Barbarian Challenge 2012

So we did it.  We actually finished the Barbarian Challenge in Gadsden on June 23, 2012.  I was a little nervous but confident I could handle it - yeah, that was BEFORE I actually got there and BEFORE I started running the course.  During the race, there were times I just wanted to survive.  Yes, it was that hard. 

We didn't run in the first heat as that was supposed to be for those people who wanted to win it all.  Well, I wanted to win it all but, come on, this was my first one.  So we ran in the second heat at 9 a.m.  While we were waiting to be let loose, the first guy from the first heat came across the finish line.  We all cheered and pumped our fists encouraging him to cross.  He did - in 48 minutes.  I thought, "Yeah, I can do this.  He is not even muddy and he finished at a decent time." 

So with all the confidence in the world, they let us go.  First obstacle - climbing over two lines of rusted cars.  Easy.  Second obstacle - military crawl through a mud pit with electrified wires at your back.  Yep, I got shocked at the very end - I was not at all thrilled about that.  After that, it becomes a blur.  There was a creek we had to go through but they didn't have the end of that stretch marked clearly so about 50 of us (in the front) kept going down the creek.  Well, finally someone yells for us to come back because we went to far.  Cost us probably 6 minutes (there and back) and then we were in the middle to end of the pack. Then came the hills.  There were some water obstacles - I think one of them was a giant dumpster filled with water you had to jump in, go under some buoys and jump out - there were some rocks we had to scale down and a giant slip-n-slide down a giant hill.  I have a nice bruise on my left upper thigh from a nice rock under the tarp they put down.  So at some point there was a rope climb - hand over hand.  I was impressed that I actually got up the rope and rang the bell.  The problem was, I had to wait about 5 minutes for my turn - Hello people, two ropes are not enough for heats of 200 people.  Seriously, think about it.  So that waiting allowed one of my teammates to catch up (seriously, I was about 4 minutes ahead).  Ugh!  The only thing I have on these guys is endurance!  They are way stronger and way taller (i.e. longer strides) than me.  And he didn't complete the rope climb - he tried and slid down and decided to move on.  Oh and the slide down - let's just say I had rope burns in unmentionable places that required me to wear spandex under everything for two days. Yikes!

And then there were the hills.  This is the part I thought I would not survive.  Seriously, "hills" is not a realistic description of these things.  I literally was bear crawling up some of them.  And they just went on and on and on.  I don't know how many of them there were but it seemed like a million. 
I found a running buddy at one point - we kept encouraging each other to just pick 'em up and put 'em down.  It's all you could do at points.  But I finished, and that is what matters.
And I finsihed nicely too (if I do say so myself)!  14 out of 133 for my age group, 192 out of 869 overall.  Our clan came in 7th out of 35 clans (Yay Coach Crystal Fitness Clan)!  Oh and I beat two male members of our clan by a good 8 minutes (yeah, I am the only female in our obstacle course group).  The other male member beat me by 1 second.  He actually waited for me at the finish line before crossing - he said he felt it wasn't fair to beat me since he didn't really do the rope climb.  Eh, I'll take it.



So here are my lessons learned:

1.  Wear spandex under your running shorts or wear running pants (avoid rope burn at all costs!).
2.  I am not as fit as I thought I was.
3.  There is a secret (unknown to me) to finishing this thing or the guy that finished in 48 minutes cheated. 
4.  The human race is naturally encouraging and helpful when thrown into a challenging situation (we all encouraged each other along the way).
5.  I need to challenge myself more with my workouts if I ever hope to finish faster.
6.  Lock the port-o-potty door when you are changing (I forgot and the poor guy that opened the door got a nice view of my very large white behind).
7.  Looks can be decieving - I was very unimpressed with the set up when we first arrived but would definitely do this again and recommend it to others!
8.  Running is better with friends.
9.  Do not eat an "everything" bagel before racing.  The onion flavor does not taste good as you burp it up along the race course.
10. Sometimes the people in front don't know where the hell they are going.  :o)

A half marathon and the Barbarian Challenge this weekend!

So unbelievably, I have decided to do a half marathon in September.  It's here in state only about an hour away so that really helps.  www.talladegahalfmarathon.com.  If you had told me 6 months ago that I would be training to run a half marathon right now I would have told you that you were crazy.  I have never been "a runner".  Run for fun, for exercise, for whatever but not seriously like this.  I am in week two of training.  Training is not horrible.  It's about 3 days a week right now and it actually has started out at distances I am pretty used to running but at much slower paces - now that just drives me crazy.  I see no reason to slow my pace at this point if I am running the same distances I have been.

