Attention Men: This Is Important

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Let me start off by saying I truly believe he meant no harm. He was offering compliments and trying to be nice and probably had no idea that his comments were making me uncomfortable. Here's what happened. 

I went home today to meet a service tech for a home-issue we're experiencing. He was right on time (props), professional and polite. He stood by the front door and pulled on plastic booties over his shoes. 

"Don't even worry about it," I said. "I'm a runner so who knows what sort of dirt I drag into the house on my shoes." 

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I Made It Through The Murph

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Today's Crossfit WOD was "The Murph," named after Navy lt. Michael Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, NY, a SEAL killed in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The workout consists of: 

  • 1 mile run
  • 100 pull-ups
  • 200 push-ups
  • 300 squats
  • 1 mile run

I went in with no idea what to expect. Being Memorial Weekend, I didn't know if the place would be empty. Far from it. Close to 30 of us lined up at the back door that leads to the greenway, waiting for the clock to count down the start to the run. Several of the guys and one girl (you GO, girl!) wore weighted vests for the workout. 

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Getting the Most Out of Crossfit

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I think I made a breakthrough in my workout today or, rather, in my mindset around my workout. 

Crossfit WOD's (workout-of-the-day) are typically set up so there's a beginner, prescribed and advanced level of the workout. The advanced is so far beyond my current skill level, I just ignore it. I'm beyond beginner level but, when weights are involved, have never felt comfortable with the prescribed weight. I always convince myself it's just a little too heavy or just beyond my capabilities and so I usually use a weight that's 10-15 lbs under what's prescribed. 

This is pure ego. 

Crossfit workouts are timed and we're competing against ourselves and other people. I don't like using heavier weights because it slows my time down. I go slower, rest longer. But guess what? That's what's supposed to happen. 

Today I decided enough with the ego. I'm doing the workout and if I'm the last one to finish, I'm the last one to finish. We do a 21-15-9 workout where we did 21 ground to overhead (GTO) thrusts with a weighted bar, followed by 21 burpees, 15 GTO, 15 burpees, etc. The prescribed weight for females was 65 lbs and I did it. I was the second to last person to finish but I did it. What's more, I feel really good about being almost last simply because I did the workout the way it's supposed to be done. No slacking off, no compensating. My arms were ready to DIE by the last round but I muscled through. 

So right now, physically, I'm wiped. But it's a fantastic mental start to my day. I can't guarantee I'll remain ego free but I am going to make a concerted effort to "man up" and do the prescribed workout and not worry about competing or my time. 

Happy Monday,

Dena

Magic Beans and Long Lashes

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Two minutes ago. Blair and I are in the master bathroom, getting ready for bed. Blair's brushing his teeth and I'm using an exceptionally small brush to apply a clear liquid to my top and bottom lash lines. 

"What are you doing?" asked Blair, around a mouthful of toothpaste. 

"Growing my eyelashes," I answered. I was rewarded with a doubtful stare. 

"Seriously," I said. "It's a liquid that makes your eyelashes grow."

Blair spit and rinsed. "You have GOT to be kidding. How do you fall for this stuff?" he asked.

"Stephanie told me about it," I said. "She has beautiful lashes." 

"Stephanie, huh?" 

"Yes." 

Blair nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Sooo.... did she give you any magic booby powder too?"

Oh my God, I died laughing. That was just cold. 

Cheers,

Dena