Monkeying Around

I've always loved watching adults do the monkey bars in events like Tough Mudder and other obstacle courses, but since leaving primary school I've never had the upper body strength to do them myself. I have tried many times, but couldn't move one arm to the next bar.

Joining Crossfit last September I had a secret goal in my head to do the monkey bars again!

Yesterday I met my brother for a lovely lunch in a nearby town, then headed to the local park to walk my dog Neddie. On the walk I came across this set of monkey bars, which I have tried many times over the years, but no go.
 

So as per all my previous attempts I climbed up and grabbed onto the bar and tried to move one arm to the next bar, and in surprise I managed it and then fell to the ground. I tried again and something similar happened, but I was so wrapped that I managed to move one arm, that I tried a third time and managed to get all the way across. The next attempt the same thing happened, plus I got a little clap from a passerby, then completed one more crossing, for three times across. By now my hands were sore and red, so knew I wouldn't get a fourth one in. Absolutely made my day.

I was and still am bouncing with awe that I finally have the strength to do the monkey bars as an adult and I am also probably at my heavist weight too. I no longer own scales, so don't actually know what I weigh.

I can't wait to be back in the town to swing on the monkey bars again!

Prowling

Yesterday was my third PT session and I was so so tired from not sleeping well the night before and then up at 3am for a 4am work start. I got through the session and enjoyed it all except the last little heart starter with the prowler sled.

Started with a warm up on the bike, then front squats for technique. I've been allowed to have my feet a little wider and this has helped me get deeper with my squats. In fact yesterday was the deepest I've ever gotten down and it felt good, although getting back up was tough. I was complimented on my straight back, which apparently is perfect for squatting, something I haven't been told before. I can't help, but wonder if all the mobilisation work I have been doing since I started Crossfit last September is helping with a lot of this stuff.

Next a combination of strict pull-ups and kipping pull-ups (with a band), then knee-ups. The knee-ups felt better then ever before. They were in between knee-ups and knees to chest, feet together, again felt good and was complimented on technique. I feel like I am finally starting to get stronger and get "stuff". I have started practising knee ups on my gym rings at home, which is probably helping as well.

To finish I got to use the prowler sled for the first time, run down and back pushing it. That really got the heart pumping and the thighs pumping. I'd be happy not use that one again, although I am wondering if I felt worse due to lack of sleep.

Murray Bridge Fun Run

Sunday 30th March was the Murray Bridge Fun Run, and I had encouraged my sister to enter the 5k with me. It was her first fun run, plus she'd had a baby only a couple of months ago. I always find it hard to run with someone else in a race. If I'm on my own I push really hard, but also run my own race, but with someone else I don't know how hard to run. In the end I think it worked well. We had a good talking pace for the first half and then really pushed hard for the second half which saw us come in at 39:07 mins.

The event was really well organised, cheap entry fees, free jumping castle and free 1km run for the kids. My two oldest nieces 5 and 3 (I think their ages are), entered the 1km run and did really well, with Dad running and encouraging them along. They had fun and were happy to do it, but thinking about it, 1km is a long way at that age. They all did really really well.

I caught up with a few other runners I knew and had a chat, it was just a beautiful day, fog in the morning with the sun coming out just before the run started. Good fun morning :)

Whole Life Challenge

I have signed up for the Whole Life Challenge, which begins May 3. I have been keeping my eye out for the next challenge, as it looks like fun in a non deprivation way. The challenge goes for 8 weeks and each day you gain or lose points. If you eat treat foods you lose points, if you do 10 mins of mobilisation or 10 mins of exercise you gain points etc.

I think it will be a good fun way for me to get into the habit of stretching/mobilising daily and doing 10 mins of exercise daily, which I think will be walking the dog time.

I am also looking forward to focusing on making healthier, whole food choices every day!

Personal Training Session Number Two!

This morning I had my second personal training session, not sure how it would go, but it was really enjoyable. I was worried that I would not get to work towards all the Crossfit movements, since leaving my Crossfit box, but for this morning's 30 min session we covered the following:

- Kettlebell swings, worked my way up to a couple at 16kg's
- Lunges in between kettlebell swings
- Farmer carry walk with kettlebells
- Back squats
- Strict pull-ups
- Knees to chest
- Throwing a 36kg ball over my shoulders

I definitely felt like I had a workout when I left 30 mins later!

Last week I could only get the 36kg ball over the right shoulder twice, but happily got it over the left shoulder twice today, lots of grunting to get it up there, but I succeeded.

I am really glad to be back in weekly sessions again and looking forward to adding a second session sometime soon. Thinking I may have to wait until after my half marathon, but I will play it by ear.

First Personal Training Session

Sadly I've decided to put my Crossfit Membership on hold for a few months until I work out my routine with my new work hours. I am finding the class times don't work for me anymore. 

I had a personal recommendation for a personal trainer with a Crossfit background.She works in 30 min blocks, which makes it affordable, with the goal to work up to two sessions a week.

Yesterday was a getting to know me session, we worked up through the weights for split jerks, which felt good, jumping on the bike in between each set, strict pull-ups and ball throws over the shoulder. I definitely got a solid workout within the 30 mins.

I love weight/strength training, Olympic lifts, pull-ups etc, so we are going to work more on these things and I can work on the cardio in my own time. Next session is next Wednesday morning before work.

In other news I have made the last minute decision to train and run the Great Ocean Road Half Marathon. This one has been on the horizon the last few years, but this is going to be the year to run it. I have 8 weeks left and my body is feeling good. The Crossfit training has really helped with my speed and fitness. I have a couple of other fun runs and maybe one or two big runs in sight for later this year.

Training For My Third Half Marathon

I have decided today, with 10 weeks to go, that I'm going to enter and run the Great Ocean Road marathon, which is actually 23km's, whereas the official half marathon distance is 21.1km's.

A friend asked me to go with free accommodation, so I'm going to run it, enjoy the view (entire run along the ocean), soak up the atmosphere and the experience with my friend/s.

I have also just purchased the Half Marathon Roadmap mostly because it is a plan for vegetarians, with food suggestions and also keen to see his training plan. I am going to have to modify all the distances as they are in miles and also start in week 3, as it is a 12 week program, but otherwise for $25 USD it looks good.

Tomorrow I will go for my first run in over a month. Hoping it goes well...