reading this, a thruster is a very painful experience. Nobody likes them. And we don't like the people who DO like them. The movement begins by cleaning the bar, taking yourself down into a deep squat, and exploding out of your heels and completely locking the weight out overhead. Lather, rinse, repeat: FIFTY TIMES!

I'm scared to admit this to my fellow Tribers (and keep in mind that I still hate thrusters) but they have moved down my hate chain a few links. I found that when I imagine myself jumping out of the squat, and I even get some air on this little leapster, higher reps are much easier to complete. I planned to do the 50 in sets of 25, but after the row, I completed them in sets of 10, with ten deep breaths in between. Not complete hell, but purgatory for sure.

The devil known as 30 pull ups came next after the super-sized row-thruster value meal I pigged down. My chest was fried after the thrusters, and I was sweating like a MAN. I kept slipping off the bar as my callused hands were trying to make a deal with the devil for mercy. KTo saw this sweat-induced debacle and handed me a WAD of chalk. This really helped, and I was able to bang out sets of five until finally reaching the finish line.

Many Crossfit WODs are named after women. Grace. Fran. Helen. Cindy. Jackie. On February 12 of this year, I completed Jackie for the first time. I wish I could compare my time, but I was so new I didn’t not have a log yet! Talk about service—the noon class was so small back them most days I had a personal trainer. This was one of those days. It was me and my namesake, and she was pushing me to kill it. Later that day, when I checked the blog, she posted a comment about the workout. “Jackie. All good things come from Erins.” My heart was warm, and I the Tribe was my new home.

When things get really tough in a WOD, I mentally go to the same place for strength. My Jackie has to struggle in many of his daily moments as hard as I do in a grueling workout. Some days being in a crowded room, working to learn how to write his name, completing his ABA therapy when the other kids are in the pool or trying to get out a simple sentence are just as hard for Jackie as completing 100 thrusters in a row. So I tell myself—Erin, if you can just get one more rep, one more round, move a little faster and push a little harder, things will be easier for Jackie. His hurdles won’t seem as tall, his challenges won’t seem as great, and he will be one step closer to being a regular kid. I try to finish strong, hoping that I gain extra strength to pass along to my amazing big boy with the little girl nickname.

Would I change Jackie if I could? Would I take away the Autism? Absolutely. I’d be a fool not to. Any parent of a child with autism who tells you otherwise—and there are many out there who argue our children should be left as they are—are simply talking shit. As many gifts as he has and as many precious moments as he’s given me, the fact remains that he started out in this rat race we call life at a great disadvantage. In our world driven by academic perfection, physical prowess and social domination, parents work diligently to give their children the upper hand. It took me a year to teach my child how to wave. So, yes, I would take away his autism and watch him succeed.

Jackie would be the hottie baseball player that gets the girl. The one who attends Villanova on a full ride and charms every person he meets. Despite the sissy nickname his mother cheers from the stands each time he is up to bat, he would hit .500 his junior year and get drafted in the second round by the Phillies. I’d sit in a box with the other Moms (and KTo of course) drinking micro brews and eating hot dogs. Delicious.

This dream gives me so much to push for tomorrow in tomorrow’s insane WOD. If I can post a record in Tabata squats, Jackie will be able to play tee-ball next year.

That would be enough for me.

Great Moments

2009-12-13T21:01:00.015-05:00

I can't focus on this post because my Tribe is so insanely funny. I'm trying to write about their greatness yesterday at the Crossfit Hoboken Winter Challenge, but can't because I'm flipping back to Facebook to read the comments on the 200+ pictures I posted of their beastliness.

It took me a few hours to load the pics up and tag those bitches. The littles were on my lap, reaching for the keyboard and begging for their ice cream as I was trying to git er done. If you read the sweet post of my partner in all that is smuggling beers into fitness competitions aka KTo, you already know that it was completely off the hook. I had a great time trying to capture the right angle and lighting while dodging barbells and burpeeing boys. As always, the eye candy was pretty freaking delicious. And the guys didn't look bad either.

Sharing the pictures with my Facebook Friends (95% Crossfitters) was almost as exciting as taking them. Most Crossfitters LOVE seeing pictures of their pain in action. I truly believe this has nothing to do with vanity and everything to do with knowing what the "moment" really looked like. Because, let's face it. Unless you are Nicole Carroll, most CF pics are anything but pretty. Teeth are clinched, eyes are shut, and if you are not at lower than 12% body fat, usually one body part is not as becoming as you would like it to be.

The aforementioned moment is the one so painful, so pressing, so stressing, that you are not sure if you are even going to take another breath. You are going balls to the wall and your only thought is how to squeak out another rep or round before you rack. The moment only ends when the WOD ends. Some WODs are so painful, the only choice is to lay down and pray to your sweat angel for mercy and hope she gives you the grace you need to stand up after completing Grace.

I watched my graceful friends and the rest of the competitors in their moment three times yesterday. Of course, some young bloods made the beginning of all three WODs look effortless, not hitting their moment until the end. Others struggled from beginning to end giving new meaning to living in the moment. All were warriors and extremely impressive.

Ricky Baylor was one such beast. He made the first WOD of seven rounds of 5 clean and jerks at 135 lbs and 7 burpees look downright easy. Smoking the competition, he flew through this WOD in 5:49. The best part about Rick is he does not roll like your typical Crossfitter. There's no underarmour, no shirtless workouts, and no drama. He walked into our gym last Spring after Crossfitting on his own for a few months. In his first showing, he smoked our biggest guns and posted an insane time for Grace. We knew Ricky had found his new home. I'm glad he's on our side.

Right by his side were Jesse, Pat, Justin, Warren and Darius. They busted their asses and looked good while doing it. In between their moments, their wit was quick and the ball busting was sharp. Pat busted out the movie quotes and goofy voices, and Warren brought the water and his killer smile. Jesse was THE SITUATION and Justin loyally hung tough till the end to support his boys. Darius was our resident pretty boy and was amazingly funny, especially as he housed a spring mix salad in the middle of the competition. That boy is a human trash can.

My single ladies truly had their hands up and came ready to represent. Greengas was nervous as hell and took ninth place over all. Way to go killer! She's amazing. Her drive and dedication inspire me. Erin-1 looked mean and lean as she busted through each WOD. Her moments always look pretty, as she is a true beauty, inside and out. She commented that many women there were inspiring to her, having no idea that she is what we at the Tribe aspire to be.

As a result of his consistency in all three WODs, our own Steve Liberati took third place overall for the men. He won a whopping sixty bucks (that he can use this week to squeeze in his butt cheeks while doing glute bridges). It's no secret that Steve's strength is strength, but through his hard work and dedication to diet and training, his met cons are consistent enough for him to continually represent in all the games he participates in. I am so proud of him and extremely lucky that he's my trainer AND my brother. Cali, here we come.

Lucky for me, the only WOD I had yesterday was the wad of cheese on my pizza and the ten minute walk it took to get to the pizza shop. I only traveled to Hoboken to watch, learn, cheer and capture my cohort's efforts for eternity. As always with all that is Crossfit, I experienced more than I could have ever expected. But don't take my words for it. If a picture is worth a thousand, here's 200,000 for you to see.

Take a moment to enjoy.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6127&id=100000370838421&l=a7f801864e

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6133&id=100000370838421&l=57c7a87f0f

The Gang goes to Hoboken, YA SEE!-KTo

2009-12-13T00:34:00.001-05:00

Where do I begin? Oh the shenanigans that went down over the past 12 hours...From the moment I arrived the Tribe this morning I knew it was going to be an insane day. 10 Tribers in one van heading up the NJ Turnpike....CLASSIC. The tomfoolery that took place was epic from the car ridiculous talk to to my awesome choco taco breakfast( hey it's a cheat day go big or go home people). In typical Tribe fashion we got lost in the hell that is north jersey and arrived just on time. With the Tribers tucking and rolling outta the van, Deluca, E2 and I braved the streets of Hoboken for a parking spot. After nearly being run over by a fire truck, E2 parking in oncoming traffic, and too many wrong ways down one ways to count, we were finally on our way to cheer & coach our fellow tribers through 3 grueling WODs at the Hoboken Winter Challenge.

Event 1

7 Rounds for Time

5 Clean & Jerks ( 135/ 83)

7 Burpees

Event 2

AMRAP 10mins

10 Ring Dips ( Push ups for the ladies)

20 Air Squats

Event 3

1500m Row for Time

Staying true to KTo & E2 fashion, we did our own WODs consisting of slices of pizza & Victory #12 Brews outta coffee mugs. Gangsta. With E2 utilizing every yoga pose she knows to snap sick pictures and me hustlin paleokits, our athletes represented for the Tribe. Baylor beasted the 1st WOD with 5:49 Greengas & Erin killed Event 2 with 10 rounds, and Byrdman perfected the one-armed Simon & Garfunkel row just to name a few. Best of all our leader Steve placed 3rd overall.

You know the more time I spend with these ridiculous people the more I can't imagine living without them, YA SEE. It's the camaraderie, YA SEE.

On a more beer note, Troegs Mad Elf is in FULL EFFECT in Philly, Tria & Silk City are pouring it now and it's slated for Varga's NYE Beer Dinner. Gotta love the Holiday Beers. For those of you that don't know, Mad Elf is like a cherry Hoegaarden aka Heaven.

-KTo

Footnote: The word "BLOUSE" as the Tribe's favorite catch phrase has been replaced, YA SEE.

Sweet Angel

2009-12-10T22:14:00.004-05:00

Thursday WOD

12 minutes, as many rounds as possible

5 thrusters, 65 lbs.

10 burpees

6 rounds, 4 thrusters

This is what we at the Crossfit Tribe like to call a sweat angel. Reminiscent to the snow angels you used to make as a kid while laying in the snow, you lay down on the floor and she magically appears when you get up. One thing is different though. You don't move your arms and legs to make her. Not only because it would not work, but because you can't fucking move your limbs.

After a crazy WOD (which is most), I lay down for at least five minutes to recover, enjoy the fact that it's over, and the fact that I'm still alive. My younger Tribers clean up, bullshit with Steve, and talk about how they shoulda-coulda-woulda went harder. Nope. Not me. I lay like broccoli.

Speaking of, Steve let me try some crunchy broccoli he ordered online today. Imagine a piece of broccoli, hardened to the crunchiness of a potato chip. I wish he had not let me sample ten different kinds of dried wild blueberries before the green stuff, my palate was not quite expecting what it got. After several minutes of chewing, I have to admit, it was not that bad. I actually liked it. I crave a good crunch. That's what usually sends me sliding off the Paleo pole, reeling for a bag of pretzels. It's dangerous when I run out of nuts.

Nuts was that crazy workout. After the first five thursters, I thought Steve was going to drop my weight. He had that worried look in his eye. No such luck. I only hung with Tim for the first two rounds. He crushed me like a bug. Of course, he was using 135 lbs! And he banged out 8 rounds and three burpees. Way to go brother.

The last two rounds were increasingly hard. Steve is such a great coach, giving me the directions I needed to complete maximum rounds. I broke the thursters in sets of 2-3, and tried to rely on my quad strength when doing the burpees. (Those things have to be good for something except keeping me out of too many pairs of hot ass jeans.) I tried to throw my knees to my shoulders to help with my speed. Not sure if my stress level has anything to do with it, but I have been feeling very taxed in the gym over the past few weeks. I'm going to try and mix in more sleep and good nutrition to see if I improve.

To that end, I had a Paleokit today for lunch. That shit was SO DAMN GOOD. I had the boys pack me one without fruit. The jerky was so tender. In a weak moment, I bought some Wild Bill's jerky at Wawa the other day. My teeth could barely get through it. It actually hurt my mouth. It was dry, leathery and almost dusty. Ours is spicy with a hint of sweet and very tender as far as jerky goes. I love it.

