Sunday, January 24, 2010

After the Storm....







Santa Cruz has been getting pelted with a pretty bad storm for the past week. I happen to LOVE stormy weather - even more than sunny weather so I was enjoying the lightning and thunder and gloomy days. They say "relax" to me....and for anybody who knows me, that's something I hardly get a chance to do! One of the best treats after a storm where the ocean swallows up the roads and the beach disappears , is all the driftwood that covers all the shores after the water resides. Yesterday was a sunny day so my son and I went beach hopping. We hung out on Blacks Beach and had a blast with our imaginations. We were there so long we got to watch the sunset. Watching Brandon run around and enjoy the calm on the beach made me smile from the inside. I happily gathered all the wood in the right sizes for him so he could build what was in his head....we made a teeter totter, a sledge hammer (which he dead lifted and flipped like a tire flip quite a distance on his own and it was HEAVY--yea functional movement CROSSFIT!) and the beginning of a boat or a shelter.

I need to mention that my Saturday started off the BEST way possible....I got to workout with my favorite guys...my best friend Chris and my son Brandon. We attacked Fran at 8am and we all PR'd!! Knowing Brandon was next to me just hammering the thrusters and getting his chin over the bar on his pullups made me push even harder. I want my son to look at me in pride and say "that's MY mom!" I want to set the example for him. I want him to view me as a capable, independent, strong woman who smashes the word "can't". I think I am succeeding :)

So as you can see my Saturday was off the charts awesome for me. Intense workout with my boys, playing on the beach all afternoon with my son, and watching the sunset over the water. Incredible.

Today I continue kicking off my half marathon training. It used to be so easy for me hen I was younger and competed all the time and ran distance every day. Now that I am older I have to train my body again to be on my feet that long. We know CrossFit isn't an endurance sport so I am way stronger, but my endurance is lacking. Time to get it back!! I'm running a 10k time trial and I can't wait. I'm just a little sore from Fran, but i'm sure running will work all the kinks out of my muscles.

Enjoy your day and breathe life in. Can't wait to play on the beach again today---hopefully my Sarah will come too then life will be even that much more perfect :)

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Half Marathon Training Starts Tomorrow.....


So far 2010 has been full of PRs for me. I took 5 minutes off my old Dianne time, and 40 seconds of my Grace time. I also PRd in my 5 rep backsquat. I'm excited to continue getting faster and stronger. I've decided to register for the Santa Cruz Half Marathon in April, again, and to hit a pr there as well. I haven't really been running with any purpose, I've just been running because I love to! After getting my ass kicked on the track last weekend with Chris, I realized I need to hit the track way more often and get serious about my running. No more run just to run. I hit the track last Thursday at 8am and did a 200+400+600+800 x3 rounds. Warmed up for 1 mile, did stride straights, and build ups....then hit the workout. I managed to negative split my times, and walked off the track feeling accomplished and better about my training.

I feel really good about putting as much time and effort into my running as I do my CrossFit workouts. I'm excited to kick off training for some spring races.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Beautiful Santa Cruz sunrise....




Last weekend I decided to set my alarm Sunday morning so that I could watch the sunrise on the beach. I grabbed some coffee and went for a walk on the beach and snapped this shot as the sun crested over the ocean. What a beautiful morning and exactly the reason why I live where I live. I absolutely LOVE Santa Cruz !. As I walked and sipped hot coffee I meditated on the new year and my hopes and goals for 2010. Thinking back over 2009, even though it whipped past me so fast that it seemed like a blink, I couldn't help but smile. I feel content in my life. My best friend often tells me "you are in a REALLY great space now.", and i have to agree with him. I have surrounded myself with amazing people and friends and I'm just happy. I have come a long way and have grown up a ton....

I hope all of you have articulated your needs, wants and desires for this new year and that every dream you hold comes your way. If you meditate on these things they WILL manifest in your life. If you focus on negative and what you don't have, you will continue to want. Everyday I am thankful for where I am, the lessons I learned through my struggles, and I feel open to whatever comes my way. Hopefully 2010 holds some beautiful surprises for me and my family. I hope the same for you and yours!