Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Set Goals, Crush Them, Repeat.

It's been quite sometime since I've written here... (as I think I start every blog post with that sentence), but I've just been so caught up in life, summer, and enjoying every moment of it, sometimes you forget to stop and reflect. When things are going positively, it's best to live in the moment, but it's when things are down in the dumps and not connecting, it seems it's the best time for us to stop and think.

Don't get me wrong, everything is going peachy for me. Life has it's usual ups and downs, but I am very happy with where I am in life.

Today's post comes from one of those sweet "Facebook Memories" that pop up for me every morning. I used to get daily notifications that I have memories, but Facebook stopped doing that. I always got so excited to go and look back and see how far I have come over the years, that now, every morning, it's one of the first things I go looking for.

This morning, one year ago, I had written this post.

It was quite the monumental post to write and publish. It took a lot of guts, balls, what-have-you, to write that post. To really reflect where I came from, my struggles with weight (and laziness, to be honest), and work my ass to get where I wanted to be.

In the post, I had written a few goals for myself that I wanted to accomplish:

  • Run the Ottawa Race Weekend Half Marathon - Completed, May 2017
  • To be able to do pull ups without a band - Completed March-ish, 2017
  • To deadlift over 215lb (my old weight, really) - My 1RM is now 265lbs, sooo, completed!
  • I want to be able to do Spartan next summer - Not really a goal of mine anymore, would still be fun to do. 
I love that I wrote those goals. They seemed so fleeting at the time, goals that were going to be very hard to accomplish, yet I never gave up, worked my ass off, and accomplished them, and so much more, within the year. 

So, because I love being able to see progress and be able to compare to where I was before, I am going to write a few goals I have for myself in the next year. I use a program called Beyond the Whiteboard (shoutout!!) and it allows me to track all my workouts, which is a really great way to see progress as well. 
  • Be able to do a muscle up 
  • Compete more in Crossfit
  • Run another half marathon
  • Travel more
So, October 2018, I'm coming for ya!

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

May the course be with you.

Good Morning Friends!

It's been a while. Life has this weird way of everything catching up at once, everything happening at once. Sometimes it's so overwhelming to think of all the things I have going on and try to balance at once. I try to continuously remind myself of how god damn privileged I am, how lucky I am that I can wake up and do what I love everyday. So, let me fill you in on what has been keeping me so darn busy lately.

TAMARACK OTTAWA RACE WEEKEND!
A little over 44,000 people participated in races this past weekend (May 27 & 28). From the 2km, 5km and 10km races on Saturday, to the Half and Full Marathons on Sunday.

I ran my first half marathon on Sunday and let me tell you, that was probably one of the hardest things I've had to physically do in my life up to this point. I push myself most days at the gym, but I've never had to push myself this hard for 2 straight hours (just over 2 hours, to be exact). I signed up for this race in October feeling confident that I could train lots and be totally prepared. Then, Crossfit came into my life and I got very deep into training for the Open, and then my first competition that I assumed I was just fit enough to run 21.1kms without any real running training. I have never run over 15kms before, but when I did it felt really good and my legs felt great. This Sunday I prepped the night before, woke up with good time, had a good breakfast and wasn't anxious or stressed on my way downtown. I felt good and eager to do it. I stupidly wore a t-shirt and while in the corrals I regretted that decision. I knew it was supposed to be sunny and warm, but wasn't expecting the heat and sun that came. The first 10km felt good, I was keeping my usual 5:30 pace and hoped that I could keep that for the remainder of the race. By the time we got to Tunney's Pasture and out on the parkway towards the War Museum, I knew I was in for it. My legs started to feel insanely heavy and the heat was starting to get to me. I walked, for the first time in a race in the last 2 years. I was disappointed that I had to, and kept the walking only within water and hydration stations.

As we came up the main drag in Hull, past the History Museum and across the Alexandria Bridge, I knew I had to just push. Head down, keep hydrating and just keep moving. I still stopped at water stations because I knew if I didn't keep hydrating, I would be passing out. I had a belt on with two water bottles, but those emptied fast.

The last stretch through downtown was the hardest of the entire day, yet I felt so motivated to finish and get in the best possible time I could. The emotions that come over you as you run down Sussex, down the canal, is one that cannot be explained unless you've done it. So many people came out to cheer, see you struggle and yell out words of encouragement. Every runner that runs the race weekend can agree with me that we finish because of those words. They seriously help, even though we may still look miserable.