I love my sweat angel too. She represents all the hard work it took to get through the WOD. She also has a 16-inch waist, a pretty nice rack and a JLo Booty. Depsite her appearance today, she is not a single amputee. (My leg was bent.) And much like the pain of the WOD, she disappears in just a few minutes. Until next time.

No Rest!

2009-12-09T19:50:00.006-05:00

Monday and Tuesday rest days

Wednesday WOD

Push Press

65 x 3

75 x 3

95 x 3

100 x 3

110 x 1

105 x 3

Ten minutes, As many rounds as possible

20 air squats

10 ring dips, banded

Eight rounds, 5 air squats completed

Crossfit organizes my day. With three children, a full-time job that includes off-hour entertaining, my-so-called social life, my autism advocacy and the few friends I have left (that are not Crossfitters), the only way I make it into the gym is if I make it my first priority and structure all of the competing priorities around it. Most weeks, I can make this happen 4-5 times.

This week, Monday and Tuesday were a no-go, and I was a no-show. My busy time at work is coming to a screaming crescendo. My gal Friday is on vacation till Friday. My screwed up social life had a booking. I had to entertain for work. The dog ate my homework. I had to wash my hair. It happens.

After back squatting, front squatting and cleaning on Sunday, my body was happy for the rest. I rejoined my nooners today, thrilled to see them and ready to rock. Class was very full, and my KTo was there. At the risk of sounding like a sappy love song, you don't know what you got till it goes on vacation and you have to cover all the lame ass shit she makes happen magically. . .

The buy in was three sets of glute bridges. Lay on your back, knees up and bring your rear up as far as you can while keeping your feet flat on the ground. "Squeeze your glutes like you are pinching a penny," screamed my friend Steve. That statement was so loaded, it was too easy for me, so I left it be. (But it's good to finally know where Steve hides his money.) The last two sets of bridges were taxing because Steve had us do them one legged. I wish I had a picture to post of this train wreck, but I don't. Sorry. Maybe when KTo gets back from vacation, she can pen one of her stick figure drawings of the debacle, Steve's pennies and all.

Onto the push press. As much as I HATE the press, I love the push press, simply because the load moves so much easier with the little boost from the push. A press is simply holding a bar, elbows down and strictly moving the weight upwards in a straight line until you lock out over your head. With a push press, you can dip down and use your extra momentum to drive the weight up.

Today, I took drive to another level. I tried to imagine that I was going to jump off the ground, and this made the weight fly overhead. I actually got a bit of air with each jump. When I put up 100 lbs. three times with ease, I thought I could go for 110.

I asked Steve to coach me because I knew the load was heavy. I completed the first rep, and failed on the second. Much like the days of Darius past, I dumped the weight loudly. (Sorry neighbors.) I think I was so shocked that the first went up, I went mental on the second rep. Continuing this mentality for the second attempt, I failed again. Then I dropped down to 105 and banged out three reps. So today was a personal record (PR in Crossfitville) for both my one rep and my three rep max. Yeah me. Or as Tim would say, "Welcome to PR City baby."

The metcon included my most favorite exercise and one of my nemeses. As many rounds as possible in ten minutes of 20 air squats and 10 ring dips. All day ass to grass on the air squats. I have short legs and a ton of heart (to make up for the short legs) so this is a skill I have mastered. Until Small Girl In A Big Bag World gets back from Europe, I will continue to crush my friends while tabata squatting, even if I'm hammered.

But hammer the ring dips? Not so much. Upper body is my weakness, and doing ring dips on a band is about as graceful as navigating your way through a crowded bar on a slippery floor while wearing platform stilettos at 2am. (Not that I'd know anything about that.) But I can share the pain of the ring dips. They crush your biceps. And triceps. And everything in your arm-hand shoulder-combo cep your fingernails. Somehow, during this metcon, my manicured little pinks hurt too. I managed to complete eight rounds and was happy with that. Greengas that beast put up ten-almost-eleven.

She's my new hero. She strutted into the gym today, 20 minutes late, smoking hot in her True Religion jeans, and she still crushed the workout. After we were done? A hard-ass row for good measure. She's prepping for Saturday's competition in Hoboken. Yo Rach, save some energy because we are totally partying after the games. And don't wear those jeans or the rest of us won't have any chance of picking up any guys at the bar. And don't be doing any unassisted pull ups at the bar either. I know how you drunken Crossfitters are. You can do a flag on a flagpole if you put your mind to it. Or a pull up on a lamppost.

It was great to come home after two days away. Warren had an awesome post today on Facebook. He asked, "How do you know you're addicted to Crossfit?" My answer was simple and smart ass: When you do burpees and mountain climbers in dressing rooms when trying on athletic pants to ensure your crack doesn't pop out.

The more appropriate answer? When you take two days off of Crossfit, and it feels like two weeks. Your children are making you crazy, you can't focus on work, you're cranky to your social lives, and you bore the few friends you have left (that aren't Crossfitters) with your obsessing about not getting to the gym.

See you at noon tomorrow friends.

You just got RX'd!

2009-12-08T15:37:00.002-05:00

Today was the first WOD for me since Wednesday, Fat Helen:

3 Rounds

400m Run

21 KB Swings 1.5 pood

12 pullups

I thought I'd like Fat Helen better than Skinny Bitch Helen mostly because I like fat things like, checks, sandwiches, and tastykakes. However, Fat Helen proved to be heavy as shit, and just as bitchy. While I didn't kick Fattie Helen's ass I did complete it, RX'd. My first full Rx'd workout in Crossfit EVER. I wasn't happy with my 19:24 but I'll get that bitch next time. The more important pieces are:

a) I Rx'd that ho.
b) first time using a 1.5 pood
c) pood sounds like poop and makes me laugh
d) running in the cold is my own personal hell
e) Greengas and I perfected the running kip pullup... haha

It's great to be back.

As for this past weekend, I cheered on our atheletes at KOP's Lumberjack Challenge. Holy Shit. That work out scared me almost as much as their house workout, The Wolverine. Mad props to all the atheletes that participated, finished, and cheered on their peers. I was slightly jealous of fellow tribers who participated, then about halfway through I knew I couldn't have completed it that day. That day was day 1 of my vacation/ job recoup. I needed the past few days of relaxation to get my head straight. Needless to say I'll take on the Lumberjack sometime soon, once I forget the sweat angels and scary post workout faces from that day... Crossfit KOP is not only an awesome space with great people its so SMART. Big props to them for the layout it's so efficient!

PALEOKIT VENDING MACHINE!!!!!!

Question of the day: WHEN WILL MY HANDS STOP RIPPING!!!!???
Some people say they hate their quads, ass, hips, arms, ankles, fingers, whatever, well I hate my hands because tape or no tape they FAIL. When taped I have no grip and they eventually rip, when bare I get a grip and then they rip. I don't know what to do... and last time I used gloves Kelly witnessed me fall right on my assbone.

Looking into the KTo Post Forecast... my favorite beers & bars of 2009, Best buys of 2009, and Mimosas: a Memoir....

Gettin' Filthy in the Sunshine State

2009-12-07T00:22:00.008-05:00

Yesterday I crossfited....in FLORIDA. :) Yea thats right...while all you guys where sitting in snow, I was getting my sweat on. Knowing 2 weeks away from CrossfitTribe would be tragic, I contacted the nice folks at Crossfit St. Pete and they allowed me to get my fix. I brought along my little sister to torture her...muhahaha I get it where I can.

They run their gym alil differently than the Tribe. It is always just an open gym from 7am-10am and then 1:30pm-7:00pm. They have one session on Saturday. I love sessions with WOD posted each day and knowing certain people will be there to push you further than you would with just yourself. I figured when I got there they would have a WOD posted anyway so I didn't think to much about what I wanted to do.

Wouldn't you know the workout that they had posted was "Linda". Thinking lots of lifting and cleans and this is my sister's first class and she never lifts...not to mention my huge dislike for cleans..lets uninvite Linda from our Crossfit party.

The nice trainer on duty pointed us to the "Wall of Workouts" as I would like to call it and I lightly scanned over all of them. "Fight Gone Bad" caught my eye but it wasn't like the one from up north and so I moved on and right next to it was "Filthy 50s". I was getting antsy so I looked over everything and thought my sister could do all of these without becoming a liability risk so I picked that one without thinking about the torture I was about to put us through.

WOD

"Filthy 50s-St. Pete Style"

50 Jumping Pullups
50 Kbell Swings
50 Walking Lunges (left and right = 1 ...kill me now)
50 Knees to Elbows
50 Push Press - bar
50 Back Extensions
50 Wall Balls - 10lbs but the X was seriously 3' higher
50 Burpees
50 Double Unders
(no box jumps because my sister objected)

Seriously, HOLY SHIT!!

I gave my sister technique pointers for each one. I felt like a trainer for a hot minute but I know my role. haha.

And here we go....
So my sister and I flew through the 50 jumping pullups without breaking stride and did the same with the kbell swings. I wasn't surprised at her ability to keep up with me because she is training in aerial arts so her upper body is beast mode.

And then we met hell...100 walking lunges. Holy burn. This is when I started to think what was I thinking picking this workout. We are nowhere near done. I have never been so happy to see knees to elbows. I told my sister to think in sets when doing these so you don't feel overwhelmed with 50. Fatigue was really starting to set in when we were at push presses. I was busting out more than my sister and trying to encourage her along the way. "Do as many as you think you can and then do two more," I would tell her as I was laying practically limp against my bar resting in between sets trying to catch my breath. This was when I started to pull away from her. I moved on to back extensions without my sister and Trainer scaled her push presses and everything after to 30. Back extensions were like a sweet intermission. I could wait for Act 2 though. Wall balls. GD wall balls. Super struggle time. I didn't want to continue. Trainer didn't push me; maybe he was intimidated by my jerseyness. I was thinking this is when Steve would be telling me to push through and squat lower haha or Tim would be saying, "C'mon Kel. your almost there. Just get this done and its the weekend!" But nothing. I guess this was when I needed that extra push that I think I get from sessions at Tribe. I felt like it took me 8 mins to get through wall balls. Burpees was when I needed an even bigger push. I was about to see Jesus. I couldn't wait for this to be over. When I got to double unders, I just did singles. I was passing 35 mins and I wanted the pain to end. Thankfully it did.

I was thinking I didn't remember this being as difficult when I did it last and I am pretty sure it didn't take me 37 mins to complete. What is my deal? I didn't drink last night and I had my protein that morning, etc. I laid on the ground completely dumbfounded and annoyed with myself. Then it came to me. I never did Filthy 50s...it was scaled 25s. It all made sense and then I was quite proud of what I did as well as proud of my sister. I then told my sister and she was like you B...Needless to say we were both sore the next day.

(Pics of me in their huge gym and my sister doing some trapeze trick on the rings)

Cleaning House

2009-12-06T21:26:00.005-05:00

Open Gym WOD

Clean Class

65 lb. x 1

75 lb. x 2

85 lb. x 1

75 lb. x 5 (hang clean)

75 lb. x 20 front squats

Three rounds

95 lb. x 10 back squats

Air Squat 15 reps

Mini-me loves Crossfit Tribe. She's always disappointed when DeLukie and DOMO aren't around, but manages to entertain herself for hours, and usually cries when it's time to leave. All my cohorts are extremely patient with Kelly, and everyone makes a huge fuss over her. She's been in the way of some very heavy lifts, and everyone does their best to make sure she's safe. Even when Byrd puts her in the trash, she never actually makes it to the dumpster. Charlie trots back and forth as she watches movies to ensure her safety. Auntie Ann threatens to skip the WOD to watch Mary Poppins with her, but we never allow it. Thank you my friends.

