OPENING DAY AND A BRIEF WORKOUT UPDATE

at the Newburyport Summer Farmer's Market...side note:  Unfortunately, I took no pictures at the Market.  Pictures of products were taken when I got home.  Pictures of vendors are from their sites.  I have this tendency to live in the moment.  I am busy looking at products, talking to vendors, and listening to music.  Photos totally escape me.

I bought some watermelon radishes and lettuce but unfortunately I forget the name of the vendor.  They are always in Newburyport so I should know the name.

Shopping at Farmers Markets and shopping locally is expensive.  It is expensive operating a small farm and it is hard work.  I wish we valued the work they do.  I wish their product was available to everyone.  I thought of making and marketing a product.  When I priced it out, it just seemed way too expensive and the profit would be too small. 

Here are a few of my favorites:

LILAC HEDGE FARM
http://www.lilachedgefarm.com/

and Tom was here today.  When either of the owners of Lilac Hedge are on-site I have a tendency to talk too much.  I love them.  Today, I kept quiet so they could sell their products.

Purchases:

HACKMATACK FARM
http://www.hackmatackfarm.com/

Hackmatack is new to Newburyport.  They are a Bison Farm.  They have 24 bison on huge acreage (I forget how much) in Berwick, ME.  They have a variety of cuts of bison.  I picked some ground bison and short ribs. 

They seem to be a young family trying to make a go of farming. 

Purchases:

VALICENTI PASTA FARM

Valicenti has been around forever.  They make a great pasta product from spaghetti to ravioli.  I am not a huge fan of the gravy probably because I make my own (in summer with my own tomatoes) but I tried their Butternut Squash gravy.  It is unique and fabulous. 

DANCING GOAT FARMS
http://www.dancinggoatsdairy.com/

and the baby goats were in the house.  Goat love!  A little girl was able to hold one of the babies...the goat was just so sweet and cuddly. 

Purchase:

Cracked Pepper Goat Cheese

WORKOUT UPDATE:

I am not yet back to my Certification Training Program.  I've been working my own program but I can't barbell squat or deadlift.  I've been doing some 70 kettlebell deadlifts and those are fine.  OK...I tried some 125 barbell deadlifts and when I hit the third set I felt some pain in the knee.  Ortho MD said wait 2 weeks for deadlifts and squat so I guess I should wait two weeks.

Pat Flynn put together this great kettlebell routine that, when I am not training for a certification, I've incorporated into my workout routine.  I have been able to successful do this since getting theknee drained.  It includes the following:

5 Rounds

     3 reps of swings

     3 reps of one handed swings

     3 reps of cleans

     3 reps of presses

     3 reps of snatches

REST about 60 seconds

5 Rounds

     4 reps of swings

     4 reps of one handed swings

     4 reps of cleans

     4 reps of presses

     4 reps of snatches

REST about 60 seconds

5 Rounds      

     5 reps of swings

     5 reps of one handed swings

     5 reps of cleans

     5 reps of presses

     5 reps of snatches

Today, I am going to try barbell military presses and bench pressing.  Prior to my orthopedic appointment, I felt those in my IT band.  I have been working with Kevin on the IT.

So, will I be able to do the StrongFirst barbell certification or not.  I am still not sure.

SMART TRAINING

 In addition to trying a free class at Title Boxing Club this weekend, I did a workout at the Torigian YMCA.   They have a decent number of kettlebells and barbells both of which were on my training agenda.

Over the years when people have complimented my training and/or my technique, I've usually brushed it off or been annoyed that my training was interrupted.  On this day, a young guy came up to me after I had completed a Turkish Get Up using a 12 KG or 26 pound bell.  He more than enthusiastically described my TGU as perfect.  He said most guys can't even do a TGU without weight.



14 KG TGU in my messy backyard!

What I haven't learned is that because someone compliments you at 12 KG, it doesn't mean you have to immediately do one with 16 KG or 35 pounds.  Well, that is what I did.  That wasn't about training.  It was about trying to impress someone.  You see, for a number of health and joint reasons, I need to be smart about how I train.  That wasn't smart.  It doesn't mean I can't do 16 KG because I can.  It just means I need to be intentional about when I do them.

As many of you know, I went into the Strong First Certification training with a number a number of injuries.  I worked through them.  Eric Gahan, co-owner of Iron Body Studios, offered the best advice when I first started training there.  He said,  "You need to remember the goal."  Without that advice, my injuries would not have been under control by the certification.  I know I would have pushed myself.  All I needed to do was push, pull, snatch, clean, swing and squat 12 KG.  Without those words, REMEMBER THE GOAL, I would have pushed myself to push, pull, snatch, clean, swing and squat 14 or 16 KG.  It would not have been smart.  Full disclosure...there were times I did at 16 KG TGU.  One time, I almost attempted a 16 KG snatch.  At the time, none of it felt right. 

Snatching with 12 KG

Without Eric and Artemis knowledge and experience, I would know have become an StrongFirst Instructor.  I would not have reached this goal. 

Smart training is to have goals and understand that it takes to get there.  Remember the goal. 

PROGRESS

So what has been going on...with each passing week I am become more confident with my ability to pass the certification.  I am nervous about the fact that people will be staring at me and judging my technique but that is to be expected. 

But can you snatch? Yes, I do believe I can.  I have been following Iron Body Studios certification program and training with Artemis.  There was a problem with my snatch.  I was opening my hand at the top.  Once I started opening my hand another problem resulted...crazy bruising at the wrist bone.  It was very painful and it was evidence something was wrong with my form. 

I explained the painful problem to Artemis and it was solved.  Break the arc!  Now it took some work and I am still working on form but I am much improved from when I began this journey.

