Tee hee

Me getting my "GRR" on at a CF throwdown ... Ha!

food porn

i love breakfast ... that's why there's 2 of them

sometimes you just have to look in the mirror...

... or at least see what you're doing in video.

YIKES!

even though this is my first workout after fighting off a cold,
there's no excuse for allowing back habits to creep back in. having said that... anyone can put good videos on, but i added the bad videos to remind myself what i need to work on the most... also to hold myself accountable.

rounded back made an appearance during power cleans...

my power clean has seen better days... the turtle seems to have returned

oooh ... sloppy, sloppy back ... yikes

... among other things

Deadhang pullups... meh... what's with the wierd curl?

kip was off ... i should be pulling back with my hips and pushing off
with my arms more ... probably one of the reasons why i can't get into
those butterflies any more ...

... well, i have plenty of room for improvement ... no where to go but up!

diet = 8
stress = 7.5
health = 6
recovery = 6
mental energy = 7
physical energy = 5

Matt & Tery's CrossFit Box

With Cody keeping us company... And making sure Matt's reps are good ;)

I love to cook, he loves to eat. It works out well...

This was part of 2nd breakfast (the bowl of sauteed spinach and blueberries didn't quite make the photo... but then again, neither did 1st breakfast)

Yes, that's real, nitrate-free, non-gmo, ethically slaughtered baconand eggs, with Aunty Tery's special-special paleo burgers crumbled all over. Delightful!

Breakfast(s) is arguably my favorite meal of the day... it's always the biggest, fattiest, and heartiest of them all.

Why? Because I learned the hard way that I need to fuel up well in advance to avoid the afternoon slump cravings... And that I have the willpower of a spoiled 4yr old... As witnessed by Matt last night as he watched 4 donuts rebel against my digestive system... Ugh

living in the city

matt and I aren't much for city life... but we're very thankful for what we have here while he pursues his long term career path.

some might argue that we sacrifice a lot in order for him to do that, but being able to have the forest preserve in our backyard and the look of satisfaction on his face when comes home each day makes it all worthwhile.

Sure, he's a gun dork ... but he's my gun dork

Dreams and Wishes

I used to have dreams of running in the forest chasing bunnies . now I
dream of grilled cheese with bacon . and ice cream sandwiches.

Clearly, there is something wrong...

I have an idea...

Some people collect beanie babies, some wine corks... Matt collects law enforcement patches and challenge coins ... Me? Loads of odd bits...

But now that I've taken the first step in admitting my coffee addiction, I'll also come clean about the fact that I correct Starbucks city mugs and gift cards...

Yea, I know. I'm a silly, silly bunny.

Anyhoo, the little stack in this photo is going to be turned into a gift for a couple that arguably loves Starbucks more than us... Apparently I am not the only collector of such prized memorabilia

... Hey, at least I don't collect cigarette butts or used syringes ;)

Arguably my favorite holiday...

I hate shopping. It is such a chore. I hate standing in line. I hate crowds. ...and I'm arguably the cheapest person I know ( next to my father, of course)

But I love this sale...

I have no idea why. It just makes me happy knowing that I am getting spa products for discount supermarket prices...

I bought everything here for my wedding favors, guest baskets, and wedding party gifts... not to mention every family members' christmas present, presents for friends, and thank you gifts for the past 5 years...

Even Matt loves the sale... he starts jumping up and down shouting, "BLUE! BLOOOOOO! BLUE!"

... everyone has a guilty pleasure ... and now you know mine

I'm trying to 'sort myself out' ...

I've been keeping in touch with a former colleague who's been looking to "sort [himself] out" ... I always liked him and a few others I've had the pleasure to work with over the years.

Interestingly, I've been getting asked the same questions a lot ... about how I train, what I do to recover and perform better, how I got started climbing, what I eat and how much, about my lifestyle, and why.

It's really simple... unfortunately, it took me decades to figure out.

I want things and will not wait around for someone to just hand it to me. I make things happen for myself because I'm a mature, independant adult. I am no victim. I am in control of my destiny. When I can't perform, I have no one but myself to hold accountable. So when I do, it's my accomplishment. It's my success.

Being independant is important to me. Being self-sufficient is important to me. Being part of a lifelong partnership is important to me.