Today was no different. Erin-1 taught a BRILLIANT clean class with Kelly underfoot, and did not drop a single barbell on her head. When not one (or two or three) but FOUR Tribers showed up unannounced in the middle of the class for their first time--she never let 'em see her sweat. She simply finished the 90-minute lesson and began it again for the newbies. Bravo sister.

Erin is an amazing teacher. She can break down the most complex of lifts into easy to follow steps. She also has a wonderful way of critiquing athletes, always pointing out the good while correcting the flaws. She broke down the clean into three pulls, and taught the last two first and returned to the first movement. This breakdown was very helpful.

Pretty much the same thing happens every time I clean, and it ain't pretty or clean. My elbows could be quicker, and therefore, I am successful until I'm not. Then it gets mental. The first time I fail on a heavy load, I get in my own head and keep failing repeatedly. After cleaning 65-75-85 with great ease, I failed on 95 and could not get the shit up. My elbows were too slow. I knew it was mental, Erin knew it was mental, but I could not get past it. I dropped back to 75 and finished the day hang cleaning to feel good about my form.

The class was very thorough, and we spent a bunch of time practicing with the 45-lb. bar prior to the heavy singles. I think I was just tired. I know I can clean 95 lbs., and I plan on doing so before the end of the week.

But endless this week will be. KTo is on vacation. Not sure who is going to save me from myself and all of my nonsense, who is going to get the coffee and who is going to finish my sentences. . . I guess I'll have to make it on my own somehow. Good God girl meet me at the gym and text me constantly. I promise not to talk about work for one minute.

My stress can't be helping her any. She is my confidant and has been by my side professionally, personally and physically--at the office, in my house and at the gym for the better part of a year. Poor kid. It's been a wild ride and she is privy to every gory detail. I hope a few good things have come out of it.

KTo's joined the Tribe, and she's hooked. Lock, stock and Paleo. A strict vegan when she started, now she's kicking back jerky like a trucker and doing unassisted pull ups. She is a valued member of the cult. She brought in Kells, started this fabulous blog and always has water when I forget my bottle.

KTo has rewritten her job description. Not literally, but her duties have transformed into what she's passionate about through some serious risk taking on her part. She has taken the social networking aspect of our business by storm and even managed to get me hooked on Crackbook. The response has been amazing, and management finally values this important medium. (And yes, that means me.)

KTo's probably learned a lesson or two in what she does not want to be dealing with when she is a 36-year-old mother of three. Her parents are amazing role models, so I am sure she'll pick a wonderful partner. If her current boyfriend is any indicator, I know I'm right.

KTo's strong enough to know when she's in a bad situation and tough enough now to fight her way out of it. Never underestimate my partner's silence for timidness or lack of confidence. KTo takes everything in and makes a verbal judgement only when she's ready. I could take a page from that book.

KTo has a rocking new name that her Tribers, parents, best friend and co workers have adopted. I love it and not just cause I gave it to her.

So have a great week kid. Make cookies, drink mimosas, hit the white leather with my smoking hot Fairy Godfather and forget all that is United Way. Hurry back, it ain't the same without ya. I'll try and clean my office when you're gone.

I don't clean much. Probably #1 on my ex-husband's Top Ten Reasons Why I'm Getting Divorced list. I won't start cleaning my house anytime soon, but I do want to clean more in the gym. I'm going to do more reps with lower weight so I can improve my form and quicken my elbow speed.

Thanks Erin-1 for a great clean class. Now if your Mom could only teach me how to clean my house... Or better yet, maybe I could hire her. I heard she's AMAZING. You must be her mini-me.

One Jerk's Restitution

2009-12-05T14:43:00.009-05:00

Friday WOD

Push Jerk (split)

75 for 3, 85 for 3, 95 for 3, 95 for 3

2K row, 8:56

"Put up the weight Er," Liberhottie said. "THINK ABOUT WHAT'S PISSING YOU OFF AND MOVE THE BAR."

Well said Steve. The jerk is a lift I enjoy, and I had plenty of inspiration. Thoughts of all the jerks in my life (with the exception of my Tribers, my Littles, my Fairy G and my BFF's husbands) served me well in push jerking nearly 100 pounds.

Dip, drive and get under the bar.

I landed in a split, which will help me as I begin to attempt heavier loads. I usually don't split, but Greengas was beasting it, so Steve encouraged me to try as well. Honestly, I think he could see I was still distracted with this never-ending-drama I call life, and he wanted me to be focused on the the lift. Trying something new would force me to do so. His Jedi mind trick worked. The force was with me.

Special thanks to Steve and Chris for being my human rack. I was having trouble cleaning the 95 after I got tired, and they held it up for me. Every once in a while guys are very handy :)

Next we rocked out a little met con. Not much really. Just your normal, run-of-the-mill, easy-as-paleo-pie, two-thousand, mother, fucking, meter row. I have not done a 2K row since May 26 when I finished sub nine. Once second sub nine to be exact. But sub nine nonetheless.

I went into the row feeling good, hoping to finish in just over 8 minutes. I am stronger and more fit than I was in May, and I have six more months experience under my Nike Spandex. Or so I thought.

Steve coached me through the row, trying to keep my pace even and mix in a few power 20 pulls when needed. This row was incredibly taxing for me. I flew through the first 800 meters, and then I really struggled until Steve let me sprint the last 150. I was determined to do better than my last time, and I did. But three seconds better does not really count when trying to measure 6 months of training. 8:56.

My form needs work, and Rachel gave me some good pointers. More importantly, my lifestyle needs a makeover. I have been on and off Paleo and not sleeping as much due to stressful events and social events. I am distracted, disappointed and dissatisfied. I feel a big New Year's Resolution coming on.

For 2010, I am thinking of it as New Year's Restitution. New Year's Day would have been my tenth wedding anniversary, and for years we were planning to have a huge formal party with all of our loved ones to renew our vows. The party is still on, the vows are off, and it's changed a bit in size and scope. All the invitees are underage, there will be no toast at midnight, and most predictably the guests will all fall asleep before the clock strikes 2010. I will celebrate the joy of the last ten years with my fabulous Little Levengoods and be thankful of the great times we've shared and the many laughs we've had in the face of adversity.

Restitution is the act of giving back something that has been lost or stolen. I am going to give myself back control over my life, my destiny and my pursuit of fitness and happiness. I will strive to train hard, eat clean, limit alcohol consumption and travel as much as possible. (God do I miss Hoboken where I don't train, eat dirty as hell and consume large amounts of beer. . . But it counts as traveling! )

The major part of my restitution is not forgetting that I like who I am. No apologies, no concessions, no changes and no exceptions will be made for any one who is not strong enough to handle me and all the loads I can physically move or mentally endure. My tongue is sharp, my texts are blunt and my intentions are clear. Life is short, and even though I am too, I want to have fun.

Happy Fucking New Year Bitches. A few weeks early. Set your bar high. Raise it again. Get a unassisted pull up on it. Get ten in a row. And just when you think you can't get any better, stronger or faster, THINK ABOUT WHAT'S PISSING YOU OFF AND MOVE THE BAR.

Drained

2009-12-03T20:09:00.014-05:00

Tuesday WOD

10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 for time

150-lb. Deadlift

40-lb. Press

Wednesday Rest Day

Thursday WOD

3.8 run around Cooper River

100 walking lunges

Tuesday was some kind of horrible. The WOD paled in comparison to trying to sleep with a posterior chain locked up like Fort Knox. Each flip, nudge, cover adjustment and clock check sent waves of pain through my lower back.

Deadlifting is easy--right? All you have to do it remember a few basics: shins to bar, set your back, get your grip, chest up, chin down, take a deep breath and pull that shit. Simple. Funny how those moves become geometrically complex after 10 heavy reps followed by strict presses, which also seem to tax my lower chain like New Jersey property.

Marcy Rose was a helluva partner. She's strong, experienced, quiet when appropriate and encouraging when I need it. Love her. We shared a bar, some pain and even some water at the end. If I was flying into battle, she would be my wing man.

But my Commander in Chief? Definitely KTo. That beastly little bitch pulled 170. We have the same one rep max, so not sure why I was given such a lighter load, but I'm thanking the Crossfit Gods for showing me this bit of mercy.

KTo occupied her own bar and was hell bent on finishing the spaceshuttle countdown workout without removing a plate. She was suffering. The pain on her face was almost too much for me to watch. I was so afraid she was going to strain her back and be sidelined indefinitely. I can't imagine living with her if she couldn't live with Crossft. So CF-Gods, props again.

Way to go sister. You are my hero. Not only for finishing the WOD, but for coming back on Wednesday when I had to rest.

I showed up today against my lower back's wishes. Still sore, stressed beyond belief and too sad for words, I was going to give it the old college try. Until I looked at my fraternity. The members of my Tribe saw in my face what I could not say.

My family is breaking up. Christmas is 22 days away, and I cry at the drop of a Carol. I received case evidence in the mail today that was the most brilliant piece of fiction ever written. I'm so fucking lonely yet I can't be around anyone except the offspring. I need to talk but I can't get anything sensical out of my mouth. I am perpetually hungover without drinking, with a headache in my forehead that feels like the work of a fifth of JD. I am in divorce purgatory, living with someone that hates every ounce of my being while trying to braveface for my three amazing little souls.

What I'm most sad about my divorce is that I will never be able to share the joy of my children with a partner. I know I'll love again, but I'll never have the same magical common denominator as someone else. I will respect someone's love for their family, as they will respect mine, but never again will I share the unspoken language of parenthood. My truth of knowing that my children are the most wonderful, charismatic, funniest souls on the planet will be mine alone. And even though J will know it as well, we will not speak of it, we will not celebrate it and we will not share it ever again.

That aside, what I share with my Tribe helps more than I can convey. The physical pain of our quest to be our strongest fittest selves binds us, and the truth of seeing each other in our weakest moments--physically and emotionally--is undeniable. It's what we share, even when we don't want to.

I could not deny as I walked in the Tribe today that I was weak, sad, broken and sore. I could not put on the Erin face. I could not smile, I could not speak, and I could not work out. I half-heartedly accepted an incredibly thoughtful gift from Tim, told everyone it was better for me to leave, and ran out.

And kept running. I made it halfway around the river, tears streaming down my face, lower back throbbing, and decided I needed to feel more pain. I started to walking lunge. Then I sprinted. Then I lunged. Then I sprinted. Then I lunged some more.

Four miles later I was back to my car debating my next move. There was an afternoon meeting and an avocado waiting for me at my desk, so back to work I went. I closed my blinds and locked my door and allowed only the Commander to enter Fort Knox. (Earlier, I had promised to share my avocado and girl was hungry.)

I can no longer hide behind my humor and act like every thing's okay. Because it's not. One of my best friends told me, "Even if you want this divorce, it's the hardest thing you'll ever do, and it will change you as a person forever." She was right. She usually is. The one not-so-subtle change that's already in motion? I can't fake it. I can't hide what's raging in my brain.

Today, I lost my game of hide and seek. And in my ever-loving desire to be a fountain and not a drain, I poured my grief down the Cooper River and willed it to float away.

Hopefully tomorrow is a better day.

What day is it, I can't see the calendar through my RAGE.

2009-12-01T16:31:00.001-05:00

Oh Monday.... Tuesday is it? I'm always a mess after holiday weekends. Yesterday's workout was pretty sweet, I enjoyed it even though I feel like I was ( insert inappropriate comment here)... damn my ass hurts! That tells me I need to do more lunges. Put it on the list with L holds!

Recently, I've noticed my shitty mood, and you probably have too, sorry about that. I'm working on it.

