Granite Games 2015

Where do I even begin with this weekend?  The words life changing and inspiring come to mind.  This weekend I lived and breathed CrossFit (fairly normal right?).  I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Kill Cliff Granite Games here in St. Cloud.  Amazing.  Even as I am writing this post I am getting teary eyed thinking of how hard I worked and how incredibly rewarding it was all at the same time.  I sit here writing and my feet are throbbing, my arms are all cut up, and bruises line both legs.   

It is no secret that I love CrossFit and if I could spend all my time doing it I wouldn’t even have to think about my answer because I’d do it.  Being able to set up equipment for world class athletes and being sweated on by those very same people makes me want to hit the gym this very moment. 

This weekend I got to spend time with some of the fittest people in the country.  Who gets to say that?

I had to put this in here because I got to reset his rower during a WOD and I touched him.
I could've died. Such a cool and down to earth guy.

Sam Dancer

Although a huge part of my weekend was being there with the athletes it was also the location and the experience.  This event was held at St. Cloud State University and we seriously took over.  Three separate tournament spaces filled with athletes and spectators alike. I had one major health nerd moment that I thought I’d share with you.  When I was told that the food was outside for lunch I figured it’d be the normal fried foods you find at all major sporting events…ummm I was so shocked to see all paleo, healthy, gluten free, and vegan meals being sold!  How awesome is that?  I wish you could walk down a normal fair street and see those very same options. 

Anyway I will be done gushing over my amazing weekend and let you see some pictures!

 

Day 1

Day 3 

Loved getting to see people from my old Box CrossFit Charis!  This killed it this weekend :) 

Team Charis

My new Granite Games Custom Reeboks.

Hope you had a weekend as awesome as mine!

Catherine

Swimming

Swimming was an incredible fourteen year chapter in my life and I often overlook its importance.  Today I saw an article written about my first swim coach in the Pioneer Press and it brought an immediate smile to my face.

To recall the memories of my first:

Race

WGS (three letters no Stillwater swimmer wants to see ever)

Set of wind sprints

Swimming made me into the person I am today and I wouldn't change it for a second. 

Also, if you want to read the article here it is!

Catherine

First Week Recap

Being back at school has been an adjustment.  New schedule, New apartment. New classes. So finding a new groove is tough, but I am so lucky to have an awesome support system. 

Bailey came up on Friday to see Kyle and of course we hit the gym, but forgot to take a selfie...

Annie's boss and her husband are so inviting and have become more like a second family.  We went there for dinner on Friday night.  YUM! Look at all of those fresh eats :) 

Then of course we went out.  You can't expect us to not tear up the town the first week back! 

Annie, Connie, and I went on a surprise escape to Duluth on Saturday to get away and enjoy some time together.  It was a blast.  We couldn't have asked for better weather for sightseeing! 

Monday, much to our demise, we had class.  Since we were out of town all weekend that meant that I had to do my 20 mile run on Monday after class.  I am so grateful that I connected with someone else who is running Twin Cities and she ran with me.  THANK JESUS! I honestly hit a massive wall on mile 17 and if I wouldn't have had her there I would've quit.  It just goes to show how much control your mind has over your body because as soon as I finished I was instantly relieved and so grateful that I really gave it my all. 

And the root beer floats with Annie afterwards made the five hours of running totally worth it! 

How was your Labor Day weekend?

C

Fall Goals

I haven't done a goals post since the beginning of summer and I promise there is a reason.  Coming into summer I was confident and motivated to see what summer had in store, but I quickly realized that the summer I had envisioned wasn't what I was getting... Sometimes you've got to roll with the punches and it honestly took me a while to adjust.

I'm not by any means saying that my summer wasn't wonderful, amazing or life changing, but it was definitely different.  This summer I indulged more than I would've liked, but that's life. (I love ice cream and s'mores too much to say no)  I had to go with it and now I know that I am more committed to staying on track.