I value my dignity. I don't want to ever want to be dependant on tubes, wires, or other devices to keep me alive again. I want quality of life and will not be someone's science project.

I don't want to miss out on all the opportunities of life... and believe me, life is one big huge opportunity. Carpe frickin diem, right, November?!

I made a decision and I work as consistently as I can.

Every day is tough. I get sore, I get tired, I am bloody busy ... and I just don't feel like it sometimes.

But I made a choice to live... and live well

I love climbing big mountains. I love being in the wilderness. I love being able to visit parts of the world that few others will ever see. I love that I am strong, that I can endure, that I can recover ... I have longevity and it gives me peace.

Having said all that,

<LI>I follow crossfit endurance fitness programming, practise olympic lifting, practise ashtanga yoga, and find ways to do heavy manual labor

<LI>I practise climbing, wilderness, medical, and first responder skills on a regular basis

<LI>I enjoy a paleolithic diet and try to avoid dangerous foods as much as I can

<LI>We climb every year and do a few trips into the wilderness. It tests our physical, emotional, and mental fitness

Here's a few good links to start:

Getting Started with CrossFit (explains workout formats and what things mean)
http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/start-how.html

Video Demonstrations of all movements (super useful for understand how to move properly)
<A HREF="http://www.crossfitendurance.com/blog/3 ">http://www.crossfitendurance.com/blog/3 </A>

Paleolithic Diet
<LI>Robb Wolf: <A HREF="http://www.robbwolf.com" >www.robbwolf.com</A>
<LI>The Paleo Diet <A HREF"http://thepaleodiet.com/">http://thepaleodiet.com/<A/>
<LI>Mark's Daily Apple <A HREF"http://www.marksdailyapple.com">http://www.marksdailyapple.com<A/>

If you're interested in mountaineering, alpine safety, or other wildnerness training, let me know in the comments and I'll post something in a future article.

... and yes, please feel free to reach out to me and keep those questions going. They help me too, you know.

Memorial Day

Mary McHugh mourns her slain fiance Sgt. James Regan at "Section 60" of the Arlington National Cemetery May 27, 2007. Regan, a US Army Ranger, was killed by an IED explosion in Iraq in February of this year, and this was the first time McHugh had visited the grave since the funeral. Section 60, the newest portion of the vast national cemetery on the outskirts of Washington D.C, contains hundreds of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Family members of slain American soldiers have flown in from across the country for Memorial Day. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

via blog.gettyimages.com

heartbroken

Change ... The real kind

One can see how dramatically the world changes when words of wisdom and compassion can come directly from The Dalai Lama on Twitter and Facebook

I've had the honor of meeting His Holiness here in Chicago earlier this year as well as in New York years ago.

He's a great teacher, leader, and living example of pacifism, compassion, and acceptance... it takes tremendous inner strength, self control, and courage to endure what he has as a public figure and leader of a country and culture in exile

There are no words to describe how he has impacted my life... And the positive influence he continues to make. Seriously, this dude is getting a big honkin' halo in heaven... Although it might not be for long because he'll be reincarnated (according to Buddhist beliefs).

... Definitely makes my list of top 5 personal heroes right up there with JC, Gandhi, and Mother Theresa

Who are your heroes and why are they special to you?

How does Romney's resume stack with Obama's? [[politics]]

How does Romney's resume stack with Obama's?

·        Valedictorian at BYU

·        Baker's scholar (top 5% of business students) at Harvard

·        Master's degrees in business AND law

·        turned a failure into one of the few profit-earning Olympics (Salt Lake) in 2002

·        put aside partisanship prejudices/trash-talk by successfully campaigning/winning the governor's seat (2003 – 2007) as a Republican in a heavily Democrat-controlled state LONG before Scott Brown

·        previous executive leadership experience as a state governor, including Massachusetts' Commander In Chief of state military forces (Yes, a state governor is legally the Commander In Chief of that state's National Guard forces unless those troops are called to active-duty by the President)

·        turned Massachusetts' budget from red to black while governor (- $3.0B to +$2.16B; that’s “billion” with a “B”)

·        cut taxes 19 times as Massachusetts governor (that’s not a typo, NINETEEN)

·        as MA governor, developed a plan that would make deadbeats pay for their own health care (you may not like the MA health care law but that's what it's sole purpose was. Still don't like it because of the mandate? How would YOU have solved the MA healthcare free-loader problem and how would you have done it with an overwhelmingly Democrat-controlled state legislature like Romney had to work with?)

