37 years and running...

So, we got home from Hawaii and the very next morning, I went in to the Box and completed the 2013 CrossFit Open! I completed fifteen 65 pound thrusters and 5 chest to bar pull ups! Then the week that followed was one of the worst weeks I've had yet. The emotions that I was dealing with were almost overwhelming. Usually when I have had a really bad day in the past, I've talked with my staff, and stayed home for the day. For some reason, I just didn't do that. I tried my best to power through the week, showing up for work and even showing up to CrossFit each day. I'm not quite sure what caused the sadness that week. Was it the fact that we were back to reality after a wonderful week in paradise or was it the looming feeling of my birthday creeping closer? I didn't really think much about my birthday. I mean, I never really celebrated it anyways, so why would this year be any different. But as the day got closer, I realized, that although I usually did nothing in the past, I always did nothing with Neil. Except last year! We went to Vegas for my birthday! And we had a really good time! We gambled and won (he was always really good at Roulette, which argue as much as you want, he had a strategy and it worked!) We also saw Le Reve' The Dream. It was a beautiful acrobatic and water show! I'm so glad I have these memories, knowing that that was the last birthday I spent with Neil.

I somehow made it through the week and woke up yesterday morning to a new year. My 37th year on this earth. The day started with coaching a great talented group of preschoolers! I then had lunch with my parents and sister at my favorite local restaurant, Zorro's. After lunch, I returned to the gym to work and my staff had written at the entry way that it was my birthday! Seriously, it's hard to have a sad day when over 40 kids wish you a happy day and sing to you numerous times! Even though I was still tired from the previous emotional week and weekend, I went to the late CrossFit. The group of people in the earlier class gave me a group hug and made my heart smile. Katie came to the late class and we always have a little too much fun when we WOD together. I love it! What could be better than laughing with your best friend while working out and getting more awesome?! While I was there, my sister texted me and said to come over for dessert. The kids had two presents for me and Bek made strawberry shortcake. As I put the girls to bed, Presley told me she loves me more than all of space.

Last night before bed, I checked the CrossFit website for todays WOD and saw that it was Push Presses and RUNNING! Ugh, I hate running. I don't mind short sprints, but long distances, which in my book are anything longer than 400 meters, are my nemesis. I tried to find an excuse to not go to CrossFit today and just couldn't come up with a good enough one so away I went. We had to run 800 meters, rest 3 minutes, run 600 meters, rest 2 minutes then run 400 meters. I told myself "no walking." I was surprised that I made it the first 800 with no walking. Then I completed the 600 with no walking and to my surprise, I finished the 400 with absolutely no walking. I was quite proud of myself. My time wasn't terrible either!

Today was a good lesson for me. People often tell me that I inspire them. Sometimes I wonder why, because I'm just me. I don't try to do anything extraordinary. I'm strong when it comes to being a mom because I feel like I have to be. I'm strong at work, because the gym is my dream and I don't want it to fail. I'm learning to be strong and continue to CrossFit because I am seeing the differences in my body and even my mind after the workouts. Today I didn't want to be strong, though. I wanted to skip because it was something I don't like. But I found the strength! And I DID IT!

"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. 

It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'" 

- Peter Maher, Canadian marathon runner