Today's workout made me it's bitch, and it shouldn't have. I love deadlifts, all day. It's my favorite & best lift. Not today. It was a sequence of 10, 9,8......2,1 of 175lb deadlifts & strict push press with 20lb dumbbells. In theory, I should have beasted this workout. It's like all the stress I had built up inside transcended into the weight changing 175lbs to 500lbs. FML. With each pull I just hated touching the bar. I hated feeling that weight, and most of all I curled my back while ending the lift. FML. Thanks to motivation from the nooners today for me to finish in 18:20. FML AGAIN. I fell over after the last press and immediately put my legs on the wall to flatten my back out. It was tight...it hurt more because I felt like I failed the workout which should have been one of my best. My thoughts sabotaged me. I see Crossfit as a welcomed get away from the day, from the week, from whatever is bothering me. It just sucks I let it get into my workout. Tomorrow is a new day.

On a lighter note, Day 2 of my Paleo adventure. It's gone rather well I'm sitting at Groove Ground in Collingswood now enjoying Chicken Yakitori( shout out to Erin D. for the tip). I'm just trying to increase the quality of my food. Once I'm solid there I plan to have some fun with the zone piece, one step at a time(reminder I went Vegan for 8 months prior to this).

If you haven't noticed, ITS FINALLY GETTING COLD OUT!! That means...SNOWBOARDING! For all you readers from the mountain area of the US, I'm very jealous you have been riding since October, you bitches. Anyway the IceCoast riding is almost ready, I'm pumped for opening day, can't wait to see how Crossfit has improved my skillz.....

And this is me in heaven....

sigh...<3

New Guy Crushed It

2009-11-30T14:42:00.004-05:00

WOD

50 steps walking lunge

2o Clean and Jerk (85 lbs.)

20 Ring Dips (banded)

25 wall balls, 14 lbs.

30 Butterflied ab mat sit ups

30 kettle bell swings

75 double unders

Those are my ladies in sweat puddles on the floor enjoying their Crossfit afterglow. Today was as crazy as it looked. Lucky for me, it did not include push ups or much upper body strength work. My arms are still reeling from the weekend's nonsense.

Speaking of nonsense, I completed yesterday's tail gate WOD with Amazing Grace! Actually, I completed it with Amazing Kelly, my friend Miss Mignogna, who attended the game with me. We enjoyed several Dirty Hoes before heading into the game (Hoegardens with a topper of Raspberry Belgium Beer) and had an absolute blast once we got inside. Our seats were four rows away from the Skins bench. I always have a great time with that adorable little ginger. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY--WE WON!

Back to the WOD. I crushed the 50 lunges, one of my all time favorite exercises, second only to the air squat. The clean and jerks were relatively doable too at 85 lbs. I should have probably tried the 95 as Rxd., but I was concerned with form and getting through the WOD. The banded ring dips were probably the most ugly part of my workout, and I swung though the air like a clock pendulum. The object is to keep your body taut and straight, so being a swinger is not a good thing in this instance.

"All day!" shouted out new guy (whose name I did not catch) when I banged out 25 consecutive 14 lb. wall balls. I love ass to grass wall balls. New guy fit in nicely, seems to be a good athlete, and smoked the WOD finishing first a few minutes before me. This surprised me, as he seemed nervous before we started, and new people usually don't smoke long met cons. Unless you are freak-of-nature Ricky Baylor (much love and respect of course). Way to go new guy. If you read this, post your name to comments, and thanks for the wall ball shout out.

I finished the first 20 butterflied ab mat sit ups with my hands behind my head, and I did the last ten with my arms extended. Kettlebell swings are also easy to complete, but leave you completely out of gas. Thirty reps later, it was time for 75 double unders.

I am very good at single-skip rope, and decent at double unders, but fatigue made me trip up quite a few times. In general, the Tribers are getting way better at double unders, and my once coveted skill now looks lame in comparison to my posse. I need to hop two singles in between each double under. I am going to practice at home this week, and Patrick Beast Byrnes said he had some tips for me. I'm still waiting for those. . .

New guy cranked out double unders like a legitimate boxer. Here's where he sprinted way past me to clinch his lead. Props where props are due. Hopefully the next time they show up in a WOD, I can loose those hops in between.

I finished the beast at 17:33. My BFF Rosie girl came to check out Crossfit Tribe and cheer me on. I have been recruiting her for some time now. She would also fit in perfectly. Rose is sick enough to love our fast-paced cult and stressed enough to need all that the afterglow provides. Come on in friend, the Kool Aid is delicious.

I want to post a picture of you in a puddle and call you new girl in next week's blog.

Step It Up!

2009-11-28T17:47:00.006-05:00

E-2-WOD

50 flights of Art Museum Stairs in under an hour (so my car would not get towed)

My arms were envious of my legs this morning. Jealous that they were pain free and still able to function at full capacity. I figured it was time to stop the green-eyed bickering and crush my calves and quads with a little stair workout.

Plus, it's not "my weekend" with my children, and I had some serious time to kill. The most painful part of divorce is the division of the parenting time, treating the children like they are scheduled little parts of the week that are shuffled back and forth from person to person. When I was married, free time was a delicious commodity, one I craved. On the off chance that I got it, I was on the serious time clock. Now, entire weekends without my children seem endless.

So did running up and down 50 flights of stairs. There was plenty to keep me entertained though. For the first ten flights, there was a wedding party taking photos on the stairs. I am sure the unseasonably tanned bride was thrilled to have an almost-middle-aged psycho woman in a black hoodie with crazy blond hair in the background of her wedding photos. I tried to steer clear of them, but it seemed as if they kept moving towards me.

By far the most annoying thing of the day was all of the people recreating the Rocky scene for their personal video and photo collections. Each of them thought they were original, hilarious and are probably home right now loading that lame-ass shit on their facebooks. Ugh.

Then, there was the heckler. Yes friends, I got heckled. This 45ish guy and his kid thought it was hilarious to count my flights and let me know when my pace was slowing up. Horrifically, the teasing turned into flirting. The Dad asked me if I would like to quit and go have lunch with them. I managed to dodge that, and then he asked me if I would give them a ride when I was done. Pretending to be deaf to all humans over the age of ten, I started to talk only to the kid. Who had the nerve to challenge me to a race! Game on little man!

In the first heat I was nice. Let's face it, I had 31 floors under the belt at this point, and I was running pretty low on gas. We tied. When he cockily called for a rematch, I smoked his little ass. I took each of the 70 steps two at a time, and made that kid look like a little school girl. I realize at this point it seems as if I need a life, but that up and down shit was getting kind of boring, and I needed to pass the time.

As I bid farewell to the crazy Dad and slow-ass kid, they asked me what I was doing for the rest of the day. I told him I had five little boys who were waiting at home for me. They were all too happy to see me go then!

Home would have been a much safer place to go. . . My truck somehow seemed to steer itself to Walnut Street, and I coincidentally picked the parking garage next to my favorite store. Lucky Brand Jeans. After getting a little luckier than I had planned, I headed down to lulu lemon athletica, where I met my two new best friends Anna and skinny girl with perfect curly hair.

I walked into lulu wearing a Crossfit hoodie. This was without a doubt the best choice I made all day. They treated me like athletic royalty. "Oh, well you know how important the right gear is, cause you're a Crossfitter... Yeah well, I tried that Crossfit, but I got beat up and had bruises the first day. It was too much for me...You better go with the pants that have plenty of give since you'll be doing all those box jumps..."

I felt like Mia Hamm as I ripped off shirt after shirt to expose my hot new sports bra. I bought a pair of hundred dollar pants that better make me run faster, squat 200 pounds, and make my ass look like JLo's. Props to lulu lemon for having a rocking staff, amazing clothes and a dressing room you can do burpees in. (I had to make sure my crack was not going to come out of the pants!)

My last stop of the day? City Sports. I finally broke down and bought a pair of five fingers, once described by a gay fashion blogger as "the footwear from hell." After swearing them off for almost a year, my desire to look good has been outweighed by my desire to quiet Steve's bitching about my Nike Shox. Besides, the five fingers came in PINK! Wrap 'em up.

A great day it was, and an even greater night it will be. Third wheeling it to Continental Old City with Rosie Girl and her hottie husband. Martinis and summer rolls for all. Yum.

Maybe I left the man of my dreams on the steps of the art museum with my slow-as-hell future stepson. Maybe the couple on the stairs can photoshop me out the pictures. Maybe next time I'll do 60 flights in under an hour. Maybe my ass will look like JLo's in my new pants. Who knows? These days anything is possible.

One thing is for sure. My arms won't be jealous of my legs tomorrow. I'll be tailgating in a wheelchair.

Sunday's WOD

Heavy Lift:

Carrying the case of Hoegarden out of my truck and into the Limo Bus

7-hour met con

Sprinting back and forth from the cooler to my chair AMRAP

800m brisk walk-hop into the stadium

Sprinting back and forth from the beer stand to my seat (Four rows from the field) AMRAP

Jumping repeatedly while watching the Eagles beat the Skins for a second time!

800m walk to the Limo Bus at a wobbly yet brisk pace

Senora Slacker

2009-11-28T15:28:00.005-05:00

I feel like I am the slacker of the bloggers. They average three posts to my one anymore. Anyway, so I feel borderline obligated to write.

So more clarification and my take on last night. As Krista explains it did havw its WINS and FAILS. Overall win of the night (crossfit related) was one classmate believed I could deadlift 450lbs. WIN.

Moving on...yea so I called three Taco Bells to see if they were open and mapped them out, so sue me paleo gods. I am the most resourceful drunk of us two. My drunk partner in crime wanted her cheesy gordita crunch and the world was going to end as we know it in dramatic fashion if she didn't get two and as a friend I try to make shit happen and save all your asses.

So we had some cheesey goridta crunches and lots of alchy that is 10 times worse. How I see it is, since Crossfit I have dramatically cut down my consumption of alcohol and improved my diet. I can count the times I drank the last three months on one hand and they were primarily for my birthday, holidays, and to make class reunions more fun. That to me is an accomplishment and a step in the right direction for a more healthy lifestyle. I am not going to give up all of my fun. Yea we shouldn't have had those tacos but I had an amazing 1-1/2hr car ride that I'll take the lil shit I put in me. I felt like I was back in college, making stupid jokes, just laughing so hard it hurts, getting crazy with my friends, going on mini adventures, and yea I enjoyed my taco. So I say screw it, those type of nights seem to be dwindling as I get older so I will savor them and whatever I eat after 12. I must say I am not hungover so WIN for me.

In other news, I guess I missed the what I am thankful deadline so I have til next year. :)

Crossfit workouts now...woo

Did the HSPU workout E2 talked about and finished in 15:25. Obviously scaled pike pushups on box and I did all my pullups on the blue band. I have graduated from the green to the blue officially. No turning back. Next is purple!! Hopefully by Presidents Weekend. haha

The hardest workout I did thus far was this past week. My PR powerclean is 75lbs and here I am doing 3 75lb cleans, 6 box pushups, 9 squats max reps 3 mins...1 min rest..5 rounds. Holy crap cleaning was no fun but I did clean 75lbs 9 times the first round and slowly got worse each round. haha I was just surprised I could clean it that much because it is my PR to date. So I am improving but it was definitely very hard.

Okay gotta run..going to north jersey..kells

Awkward Turkey....KTo

2009-11-28T12:44:00.002-05:00

I know I'm late on the 30 day challenge bus... but after I basically cleared out Taco Bell last night & a bag of chips( thanks for the reminder kells) I feel like SHIT. I've been eating healthy, no I can't even type that it's a lie. It ends now. I'm going paleo for 30 days. Im only drinking 2 beers when I do drink.