This week I started snatching with my test weight.  I did 9 rounds of 9 with 12 KGs on Saturday.  This is what it looked like.

There were some pictures with crazy ass faces.  Those will not make the internet. 

Listening to Artemis pays off...until I had a couple set backs.  The first one was this.

This big ugly blister on my left hand after snatching at work last week.  I don't show this as a badge of honor but an area of snatching.  Was I doing my snatching correctly?  What was going to happen when I did a gazillion snatches before the test?  How was I going to prepare before the test?  I cut off the skin but not quite enough of it.  I made the brilliant decision to attempt to pull it off.  Ouch.  It is healing and I am still able to snatch.

My second concern became...how was I ever going to be able to pass the snatch test.  I wasn't snatching enough.  I twisted my perspective.  I was thinking I was snatching 90 times in 9 minutes.  Nope....180 in 9 minutes.  I will be good.  Yesterday's work out at Iron Body Studios will Artemis increased my confidence just a bit. 

This is what the testing will look like!





and this (This is a better video.)

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

StrongFirst certification...StrongFirst certification...StrongFrist certification....StrongFirst certification

Those words seem to be my common refrain for these past few months.  I am so on a fence here.  The problem is I have always believed in my ability to conquer these challenges.  I have always feel strong enough to approach a challenge with the expectation of being successful.  I believe deep in my heart that I am mentally and physically strong.

Until now...This week I received an email from StrongFirst letting me know there are only 8 spots left for the Boston (Somerville actually) Level 1 certification. 

I am trying to figure out if it is my body holding me back or my mind (and the thought of spending all that money if my body isn't operational does make me crazy).

Artemis at Iron Body Studios wrote the perfect motivation blog post this week.  It is worth a read.  It speaks to commitment, dedication, and focusing on a goal.

Artemis - Iron Maiden Challenge

http://ironbodybyartemis.com/2015/05/12/the-cycle-of-training/

and I thought, "I've got this!"  "I can do this." 

But what if it really feels like my body isn't cooperating.  For example, I have always been proud of my ability to squat.  Ass to the grass baby.  I could barbell squat 75 pounds and easily squat two 12 pound KB.  Not so much this week.  Okay, not just this week but recently.  It just isn't feeling right.  That is just one example.

Then I think, for me, it isn't always about the end result.  I enjoy the process.  The process of training and the process of participating in the program.

Or maybe I am just waiting for the class to fill up so I can say to all of you and myself, "Ya, I was going to do the certification but the class filled up before I could sign up." 

I feel like a yoyo here.

My question to you is...What would you do?

If you are really interested in what this is all about, check out this article...

http://www.strongfirst.com/student-of-strength/

TRAINING

My plan was to share my journey from the road of paralegal to SFG Kettlebell Instructor Level 1 Certification.

My initial training, for now, includes participating in the Women's Strength Training Program at Iron Body Studios.  I would like to share my training at Iron Body Studios.  However, the program was written by Artemis.  It is her personal program.  It is how she makes her living.  So I am not comfortable sharing what I am doing and the weight I am lifting. 

Let me just say...my goals include increasing my deadlift and press and doing at least one pull up. 

On the first day of training my greatest surprise was that I could actually do 3 sets of 5 assisted pull ups.  The assisted part was 2 medium sized bands.  I guess anything is possible.  I may bang out a pull up yet. 

I plan to share the journey on this blog...until I get to this point.

To learn more about StrongFirst go to

http://www.strongfirst.com/

2014 - MOVING INTO 2015

Changes are coming in 2015.  Starting the new year isn't about making resolutions.  It is a time to reflect on the past year and think about the future.

In less than 3 weeks I will be 57 years old.  Each decade, each year is different.  It is so much easier being 57 than 27.  Those five decades have been the seasons of my life.  I thought Landslide was a song about aging.  I play the video on or near my birthday...always.   The line on replay in my mind...

        "Can I handle the seasons of my life?  I don't know."

It is possible to handle the seasons and accept aging when you know when it is time to make changes and know when it is time to challenge yourself.  Of course everyone's limitations and challenges are different. 

For some reason, I spent some serious time thinking about the past year.  I felt I had to analyze the good, the bad, and the ugly to move forward.  Time was spend thinking about changes I want to make and challenges I want to pursue.  Challenges come first...

So officially, well I haven't sent in my payment yet, I am going to train to become a certified kettle bell instructor.  StrongFirst will be doing a certification in Boston in August and I am accepting the challenge. 

Just so you know, the certification is a physically demanding three day event that includes a written exam and demonstrating that you can teach.  That teaching aspect is what I find to be the most daunting aspect of the certification.  I am an introvert and teaching will take me way out of my comfort zone.  The 100 snatches in 5 minutes is no piece of cake either but that is a story for another day.

The challenge isn't just about becoming certified.  It is about the road to certification.  Working at Iron Body Studios with a group of like minded women working toward the same goal is an important part of the journey.  Again, a situation way out of my comfort zone.  It is about becoming stronger.  It is about the mental challenge of not giving up...about finding your last bit of strength and pushing forward.  Part of the journey is about accepting defeat when it presents itself.  It is about overcoming defeat.  If at the end of the journey, I become certified by StrongFirst I will be a very happy 57 year old chica.  But I have a lot to learn...

Let the journey begin...I hope you will join me.

Please feel free to share you goals and challenges in the comment section!

Can I also say, part of what I hope to do is improve the blog.  I don't mean necessarily mean the content but the layout and presentation.  My computer skills are lacking and it is going to take some work to get up to speed.  Bear with me.


Side Note:
I have always thought that landslide was about getting older and thinking about the changes you might want to make as you get older. Then, when I was looking for a landslide video, I came across this.  Guess I had that one wrong.