Spartan Race Fort Carson

by crossfitmomm, posted in Running

For my daughter’s 14th birthday, she wanted to run a Spartan race. Reluctantly, I agreed. I had done the Tough Mudder two years ago and didn’t like it. I was cold and wet the entire time, which made it miserable. So, I wasn’t looking forward to this one at all.

We signed up for the age group times so we could run in the morning and avoid the heat. However, avoiding the heat was impossible this go around as it was hot the entire time. We had to start at different times as well so I had to wait 15 minutes for my daughter’s group to begin. I picked grass. Fun times.

Spartan Race Fort Carson Review

Once we got going it was just hot. There were a lot of ups and down mountainsides for no apparent reason except to make us go up and down.

Furthermore, this was more of a race to avoid cactus than anything else. Cactus were everywhere, and I happen to have an affinity for cactus so hated seeing all of the cactus that got smashed by runners.

The obstacles were fine, but with only one that involved water, it was hot. We stopped at least three times to re-apply sunscreen, and we stopped at every water station to replenish our bottles and hydrate.

My overall impression was this: this was a glorified, 8.5 mile mountain hike with some obstacles thrown in. Granted, it was on Fort Carson military base, which was pretty cool. We got to see some of their training buildings. However, it was much like a mountain hike/run anywhere on the Front Range of Colorado.

My daughter had fun. I could have done without so many hills. The heat could have gotten lost for all I cared. There was also a false ending, where you went up to the finish line, but still had to go back down 1.5 miles. That sucked.

I may do one again. It just depends. I told my daughter the Tough Mudder would be more her style because it’s a lot more mud and water. Only time will tell.

CrossFit Lifting Competition Denver hot crossfit chick

CrossFit: Just When You Begin to Wonder Why You Continue

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit

It’s been all I can do to keep up with my CrossFit for the last few months. Every day it seems has been a challenge just to get it done. Between being sore all the time and my run still not where it needs to be, I’ve been questioning again why.

Until yesterday when I crushed DT.

DT is a CrossFit Hero Workout I’ve done before.  It’s insanely hard and is a test of strength.

CrossFit Hero WOD DT is 5 Rounds for time of:

  • 12 Deadlifts 105 lbs
  • 9 hang power cleans
  • 6 push jerks

It’s always been the hang power cleans in the CrossFit Hero Workout at 105 lbs that have gotten me.

Yesterday, I did this CrossFit workout with no expectations. Then I cut 7 minutes off my previous time. It gave me hope that all this work is doing something because most of the time I feel like I’m wasting my time.

After 3 1/2 years of doing CrossFit, it’s rare when you PR it seems. But yesterday I did. And it was a PR that meant something.

CrossFit Competition Arcanum Games hot crossfit chick running

CrossFit: I’m in It to Do It, Not to Win It

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit

So as I was doing CrossFit Hero Workout Luke, I realized I would set no record. I’m still not recovered from running injuries so my runs all suck. I just can’t go above a jog most days. But, I needed a long workout, and I needed to run.

At this point I realized everything in CrossFit for me is mental. Sure, there are things I can’t do physically, but after 3 1/2 years of CrossFit, it’s hard just to do it any more. That’s why for me, victory is in the doing, not in the setting a good time or beating others. I save that for CrossFit competitions, but even those sometimes I’m not in it to win it.

I’m in it to do it. That’s all I can do right now. And I’m happy with that.

CrossFit Hero WOD Luke

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit Workouts

I did CrossFit Hero WOD Luke today. I hadn’t done a Hero WOD since Murph, so it was time. Named for Marine Staff Sgt. Leon H. Lucas Jr. who died Aug. 1, 2011, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

The CrossFit Hero WOD is:

  • 400 m run
  • 15 clean and jerks 105 lb for women, 155 for men
  • 400 m run
  • 30 toes to bar
  • 400 me run
  • 45 wall balls
  • 400 m run
  • 45 kettlebell swings
  • 400 m run
  • 30 ring dips
  • 400 m run
  • 15 lunges at 105 lb for women, 155 for men
  • 400 m run

Just under an hour for me (I still don’t have my run back after having problems since March), this was an excellent workout with relatively easy moves, except for the heavy barbell. Highly recommended, and a great way to honor those who’ve sacrificed for our freedoms.

 

 

hot crossfit chick doing Handstand Push Ups at CrossFit Competition in Colorado

CrossFit: DOMS is Real

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit

DOMS or delayed onset muscle soreness is real. DOMS is the soreness felt after working out, and it usually sets in 24 to 72 hours after your workout. No one is sure exactly what causes DOMS, except for the fact that you’re injured your muscles and they are repairing (which is how you get stronger).

Today, I feel worse than yesterday after my three-day CrossFit competition over the weekend. My lats, my core, and my arms mainly. My legs were sore at the beginning of the competition, but the last two days of the CrossFit competition were arm-heavy exercises, and I’m definitely feeling it.

The thing with DOMS is you just have to endure it; there’s not much you can do to help it. It hurt to sneeze yesterday, and I couldn’t scratch my back. We’ll see how today goes.

hot crossfit chick doing burpees at crossfit competition colorado

CrossFit Competition: Arcanum Mile High Games

by crossfitmomm, posted in crossfit competitions

This weekend, my daughter and I embarked on a three-day CrossFit competition in Glendale, CO. It was the Arcanum Games, and let’s just say it was an experience. First off, we had the weather to contend with. It was cold, rainy, and with lightning and thunder, there were multiple rain delays. Hence, some of the workouts were changed to accommodate the weather.

Overall, it was a good competition. Working out at a CrossFit competition in the pouring rain was definitely an experience. Beside the fact I probably won’t be able to walk on Monday, it was fun.

Some highlights of the CrossFit Competition Arcanum Games:

  • I did 15 OHS at 95 lbs.
  • I ran on a TrueForm runner.
  • I worked out in the rain.
  • I lifted in a firehouse.
  • I handstand walked over 50 feet.

A three-day CrossFit competition definitely takes its toll. The third day you just showed up and did the workouts. You’re sore, tired, and mentally drained. There’s really no thought behind it.

 

CrossFit Hero WOD: Murph at Home

by crossfitmomm, posted in CrossFit Workouts

Memorial Day weekend is a very special weekend in the CrossFit community. It’s a weekend where almost all CrossFit gyms program the CrossFit Hero Workout Murph, in honor of Lt. Michael Murphy, who died protecting our freedom.

The CrossFit Hero Workout Murph is:

  • Run 1 mile
  • 100 pull ups
  • 200 push ups
  • 300 air squats
  • Run 1 mile
  • Wearing a weight vest (20 lbs men, 14 lbs women)

It’s a test of endurance and mental fortitude.

Crossfit Hero murph hot crossfit chick
CrossFit Hero Murph

This year was the first year I did it alone at home. I did it early in the morning before it got hot, and it felt special being alone, as if it meant more to honor Murph’s sacrifice for us.

This is one of my all time favorite workouts. It was the first one I ever did when I first took a CrossFit class, and I still remember how I couldn’t move afterwards. I’ve done Murph now a dozen times and will do it again probably another dozen. It never gets old; it’s always challenging; it’s the least we can do to honor such a hero.