I finished with a final time of 2 hours and 12 minutes. Leading up to it I wanted to sub 2 hours. At about the 13km into the race I knew that wasn't going to happen and started aiming for more around 2:10. For my first half marathon, one that I hardly properly trained for, I am very happy with that time. My goal was not very realistic going into it and I thought I could keep my pace for the entire thing and be fine, but did I ever get a wake up call.

I am so happy I did it and am now able to check off that little box in my "Life Goals" list. I say this in probably every post I write but 2 years ago, a half would never be in my realm of things I could do. I am now fit enough to just do it, albeit in pain, and finish, with a pretty decent time and a smile on my face. See below picture of me crossing the finish line, with a smile. 


I also got the great opportunity to be apart of TEAM AWESOME, which I have spoken about in past Blog posts. I finally got to meet most of the team this weekend and I have to say, everyone was so Awesome, so nice, so inviting. Some gave me tips, some gave me words of encouragement. It was great to feel apart of a team in this individual sport. We all also received VIP passes that allowed us to watch the races from a tent right next to the finish line. I feel very honored to have been picked as apart of this team. Everyone worked so hard this weekend. Big congrats to all!



Aside from running this past weekend, life has been crazy otherwise as well. Work is very busy and starting to travel a lot for that. Crossfit is still the love of my life and although I had to take a few days off (3 in a row, to be exact), I am excited to get back into my grove and train hard AF (excuse my language) this summer to hopefully see an ab or two pop in and hopefully continue to compete in competitions. 

I'm also moving (again)! I haven't moved in a year and a half but it's time for a new spot. Moving has been rated one of the most stressful things you do in your life. I officially am in my new place as of Saturday, so that will be a big weight off. I am staying in the Burg, obviously, and moving right next to Hintonburg park. Very excited for my new spot in the heart of the best neighborhood in the city!

But life is great! I continuously wake up every day so happy and content with where my life is heading. Obviously it's not perfect but I can honestly say that I am very happy. 

Anywho, there's no easy way to sign off for me, I could ramble forever. :) 

- Denise


Monday, February 6, 2017

constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to the 2nd month of 2017. January was a busy one; I'm sure for everyone else as much as it was for me! I turned 27 a few weeks ago and with a new year starting for me, it allowed me to reflect on all the great things I did when I was 26. 

I'm sure I'm not the only person who thinks this way; remembering who I was 10 years ago and thinking "Oh wow, when I'm 27, which is in forever from now, I will have a house, a bunch of kids, a husband, probably living back in Russell; life will be wonderful." But, that is obviously no where remotely close to where I am but I am quite okay with that. When I was younger, I thought being in my late 20s, I would have accomplished everything I had wanted and would have a family, but that is not the case. 

When you're 17, 27 feels so far away, like another planet. But as we all know, that's not the case. With age, comes responsibility, but it also allows you to be more aware of the road you're walking. I didn't think I would be single right now, but I am, and tis life. One day someone will want to deal with my crazy, hopefully.

SO, as one should do, becoming single again allowed me to focus on MYSELF, which I wish I had done my entire 20s, but I did not. I have now made a promise to myself; ALWAYS FOCUS ON YOU. Because being a better version of yourself, whether single or in a relationship, is always the better way to go. I never focused on myself when I was with other people, never made myself and my fitness a priority, but now, if you date me, I hope I can squeeze you into my workout schedule, because that is and will now always be, one of the most important things in my life and something I will constantly want to focus on and get better at. 

If you know what title of my blog means, good for you! If not, well, read further...

"CrossFit workouts are based on functional movements, and these movements reflect the best aspects of gymnastics, weightlifting, running, rowing and more. These are the core movements of life. They move the largest loads the longest distances, so they are ideal for maximizing the amount of work done in the shortest time. Intensity is essential for results and is measurable as work divided by time—or power. The more work you do in less time, or the higher the power output, the more intense the effort. By employing a constantly varied approach to training, functional movements and intensity lead to dramatic gains in fitness." - www.crossfit.com

I remember hearing a few friends starting Crossfit years ago and I thought (in my insanely lazy state) Why would anyone do that? These people are crazy? Stop talking about Crossfit! Don't you have lives? Etc, etc, etc. Now, I wish I had started it when they did, so I could do a Muscle Up by now! 