·        “Service over self”. Romney immediately endorsed McCain after ‘Super Tuesday’ in 2008 when it became obvious McCain was the clear front-runner. America is more important to him than his ego to be president.

·        volunteer service to community as a church head pastor for 13 years all with ZERO pay

·        would give ALL his Presidential salary ($1.6 million total) back to the American taxpayers if elected (yes, he's on record as committing to this)

·        turned 65 on March 12, 2012 and voluntarily turned down enrolling in Medicare (in other words, he’s NOT sucking up our precious tax dollars because he knows he can, and therefore should, take care of himself)

·        upon turning 65 he also chose to NOT receive any Social Security payments because, again, he knows he can take care of himself and therefore should not rely on our tax dollars to help fund his daily living

·        understands commitment and the value of marriage (never divorced, in a loving 43 year marriage)

·        understands morality (never had an affair, never accused of impropriety)

·        understands family (5 kids, all successful adults)

·        willing to let all of America see his birth certificate and school records without a fight

·        openly released his most recent tax records proving he’s not a tax cheat, approved access to prior tax information

 

I’m not a “HUGE” fan of either Obama or Romney, but this is kinda compelling….

Happy Pre-Memorial day

I am truly thankful in more ways than one.

An important message

Dear anarchists, looters, and gang bangers:

I do not appreciate you making trouble for the protesters and the police who are trying to protect them and other law abiding citizens of chicago from you

You little pissants are causing my husband to work 18 to 20 hour shifts for days at a time... wearing his full armor, hazmat suits, and gas masks in 95 degree heat...

He also hasn't had my cooking, slept in his bed, or seen me in days... And I leave for a 4day work trip in less than 8 hours

I hope you realize that he's going to be very grumpy with you

You've been warned...

Sincerely,

An annoyed SWAT wife

Thank you

... And thanks again

Seriously?!

You guys are going to ruck now?!

Yes, Turkey. 60min max effort ruck with 45lbs ... I'm getting a 10 min head start on mischief Matt too. He's to bright eyed and bushy tailed

Yummy yummy breakfast

Want to lean up and set the stage to build some muscle?

Middle-aged and recovery getting tougher?

Clean up your diet.

Eggs. Game meats. Seafood. Poultry. Colourful vegetables. Nuts and seeds. A touch of deep coloured fruits.

Pasta, cheese, bread, yoghurt, muffins, and the like are super yummy ... But will prevent improvement in body composition and physiological performance

An important message

Dear anarchists, looters, and gang bangers:

I do not appreciate you making trouble for the protesters and the police who are trying to protect them and other law abiding citizens of chicago from you

You little pissants are causing my husband to work 18 to 20 hour shifts for days at a time... wearing his full armor, hazmat suits, and gas masks in 95 degree heat...

He also hasn't had my cooking, slept in his bed, or seen me in days... And I leave for a 4day work trip in less than 8 hours

I hope you realize that he's going to be very grumpy with you

You've been warned...

Sincerely,

An annoyed wife

a few photos from today

A few photos from judging at the CrossFit NorthCentral Regionals competition... 11hrs or hard work

See the full gallery on Posterous

Day 1: Games Day

A few of the judges at the North Central CrossFit Games Regionals ... Recognize anyone?

So tired.

Sososo tired

Fudge!

Why on a Thursday when I'm out of town?! Poo

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, CANCELED?!

Made it 4 days strict paleo... And for what?!

Some people drink, some do drugs, some smoke ...

Me? Junk food...

I'm a coward and this is the most destructive thing I'll do to myself ... I think I'd fare better hitting myself over the head ... And with less guilt

Sheesh...

Turkey loves Jill

... They're almost the same size too! Ha!

Can do cat

Focus on what you CAN do and just build on that... Everyone started somewhere and so must you

ATL bunny

School drawing... So cute

T + mac & cheese + burpee AMRAP = not good

ate leftover mac & cheese... then 7-7-7 amrap... not good.