On a more awkward note, last night was my 6 1/2 year reunion. I know I know I'm old! Of course there were a few WINS and some massive FAILS. After the double-whiskey-coke-no ice kicked in I had a blast. Funny how fbook takes away the element of surprise at reunions for me. I blame my drunkeness on the dirty lines at that place, the draught beer tasted like waxy shit so watch out. The biggest WIN was the dance party at RICHEEZ.... good shit. Biggest FAIL- talking to someone you only know through their CRAZY status updates to find they are...well boring. I just expected so much more insanity. Oh well thats what I get for fbook stalking-defriended. The night ended with a trip to one Taco Bell that closed so Kells got on her phone and called around for a open Taco Bell at 2am, that's a friend or a partner in fattyMcfattness. Either way, I got my 2 cheesey gordita chicken crunches and cinnamon twists, and Angs cinnamon twists, end scene. I woke up today not sure what hurt more my headache from the jack or my stomach from the war I raged against it last night. Here's a visual:

BIG THANKS to Greg for DD and putting up with my drunk ass

Rocky steps with E2-Fthat, FFFThatttt haahah

KTo OUT

What a Strapper

2009-11-28T09:49:00.005-05:00

Burn the Bird WOD
Strength:Pike push ups on the box 1-1-1-1-1
Metcon:
15 Pike Push ups
400m Run
15 Pullups
12 Pike Push ups
15 Pullups
400m Run
12 Pullups
9 Pike Push ups
400m Run
9 Pullups

FRAN + Burn the Bird = Arms that don't fully extend over your head.

I'm not kidding. I'm laying in bed with my littles and I can barely move these rubberbands I used to call arms. I overslept for the 9am WOD today by the Grace of God. It's bench pressing. Not sure if I could bench press a pencil right now. I'm craving a stretch but it hurts to move.

Yesterday's WOD was pretty cool. The list you see above was subbed of course. Rxd was HSPUs and weighted pull ups, and the beasts that completed that were nothing short of hot-hot-hot. I finished in 11:46 and was happy with that.

On the last round last set of nine pull ups, I returned from my sprint to find my purple band gone. I walked around in a circle confused, not sure what to do, knowing the clock was ticking, when Kellz pointed to the highest pull up bar. Someone moved my pull up band from the low bar (where I need a box to get in it), to the high bar. After a very subtle, "WHAT THE FUCK?" I asked for Warren's help to get on the higher bar and banged out the last nine.

My anger at losing 7 or so seconds and someone moving my band surprised me. The mover in question was a newbie, who wanted to use the band and had no idea that it was not Paleo to move someone's equipment in the middle of the workout. Poor guy will not do that again. If he comes back.

Best part was I thought Darius was the culprit. He occupied my original spot, spread out like a tattooed eagle doing textbook weighted pullups. I took one look at him and screamed, "Yo pretty boy, did you move my band?" Of course, he laughed in reponse.

I'm so frustrated that I need that stupid thing to begin with. That's probably why the anti-Erin reared her ugly mouth. I am on the last color in the blasted rainbow series, and there is one more thinner purple before I leave that strap forever. I want to be done with it by April 12, my 37th birthday. That is, if i can move my arms by then.

I missed the 9, the 10 just started, so today it's a WOD of my own creation. I am heading to the Art Museum to Rocky up and down the steps. I will let these useless appendages hang while my powerhouse quads do all the work. After that--a long run too.

I invited my partner in everything Crossfit and Criminal to go with me. Kto's response, a very simple five letter Facebook post. "Fthat."

If I could reach the phone on my nightstand, I'd text her back a very original hahahaha. But alas, I am stuck here in my bed, with only my legs to drive me through the day. Pray that I find the recover enough to hold my beers tomorrow!

Sidebar: I know my hot ginger-snap date will gladly hold my pint while I drink it through a straw. GO EAGLES!

ThanksFRANing Day

2009-11-26T22:23:00.006-05:00

WOD: Fran
21-15-9
Thrusters, 45lbs.
Pull Ups
Time: 6:57

Today I am thankful for my son Kevin Patrick and his leadership, maturity, sweet loving ways and his rocking cool faux hawk. He’s John Cena from WWE meets Andy from Toy Story.

I am thankful for Jack Patrick and his recovery that is nothing short of amazing, his sense of humor and his perfect little face. Even as his 40-pound body shoves me off the edge of my California King bed in the middle of the night, I love every yummy inch of him.

I am thankful for Kelly Claire. She saved me four years ago, and she continues to do so on a daily basis. Her blue-eyed innocence and her high-heeled fashion sense rock my world. She will forever be my dreams personified.

I am thankful for my mother. She gave birth to me 36 years ago and continues to give life to me every day. She is the main investigator on Case Jack, and she has helped me find my boy. I’m forever in her debt.

I am thankful for Crossfit and my Tribe of crazies. Steve for having the passion and the drive to lead the charge. DeLuca and his perfect eyebrows. Erin and her encouragement. Pat and his beastliness. Tim and his sound effects. Ali and her transformation. Kellz and her commitment. Chris and his nipple rings. Warren and his smile. The Collingswood contingent and all they bring to the pull up bar. Justin & Alycia and their costumes. Darius and his goofy hotness. Greengas and her strength. Dan and his Collingswood listings. Stink and his Pop Shop. Ian and his filth. Rick Liberati and his—oh, that’s right, he quit. And for those I haven’t mentioned, hell I love you too. Especially if I can out run or out squat you.

I am thankful for my Steve’s Club boys, especially Figgy, Charlie and Doc. They show me that triumph in the face of adversity is worth fighting for. They also remind me to teach my children the goodness of all their birthright provided.

I am thankful that Richard is home safe. A finer man I do not know. He served bravely for 7 months without complaint. A Major in the Marine Corps, he flew helicopters at night over the dangerous skies of Afghanastan. More importantly, he sits at the head of my favorite family—the Youngs of Mullica Hill.

I am thankful for Rosie Girl. She helps me to be the most beautiful me that I can be, both inside and out. And let's face it, she's dirty hot.

Last but not least, I am thankful for KTo. She spends almost ten hours a day with me and loves me despite myself. Her support professionally, personally and physically makes everyday a dance party. She is funny, strong, smart, beautiful and has an insane tattoo. Her boyfriend has a rocking cool pad at 9th and Spruce I get to crash at. What more could you ask for in a friend?

Happy Thanksgiving peeps. I’m glad I structured my Thanksgiving Day (and my Thanksgiving Eve) around Fran. Her reputation of being a whore is not totally deserved. She wasn’t all that bad. And for that I am most thankful.

What are you thankful for?

2009-11-26T14:43:00.000-05:00

As I sit here post-Fran & wine in hand I can't help but think, DAMN life is good. I have an utterly AMAZING circle of friends and family who I love more and more each day. I'm stronger & faster than I've ever been in my life and I'm encouraged each day to give more of myself. Each year I look back and think about what new event or change I'm most thankful for. Usually I ponder over a few glasses of wine before making my final decision. This year I knew the answer before popping the first cork, CROSSFIT.

Following this crazy blog of Kells E2 & myself you probably saw that one coming...

I've gained so many new BFFs through the Tribe I can't even begin to count or thank! Each one has helped lift me through grueling moments both in & out of the gym. They've helped me not "DROP THAT SHIT" & reminded me when I wore my blouse. I love them all.

In 2009 I am most thankful for my Crossfit Family.

WOD

(Wine of the Day)

Red Cat "The Original Hot Tub Wine"

How could you NOT drink a wine with a picture of a cat in a hot tub on the front?? That's one hot pussy. The Oneill Family first introduced me to this sweet nectar. It's a rose wine that's super smooth and sweet. Hands down my favorite wine. Red Cat hails from the Hazlitt Winery in the Finger Lakes, NY. At 8.99 it's a recession buy fosho! I've only found it at Total Wine in Cherry Hill & Dela-where.

Side Note: Last night at Varga, tasted Sly Fox's Christmas Ale. WERD UP. This year Sly Fox has really grown on me. Good stuff.

KTO OUT

BREAKFAST OF BRAINLESS CHAMPIONS

2009-11-23T20:26:00.015-05:00

I picked the headless box pic for this post because I was without my ever-loving mind to get up this morning at 6am to Crossfit. It must be Monday. I must be trying to make up for a slack week. I must be completely brainless.

Just kidding. But not really.

I absolutely love training with Erin D, better known as Erin-1, so the pain was worth it. But man was it cold and damp at 6:30am when I left the house! I skipped my usual coffee for fear of listening to it slosh around my empty stomach and burping it up while I was doing burpees. I have made that mistake before at a weekend open gym, and man it ain't pretty. With the exception of extremely loud music, sound effects in the gym are useless. Unless of course, they come from my boy Timmy Carr.

WOD

Buy In: Renegade Rows 15lbs, 10 reps

AMRAP, 20 minutes

25 burpees

15 95lb. back squats

I surprised myself with the buy in. A renegade row is a full push up but upon extension, you must complete a full row with each arm. One and one was one, which in the CF world means you have to complete the rep on both sides for it to count as one. I completed 5 with minimal pain, took a breather, and completed the last 5. For most people, this would not be a great feat, but I have the upper body strength of my Grandmother, who has been dead for 7 years now. I'm working on it.

Lower body is a different story. I was going to attempt to use 115lbs. for the back squat, but after seeing one rep at 95lbs., I knew that I was where I needed to be. Rx'd weight on the backsquat was bodyweight, but I would have put up one round if I attempted that.

Erin put me in the cage, which was super cool and made me feel extremely diesel. I have only seen Pat and Darius in there, and at the time, both were looking all kinds of ripped while backsquatting multiple times their body weight. Shirtless. Now that I'm sweating more that I did this am, back to the WOD.

It was a son of a mother squatting bitch. The first burpees were close to impossible. Not sure why. Maybe it was the time of day, my lack of activity the week prior or the multiple beverages I consumed on Saturday night. It's any one's guess. And yes, Steve, I know what your guess is, so no need to post. CF first, AA later.

The backsquats were actually fun. I completed them in three sets of 5 and never failed. I burned the hell out of my legs, and I enjoyed every rep. Holding my breath makes all the difference. This portion of the WOD was my rest. Erin said my backsquats were "ass to grass." I'm very proud of my mobility, one of the few things I get to actually show off at my gym with all the bionical twenty-somethings running around.

I ended up one backsquat shy of four rounds. Out out damn water spot! I took too many drink breaks, and as Erin counted down the final seconds, it became painfully aware that I was going to be a down-up away. I completed the last rep for good measure but was disappointed. Four full rounds was my mental goal.

I laid on the ground for some time to recover. My comrades were cleaning up their weights and chatting about the WOD, but I worked on my sweat angel for a good 7 minutes. This is my favorite part about Crossfit. I'm addicted to the afterglow. And much like when doing the real deal, I don't want any talking, snuggling or touching immediately after. Maybe just a big swig of water and the bathroom before hauling myself up and moving on with my day. (Unless the trainer-o-the-day is going to call for another round. I'm always up for a big buyout or invisible chairsit.)

It was nice to be done before the day even started. It was even better to return home, eager to jump in the shower but distracted by the young stud waiting under the covers. He was warm, he was delicious, and he was so happy to see me. I wrapped my arms around him, my hair still wet with sweat, smelled his sweet neck and drifted back to sleep.

It was a super clean diet day too! Paleo and sugar-booze free, with one orange as a mid-morning snack. Over 120 grams of protein consumed. I feel very good tonight and am going to have ten hours of sleep for dessert.

Getting up at the crack of dawn for my sweaty session was not brainless after all. My breakfast included 100 burpees, 59 backsquats and the love of a good Jack. On that note, I bid you good night, and I set my alarm for 7:30 am.