My husband has decided to do the half too.  And he has NEVER been a runner, not even the casual runner I am.  It should be fun!  At this point, I just cannot imagine running 13.1 miles.  The longest I have ever run is 6 miles.  Doubling that and then some just seems an unsurmountable task, but I am going to try.

Today is speed training.  One mile warm up, about a mile at a pace a little faster than I am used to running, a half mile recovery, a mile at the faster pace again and then a half mile cool down.  I am experimenting too.  It is getting lighter earlier here so I am up in the hopes that it will be light enough in about 20 minutes to go run before work.  It's getting too hot to run on my lunch hour outside at work.  Plus I know the distances around here and at work it would be a little harder to figure out.  I hear the birds already so that's a good sign.

This weekend is the Barbarian Challenge in Gadsden.  www.barbarianchallenge.com  Now this one I am nervous about.  I think it will be fun as we are doing it with a couple other people but I am a little worried about the obstacles and the course.  Plus it's almost a mile longer than the Warrior Dash we did in Jackson, MS a couple months ago.  I think I will finish it but will I finish it faster than the three guys I am running with? That's really my goal - to beat the boys!  Wish me luck!

Be a Beachbody Coach! It's easy!

So, maybe you are thinking of signing up to be a Beachbody Coach or maybe the thought has never crossed your mind.  Here I will try and explain the pros (and cons) and why I signed up to be an independent Beachbody coach.  If I don't answer your question, please feel free to email me (coachcrystal@coachcrystalfitness.com) or comment on this blog and I will get back to you asap!

So why did I become a coach?  Two reasons (i) discount on products, and (ii) accountability.  First, discounts.   When you become an independent Beachbody coach, you get 25% off all of your purchases.  I am buying the stuff anyway, why not get it cheaper!  Some people become coaches just to get the discounts and there is a huge benefit in doing that.
Second, accountability.  Before I even heard the phrase "be a product of the product" I knew that if I became a coach, I would be more focused on my fitness and push myself harder.  I mean, how can I tell you that you should focus on your health and fitness if I am sitting on my couch eating potato chips all day and not working out?  What a hypocrite I would be!  I wanted to keep focused and push myself to the next level and knew that becoming a coach would help.  Plus, I love working out with other people and getting people to push themselves to a new limit!  It's so much fun to watch people accomplish something new or even be challenged myself (like I have been lately by my running buddies).

If those two reasons are not enough there are other benefits to becoming a coach: You also get (i) 25% commission from your customers’ purchases (unless they are Club members. Then your commission is 15%), (ii) 50% commission on your customers’ Beachbody Club member dues, (iii)  bonuses as you increase your business and coaching level, (iv) once you reach a certain Coach level (called Emerald) customer referrals from Beachbody (the Customer Lead Program), (v) free websites maintained by Beachbody (but I highly recommend also creating an independent website like I did www.coachcrystalfitness.com), and (vi)  free support and advertising to grow your business (if that is your goal).  No one is going to force you to grow your business, however.  You can do as little or as much as you want - it's up to you!

There are some costs associated with becoming an independent Beachbody coach and it would not be fair if I did not provide those as well.  So here they are:

The initial cost is $39.95. This gets you your tool kit, access to an online office, training programs, coach support to grow your business, written materials, national coach calls, resources to get answers to all your questions as well as any questions of those you are coaching and three of your own Independent Coach websites (one for Shakeology, one for Ultimate Reset and one for everything else).

The monthly cost after the initial start up cost is $14.95 per month. This continues your access to all of the above and Beachbody’s maintenance of your websites.

In addition to these costs, you are “encouraged” to purchase or sell at least $50 to $55 worth of products every 35 days. I say “encouraged” because if you don’t have these sales, you will remain in “inactive” status. This means you will not get referrals from Beachbody (though this requires more than just “active” status) and you will not be eligible for certain coach programs. When you first start your Independent Beachbody Coach business, you will likely be purchasing the products yourself. For most, making sales of $50 to $55 every 35 days will not be a big deal as you are likely buying Shakeology and other supplements monthly.  We buy so much Beachbody stuff for ourselves and for our families that we have no problem meeting this requirement.

When I first signed up to be a coach, my very first customer was a huge surprise to me and the last person on Earth that I thought would buy anything from Beachbody - my mom.  She didn't work out regularly and really wasn't focused on her health and eating habits.  She came to visit one week and we sat down with the website and determined what her goals were and which program she should start with.  We narrowed it down to two.  She thought about it for a couple of days and when she got home, she ordered the one she was most comfortable with.  She loves it and is always sending me emails about how great she feels on the days she works out and how happy she is that she started the program. 

