Be Not Afraid

I haven't said much about the tragedies that occurred last week.

To be honest, I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around them.

It seems so naive to say, but I just can't understand how people have so much hatred in their hearts that they can do such horrible things to innocent people.

***

For the past four years, I have participated in Pat's Run with Glinda.

It took place yesterday and we've been signed up for a while now.

Every year, this particular race kills me! I don't know if it is because 30,000 people run it, or because it is typically very hot, or because it is 4.2 miles, but it is a bear of a race.

I forgot my running watch yesterday morning so I didn't know our pace throughout the race, but the official times have been posted and even I can't believe how fast we ran!

Yeah, that says we ran it in 9:58 pace. You can see that the third mile took us the longest - that was probably because I had to stop to retie my shoe and we had to run up the Rural Avenue bridge, but we made up for it on mile four. Holy cow!

I'd say we honored Pat Tillman's legacy along with all of those who were killed and injured in Boston on Monday.

We went out there and ran.

We weren't afraid.

You Gotta Have Faith. Faith. Faith.

I know that this is going to be hard for some of you to believe, because I appear so cool via my writing; but I can be a little cheesy.

Like, deep-down, at the core of my soul, I'm a total sentimental, cheese ball!

Now, I can play tough and intimidating (apparently a little too well), but the truth is, I'm a total sap.

I love cheesy quotes. And cheering for the underdog. And everything else that you would associate with being a total nerd.

So, yesterday at the end of rowing an all-out 2K, our coach told us, "tomorrow is going to be brutal. Come prepared for hard work."

When I looked up the WOD last night, this is what I found:

The workout was designed to honor the seven CIA officers killed in Afghanistan in December 2009. (I swear I've shared this story with you before...).

Either way - it is brutal!

I believe this is the second time I've done the workout, but I didn't previously record my time because back in those days I didn't know how. I'm so much wiser now.

Sometimes it is hard to understand the progress that I am making in CrossFit because it comes so slow. And because I do it nearly every day little victories, are just that - little. 

Before the clock started on The Seven, my coach said that there would be a 50 minute time cap. Then, 3...2...1...go!

I completed a modified version of the above workout in 40:19. The burpees, which would have normally been my undoing, were seemingly easy. I did the thrusters with 77 lbs - the last time I did this workout, I am fairly certain I couldn't have put 77 lbs overhead for more than one round. I am actually fairly certain that I tried and failed.

We talk a lot at the gym about mental blocks that don't allow us to do certain things at the gym. Especially lift weight - when we step up to a bar thinking that it is too heavy, it is likely that we won't get it lifted.

When we started this workout, I believed in my heart that I would finish under the cap, and I did.

I need to remember to have a little more faith in myself most days. I'm pretty awesome!

What's Next?

As I previously mentioned, Glinda and I enjoyed watching the Arena Grand Prix swim meet this past weekend.

I may have told you before, but Glinda is a first grade teacher. On Saturday morning, she attended a picnic with a group of first graders who purchased the picnic in an auction.

At one point, she was in a conversation with two first grade girls. (Remember, these girls are like 6, maybe 7.)

Glinda: What are you doing later today?

Girl A: I'm going to watch swimming.

Glinda: Oh, are you going to the Mesa Grand Prix?

Girl A: Yes, my brother is doing a clinic and then we are staying to watch the swimmers.

Glinda: Who is your favorite swimmer?

Girl A: Missy Franklin. Because I'm a breast stroker and she is a back stroker, and I'm really bad at back stroke, so I like her because she is good.

(Rather profound for a 6 year old, but good on her.)

Glinda: Oh, I really like her too, but Michael Phelps is my all time favorite swimmer.

Girl A: Yeah, I really like him too!

Girl B: I wish he was swimming today.

Glinda: Me too.

Girl B: Why did he have to retire?

Glinda: Well, he reached all of his swimming goals.

Girl A: But can't he just set more goals?

Glinda: Well, sometimes when you are the best at something, it makes sense to move on and try something else. Like did you know he is learning how to golf now? He has a show about it and I watch it.

Girl B: First a professional swimmer? Then a professional golfer? What's next? Professional dancer?

Glinda: I don't know, maybe someday he'll be on Dancing with the Stars.

Girl A: I think he should be in the Nutcracker because I'd like to see that guy in tights!

Touche, girl, touche.

Miscellany Monday...Full of Pictures

Welcome to lazy Monday. Otherwise known as the recurrence of Miscellany Monday on my blog.

This one is going to be extra lazy because I'm going to just post a bunch of pictures of things I did over the weekend...

one

a day at the county fair

Match, Papa, and I took Biggie, Tiny, and two cousins to the County Fair on Friday to ride a few rides (and drive me bonkers). There weren't many rides that one cousin was tall enough to ride, so he and Tiny ended up on the dropping frog ride that Tiny can't seem to decide if he likes.

In the picture above, as the ride goes to the top, he seems to really be enjoying himself.

Then it drops...

Not so great anymore...

two

God bless the USA

On Thursday evening, Glinda texted me about a swim meet that was going down on the east side of town all weekend.

You all may remember that I am a HUGE fan of swimming!

So we decided that on Friday evening, we would head over to the pool to take in the finals.

