Day 93...

I am changing.  The person I am so different from a year ago.  The traveler I am so different.  I've been to many places, many time zones, hotels.  I'm a proficient traveler, have been since I started flying alone at a young age between relatives.  I like my adaptability, my flexibility, my survival instincts.  But even with all this history I'm different now and I've only come to this conclusion on my recent adventure.

Whereas once I'd faithfully take my running shoes with me they'd often never leave my bag - the knowledge that I'd just packed them seemingly enough.  And now? Now I search for that spot that is suitable for a WOD - find only one that requires a brief run to get to and I don't hesitate, find precious enough minutes to fit it in, in the height of unyielding midday heat... no excuses, no distractions just movement.  Forward... one step, another.  Brief respite as I reach the field then back at it.  Burpee... one, two... ten.  Breathing hard... twenty, thirty.  Seconds ticking by, still so many reps left...  fourty, fourty-five.  Fifty - half way, finally.  Keep moving, one more rep, one more.  Sixty, seventy.  Cursing Jack. Eighty, almost there.  Ninety, just ten to go.  Finally, as sweat drips from every pore, finished - 100 reps as promised.  Satisfaction.  A quick breather then I'm off, back to where I started.  Running - no excuse to walk - keep moving, it's not yet done.

And in these steps, these burning breaths.  It hits me.  I'm different now.  I yearn for these challenges, these finite goals, satisfying.  The shoes no longer hide in my luggage, they are left strewn and sweaty... and accompanied by my skipping rope.

Day 92...

Brief updates from the middle of the pacific...

Today I am thankful for iced coffee surprises - full on coffee goodness topped with a delicious little ice cream surprise.

Today I am respectful of the oceans power - of those who know their limits and admit them full on - the bravery that it takes to stand back and say it's too much - too much power, too much wildness, too much.  Too much.

Today I am happy - to getting to frolick in the sunshine away from any technological restraints or clocks or plans.  I just am.  Being.  Happy.

Today I am...

Day 91 - unexpected plans and cloudy closeness

I’m thankful today for being able to adapt to changing plans.  My flight last night was cancelled (delayed?) as I sat at the airport ready to board.  In the past I was a person who would get quite aggravated at this – would blame innocent people for things beyond their control and I was really happy to realize on the long dark drive home that I’m no longer that very unhappy girl.  Instead of expending energy getting mad I instead used that energy for fun – got an extra unplanned WOD in at the box at 9:30am (the most relaxed time of the day) and followed that up with a fun breakfast with awesome company (thanks Angie)…  it was a blast and felt like a ‘free’ day.  I managed to eventually get to Rarotonga a day later and it didn’t even matter.  I didn’t miss much there and I gained so much more here including that ‘did not depart’ stamp in my passport that makes for another outstanding adventure story.

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I stare out at the puffy clouds and want to jump into their softness.  Feel a connection to you a world away – somewhere.  I don’t know exactly the distance but at this height it doesn’t seem so far.  Just a sunset away.  In this moment, staring out into the fading sunlight I feel close to you – closer than I have in some time and I cherish it as I drift to sleep with a  smile on my face.

Day 90...

Leaving on a jet plane...  it's been a while since I've had an adventure (beyond moving half way around the world) and this one was completely last minute and barely planned beyond booking a ticket and I like it this way.  Endless opportunities and beautiful people awaiting my arrival in a remote island in the middle of the Pacific.  I'm in the last hour of work finally - it's been the craziest of days - and the excitement is settling in - replacing the adrenaline that has been my non-stop day.  I can't wait to get on that plane - to breathe in the air on the other end - so different than anywhere else - a smile on my face and a week to relax. 

See you in a week!

(note, I will still be continuing my daily writing while there but likely won't post it until my return as I'm going without a computer - yay! - and internet/ wifi is apparently extremely expensive as is everything else!)

Day 89...

A journey.  I'm getting ready for another adventure but it feels so different this time - so relaxed, so simplistic.  Just me and a ticket.  Bag still to be packed but I'm carefree.  Warmth.  It's different this time - there are few plans on the other side - many unknowns and yet all I can feel is peace.  Bright blue waters, blindingly yellow sun - this is what awaits me and I'm ready.  Writing beneath a palm tree, feeling, remembering.  Hair blowing in a cooling breeze.  Toes dusty from warm sand, workouts preplanned but not feared - expected.  I'm ready to get away for this short time - rest, relaxation.  Rejuvenation through time spent with old friends.

Day 88...

There is something sublimely magical about someone else washing your hair - the relaxation, the peace.  It's perfect.

Day 87... missing you

I miss you.  I miss you and I think that’s okay because if I didn’t miss you it means it wouldn’t be worth it and it is.  You are.  This matters.  You matter.

This isn’t a deep seeded longing – there is no ache, no agony involved in the wait, just a wish you were here sentiment – impatience.  I can handle it though, tolerate it, knowing you’re coming back to me.  Soon enough.

Just come back to me.

Day 86...

Today there are aches, pains, bruises.  All signs of an amazing day - a tough day.  Physical.  Mental.  A day of accomplishments and success.  Support.  Communication.  It was a great day and the aches and pains and bruises are a happy reminder.

Day 85... affiliate cup recap...