As you know, I have been furiously going to the gym for almost a year now. There are several Crossfit gyms in my community but I still never thought it would be something I would do. In September I ran into a friend who coaches (you know who you are), said how good I looked and how much I would LOVE Crossfit! So, when a gym in my neighbourhood (WOLVISH!!!), posted a Groupon for 16 classes for like, $45, in October, I knew this was my time to at least give it a try. Like starting anything new, I was quite nervous about going. Despite having a pretty solid workout regime, I was still worried how I would perform. After a few "intro" classes I started attending real classes and really starting to understand how people who Crossfit become obsessed with it. It is not only about the workouts, the improvements you can make by working really hard, it's also about the welcoming community Crossfit boxes across the world have, including Wolvish. I was warmly welcomed into classes, made friends, chatted people up, and tried not to sound like an idiot too much. The community is beyond anything I've ever experienced; we all suffer together, which brings everyone closer together!

I have now made the change to doing solely Crossfit, with running still a big priority as well. I have been going since the first week of November and have never been happier.
Every workout is tough, every. single one. But I have learned so much; Handstand push ups, Double Unders, Pull Ups, Rowing, and can do heavier lifts then I thought was possible for me. I am so pleased with how much I have learned in 3 short months and would love to be able to compete in another few months. The Crossfit open is starting in a few weeks, which gives those across the world a chance to compete against each other. 

If you want to find a workout regime that pushes your boundaries every single day, that takes you out of your comfort zone to learn new things, that allows you to feel apart of a crazy community, Crossfit is the way to go. Me 3 years ago would have laughed if I ever thought I would be doing this, but as I said below, I just now wish I started it sooner.
If you're in the Hintoburg area, keep an eye out for Crossfit Wolvish on Groupon, or sign up and come out to some of their intro classes. You won't be dissapointed; you'll be sweaty and exhausted, but not disappointed.


Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Goodbye 2016, Hello 2017!

I know I know, we all do this right? Start a new idea, do your best to stay on it and then slowly, but surely, it fades and you don't engage it in for a few months. That is this blog, and that is most peoples New Years resolutions. You have great intentions on sticking to it and changing your lifestyle, but most people fade within a few months. This blog was never meant to be constantly updated, so I am okay with the fact that I haven't written on here in a few months.

I do want this post to be more about reflecting on my 2016; how my decisions and actions have led me to where I am today, and how starting off 2016 I didn't think I could do it. Any of it. Loose weight, be happier, be more active, stay in my career path, find love (which didn't happen, but that's okay). I never make New Years resolutions because I worry that labeling them as such jinxes my willpower to continue on them.

The things that I wanted to change in my life, starting in 2016, were insanely achieved. I started off the year fat, like, fat. I was determined to change that. Looking back, I cringe. How was I okay living like that? I didn't care. And thinking back, I realized I didn't care because it was always about someone else. I vowed to myself that I could no longer live like that. Fast forward 365 days and some may call me crazy for my 2-a-days at INS, for my half marathon and #TeamAwesome registration, for starting Crossfit (which by the way, rules, in so many ways), and for my willpower to eating healthy. It has not been easy, at all. It took a lot of hard work. Tons of aches and pains, tons of them. Lots of early mornings, late nights, food cravings and wishing it all just came with a push of a button.

But, I put in the time, I ate real food, I sweated my balls off; 6 days a week, a few times a day. I ran in blistering heat to train for the race weekend. I didn't drink booze for weeks. I said no to hanging out with friends because I committed to the gym, I ditched going on dates because douchebags aren't worth ditching the gym for. I did all of that. So if you think you can do it any easier, you can't. Success takes hard work. Now look at me though; I am not where I want to be, I don't think any of us will be, but I proved myself wrong, I'm sure I proved others wrong, and I stayed focused, determined and became stubborn as hell with myself that I could do it.

2016 sucked for a lot of people; from America (for too many reasons), to all the celebrities who passed away, to the Middle East and this horrible fight these people are stuck in, to innocent Pitbulls in Montreal, to friends who lost family members and for loads of more reasons. Through all of these sucky things, I realized how god damn privileged I am and how I shouldn't be taking any of it for granted. I have a job, which I love, I have a few really amazing people in my life, I have a roof over my head, I am healthy enough to go to the gym every single day, I have enough food to keep me alive. Like man, I am lucky.

So yeah, I look back at 2016 as being super successful for myself. I did a lot of things. I achieved a lot of goals and I want all of that to continue into 2017. I will continue to bust my ass at the gym, try to new things, eat well, meet new people, maybe go on a date (haha), and continue this sweet life I have.

Be grateful for everything that you have. If you don't like something in your life, change it. If you're reading this blog you're most likely pretty privileged, compared to most of the people in the world. You have to capability to change anything in your life. So do it. Not everyone gets the freedom and the opportunities we have.