Life just seems to be speeding by lately. Still working long hours, still struggling with my weight, still trying to get myself back on track. Same old story. That gets boring to write about and if I'm bored writing about it, then I can only assume that my "tens of readers" are bored as well.
So that's the "old things" I was referring to in the title of this blog. And what are the new things? I'm so happy you asked!
I think I've mentioned this before, but since venturing out on this long, never ending weight loss journey, I have taken to trying new things. Running, hiking, backpacking, even threw in a Tough Mudder for a good measure. The one thing I have not done is join a gym... okay, that's not entirely true, I did go to Curves for about year... but I never really considered that a gym. Just a bunch of women hanging out and doing a little workout while we there. I have plenty of friends who have encouraged me to join a gym, take classes, get involved. Nope. Not my thing. I don't want anyone but my friends to know just how out of shape I am (really should have considered that before agreeing to a Tough Mudder, but that's a story for another blog post).
Juli, my most wonderful running buddy, has been doing Cross Fit for about 2 years. She got her husband involved and one of her daughters. It was her thing. Good for her. Then her husband talked my Hubby into to going to the open house for this new Cross Fit gym. Fine, I went along to encourage Hubby if that 's what he decided to do. And he did. Okay, so now that's his thing.
Hubby did the two week On-Ramp program (to learn the elements, techniques, and such). He started talking about how Cross Fit, especially the mobility class, could help with my knee. Give me the strength training I needed to get back to running more, pain free.
Huh.
That gave me something to think about. It's not that I like running, but it's my thing. I hadn't been able to do my thing. I was in pain most of the time while running and I was getting to the point I thought I may have to give it up. I didn't (and still don't) want to give up.
Okay...
Here's the thing. Juli has been doing Cross Fit for two years, I've heard... repeatedly... about the workouts. They didn't sound fun at all. Sprints, rowing, push ups, sit ups, dead lifts and presses, wall balls, slam balls, pull ups, and being timed while all this is going on. Fun? Nope, not the word that came to mind when she talked about it.
I was not totally convinced that all that could help my knee. Sounded like it would end my running... and possibly walking...
Hubby, who loves me and just wants to see me happy, offered to pay for the On-Ramp program. "Just try it... see if it helps... you can attend the mobility classes too..."
Sigh. Okay. Fine. I signed up on Monday night and attended the On-Ramp program the next morning at 6 am. Fun? Well, meeting new people, learning new things... yeah, that's always fun. Push ups, sit ups, and squats before 7 am? That was a big change for me and I think I've written before about how well I like change.
After two sessions of the On-Ramp and two sessions of the mobility (with suggestions on stretches from Coach Kyle on how to help my knee), Hubby and I did a 5K trail race. First trail run (or even first time on the trail) of the season. I was worried because I hadn't really run since the Salt Lake Half Marathon and trail running means hills, which means knee pain.
Either the Cross Fit workouts were working or "resting" from running helped, I had no knee pain on the trail, even with doing a light jog downhill. And only a little pain when I opened my stride on a downhill during the street portion of the race.
I'm sure you've figure out by now what my new thing is... I get up at 5 am on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday to be at the Cross Fit gym by 6 am. I make sure to leave work at a reasonable time on Monday and Thursday so I can attend the mobility class. I still feel awkward, frustrated by inability to do the simpler movements (I seem to have an unreasonable fear of box jumps...), and totally out of place. It's a lot like being back in gym class in high school... chubby little me, trying to keep pace with the athletic kids.
So why do I do it? Because I can. Which is the same mentality I have about running. I don't love running, but I love that feeling of being done and being able to say I did it. I don't love Cross Fit, but I love the feeling of completing a work out. Of knowing I did it. That I tried something new. And eventually, just maybe, I will get better, stronger. Most of all, maybe I will be able to run again. Pain free.
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