Don't worry, you don't have to run out and become an expert about anything.  Beachbody provides you with all the support you could ever need.  They are the experts!  And you don't actually have to be with someone while they are working out to be their coach.  You are there for support and encouragement, just like I am for you!  I love working out and really like getting others involved and focused on their health and fitness.  I wish the world were a healthier place and being a coach is my attempt to spread information about how we can all be healthier while becoming and remaining healthier myself.

I hope this blog helps.  If you still have questions, email me at coachcrystal@coachcrystalfitness.com or comment on this blog and I will get back to you asap.  If you are ready to be a coach just click the button below and get going!  I would love to help you grow your business!  I can (and would love to) be your coach when you sign up and will give you all the support you need!  All you have to do is list me as your referring coach either by (i) screen name: CrystalHolmes; (ii) email: coachcrystal@coachcrystalfitness.com or (iii) Coach ID: 135090, when prompted.  So, let's go!

Nike Free Run + 2 review (v. Reebok RealFlex)

So, yes, I am late to the party but I am really into this minimalist trend lately.  I had been running in my Reebok RealFlex for quite a while and loved the flexibility and lightness of the shoe.  But, I have pretty much worn out the Reeboks.  I have been told I have a neutral pronation.  I also have a very high arch - so high that I have a bone that sticks out on the top of both my feet making wearing certain shoes very difficult.  With typical shoes that cover the top of my foot, I can usually only wear them an hour or two before they start killing my feet.  I love the RealFlex because the upper is barely there and never bothers my foot and has a super flexible sole.  So switching to a new type of shoe is a very difficult and lengthy process for me.
I started looking into getting more minimalist and ran across the Nike Frees and Nike Free Runs.  It was hard to compare where the RealFlex fit in to the Nike system as far as minimalism, but after trying on a Nike Free Run 3.0 v. 5.0 and Nike Free Run 3.0 v. 4.0, I think it is closer to a Nike Free Run 3.0 v. 3.0 (which I could never find in a store) or a Nike Free 3.0 (which I could never find either).  I ended up buying a Nike Free Run + 2.0.  If you don't know anything about the systems, the lower the number the more minimalist and the Nike Free is more minimalist than the Nike Free Run.  The "+", if you don't know, is for the data tracker that slips into the inside sole of the shoe, which I don't have but don't really have a need for at this point.
So here are my thoughts:

There is more arch support in the Nike, which I am not a big fan of.
There is less heal support in the Nike which I am a fan of.  I could definitely tell on my first run that I was sitting back more while running instead of leaning forward.  I had never noticed this before I switched shoes.  I thought my calves and shins would be horrendously sore after my first run in the Nikes (3.5 miles), and though they felt more fatigued than normal, I was not sore the next morning.
I think it will take me some time to get used to the upper because it seems like so much material after running in the RealFlex, but I do like the glove like fit.
As for the sole, I can definitely "feel" the road/terrain more in the Nike than in the RealFlex.
And, of course, the Nikes have made me slow down my time per mile in attempting to get use to a new stride.  I have really been working on reducing my time so this is a big deal for me.  But, its a sacrifice I am willing to make to be a little more natural in my run.  I will just have to keep working at the time aspect.  I don't know that I like the Nikes much more than the Reeboks.  I will have to try the Reeboks again in a week or so and then really see the difference.

P90X2 Hybrid and questions about Running Shoes

So, I decided Insanity by itself just wasn't doing it for me as far as strength this time around.  Instead, I am now doing a hybrid of P90X2 and running/Insanity.  I have really kicked it up on the running.  Just two weeks ago I was running a mile in about 11 minutes and 15 seconds (5.5 miles).  My latest run was 4.4 miles at 9 minutes 47 seconds per mile (on the same type of terrain)!  Obviously I wasn't pushing myself with my running but thanks to some colleagues who run all the time and my husband who has really gotten into running lately, I am working on it.  I think my biggest hurdle at first was my stride.  I am 5'2" and everyone I run with is 6'2" and taller, so their stride is almost twice mine.  We calculated it one time and on a 5.25 mile run, I was taking 2500 more steps than my running partners!  That is crazy!

So here is my hybrid -

Monday - Crazy run up the hill of Hell. 5.25 miles.
Tuesday - X2 Core
Wednesday - X2 Yoga or Recovery/Mobility - unless I am feeling sluggish and yucky then its Total Body.
Thursday - Insanity meets XFit at the Y for 45 minutes (its a class) and then 4 mile run on relatively flat terrain.  This day is tough!!!!!
Friday - Rest if necessary (see Thursday's work out) or if I am feeling pretty good Total Body (if I didn't do it Wednesay or Balance and Power if I did).
Saturday - Another run on somewhat hilly terrain.  Usually around 4 miles.
Sunday - Yoga or rest (uh, the hill of hell is tomorrow).

