Around here..

It's been the usual busy week around here.

Work, kids' activities and fitness related stuff for us.  Sophie competed in the Valley's Cross Country race this week and qualified for Provincials in Abbotsford.  She's had a great running season.

The kids both had a Pro D day today. Fynn went to the mechatronics camp.  He and his friend Taylor made a cool robot.  Fynn's a bright kid.  He is building his own computer at home purchasing the various parts as he can afford them.  Love how his mind works.  He also took a keen interest in the recent federal election.

Vic and I are competing in the Crossfit Open again this year.  We had workout 20.3 today.  I finally kicked up from the floor into a handstand.  Now it is time to work on the push up portion of the movement.  Very difficult.

29 years!

Wow!  Our 29 year wedding anniversary this past weekend.  It was a busy time with Sophie working for a shift at McDonald's on Saturday, Fynn playing a bit of tennis at the grand opening of the new indoor tennis facility, Vic and I at the Crossfit Spring Shakedown and then a fundraising dinner for the tennis club later that evening.  On top of that, Sophie had her year-end dance recital.  While Saturday was super busy, we were able to go out for a quiet breakfast on Sunday.

We finished the Open 2018

One of my fitness goals for 2018 was to participate in the Crossfit Open.  Well, both Vic and I paid our $20 and signed up in February.  For 5 weeks, we did Open workouts that were announced each Thursday at 5pm.  Every Friday, I would feel butterflies getting a bit nervous about how I would do each workout.

I think the nerves come from the fact that you record an "official" time/rep for each workout that has been signed off by a judge (someone from your box) in the Crossfit Open website and your affiliate owner has to verify it.  It adds that level of competition to it.  I like the competitive part of it...I think my competitive nature really came out in the Open.  It also underscored for me what I need to work on to be more successful for next year's open:  Hand Stand Pushup and Kipping Pull Ups.  Having said that, I did have a couple of breakthroughs: my "beat swings" have improved, I got my first strict pull-up, my push-ups have come a long way (no more "women's) and I can do a decent Thruster now.

I'm sure I'll sign up for next year's open. 

Back Squat

Today we had a busy Saturday morning.  Fynn had a hockey game, and Sophie had dance practice.  After hockey, Vic and I headed over to Crossfit for the 3rd annual Crossfit Total where you get points based on your one rep maximum. 

I hit 3 personal bests today:

Back Squat 125 lbs
Overhead Press (strict) 65 lbs
Dead lift 175 lbs

I was happy with all of those numbers, as I consider how far I have come in the past year.

Surviving On Ramp

As I wrote about last month, Vic and I enrolled in Crossfit On Ramp (fundamentals classes for about 3 weeks).  It was a challenging three weeks, not only because of the time commitment (I wasn't used to going 3 x a week) but also learning the Olympic lifting techniques and some of the gymnastic moves.  I doubt I will be attempting a handstand push up anytime soon.

When we completed the On Ramp classes last month, we started onto regular CrossFit.  I was finally able to leave the security of "Lite" Classes.  That was easier said than done for the first week when I was really nervous about taking a regular class.  It seemed too intimidating when I was quite comfortable with Lite.  But after a few days I decided to sign up for a regular WOD and I'm glad I did. Since then, I've done 3 WOD classes, plus a number of Lite classes.  It means I'm at CrossFit 4 times a week and it is starting to show.  I'm definitely getting tighter and more toned. My mobility, especially with squatting below parallel has really improved too.

I'll keep reporting back on my progress in the upcoming weeks.

Cross Fit On Ramp

Vic and I have been on the Cross Fit journey for about 1 year.  We did the Cross Fit Lite classes for just over a year, and now we have started the On Ramp program (it teaches you the techniques for lifting, etc) so we will be able to do the regular Cross Fit classes.  On Ramp is interesting and it is not easy!  Trying to focus on the instruction and getting your brain to translate what our coach Cody is describing into movement that your body is supposed to be doing is tough.

Anyway, I am proud of us for sticking with it and upping the challenge with On Ramp.

Summer musings

It seems hard to believe that it is the middle of July.  The kids are well into summer routines and I'm enjoying not have to get them ready for school or the homework fight.  They are still doing their Kumon math once a day (most days) which can be a struggle, but in the grand scheme of pushing them a bit, it isn't too bad.

Fynn had a full week of camp last week, attending the Epic Sports Academy.  He loves most kinds of sports (apparently with the exception of karate) so he had a great time attending with our neighbour's son, Dillon.  Sophie is off to Royal Winnipeg dance intensive in August, so still a couple more weeks of her being at home.  They do have a science day camp the week after this coming week that will keep them busy.

As for me, I've been continuing with my CrossFit Lite classes and I am proud of my progress....basically sticking with it since January is my greatest accomplishment and I'm starting to see some nice shoulder definition.  The effort was worthy of a new pair of Lululemon shorts I got when we were in Vancouver a week or so ago. Here's a photo of their beautiful art gallery.  We took in the Picasso and his women/muse show.  Excellent and only in Vancouver!

That's it for now!

Sheri

Family Priority Goals 2016 - update

A few weeks ago I wrote about these 2016 Family Priority Goals.


- learning new things (Learning to play the piano.  I have asked the kids' teacher and she is going to take me on!)
- taking photos of our life (Working on what this might look like.  I think I would like to take photos of birds in 2016 -- in addition to the usual subjects I photograph)
- keeping fit (I don't know exactly what this will be, however, I have told Vic I want to do another 10 km in the fall.  I have also started to intentionally increase my weights in 2/4 weekly fitness classes).

With one month of the year down, I wanted to report out on some progress! I started my first piano lesson this week following Fynn's lesson.  Sophie is currently on a break from piano following her last exam. She did well on her exam (75%) and needs to recharge.  In her place, I have started to learn some of the very basic fundamentals.  It's tough slogging as I have no musical training at all.  I have a new appreciation for what the kids are able to do.

With respect to my second goal - birds - Vic and I did purchase a second bird feeder so we can keep attracting more birds to our yard.  We've also managed to identify at least one of the birds that comes to our backyard.  The photo is attached. 

Finally, I am so proud of myself for braving a CrossFit Lite class tonight.  I asked a co-worker about it (she competes in CrossFit) and she was very supportive and encouraged me to take a class.  I had one of the best workouts ever!  Looking forward to next Tuesday's class.