And take them in, we did! We actually had so much fun that we left Beauty and the Beast on stage early on Saturday to catch the final meet...

Tell me you don't appreciate the beauty of those swimmers...

And I'll tell you that you're a liar!

three

biggest loser

A couple of girls from work and I went to see Jillian Michaels speak yesterday afternoon. 

I'm a big fan of her from BL, and I was (not so)secretly hoping that Danni would show up. (She didn't :()

Either way, we ran into the first female winner of BL in the lobby, Ali Vincent, and got our picture with her. Then I wanted to get back in my car and head to the gym.

She looks phenomenal!

four

not the weekend

Last week, a friend of mine called to ask if I wanted to fill a seat at a table he had that evening. For some reason, I agreed to it.

I didn't have any choice but to attend in what I was wearing, so when SuperFan, Sissy, and I showed up and looked like we coordinated our outfits, we had to get a picture taken.

 

Patience Young Grasshopper

For the whole of my life, Match has told me, "Patience is a virtue."

And for the whole of my life, I have accepted that it is a virtue that I, on most occasions, do not have.

As you have read intermittently throughout this blog and others that I have tried to write, I struggle with my weight. And I have for my entire life.

We are coming up on my two year anniversary at CrossFit Fury and I have been reflecting on my time there and how I have changed, both physically and mentally.

I am waiting for the gym manager to send me a picture that was taken of me at the beginning of my first Paleo challenge, and then I'm contemplating taking comparison photos of me on (or near) my anniversary date of starting at the gym. So maybe look for that in the near future.

But that's not what I'm here to talk about today.

Today I want to talk about nutrition. 

As you probably know by now, I have a gluten sensitivity. And sensitive I am when I eat that business. Just ask my family. 

What you may not know, is that I also have a condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I was diagnosed in college, and have been learning about it ever since. 

One of the side-effects of PCOS is insulin resistance, which just means that my body doesn't process insulin the same way as other people do. (Actually I'm sure there is a much more scientific definition, but that's what you get from me.)

I'll tell you some other things I've learned about myself:

Any type of non-vegetable carbohydrate messes with my system! I'm telling you, half of a sweet potato and I can feel the inflamation start. Quinoa? Tastes delicious and is good for most people. For me, it's crap.

Fruit makes me gain weight. It sounds so silly, and perhaps it doesn't actually make me gain weight, but it prevents me from losing it. My body doesn't like sugars, natural or otherwise.

This is me. This not you. This is not my sister. This is not my mom.

I have experimented with lots of different ways to eat. Trust me - every trainer I've ever had gets so frustrated because they see what I eat and how I train, and they think I should have less fat on my body. They have told me to eat carbs after workouts. And to limit fats. And so on and so forth.

I get equally (if not more) frustrated because I feel the same way. You can't imagine what it's like to sacrifice all of the delicious things in the world like Match's cinnamon rolls and corn chips and salsa, only to see the numbers on the scale and in your closet stay the same.

So I get angry. I sometimes cry. I do a little more research. And I try something new.

I am going to figure out how my body works and what it needs to be fueled.

Recently, I emailed my friend, Christmas, who is a nutritionist to ask her about some stuff that I had heard about and was researching. And in the email I said, "Should I go to a strict calorie counting diet? Should I wear like a bodybugg or something? Should I add an additional cardio workout three days a week? Just tell me what to do and I'll do it."

I was seriously at the point that I was ready to sleep on my head if that's what she told me would help. But she's so much smarter than me and she said, "the best nutrition plan you follow is the one that WORKS for you."

So, I will continue to experiment and see how my body responds. This means, that I probably won't eat like the rest of you. That is more than likely the case. And it may seem strange to you, the things that I turn down. But please just know, that I am learning about my body and what fuel it needs to survive and thrive.

While I would like to see the number on the scale go down. And while I would like to see my pants size decrease. I do not have a goal weight or a goal size. Rather I have a way that I want my body to look and feel. And I want to be healthy.

To those of you who tell me that you think I'm perfect the way I am, I surely do appreciate that. Your love and support are two of the most important components of this journey.

Just bear with me. The journey is the trip after all, and it's a lot more fun with your friends and family along for the ride!

Show Me The Money

Disclaimer: I don't think I've told you this story before. I checked the archives and I couldn't find it, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. If you have already heard it, enjoy it again. It still makes me laugh.

One morning, after I had stayed the night at Sissy's house, I was taking Biggie to the grocery store. We had to get some groceries for his mom and we were going to get him some donuts (obvi). 

So as we are driving the following conversation takes place:

Biggie: Aunt Airplane, how much money do you have?

Me: I don't have any money with me, buddy, I left my purse at the house.

Biggie: No, but like, how much money do you have?

Me: I told you, I only have your mom's credit card to get the groceries, I left my purse at the house.

Biggie (getting agitated): No! Like, how much money do you have? Not just right now. Like, do you have $200?

Me: Umm, yeah, I have $200.

Biggie: Can you get me a scooter for Christmas? It costs like $150.

Me: You better go ahead and ask Nona (Match.mom) and Papa(Bear) for that.

Biggie: Nona and Papa don't have that much money!

Me: Biggie, I think it's time we had a little talk...