AN OFF WEAK WITH A HAPPY ENDING

2009-11-22T19:37:00.012-05:00

What a terrible training week. Kick offs and kids off only allowed me to get in one CF session and two four mile runs. I feel tired, cranky and generally miserable.

Not to be confused with how I felt last night! Rocking the Bancroft Butterfly Ball with KTo and Dr. Feelgood was an absolute blast. Celebrating the magic of Bancroft and all that has been done for my Jackie and others with developmental disabilities was an incredible experience. (The mini egg rolls and the bartender I bribed to keep the last of the Amstels hidden on ice weren't bad either.)

I proudly told all of the rich bitches at the shin dig that I was a proud parent of a child with a developmental disability. In most circles, stating that your child has Autism only gets you awkward stares and unwanted pity. But at the Butterfly Ball, telling others that my Jack is being cured at the skillful hands of the brilliant Bancroft professionals turned my platform open-toe Michael Kors' stilettos into tiny glass slippers. And even though I was the only chick rocking a black-pants-off-the-shoulder catsuit at the ball, I felt like a modern-day Cinderella in faux jewels and false eyelashes.

In my twisted tale, Dr. G is my fairy Godfather and KTo is my non-wicked stepsister. Jack is my prince, and even though he's not ready to marry me just yet, he can give and accept physical affection and spiritual love. What more could I ask for? A prince closer to my age? An unassisted pull up? A sub-22 5K? All in good time friends.

There's a few things I've learned over the past four years. Searching for a missing child that's right next to you is a daunting task. Looking for happiness in an environment of despair can seem impossible. Struggling for strength when you feel like giving up is exhausting. That said--finding your child and creating the environment he needs to be happy and strong is it's own reward. No, it's probably not the way I would have written my Happily Ever After, but it's my tale, and it's the stuff dreams are made of.

Thanks KTo and Fairy G for all of your nonsense. I love it so. Special thanks Bancroft for making the event open bar. I was buzzed enough to dance that line between appropriate and inappropriate which is always a good laugh for everyone at the United Way table (except for that one wife who is so annoyed with me that she makes her husband leave early). Lastly, BIG props to Fred for the fabulous dance moves. I'd like to say I was your Ginger, but the original Ginger lush was in the house and was mixing her cocktail choices, so I'm happy being Cinderella. Come over with the platform stiletto when you are ready, and we will see if it fits.

See you at 7am Crossfit. I'll pay the piper for my absence, but that's okay. After writing this post, I'm much less tired, cranky and generally not miserable.

Addicted! -Kells

2009-11-20T17:10:00.003-05:00

Yea I am. My shoulder is stopping me from going everyday but 4 times this week for me. :)

Had alot more firsts this week...you always learn something new everyday so its never dull and that is one of the many reasons I keep coming back.

-Met 1/2 Angie...meh I like Helen, Elizabeth and Cindy better.:P I am actually gonna call her the "Karen" of the group. This isn't someone who is easy on your shoulder but I am not gonna b*tch about it. Anyway still powered through the workout and I hope next time I do her I use smaller band and do 75! :)

Shoutout to Kto and Greengas for doing their first bandless pull up! :) I am so proud of them and I guess I have to hang out with the bands alone. tear haha.

-Front squats - 95lbs

- The Bear Complex...Roar..Do bears roar? or is that just lions? Anyway did from 35lbs-45lbs with my best time in my 5th round(45lbs - 2:15) I was getting the hang of the movements more each round and was alil tired but not really because I stayed on the lighter side to not make my injury worse. I know it is smarter to go lighter than hurt myself and be out for a long time. Idk what I would do then..go through withdrawal. haha I guess just squat everyday. :)

-Deadlifted 175lbs 3 times. My PR is 185 but I remember last time I struggled getting 175 up consistently. Not that it was easy, but it felt easier than last time and I didn't fail. Failing anything sucks.

-Uppercutted my nose with the bar while doing a push press....that also sucks hardcore.

Oh and awesome note. I did 17 burpees in 1 minute. Sometimes I surprise myself. Before we did it I thought...okay sprint 100m and then hope to get 10-12 burpees in a minute.

Just goes to show the results are there if you put out the effort and that is the most rewarding part. :)

holla weekend!

HAPPY FRIDAY! -KTo

2009-11-20T14:50:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday

Don't worry Steve, It's Sunflowerseedbutter

There were apples...

An Open Letter to the Tribe Pullup Bands...

2009-11-18T18:41:00.000-05:00

Dear Pullup Bands,

Hey.. I know you've heard the rumors and well I thought you should hear it from me first. This relationship is....well it's not you it's me. Really. Don't blame this on yourself. We've been growing apart lately. I know this may seem sudden, but it's not. Since Grippler Crippler I've known. You've been there for me since day one, giving me that extra umph helping me along through Cindy & Fran and for that I'll never forget you. I know this must be hard on you, you've recently lost your dear friend Rachel Greengas and EKellz has been checking out the bare bar...we all know. But don't fret, there are plenty of new tribers in the box every week! We're just better as friends. I'll see you round the rings every once and a while.

Thanks for the memories,

KTo

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today I did my first unassisted pullups.

Badass.

Special Thanks to Steve, Rachel & Tim today!

Good Karma

2009-11-16T21:52:00.006-05:00

My first thought goes to my beloved KTo and her BFF Kells. I am not worthy to be on your blog. You are younger, funnier, hotter, cooler and faster. Alright, maybe you're not faster, but you will be soon. Get off my ASS in the gym, but thanks for letting me be a part of your mASSterpiece. Someday when we have over 5 followers we will rule the world.

Weird day for me to start blogging about Crossfitting, because I did not do Angie today. She is a whore, and I would have loved to battle her, but I had someone to keep company. I went to court with my boy Figgy. I fell in love with Fig the day I met him. His aura of innocence is the ultimate irony for he has seen more pain in his twenty years than most of us see in a lifetime. I couldn't let him go alone.

After court, over bacon cheddar cheeseburgers, he asked me if I believed in karma. I did not hesitate to answer yes, and I added the hope that some good was coming his way soon. He said he was patiently waiting for it to arrive. Webster defines karma as the force generated by a person's actions. Fig honors his mother, cares for his siblings, shows the utmost respect to the Tribers and is humble beyond belief. He made some mistakes but who hasn't? It's his turn to get it right, and I know he will.

My good karma arrived in January of this year when I walked into our starter home on Route 38. I was looking for a way to workout on my lunch hour and searching for the strength to change my life. I needed a place to be Erin the athlete and escape the mother-wife-writer-VP-autism advocate-crusader I was the other 23 hours of the day. I was welcomed home by Steve and Erin-1 that day, and I am forever in their debt.

I told Figgy he too has a home at the Tribe with his boyz from Steve's Club. Our Tale of Two Tribes sharing space and sweat and Steve is a sweet one. I love to feed the kids as much as I love that they feed my soul. When things get hard for Fig over the next months, I want him to remember he has a place to hang his many unbroken brim baseball hats, tags still attached.

Can't wait to deadlift tomorrow. I know Kells will kill it. She has something to prove for sure. I hope I can squeeze in a run, I hauled four miles today and four yesterday. If I don't lean out I'll never get a pull up or be rid of the box my Grandmother uses to assist her in her push ups.

My last thought goes out to Fig. You are young, funny, hot, cool and fast. Alright, maybe you're not fast, but you are good at making Paleokits. Watch out for your ASS, and make your future your very own mASSterpiece. In five years, you'll be well on your way to ruling the world.

ANGIE

2009-11-16T14:50:00.000-05:00

Coming off of a wedding weekend, this was an awesome workout for me. I did 1/2 Angie, finished and went back for 25 more of Angie ending in 24:39. I'm confident the next time Angie rolls her bitch ass into the tribe I'll kill it 100 reps.

In other news... yesterday I visited PYT( in the piazza@ schmidts in nolibs) Got the PYT Burger..AHHHHHMAZING...the Burger was Paleo..I think.. but not the wonderful Martin's Potato Bread Bun, orrr the Adult Milkshake Peanutbutterchocolatebanana with RUMMM...YUMM. But you win some you loose some. Back to cutting carbs this week.

On the Beer Scene I've been really enjoying the Yards Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale 9% @ Varga Bar . It's a strong golden ale that's super smooth and one of 2 of Varga's Cask Ales .Varga has become one of my favorite new spots, great rotating beer selection, sweet potato gnocchi that's out of this world, and of course my new obsession- cereal ice cream, not to mention its 1/2 block from my BF's house. Also right off PATCO @ 10th & Locust. I suggest you check it out, and if you do give me a call...

Or just look for this woman I'm usually right next to her...

3 in a row!

2009-11-10T22:52:00.005-05:00

I can remember in the very beginning, about a month ago, that after one workout I was so sore the next day that it was hard enough to get out of bed and walk down the stairs in the morning and the thought of going to Crossfit the day after was LUDICROUS!!! If you don't believe me, look at my first couple posts. haha

Now I recently did 3 workouts in a row! HOLLA!

Sunday

Open Gym
(Side Note:People competing at the games were there and did 3 hardcore workouts in one day. I refer to them as "the hardcores". <3 their energy)

Cindy - AMRAP 20 mins
5 pull ups - green band
10 push ups
15 squats

I actually really like to do Cindy, thats right I like to do her, because I think it helps work on two things I am really bad at: pull ups and push ups. My body is getting stronger but I can't say my memory is....I am pretty sure I did 11 rounds.

I also practiced technique for cleans using 55lbs. I am getting more comfortable but it still feels foreign. I ended the afternoon with tabata planks. <3 them.

Monday

Filthy 25's (would be 50 if I was a 'hardcore')

30 mins to complete! GO

25 Box jump, 24 inch box
25 Jumping pull-ups
25 Kettlebell swings, 1 pood
Walking Lunge, 25 steps
25 Knees to elbows
25 Push press, 45 pounds
25 Back extensions
25 Wall ball shots, 14 pound ball
25 Burpees
25 Double unders

Maybe I am sick but I really liked this one. Maybe because it wasn't repetitive. We first substituted 25 double unders for 100 rotations jump roping because double unders is a hard skill to acquire. (Where the rope passes under twice for one jump)

I completed the workout in 21:32. Then I tried to do double unders and successful completed the total workout in 26:26. I was proud of myself because going into it I did not think I would complete it in 30 mins and I was well under. Next time I should probably try to kill myself and do a higher rep. Worked out first time with Esha and she did awesome too. All the other nooners had too much to drink this weekend I guess. :) That workout really made my ass hurt..haha but according to my trainer that means I am doing it right.

Tuesday

Strength/Skill
Clean
1-1-1

WOD
AMRAP in 12 minutes
35 lb. db. Clean, 3 reps each arm
35 pound KB Swing, 6 reps
Knees to elbows, 9 reps

Did cleans alil differently today! THANK GOD! haha Used dumbells and did singles. For strength we did one rep each arm with 25lbs, 35lbs, and 45lbs. Then for the WOD we used 35lbs. Did 5 rounds + 1 clean in 12 mins. I really tried to keep up with E2 and Kto. They push me to do better and I <3 them. Here are pics of them beasting 205lbs deadlifts!!

Super Duper Special Side Note: I have lost 2" off my waist and I still enjoy chocolate chip cookies and the occasional cheesesteak. Thanks Crossfit!! :)

Sorry Steve about the cheesesteaks and cookies. haha

One month mark! yay

2009-11-06T17:05:00.005-05:00

I am basically at my one month mark! yay! Lets see in one month I feel a lot stronger, leaner, SKINNIER, HAPPIER and HEALTHIER! I gotta say not too bad for one month. I do need to work on eating more protein though but I am improving on my diet. I know me enough that I can't change it overnight.