Goals for the fall:

-start a new eating plan (more details to come in the upcoming weeks)

-workout for 2+ hours a day

-reward myself with non-food rewards 

-inspire someone to go to the gym or try a healthy recipe

^There's a story to go along with this goal.  I have been back on campus for less than a week now and I have had at least five people ask if I would let them know when I am going to the gym or if I could share some recipes with them. How amazing is that?

-keep a positive attitude

-work to maintain healthy social relationships

-finish the marathon

-post marathon kick ass in the box.  PR every lift by January 1st. 

What are your goals for fall?

C

New Year and I already have an embarrassing story

Today is my first/last day of school! I can't believe it's already been four years at CSB. Everyone has always said time flies in college but I had no idea it would go this fast. 

Anyway yesterday was my first full day on campus and of course I crazily organized the apartment, decorated my room, and got a kick ass workout in.  This leads me to my embarrassing/empowering story.  I thought I was being smart and cute by wearing new grey yoga pants to the gym. Got myself set up on a stair master and sent to town for a good old interval cardio sesh.  

I was dripping. Like sweat everywhere. EVERYWHERE. 

So I finish my 40 minutes and then I hit the weights.  My first solo WOD.  

5 rounds for time. 

10 push press (70#)

10 bench press (130/145#)

5 burpees

As I set up my bar for push press I turn to the mirror and realize that my new grey pants show every single drip of sweat that I had just created doing stairs.  I had butt sweat, crotch sweat, knee sweat and every single person in the gym could see it.  So what did I do? I fricken owned it.  At first I was embarrassed, but then I look around and think why should I be embarrassed.  I just lifted more than what most of the girls in the gym weigh.  I should have no shame.  

They can look at me all I want and admire my excess perspiration because you know what? I'm a boss. No SHAME! 

Catherine

Guest Post #2 from MNLakeMama

Guest Post by MNLakeMama #2

How is it already the end of Summer!? Also, has it really been over a month since my last guest post!? This past month has flown by and to be honest with myself and all of you I have not stayed on schedule like I would have liked. The challenge to working full time, having a 2 year old, and living on a lake is that I tend to find myself preoccupied and not sticking to a schedule like I would like to. I do great week by week and can usually make it 2-3 weeks on a role, but then I have a week where I have a few girls nights out, a wake surf competition, and a big presentation at work and my healthy eating and workouts fall to  the end of the list.

Luckily, the foundation that Catherine laid helped me feel more confident in my wake surfing, so much so that I actually entered my first competition! Although I didn’t do all that great, I had fun and I have my first competition under my belt. Talking about competitions, in just a few short weeks Catherine and I will be taking part in our second Esprit de She together! Last year I ran the 5K and Catherine did the 10K. This year I need to get my butt back on the road and prepping to run the full 10K with her! I am so excited and I’m glad I have a date in the near future that I’ll be prepping for. I hope that the impending doom challenge of a 10K will get me back on track.

As I struggle through my first few days/weeks getting back in to a groove at home I know Catherine will be doing the same back at school. Here’s to wishing us both luck at sticking with it!

Easy Cheesy Enchiladas

It's officially get my shit together week. I leave for school in 6 days and I have one bag of clothes packed...yikes! 

I've been so wrapped up in work and social events these last couple weeks I've been pushing off the back to school preparations. Last week I went school shopping with my nanny kids and was able to check a few things off my list as well...thank goodness. 

Today Isaac and I made cheesy enchiladas for lunch and they were a complete hit. 

1 lb ground turkey 

1 pkt taco seasoning 

Brown turkey and follow directions on taco packet. Set aside.

1 package (8) carb balance tortillas--fajita size 

1 can refried beans 

1 bag shreadded cheese 

1c salsa 

1c taco sauce 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Lay out tortillas and spread with refried beans.

Add meat and cheese. Roll into logs.

Spray 9x13 inch baking pan dump 1c or more of salsa in the bottom of fish. Lay rolled tortillas in. Don't leave room in between make sure they are as close as possible. 

Sprinkle additional cheese on top and drizzle with taco sauce.

Bake for 30 minutes foiled and then broil until cheese is melted and golden brown. 

Sour cream and guac for serving. 

Xoxo, 

C