Saturday was AWESOME!!!  It was my first time competing in a Crossfit competition and even though there was a ton of nervousness and it was an extremely long day I loved it. 

My team awesome team of four was  Adam, Ross, Lisa and myself.  We were in the beginner category along with two other Cooee teams (there were 13 teams in the beginner category

WOD #1

Barbell Run

2 40kg barbells for beginners

As a team complete a 1600m run carrying both weighted barbells below the shoulders – the team must cross the finish line together.  If a bar is placed on the ground there will be a 10 squat penalty to be completed once the run is finished.

11:22 (1^st overall)

We were in the first group to go and had a pretty decent strategy of stretcher carrying both barbells in pairs (guys and girls).  We started out with the boys carrying and took off faster than anyone else – it seemed most teams were walking – and immediately were in front on our own.  It was a steady pace and we communicated and worked well in our transitions.  Towards the end of the second lap however our grip strength was failing – it was becoming quite difficult to maintain the stretcher carry and we switched to one bar for the boys and one for the girls held on our bent arms – this worked because both people could still run forwards however Lisa and I were struggling – Ross took one barbell on his own and Adam took most of the other while Lisa and I helped as best we could on either end and we finished like this.  It was a good start to the day.

The other Cooee Beginner teams were 3^rd and 4^th – solid showing.

WOD #2

KB/ Burpee Broadjump

Male – 20kg KB, Female – 16kg KB

In pairs (male/female) – one pair works on KB swings – only one person working at a time while the other pair completes 40m (approx.) of burpee broadjumps (alternating guy/girl for the distance).  Once burpees are completed team sprints back and switches.  Each pair does both the swings and burpees twice.  Score is finish time minus number of KB swings (in seconds).

2:49 (6^th overall)

This was a pretty straightforward WOD and the burpees didn’t hurt too much because there was too much else to focus on (full partner extension, tagging partners hand, hands behind their feet, burpee, big jump, full extension, repeat) which also made the distance pass quicker.  The KB swings were Russian swings so elbows just had to be above shoulders – we typically only do American swings so it required focus to not swing too high (to get more reps completed).  Again our team had great communication on this one.

All Cooee Beginner teams were top 5 after these two WODS!

WOD #3

“Sam”

250 DU’s (or 750 SU’s) – whole team either does DU’s or SU’s

200 Wall-balls (8kg male/ 5kg female bottom line for both)

150 Deadlifts (70kg male/ 50kg female)

3km row

15 minute cut-off

To be completed as a team.  All reps of each exercise to be completed before moving on to the next exercise.  One person working at a time, one person must be on the rower at all times until 3km completed.

14:54 (3^rd overall)

This was a really fun WOD and worked to some of our strengths both with what we had been practicing at team training (switching out to complete a large number of reps) and also our skills from everyday training (DU’s).  It also had one of our major weaknesses – wall-balls.  We don’t have the proper equipment at the moment to do these at our box so we struggled here.  We were however one of only 18 (total 41 teams) to complete this WOD under 15 minutes. 

Adam jumped on the rower straight off as Ross, Lisa and I killed on the DU’s – I managed to string together 31 at one point, not quite my best but up there.  We were quickly onto the wall-balls but got several no-rep calls with either inability to get above the line or not getting enough depth on the squat.  It was a struggle but we made it through.  During this time Ross switched out with Adam on the rower followed by a short stint by both Lisa and I.  I didn’t get too far and although I could have done more I switched out when Adam came back because my feet weren’t really strapped in (little feet).  Adam was able to finish however while we were doing our deadlifts and then the 4 of us banged out the 150 seconds before the cut-off.  It was a lot of fun and non-stop.  Again, our communication really helped.

All Cooee beginner teams were in the top 5 meaning we all got into WOD #4 – the final WOD.

WOD #4

Squat Cleans/ Sprints

In pairs (males and females working together on difference bars).

7 minute AMRAP

Minutes 1,3,5 – max squat cleans per pair (40kg/20kg)

Minutes 2,4 – max sprints (approx. 40m)

One person in the pair working at a time for both squats and sprints.  1 point for every squat clean, 2 points for every sprint (there/back) – both partners had to be back on the mat before squat cleans could start again after sprinting.

(don’t know our final score)

Our team struggled with the squat cleans though it seemed were pretty much solid on the sprints.  Lisa and I did 61 squat cleans and 30 sprints (15 there and back) but it wasn’t enough for us to place in the top 3 – however – the other two Cooee teams represented – 2nd (Shonelle, Esther, Vinnie, Dozer) and 3rd (Vicki, Jeni, Oli, Dom) overall for the day.  A great showing for the box!

Our intermediate team also had a solid showing placing 6th (Angie, Kirsten, Jack and Pete) and just barely missing the final WOD.

Congrats to everyone from Cooee who competed. Big thanks to Tim who coached us all day and to Match who judged so that we as athletes didn’t have to (and it was agreed upon by all that he probably worked the hardest all day).  Also much appreciation to everyone else who came along to cheer us on – it was great to have that support.  Go green!

Day 84... we remember

Today we remember - all those that came before us, who fought so that we can live in the world that we do... we remember all those that continue to fight - who willingly devote their lives to keeping us safe from harm, who go to places that we can barely imagine to shelter us from things beyond our wildest imaginations... we remember and reflect on all that has been, all that is now and all that (sadly) is still to come.