I also learned a lot of new things I never knew before:

-What's a burpee and that they are not my friend
-What kbells are and how to properly swing them
-What power cleans are and how to properly do them even though most the time I dont
-Tried deadlifts for the first time ever and that so far I can do 185lbs
-Kipping and that I can actually accomplish a pullup with the help of a band.
-What ring rows, ring dips, thrusters, squat cleans, mountain climbers, strict press, knees to elbows, wall balls, box jumps, and hspu all are and tried them for the first time ever in my life.
-That I love/hate Elizabeth, Cindy and Helen.
-That I can have a way better workout in 20mins that 30mins on the treadmill could never ever touch in 4 million lifetimes
-That I love doing invisible chairs and throwing E2 under the bus
-That I admire everyone I workout with and love their positive energy

And the learning continues everyday. :)

Today:

WOD
4 RDS

100 m SPRINT!! (emphasis on the SPRINT)
8 Thrusters 55lbs
(3 min rest in between)

Okay my first round was my best haha - 1:24. I didnt subtract the rest yet. I completed it and did my best. I need to perfect my form!! ARG!

Definitely can feel it in my thighs! OMG!! Im scaried for tomorrow morning. Foam roller is my bff.

Wednesday:

Deadlifts! 7x1

Did a few lighter weights like 155/165 then lifted 175lbs twice and 185lbs once. Personal best is 185. :) E2 and KTo put up 205 like it was no thing. Beoches. haha. One day! Tim put up 475! Beast mode!

5 mins AMRAP Pushups

Did 81.....yea hardcore scaled :)

Favorite part of the day....INVISIBLE CHAIR

The Gripler Cripler

2009-11-05T20:24:00.000-05:00

4 Rounds

100m Run

10 Sandbag Shouldering (i.e. ground to shoulder)

(5 each side)

20 Knees to Elbow

20 Pull Ups

About halfway through when I saw Tim pull out the tape and wrap up his hands I looked down and saw blood. Welcome to Crossfit. I love it. Tim tossed me the tape, I wrapped the shit outta my hands ( with the help of C's teeth) and carried on. Yeah it sucked, but it would have sucked more if I didn't finish. So I kept jumping up to the bar one pull-up at a time. At one point I paused to catch my breath and took a look around. The sweat, blood, and pre-vomit burps surrounded me- what a beautiful moment.

Big UPs to the 12Nooners

And on the beer side of this blog...I'm at Varga Bar sippin on some SlyFox Black Raspberry. Ahhhmazing. Picture to come after if I find my phone cord haha.. Oh and if you want to check out an amazing Philly Beer Blog go to Beer Lass. They even have a Women's IPA( In Pursuit of Ale) club! <3 and now onto a Hoptimus Prime!

On a lighter note LETS GO 2010 FIGHTINS!

Plus we will always be the WFC!!!

Keeping my head up

2009-10-20T23:32:00.005-04:00

It has been awhile since I posted but I had to watch the Phillies and do homework. haha. I will start with Sunday's workout because it was first and I would rather not talk about todays. :)

I went to my first open gym and learned kipping pull-ups using the blue band. Steve was nice enough to teach me and once I got the hang of it I realized how much easier it is to do than a straight pull-up. If you don't know what it is because I didn't google it. :) I then did what I call:

"Cindy's Little Sister"
As Many Rounds As Possible (AMRAP) in 15 minutes:

5 pullups (I did ring rows)
10 pushups (scaled)
15 squats (woo no scaling haha)

I lost count. It was 7 or 8. haha but I def. felt it in my arms and back the next two days.

Steve then helped me with my kball technique and after learning it, the 35lbs ball felt like the 25lbs. So YAY I can tell I am improving! haha

Todays workout was not my friend.

WOD

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1

Power Clean
Pull Ups
(15:00 time cap.)

I had 65lbs on my bar and I became really frustrated when I could not consistantly get the bar up. I know what I need to do for technique but it was hard to do it anyway. I don't like when I become frustrated with myself because I think I can be a borderline beoch and its something I have to work on. I'm not mad at anyone but myself but I think it may not come across like that sometimes. I first scratched the workout after the first set and practiced my technique on my power cleans. My mind was no longer in it to do the workout.

After I worked on my technique with Steve, I did 8-7-6-5-4 with 65lbs. I flew through the kipping pull-ups and only failed a few times with the power cleans. I wouldn't say I was proud of myself because of how I acted today but I did improve my technique, do most of the workout, and after the workout I tried the pull-ups on the green band and I think I can move on to that one. :)

So of course with life their are ups and downs, achievements and setbacks, and I can see this in both of my workouts. This will continue in life I know and I was born a fighter so bring it!

Side Note: I lost an inch of my waist!!! Woooo! After 2 weeks and some cheating. haha

Oh Elizabeth

2009-10-15T17:20:00.008-04:00

I met Elizabeth today and lets say I don't think I am ready to hang out with her yet. She is too hardcore for me. I am still learning my power cleans and then you want me to WHAT?! oh of course SQUAT! Squaty Squat squat boo.

WOD

"Elizabeth"

21 - 15 - 9

Squat Clean (55lbs for me)

Ring Dips (with the assistance of Mr. Blue Band)

Sweet lordy-lou. If there ever is a time I feel super out of shape besides the first day, it is NOW. Since I cant really squat clean YET, I had to power clean it and then squat down to the ball. (Thanks Steve) I wish I was just a natural squat cleaner haha because I have a feeling this was more energy and I know time consuming than doing it all in one motion. Anyway, not complaining just saying.

Ring Dips! The only kinda dips I knew before this was chips and dip and skinny dip. (both of which I am a fan) Not so much this ring dip YET but I still give it all I got. I also finally met E2 in person. Holla!

I love/hate the part when my body wants to tap out like hardcore and it shakes but I have my goal in mind and I want to get there. I rarely accept anything less I want to curse out my arms and legs for letting me down but I push through it. Driving home after the workout I wished I drove an automatic because even pressing the clutch was hard. Cannot wait for tomorrow.

So I finished the whole workout. Time....I should leave that out because it is terrible but we are all friends here. 30:16 mins. Yea I know I could have watched two episodes with no commericals of Always Sunny but next time I will try to get it down to one episode. Okay!

Last night birthday dinner was AMAZING. I absolutely love my friends and family. They are the best! Erdinger is awesome <3 Kasespatzle was just how I remembered it in Germany. Pictured below is my new hot workout top Kto got me for my birthday. She also got me a hot sports bra but I am not ready to show off the goods. haha Also a picture outside of my new favorite German spot and my Kasespatzle carby carbs!

HAPPY 25th KELLS!

2009-10-14T22:46:00.001-04:00

So tonight was Kells Bday Celebration at Bruahaus Schmidtz on 7th & South. What an awesome German place for my favorite German Gal! I stuck with my "I'm only going to drink good brews and 1 or 2...no more than 3. I started with this Weisenhosen Beir Nicht Zer Gut beer the waitress told me was a great German pilsner. I ordered her recommendations and received light clear looking beer.. Apparently I ordered the Natty Ice of Germany cause one sip and I was transported back to a dark basement in New Brunswick... wishing for some Jimmy's Pizza. EPIC GERMAN BEER FAIL. I drank it because like all those nights spent in dirty New Brunz basements at Rutgers.... I had to. It was a beer and beers are meant to be drunk...or get you drunk, either way. I finished up with the Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale which saved the day not to mention the weiner shcnizel spatezle du hast mich ich bin gut meat thing i ate. Check the phohhtohhhs; to come tomorrow when my computer stops drinkin the krista haterade

Today is my Birthday! holla!

2009-10-14T13:29:00.004-04:00

First strict press ever! 50lbs. Aww baby weights. It is a lot harder then it looks. (Photo inspired by E1 because I think they look cool with the part b&w.) :)

Before I talk about yesterday's WOD, I did kickbox and Zumba over the weekend. The instructor asked where I learned to kick because I have a beastie round house and I said my days on the streets which was a joke. I recieved a black belt in karate at the age of 13. Okay the cats outta the bag. He was cute and knew who I was but not that cute to pay for a membership to the gym. haha. Zumba was interesting but I realized I practically Zumba every time I go out dancing. :) I did these classes with my aunt, cousin, and mother. So we had a good time.

WOD - 10.13.09

Strength: Press 3 x 5

First ever! Did 3 x 5 using 45lbs and then 1 x 3 50lbs. E2 was busting out like 75lbs. Supermom!

Metcon:

15-10-5

Wall Balls(10lbs)/Box Jumps(24")/KBall Swings(25lbs)

Time: 5:16

I am getting better at this and it doesn't hurt to squat!! Best feeling EVER! Diet is going well. Cheated alittle when my mother came up to visit. I had to show her chickie and pete fries at the game. :) Will cheat tonight for my birthday. Just putting it out there now. haha

Crossfit in the morning so only 1-2 beers for me.

Oh Ginger SNAP!

2009-10-10T09:11:00.000-04:00

Oh October:

By far my favorite fall brew.

When you smell it, you smell fall:

cool weather, orange leaves, carving pumpkins, ginger snaps, sweaters

another Phillies World Series Ring!

Live United!

Mama Dukes is a Beastie!

2009-10-09T14:50:00.010-04:00

4th session today and Mom came with me because she flew up from Florida for my birthday and told me that she wanted to workout while she was up there. I said "Oh I will show you a workout." :P I was confident that my 51 year old, I mean 29 year old mother could do Crossfit because she has been a fitness person longer than I have been alive but I don't think she has done a workout like this before.

WOD

9-6-3

HSPUs

Knees to elbows
24" Box Jumps

We both somehow did a handstand but yea then doing a push up while in a handstand you better have like $500 dollars on the ground if you think I have any chance at touching the floor with my head. We did box presses instead; my upper body is super weak and that has always been frustrating to me. When I felt like I couldn't touch my head anymore, I just did 2 more presses as far as I could go down on top of the prescribed. This will be something I definitely need to work on.

Knees to elbows. Yea right again. haha Mom and I just did leg lifts straight out. I hurt my hip flexor somehow last session because when I went to do this it was painful. I should probably keep an eye on it so nothing worse happens to it.

24" box jumps. I really enjoyed these once I got the possiblity of falling out of my head.

8 mins

Mom 7:58mins (I let her win. jk)

I have no feelings about the time because I know I need to work A LOT on my technique for the scaled HSPUs and the knees to elbows. I was trying to do the best I could but I know it really isn't up to par.

Then we learned double unders which I guess I am a natural at it...well for a beginner :)

We ended the day with weighted planks tabata. My body was shaking the whole time but I never gave up. Mom is a plank machine. She really enjoyed the workout. :)

Lessons Learned

2009-10-06T19:43:00.000-04:00

After not drinking for 25 or 20+ days I felt amazing. I realized Saturdays could start before 1pm, club soda & lime was a great fake drink, and most of all, my nights didn't have to end with a slice of pizza or two. I was feeling faster, stronger and my times were improving. I truly believed I learned my lesson. Then E2 completed her 30 days alchy free, so we celebrated...with 4 too many Troegs@ Swift Half and 5 too many Cadillac Margaritas @Dos Segundos( actual consumption levels may vary). Again I woke up with a killer headache and my hand in a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos. Son of a Bitch. I was hurting, I was pissed, but most of all I was disappointed. I knew there was no way I could Crossfit that day.

I love beer I truly do. I just reached that point I don't love it enough to feel like shit for days. Not saying I won't do it again, it will just be few and far between. I enjoy my time at the tribe it keeps me sane. I can't let the deliciousness of Troegs hold me back. That being said here are some pictures before the carnage...

Yea. We are some hot messes.

