What's Your Story???

At some point in our lives we have all heard the expressions: "If your life was written into a book, would you want to read it?"..."If your life was ever made into a movie, would you want to go watch it?"...This got me thinking. How many of us have sat back and actually REALLLLY thought about the pages that we create of our lives? Ultimately, the story of our lives should be the best book ever written, and the greatest movie ever made. Our "life" should be considered the GREATEST story ever told. We are the writers, we are the directors, we are the very people that have the ability to inspire others though our actions. Our "Life" is considered our own movie set. We ALL have our own story, and that is what makes us all incredibly unique.

Individual "stories" have inspired me to go back to the one thing that has always been constant in my life; Running. Sometimes I get lost in my "story". I tend to lose sight of what my main role is supposed to be. Instead of focusing on being a good person and helping others, I get caught up in the details that are really not significant to the pages of my life. I start focusing on the things that I don't have rather than the amazing things that I do have like family, friends, and health.  These three variables have never changed in my life. Sometimes my character in my book loses sight of the fact that not everyone has a family, not everyone has close friends, and unfortunately not everyone has their health. This is where I go back and re-write my pages. I can make changes. I have made changes, I will continue to make changes. It's my book.


Running marathons to me are purely about everyone's story. It's like running 5 hours and reading 5,000 mini stories all in one novel. It's very inspiring. Training for a marathon you have many many hours to be in your own thoughts and re-evaluate the pages in your book... Here are some stories that I have thought about or encountered during a marathon:

Stories   

Ben-lost 120lbs, beat depression, and got HOT!! Take a look! (I didn't see him in a race but I saw his video)

Tebo-He crossed my mind as I was running a marathon....19 year old male, from Ecuador. He was the first person I met at the Ronald McDonald House. 19 year old college student here from another country, without his family, to have surgery on his eye that was missing. He can't drive, or ride a motorcycle, or do everything a normal teenage boy would do at his age. Sad, right? It's sad if you didn't know Tebo. I spent 2 weeks with this amazing, smart, confident young man and I forgot that he was missing an eye. Never once did he ever exude anything but confidence. His personality made you not see that there was something was physically wrong with him. In fact, if I was 20 I would probably have a crush on this kid. Super funny, super smart, and his attitude just made you look past something that could be depressing. He changed me.

Tina and Joe- Vegas Marathon 2009, Tina was wearing a wedding veil and got married to Joe at Mile Marker 5. These 2 people ran through mile market 5, said their vows, got married, and still beat me to the finish line!

Mary- Disney Marathon, 2009, had a prosthetic limb

Sarah- ran for her Uncle Jack who past away from Cancer


Melissa, Kendra, Cassandra- Disney Marathon, all breast cancer survivors

Sally- Miami Marathon, ran with a cane, ran with a limp, and still crossed the finish line

Ryan- Ran for his Dad who passed away

Kelly-ran for her mom who passed away

Cindy-First Time Marathoner

Mark- Ran to support his girlfriend

Jessica- wants to break 4 hours

Mindy- First time running in a tutu

Me: I just want to run to continue to be inspired and hopefully inspire someone else if they read the pages my in my book.

Marathons don't have to be your "thing" they just happen to be mine. I enjoy reading everyone's story throughout the race. If you can today, just smile at a stranger, hug your kid and tell them how much you love them, and call your parents, because they are part the pages that help create your book.  Don't judge the man asking you for a quarter on the side of the street, or the the man that comes into the store with holes in his shirt, or the rich lady with her Gucci Bag, or the overweight person walking down the street, just remember that each person has a story behind them.

As I approach the starting line on Sunday I will be excited to start reading the greatest stories ever told. No matter what the stories are, ultimately there is one common theme "The Celebration of Life"...Now I ask you, "What's Your Story"???.....

Tropical Storm

We had a really bad Tropical Storm. I didn't work out because it was just raining ridiculously! I didn't want to leave my house because it was the type of rain that was falling so hard you couldn't even see the car or the lights in front of of you...call it an excuse if you want, but I was genuinely nervous driving so I parked my behind on my couch and read my book. I am reading the most AMAAAZZZINNGGG book right now called: My Journey into the Unknown written by Ryan Buell. I should be finished with it this week and I will talk about it after the book is complete....400 pages! DAMN! LOL..I am reading through it fairly quickly though...I am on page 260 and have only read it in like 3 days...do expect me to profess my love to a guy I have never met! Just Kidding of course!

