Every picture tells a story...

Life is fast! Like none of you knew that, I often wake up on a Monday morning asking myself where the previous week has gone. I find it happens more so during the Summer months. Peoples schedules are vastly different, household routines go out the window and any plans must be flexible as we all wait for a real sun shining, high temperature, beach day every day Summer to arrive. Well we are half way through August, the last month of our Irish Summer (I know its officially Autumn but schools out so it's still Summer here) and there have been very few beach days, that's not to say we haven't had glimpses, an odd day here or there, which I have tried to take advantage of, not by heading to the beach but by putting in a mile or two.
Its easier to head out the door to Crossfit as your meeting up with others, it's more social bar Monday when I meet the group I'm usually running with me myself and I. And I can talk myself out of a run without too much argument. But I do have some regret later and so I try not to do it often. With this in mind I headed for a run on the August Bank Holiday, there was soft drizzle as I started it soon turned into a constant deluge. I kept going as I was soaked through I tried to quicken my pace which became harder as runners began to squelch..ughhh!!! The rain was constantly in my eyes. It wasn't cold in fact it was warm so the sweat began to flow as well. The thought of a hot shower and a cup of coffee kept me moving forward at pace. There was a river of water developing on the road beside me and I had to push in from the traffic as the splash back was just too much. The running itself was the best part of the experience. Finally I was done. It was one of my quicker 5 milers but it was miserable...

#Rainsoaked

Crossfit has been the one constant over the last few weeks having watched the Crossfit games I was inspired to try and do better. But ye know that saying 'one step forward two steps back' I have felt that about my Crossfit. I'm there doing the WOD, AMRAP, EMOM in my head I think I'm killing it. I'm trying to channel Briggs or one of the Dottirs but my coach Eric comes over to point out that I'm not positioned correctly etc... which is what because I want to do the movements correctly and I don't want to injure myself due to sloppy technique,but I feel of late he is wearing a path in the mats towards me. Patience is a coaches best tool thankfully he has a lot.  But that's my two steps back my one step forward, no I haven't conquered the pull up (Some day, a girl can dream!!) but I can stay on the bar for longer than a second and I have throw some shapes at a  hollow and arch. Small victories to some are big victories to others and I'll take any that come my way.

Pale faced or red faced but always drenched in sweat...

The weather has been humid for the last few months and I'm just a complete #sweatybetty. So I decided to invest in some tank and racer back tops. I still don't feel completely comfortable letting my arms loose to the elements and the public while I workout. My 'bingo wings' not as big as they were but are still there and my muscles are a work in progress. But like everything a minute or two in to the workout and my only thought is to survive whatever  is up on the board.

I had a great run during the past week strangely enough it was also raining. My legs felt good and the miles passed away quickly. The rain soon faded to mist and drizzle. I always wear a hi viz running vest when using the main roads and as the mist settled in I was thankful for it. I was delighted with my run, there is nothing better than that feeling that you could run and run that your legs feel strong enough to keep going. I finished the run smiling because I really had enjoyed the run  from the first step to the last.

I'd love to say I have enjoyed every run as much as that run but I can't lie to ye. One such run was Sundays Track session. Saturday, I met up with the girls from my running group for a much needed Summer catch up, I headed out to dinner all high heels, skirts and make up wishing I could head out in my sweats. I had a great night all though I must be getting old as I couldn't handle the pace and bailed out early. So after a lazy start to my Sunday, I watched the women's Olympic marathon, inspired by these strong women I headed to the track. I have used different workouts before but today I used one off the 'aerobiccapacity' website which included the 8 x 100m, 4 x 200m and 3 x 300m sprints. Speed is not a strength so no amount of inspiration was able to lesson the pain of track Sunday.

Saturday night/Sunday evening

Every picture tells a story and I'm looking forward to the new photos I'll take and more importantly the experiences behind them.