 

yeah, i'm not 20, 30, or even 40 anymore ... HA!

 

7:00 AMRAP in the ATL with my 50+ yr old client and her exec team (who is drinking the CF BCAAs)

 

7 burpees

7 power snatch @ 75#

 

8 rounds, 2 burpees, a lot of fun, and a little heaving...

 

... another reason why I shop @ the home depot

... Good client, good Atlantans

Cody likes to pose

See the full gallery on Posterous

So cute, so precious

... finally home

... just in timeTo enjoy zeus's biannual coat blowing bonanza ... O. M. G. SO. MUCH. FUR.

Romantic gift

From my matty

This us my husband...

100 burpees at a Montana rest stop... Sure...

Matt didn't miss this workout on vacation

Dedicated or a little wonky...?

Even the dog wondered...

Outdoor stationery its the best!

Waterproof and super nice to write on out in the field. We meet the nice folks of Rite in the Rain at their HQ in Tacoma... Our excitement must've been entertaining because they gave us free mugs too!

Drying out

... Or Camping in Seattle...

Home away from home

Camp on Mt Rainier

testing again

test

T details! details! details!

Tery does 3773 pushups to benefit St Judes! - YouTube http://ow.ly/8SV2E

slow, but steady

I am not the fastest. I am not the strongest. But I am steady and strong enough to get the job done … too bad I’m not faster, though … I was pretty darned close to getting that 3rd round …

I’ll chalk it up to not wanting it enough… and discovering that there were 9 TTB as I finished up my KBS … surprise!

on the bright side, I got 63 pushups towards my 126 today! yay!

 

health = 8
recovery = 7
mental energy = 6
physical energy = 7
diet = 8 (not enough good calories)
sleep = 7 hrs (broken … new dog, lots of new training)

Why, Tucker? Why?!

3773 pushups. Three thousand, seven hundred, and seventy three PUSH UPS! Yes, that’s a big number. .. and a LOT of pushups.

Let’s back up a little first…

Jeff Tucker is one of my personal heroes ... it’s a long story, but in a nutshell, he’s an inventor, retired fireman, gymnastics legend, writer, entrepreneur, teacher, and CrossFit super-SME ... not to mention a dad, husband, and most loyal son. Take note, young men. Take note.

Matt and I first met him while doing some ice climbing in Ouray, CO where he happened to be running a gymnastics certification course. We sat next to him at a crossfit community dinner one night and chatted about family, crossfit, gymnastics, medical school, and service to others ... he was generous enough to invite us to sit-in on his class and I was just floored. I knew nothing about gymnastics (other than what I’ve seen during the olympics), learned a ton, and made a few new friends. I was also deeply touched when he closed out his class with an aside about his father (with him sitting right across the room there) and what service to others means to him... not a dry eye within a 500m radius.

If you are ever lucky enough to actually speak with him 1 on 1 or take his certification course, you’ll discover that he’s incredibly approachable, down-to-earth, wise, and a delightful person to be around (if you can get a word in ... kidding!). I also observed that he’s got a great coaching eye and is able to articulate his thoughts to athletes in such a way that cues can easily translate into action. The gymnastics and CrossFit community is LUCKY to have him.

Me? Well, I’m a mountaineer. I like high altitude. I like glacial ice, mixed routes, and big honking mountains where airplane passengers can make eye contact with me as I wave at them passing by. I crossfit so that I climb with (and sometimes rescue) men who outweigh me by at least 60lbs. I’m nobody. I’m just a goofy, side-liner now and I like it that way.

I’ve had my share of the limelight, but now I am a gal who tends to be introverted, side steps attention, and avoids crowds. All that stuff exerts a lot of energy from me. I am an INTJ. I’m the gal who smiles and is just happy to be here.

But if there’s an altuistic attachment, I am very different. I am driven, motivated, compelling, and at my best when taking a stand for something or someone that cannot stand for themselves. I turn into this intense-ENTJ-beastess.

For example, I attempted to summit Denali 3 times, only to have summited the year it benefitted the cancer research center that treated me when I was sick. I ran two marathons and walked in countless breast cancer events (wearing giant pink butterfly wings) as a commitment to my mother’s dying friend. I like to support those who are stricken, weak, or innocent. Got a good cause? I’m your huckleberry.