Workout of the Day
None

EXpiration

When you are in a relationship and it ends, "they" say that it takes half the time you were with someone to get over them. I have to say that it definitely took me a long time to get over my ex, however, why does it still hurt when I see him with the girl he left me for(now his fiance), bought her a house within 4 months, and a ring within a year.  I often wonder why we stayed together all of those years if he knew that I wasn't the right one.

I am the classic example of girl meets guy, spends 5 years with them, then they break up with you for some receptionist and all of a sudden they have become the man you want them to be. Let's be honest you can't change a person. What is the saying? "You can't change the spots on a leopard"....It's all smokes and mirrors ladies. Everything you didn't like about them before you broke up will still be exactly the same after you break up. Yeah, yeah, yeah, they go ahead and lose a few pounds, get haircuts on the regular and all of a sudden they seem to dress and look the best they ever have. Trust me when I say that it's only temporary. The 25lbs he lost when you break up comes right back on when they get comfortable again. It's a Bait and Switch I tell ya!!

When we first broke up I PATHETICALLY said and then asked: I don't understand, what does she have that I don't? I thought that I was going to get the typical answer of "She's funny, she's smart, she's beautiful" and I got something that was shocking and it changed my whole outlook on him. He the FIRST things out of his mouth he said to me: "She cooks for me, she cleans for me, and she doesn't mind ironing my shirts and I think that she is selfless"...so basically he wanted a house wife. That is COMPLETELY fine however when we first got together it was made very clear that my career comes first and getting into a financial position where when we got married we would have a cushion where we could have started a family...Typical old school Portuguese guy that wants his wife at home cooking, cleaning, bearing his children...Even though we didn't work out I always believed and still believe the one thing he will be amazing at is being a dad. That was actually the most attractive thing about him to me.

Where does this all come from? I was playing softball Friday night and he and his future wife sat directly next to me at The Ale House when I was sitting with my softball team. My heart fell in my stomach. I don't know why we as women always blame the other girl when it's the guy! I have no ill will towards her at all, however, I definitely admit I size her up and put myself on a wayyyy higher pedestal when I am sure that she is actually a really nice person. I hate that about myself that I can be so childish.  Sometimes when he sees me and we speak I think that he is secretly happy that I am alone...and when I see him I still think two things "#1 it's weird when you spend all of these years with someone and you look at them now and you barely even know them....and #2 Wow that kid could never be alone. He has always been in one relationship after another"

 I do get very sad some days but I say to myself "Thank GOD I didn't settle". Sometimes when we are comfortable we have a tendency to stay content because the unknown is too scary. Usually when I have a freak out my brother sends me every bad quality that I used to hate about him and then I feel better! thanks Jason!

My time will come.

Workout of the Day

Monday=Crossfit Delray Beach

Group Warmup: 

2 Rounds of:

10 x Arm Circles (each arm)
10 x Torso Twist
10 x Wrist Circles (each arm)
Handstand Holds (10 - 15 Sec)
Hang from Pull Up Bar (10 - 15 Sec)
5 Push Ups
5 Mtn Climbers
10 Air Squats
100 M Jog

Technique & Development: OVERHEAD SQUATS

Warmup Sets: In Unison, Lead by Coach (TEMPO)

A1: Overhead Squats @ 3211; 8 Reps; Rest 30 Secs; 3 Sets (++ Load per set / w.u)
A2: Mobility Hip Stretch; 30 Secs each side; 3 Sets
A3: Pelvic Tilt Stretch; 2 ft / single leg each side; 20 sec each, 3 Sets

Work Sets: Overhead Squats

Beginners: OHS @ 3211; 6-8 Reps; Rest 30 Sec; 3-4 Sets**
** Only increase load as mechanics perfected

Int / Advanced: 3-3-3-1-1* / Rest 3 Min. / Max Reps @ 75%

* Work until you fail at your 1RM for today. Upon failure, rest 3 MINUTES. Then reload bar to 75% of failed load. Execute 1 SET OF AMRAP OHS at this load (75% of 1RM).

WOD: "OLDSKOOL CF"

25 Burpees
Then: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 of:
Hang Power Cleans (115 / 75)
Front Squats (115 / 75)
FOR TIME

**I modified and did deadlifts instead of front squats because my knee was bothering me

My time= 12:22
My Weight= 53lbs

Nutrition Consult

I had a nutrition consult today. It was nothing like I expected and I am actually really disappointed in the whole approach to the program. I had been "selected" as one of the members of my Crossfit team to be a part of this nutrition program and I would have one free consult and if I choose to continue the program then there would be an additional charge. Where I am grateful to be thought of I kind of thought about it and I don't think that one skinny person was picked to be a part of the program. Is nutrition not nutrition no matter what size you are? Can't skinny people also benefit? Either way at the end of the day you know what I got out of the consult? Eat breakfast. UMMMM DUHHH! Now you want me to pay $100 to continue? I think I am ok NOT doing the program.