On a higher note: This past Sunday a bunch of us Crossfit Tribers ran the Goodlooking Foundation 5k in support of Autism and my boy Jack Patrick. It was great to do my first 5K in support of the coolest little man I know. Awesome feeling to have all of us Living United.

10/6/2009

WOD: 5rds

5 Deadlifts (125lbs)

10 Burpees

7:04

I'm Coming for you Kto :p

2009-10-06T14:50:00.003-04:00

Today was day 3 at Crossfit and I felt good about it. No Nicholas Cage boots this time. I think last week I threw a huge swimming pool sized bucket of water and told my body to wake up. I think I had my body's attention this week.

WOD
5 Rds

5 deadlifts - (125lbs) I almost looked as badass as KTo
10 Burpees- Last week you bruised my knee and this week you skinned them. We be fightin'!!

Killed it this week. Well for me. This was either easier than the workouts last week and/or I am getting better at it. If this one had a name and if it is the easiest one out of the girls I would have to call it Krista. OoOoo BURN! jk Krista all love babycakes.

I forget my time exactly but it was 8:15ish I think but we can round down to 8 mins. haha I will correct it on Friday. Krista finished it a minute before me. WATCH OUT! By Thanksgiving I am gonna start talking shit Kto.

Side Note: Tim killed it and then went rowing. If anyone is an animal it is him and not me.

One week for the diet so far and I did really well. Just ate what was prescribed and drank water. Okay okay okay I had a small Chai Tea but I asked for nonfat milk and c'mon they put mostly ice in those things. I had a gift certificate burning up in my purse so it was technically free so I decided it does not count. haha

I went to a baby shower on Sunday and said no to cake, RICE CRISPY TREATS, and most of the awesome food there and also to having a baby. Well til like in my 30s. Hopefully I have one before the well dries up is all I have to say and I say too much.

Friday Mama Dukes is coming to try out the class. If anyone is badass it is her. She will probably smoke me and is twice as old as me. Get it!

Call me butter because I am on a roll

2009-10-03T14:47:00.008-04:00

Ouchy, woke up today and this time it was my lower back. Legs are dandy but after breakfast man I was all juiced up(figuratively). I felt so motivated today and had all this energy to burn. I packed away most of my summer clothes and brought out the sweaters and SWEATER BOOTS! If you dont know about sweater boots, you should know. I cleaned my room, wrapped baby shower gifts, and have the birthday gift ready to be shipped to Germany. I then found the vacuum. I am currently living at my aunts house. I was vacuuming my room then I was like "LETS DO THIS!" and I did a vacuuming WOD.

Metcon:

Joanne!

Do as many rooms until your Aunt tells you stop or until you vacuum the whole house

GO! From my room, I went to the hallway, to my cousins room, down the steps, into the foyer, into the bathroom, another hallway, into office, then tackled the family room. That is when she rang the bell and said, "Kelly you did enough, thank you." Those carpets never saw me coming.

I did this all before 1pm. Yes, I know I am awesome.

It felt really good to help my aunt out and to get so much accomplished in the morning. I know she has a lot on her plate and I guess you could say, "yea kelly not that big of a deal its just running a vacuum." but until you know what I have felt like lately you would be proud of me too.

I think the word pity is an ugly word and I would never want anyone to ever pity me. I share this because I believe it could be inspiring, therapeutic, and that if you are in the same boat as me you are not alone. I am just trying to paint a picture of my life lately and as to why I am so glad that I joined Crossfit and that I have been really modivated lately. 2009 has not been my friend at all. I guess you could say I have felt for most of the year like the 'recessions punching bag'. The past nine months have probably been some of the hardest months for myself and my family. My stepdad's boat shop was repeatedly robbed of tens of thousands of dollars in boats and parts and the one time he tried to stop the robbers he was hospitalized and lucky to make it out alive. They live in Florida so it was hard for me to just sit in New Jersey and listen to all of this and not be able to help. Then my family in Jersey lost our house and we are now currently staying at relatives homes. I am at my aunts. I then broke up with someone I loved and in a nutshell I felt like he didn't care enough or want me around anymore. Then in the summer I was laid off from my job. In time this will probably be a blessing. So I guess by August I hit my rock bottom. I never resorted to alcohol or drugs, just reeses cups but I just felt like I have been kicked so much when I was down that maybe I should just stay down for alittle bit. Then I met Crossfit and I really have to thank Krista. I don't think she will ever grasp how much this has changed my life in what a week but I really think it turned me around. I realized I have to start with me and from there things will change for the better. So that was me just pouring my heart out on a blog but I am not ashamed to talk about it openly to whomever. I am still here, I still have my family, my friends, and my health. I have what is IMPORTANT.

Kelly meets the B*tch known as..Helen.

2009-10-02T16:08:00.000-04:00

Dead-lift's are my favorite lift because I feel like a badass lifting heavy weights off the ground. Then again I always feel like a badass at Crossfit...

And then Kells met Helen

"Helen"

3RDs for Time

400m Run

21 KB Swings

12 Pull-ups

The result?

After that she had a date with the foam roller

Good Shit.

Side Note: My time was 15:24....not happy- next time I'm gonna get that bitch in under 14...

"Spartans (and Kells) Never Surrender!!"

2009-10-02T15:14:00.006-04:00

Today I met this nice woman named Helen at Crossfit. I think pretty soon we could be best friends but today not so much because my legs felt like 200lbs. I felt like Nicholas Cage in the movie "Face Off" when he is in the jail and has those huge magnetic steel boots on 24/7. Oh yea and I had to run in them.

Strength:

DEADLIFTS! First deadlift ever if you dont count picking KTo up off the ground from drinking too much.

5 reps 60lbs
5 reps 80lbs
3 reps 125lbs
3 reps 145lbs

Felt really good to do these even though I had to semi squat.

Metacon:

HELEN! And she brings in her big bag of fun 3 rounds of:

400 m run (in invisible Nicholas Cage boots)
21 Kbell Swings - 25lbs
12 Pullups - with bands

My second round of pullups using blue band it began to get super tough and this is when Steve took my picture. I bet it will be super hott. This came easier to me than last workout but the last set of pullups I went to a gray band and that was easier to pull myself up.

24:35 min.

Okay not the best time but I finished it so I am happy with myself

I may not have the best reps or times but I have to say I do have the cutest notebook to track my progress at Crossfit.

I LOVE KELLS

2009-10-01T21:56:00.001-04:00

I was going to talk about the crazy WOD we did at 7am today. Then I read Kells post below and realized it was fff'n gold so heres some pics from today. Oh yeah and C & Doc killed it for Nordstrom visitors then we ate popshop

5 thrusters, 7 hang power cleans, 10 sumodeads AMRAP 20 mins

KTo:10 + 1 squat ( worst squat of the day)

E2 10 + 5 squats +4 hang power cleans

C & Doc KILLIN IT

2 hot UW MODELS<3

Side Note: Rogue Chocolate Stout =<3 more to come...

Reality Check!

2009-10-01T17:04:00.007-04:00

I think someone broke into my house last night and beat my legs with a metal bat...oh wait no now I remember they hurt so bad because of the squatathon I did yesterday at Crossfit.

I realized there are several things I am grateful for now...the ease of walking up and down steps when my legs are not on fire and I have a heightened sense of awareness as to how low the commode really sits.

Diet is going well. Mainly consists of egg whites, grilled chicken, veggies, nuts, some blueberries, and water so far. Recipes soon. :) I said no to a chocolate chip cookie and reeses cups even though they insist on showing up everywhere I go.

So the dreaded reality check that I am not as small as I would like to think I am...

Height: 5'6" - Goal: Stay the same because face it I am not gonna grow and I like taller men
Weight: 158lbs yes I am thick - Goal: Get er down but I will gain muscle. 145 lbs
Chest: 40" - Goal: BIGGER! haha if anywhere is allowed to grow it is here
Waist: 36" I hate you - Goal: I want this area to have the most significant change. 32" maybe
Hips: 39" - Goal: I dont think they can get smaller cuz I feel my bone haha
Thighs: 19" of pure ass kicking lead - Goal: More lean and defined
Arms: 11-1/2" - Goal: Same as legs; I dont want to be jacked though

So these are my before stats and I will do them again in 3 months to see the difference. :)

NL EAST CHAMPS!

2009-09-30T23:11:00.010-04:00

SHOUT OUT TO OUR PHILLIES!! AMAZING!
WOOHOO EVERYBODY HITS!

Side note: I wanted to eat everything there and there was a man eating a hot dog, a man eating pulled pork sandwich, and a man eating a cheesesteak all around me. I didn't though; I am awesome!

Ding Ding Ding! Round 1!!

2009-09-30T16:40:00.002-04:00

What Kells!!??? You are joining the Crossfit Tribe with KTo!??? That is bananas!!

I don't know what got into me but I gotta get off my butt and get results. I will accept nothing less. I am going to own Crossfit. Well scratch that Crossfit will own me but I will suck it up and enjoy every ounce of sweat the rolls off of me. Hey fat you can roll off too, I have noooo problems with that.

I can blame and thank KTo. We decided to blog a fitness journey to track our progress and will test recipes for our new diet. Unfortunately, nachos are not on the menu. Holla Landmark and Colonial. The hardest battle for me will be to stay away from CHEESE! I will try my hardest but this blog will have all the triumphs as well as the little setbacks. That is life.

My short term goal is from today to do 3 months of: Crossfit 2x a week with one open gym + paleo zone diet + a day of Yoga = my new hell. From there I will up the anty.

KTo has been part of the Crossfit Tribe for about 2 months and today was my very first day. For being someone who use to be active in sports to someone who spent most of her 4 years in college drinking beers with KTo in the Brunz and the past two years behind a desk, I knew today would be KILLER!

WOD:

Strength: 5 Goblet Squats x 3 reps; 50lbs

You can def feel this in your legs and abs. Not very difficult but Steve was trying to scale where my strength level is at since it was my first day. I tried to squat 100lbs but my knees bent like half way and were like no way girlfriend. haha one day. :)

Everyone else did Power Cleans but since I am a newbie I was handed the goblet. :)

Metacon:

15 Burpees
25 Good Mornings
25 Mt. Climbers

Everyone else including KTo did 4 rounds under 15 mins and Steve scaled mine back to 3. This was a huge struggle; Mt. Climbers are not my friend. When I got to the 3rd round of Good Mornings I felt like I was going to see Jesus. I didn't complete it before 15 mins but after a short rest I completed my workout. Everyone in the class was motivating me to go on and I think that really is a key part to getting to your goal. You need motivation and when you feel like you want to give up you need someone behind you to keep you going. Next time I hope to get the 3 in under 15 mins. Its all trying to make yourself better.

When I got home, I wasn't sure which was harder, Good Mornings or walking up the stairs. haha

My next round is Friday. Woo!

Oh it's ON!

2009-09-30T16:23:00.000-04:00

After putting up with my obnoxiously badass stories about throwing weight over my head and passing out after metcons, Kells has joined me on my Crossfit journey. Seeing that she is my partner in crime, beer drinking, cooking, and dancing, this should be interesting.

I started crossfittting at Crossfit Tribe about 2 months ago. It's an awesome addiction to have( Big thanks to E2 for introducing me). I've been rather active my whole life but coming out of college 2 years ago the dollar lagers & 50 cent slices had taken it's toll. I joined to be stronger, faster, live longer, and snowboard better. So far my progress has been awesome. Now I am ready to take it to the next level and go the Paleo route. Lucky for me Kells will be here with me trying out recipes, posting struggles and triumphs, and reviewing our weekly 2 beers. Yes, while we plan to revamp our lifestyle & diet, beer is something we will keep. It's a love for great brews.

Here we go.