After a few weeks, I'll switch out the X2 workouts to the second phase ones.  I love hybrids because I don't feel like I am locked into one particular routine!

Now onto the shoes!  I need a new pair.  I have put several hundred miles on my current pair and I need a back up pair for the Warrior Dashes we plan on doing.  I have been looking at the Nike Free Run 3.0.  They have differing levels of support  (starting at v. 5.0 and going down to v. 3.0) depending on how minimalist you want to get.  I currently have Reebok's RealFlex.  I think they are pretty close to the Free Run 3.0 v. 4.0 or v. 3.0 as far as minimalism.  I cannot find the v. 3.0 anywhere in the stores to try them on.  Anybody use the Free Runs?  What do you think?

Warrior Dash - Jackson MS

So a friend at work sent me a link to the Warrior Dash (www.warriordash.com).  I had never heard of it before and decided it sounded AWESOME!  So me and my husband (www.coachcrystalspadawan.wordpress.com) signed up for the April 21 race in Jackson MS along with one of our friends.  We tried convincing a few others but they chickened out!
Anyway, I figured I had the running part down, no problem.  I run 5.5 miles regularly.  Plus, I have done Insanity numerous times and P90X numerous times and just finished P90X2.  I was worried about the obstacles, climbing walls in particular.
Well, it was freaking freezing cold that Saturday morning!  We were running on crazy adrenaline.  I drank a 5 hour energy (yep, I use them all the time), and the boys were chugging Monster energy drinks.  We opted to run in the first wave at 8 a.m.  Best decision ever!
So we start the race to Eye of the Tiger - what a brilliant way to get everyone hyped up.  Mud, mud and more mud.   Mud everywhere.  I remember standing in the gate waiting to start and seeing that people had duck taped their shoes on - I thought that was totally odd and unnecessary.  Well, after the first mud pit, I ended up running past a girl who was wearing one shoe - maybe duck tape was necessary after all!
Anyway, running ended up being the hardest part, especially the last .9 miles.  I started out at a faster pace than I normally run because I was running with the boys.  They are 6 foot 2 inches or taller and I am 5 foot 2 inches - for every one step they took I took 1.5 to 2.  But I refused to let them start out ahead of me.  (Yes, that's me jumping over fire - one of the last 4 obstacles)

Anyway, so the key ended up being well-hydrated.  When the boys stopped for water along the way, I kept going.  I always try to drink a ton of water (at least 32 oz but hopefully 64) before I run.  In my first Dash, I ended up in the top 15% overall and top 4% for women my age (why the heck do I have to have an age group????!!!!).  At the end we were all drunk on adrenaline and ready to run again!  Of course, we didn't do it.  It was freezing cold and overcast.  We went and got a beer instead!

So the boys are signed up to do another Dash in GA while I am out of town.  Then we are all signed up to do the one in AL in October.  I am pumped.  I think I am going to IN for the one in August and have convinced my sister and her girlfriend (and they have convinced some of their friends) to do it too.  I am totally addicted!  It's a good cause too - St. Jude.  You can choose to be a St. Jude Warrior and commit to raise a minimal amount of money for St. Jude, which I did.  Cannot wait to do it again!

Goals and Self Defeating Behavior - Kick your subconscious in the butt!

So I have been doing pretty good working out and eating better and losing weight and toning up, etc.   And then . . . I reach a goal and think "So I am here.  I wonder if I do this, how much I will gain back . . . " and so then begins the downward spiral.  I mean, I reached my mini-goal and now I am back up 6 pounds!!!!  I am ticked!!!  But we've all been there right?  NOT ANYMORE!

I heard someone say the other day that we are comfortable in our "box" and if we strive for something different and we get there, we subconsciously start to undo what we did to get to the goal so we could get back to our "box."  He used the example of all the multi-million dollar lottery winners that go bankrupt.  I always think, "Well, they are just stupid!  I would be so much smarter with that money."  I like to think I would but would I subsconsciously start to self destruct so I could get back to my box?

So subconscious - here is your kick in the butt.  When we reach a goal, we are going to create a new "box" into which we fit and we are going to set up the beginnings of another box for our next goal so we can see it and then we are going to burn all the boxes behind us.  Got it???  There is no going back.  I refuse.