Workout of the Day
None

No "Sweat"

What a lonnnnnggg weekend. Partied in South Beach, partied in Ft. Lauderdale, partied after softball and got to see the ex with the new fiance...talk about making my heart drop walking into a restaurant! "They" say that after breakups you should always make sure that you look your best when you are out in public just in case you run into your ex. Well of course that wasn't the case. I had  my hair back, wore my sweat pants, a black wife beater and my blue softball uniform...sexxxy momma! NOT!

Workout of the Day
Warmup Sets: TEMPO PRESSES
Work Sets: SHOULDER PRESS 2-2-2; PUSH PRESS 2-2-2 (2RM FOR TODAY)

My 2RM=95

WOD: FOR TIME

400 M RUN
21-15-9:
Kettle Bell Swings*
Pull Ups*
400 M RUN
* Loads: Beginners scale to 12kg / Jump Band PU; Rx is 24kg/16kg & Kips; Rx+ is 32kg / 24kg & C2B

My Time:11:13

Seriously, Again?

I ran 2.25 miles today in addition to Crossfit. I almost can't believe I am this boat yetttt againnn! It's ridiculous. I was tired after 2 miles! WTF!! How is this possible when I workout alllll the time! I honestly can't workout and run more then I do right now...

Running Workout
2.25miles

Workout of the Day
Tuesday=Crossfit Delray Beach

WOD: NOT FOR TIME, FOR TEMPO

STATION 1: PULL UPS

A1: Strict Pull Ups @ 4011; 6 Reps; Rest 30 Seconds; 3 Sets
A2: Hold the top of Pull Up (Chin over bar) @ 20-30 Seconds; Rest 30 Seconds; 3 Sets
REST AND ROTATE

STATION 2: DIPS

B1: Strict Dips @ 4011; 6 Reps; Rest 30 Seconds; 3 Sets
B2: Hold the BOTTOM of Dip (Shoulders below elbow crease) @ 20-30 Seconds; Rest 30 Seconds; 3 Sets
REST AND ROTATE

STATION 3: PUSH UPS

C1: Push Ups @ 4011; 6 Reps; Rest 30 Seconds; 3 Sets
C2: Hold the BOTTOM of Push Up (Flat plank position, hovering just above ground) @ 20-30 Seconds; Rest 30 Seconds; 3 Sets
REST AND ROTATE

STATION 4: UNBROKEN SKILLS

D1: Kettle Bell Swings - 20 Reps (set 1), 25 Reps (set 2), 30 Reps (set 3) UNBROKEN; Rest 30 Seconds; 3 Sets
D2: Double Unders - 20 Reps (set 1), 25 Reps (set 2), 30 Reps (set 3) UNBROKEN: Rest 30 Seconds; 3 Sets*
* If you BREAK the set, you must start over. Scale loads and total reps per set if beginner.

Jury Duty

Jury Duty is our responsibility as an American Citizen and it makes our Justice system complete.  I actually find it a privilege that I get to be part of such an important role in Due Process...on a side not how do people take 2-3weeks off from work to be on a jury that pays $30 a day after 3 days? I think the jury selection process would be better if they compensated the Juror's to a pay that was comparable to their job that way the selection of people would be more...Who can take off work for $15 a day for 3+ weeks? That is just unreasonable...

I sat there the entire day and watched movies. I have to say though it was a nice break from the regular day job.I actually don't mind sitting there. I am not a fan of West Palm though. I was trying to figure out which court house had the wackiest people; Fall River or West Palm Beach? My conclusion= TIE...

Have you ever seen the episode of Sex and the City where Carrie Bradshaw sat next to this guy in Jury Duty who carried a Coconut in his brief case? Well the court house I was at I was hoping that a Cocnut was the only thing people carried in their brief case! haha..Wack Jobs I tell you...Another observation that I made that actually just astounds me is people's attire. I am not saying that you have to go buy a suit for Jury Duty but at least dress appropriately where you don't look like you are going to the beach. I find it so disrespectful to wear a tank top and flip flops to a Court! I think to myself ummmmm hellloooo where did you think that you were going today? The Beach? Like Judge Judy says "You Can't fix Stupid"....needless to say 8am-4pm I did not get picked for the Jury...


I was so Dead Tired because I went to Crossfit Saturday and Sunday that I used today as a Rest day!

Workout of the Day
Rest