…so what gives?

Having blathered all that, I’m doing 3773 pushups for Jeff Tucker’s charity, St Judes Childrens’ Hospital... they’ve saved thousands of childrens’ lives... they fight this bully called disease... so yeah... it’s on.

But what does Jeff Tucker have to do with all this? First off, he started this whole thing! A few days ago, Jeff posted this photo on Facebook that read, “For every Like this gets, I will do one pushup”

... after a couple hundred “LIKED” it, I suggested he do them for a charity like the Wounded Warrior Project or Disposable Heroes and get Reebok to match each rep with a donation ... when we received no word from Reebok and the momentum rose with companies like Again Faster Equipment, Kill Cliff Recovery Drink, and CF Gymnastics stepping up to match our efforts with donations ($3000 total!), we realised we were off to the races ... 6 hours later, I counted 3773 visible “LIKES”.

My plan. Yes, even spontaneous moments need a plan…

So all of this may seem daunting, but the truth is that its not. Don’t be fooled by the size of the forest. 3773 is really just a bunch of sets spread out over 30 days …

I am committed to doing this. But have I thought this commitment through? Yes, yes I have.

I’m going to treat this challenge just like any big mountain I’ve ever climbed … get to the summit one step at a time … in small, digestible increments … daily do-able goals … eye on the prize ... the next pitch … the next ridge ... the next camp … the next hill … then all of the sudden, you’re at high camp preparing for the big show at summit day 18 days later ... BAM!

And that’s how I’ll do these pushups ... break them up into small sets throughout the day ... 5 little sets of 25 every few hours in between my regular workout/training session, meals, work, and just life ... I’d even venture to bet that the coaches at my mothership box at CrossFit Chicago would even approve (and they’re a tough bunch).

I considered everything ... even the possibility of rhabdo, but I believe I’ve set realistic volumes and periodised it in such a way that I have plenty of time to recover and spread out the work over the 30 day period (5 sets a day of 25-26 pushups every few hours). I even have a spreadsheet to help me track it!

So if I’ve developed a good plan, the challenge won’t be physical ... it will be purely about mental strength, focus, and discipline.

I made it to day 3 ... 378 pushups done ... 3395 pushups left for the children of St. Jude's Research Hospital ... and I'm just getting started!

I'm not the fastest, the strongest, or the most efficient ... and I'm DEFINITELY not the youngest ... but I can and will stay the course ... in the grander scheme of things, this ain’t nothin’ ... I got this.

so many, so tired, so sore … so good

i was tickled pink to sneak into CFC for a lil visit on my rest day ... rudy gave me crap (I expect nothing less), bryce rolled his eyes at me, ambassador called me skinny, and i forgot my jacket ... funny how things change but stay the same … god, I love those guys

I also love all the snow ... love love love love loooooove the snow ... love it, hate it, and just can't stop looking at it ... makes for easier sled pulling and cushioning for my knees ;)

matt and i are still working high volumes with 2-a-days 3x a week to help us prepare for those long, hard camp move days (periodisation!?) ... doing our wods in the forest preserve, non-heated garage, and backyard in this snow-packed, subzero weather is definitely keeping me innoculated ... but i still miss WOD'ing with the gang in the nice warm digs and being able to sling f'bombs without being lectured

so I haven’t been posting my daily wods … but i have them all on my little cards (which I keep pretty organised) … I found it too time consuming to spend the additional time to post them (plus I don’t think anyone actually reads these) and matt seems to enjoy cataloging our workouts on his laptop. me? I just do what I’m told.

squats are still weak (and awkward) … its strange because I use the same legs to pull 150-200lbs for hundreds of meters in the forest preserve … I’m sure there’s something mechanically going on that I can’t seem to figure out.

tweaked my elbow pretty bad and there’s little I can do with it without the searing pain giving me what for. I also think I’m running incorrectly because my lower back starts to hurt … this is a new problem and I have no idea how to correct this.

overall, I’m working steady… expeditions are 10-21 days long, so it’s not like a marathon where it’s over within 5 hours or

health = 8
mental = 7.5
endurance = 8
strength = 7
recovery = 3
diet = 5
sleep = 6-7hrs