Off to the Races

I've mentioned the dragon boat races a couple of times. So here is the deal....

It's a fundraiser for our local Children's Miracle Network hospital.  Businesses are asked to donate by buying an entry into the race.  Teams are made up of 20 paddlers and a drummer.  A total of 30 teams/boats are participating.

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CITGO purchased a boat, and so every employee would have an equal opportunity, held tryouts to determine the team.  Since 10 girls attended the try out and the rules require you have at least 8 with 2 alternates, I was a shoe in.  

The try out was no joke.  Girls version: chin up hang for time, 800 m run for time, 25 sit ups-15 push ups - 10 burpees for time, 100 m sprint for time. Guys version: max pull ups unbroken, 800 m run, 25 sit ups - 20 push ups - 15 inverted push ups -10 burpees, 100 m sprint. 

Even though I knew I made the team before I started try outs, the CrossFit label was hanging on my back.  I couldn't disappoint!  

My scores wouldn't have shamed by box. 

The official CITGO dragon boat team roster was released today, and I'm excited about our team.  Practicing  twice a week (during the open!) is going stir up my workout schedule, but a change of pace may be nice. 

The team captains are SERIOUS about this competition.  They have been researching strategy for paddling practice.  (team workouts on Mondays and strategy/paddling practice on Saturdays) We aren't able to use the boat until the day before, so I have no clue how we will practice or what to expect. 

Team CITGO for the win!



Have you ever participated on a work sports team?
Have you ever participated in, watched, or heard of dragon boat racing? If so, fill me in!

Quick Weekend Recap in a Series of Haiku

Friday
Quick run with Lola.
Tunes at Live at the Lake Front. 
Trampoline Jumping. 

Saturday
Brutal CrossFit WOD.
Abstained from kid's birthday cake.
Pork roast bought on sale. 

Sunday
Finished book in bed.
Parent's house for yummy lunch. 
Phone date with a friend. 

The Friday Five

1. What I'm Reading: Divergent by Veronica Roth

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This is the first book of a three part series.  It is a dystopian novel set in Chicago and follows a 16 year old girl named Beatrice as she leaves behind her family to join another faction.  Since it's a young adult book, therefore easy read, I'm soaring through it.  I picked it up because I've heard it compared to Hunger Games, but so far I'm not loving it as much.  Full review to come soon.   (When I was looking for a picture of the book jacket, I discovered they are making it a movie.  Due out 2014.)

2. What I'm Eating:  Roasted Red Pepper and Asparagus Chicken Salad  I've eaten this for lunch everyday this week.

ingredients
one whole chicken, cooked, deboned, and cut into cubes (you can cook it yourself - I used my favorite recipe, or buy a rotisserie chicken)
3 peppers
1 lb asparagus
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp basil
1 tbsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic, minced
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

directions
Cut peppers in half, remove seeds, and place over open flame of grill until skins are charred and black.  Place in ziploc bags, seal, and let sit for 20 mins.  After 20 mins, skins of peppers should be easily peeled away.  Chop peeled peppers and put in a large bowl with the chicken chunks.

Trim asparagus' tough ends.  Toss the asparagus with olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.  Place on grill over medium heat.  Cook about 3 minutes, leaving them slightly crunchy.  Chop asparagus into 1" pieces and add to bowl of peppers and chicken

Place vinegar, basil, oregano, salt, garlic, and pepper in the food processor.  Slowly drizzle in olive oil.  Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and mix it all together.  

Serve as is or in an avocado like the original recipe or in lettuce leaves for a wrap.


3. What I'm Watching: Nada.  I haven't had much time for TV.  It's been a really busy week.


4. What I'm Listening to: 




These guys make me smile!

5. What I'm Pinning:

via Indexed by Jessica Hagy

Paleo Bora Bora Fireballs via The Girl Makes the Clothes

via Real Simple

via Southern Living

via unsure?

Happy Friday!

What are you Reading? Eating? Watching? Listening to? Pinning?

What are your weekend plans?

Surprising Myself

That, my friends, is my golden ticket.  My scorecard.  I conquered 13.1.  No, not a half marathon, but workout 1 of the 2013 CrossFit Games Open.

My work day wasn't as productive as it should have been because all I could think about was tackling this:

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My hamstrings and quads are knotted up like crazy from sprinting yesterday during dragon boat race tryouts. (I'll explain later...this post is reserved entirely for CrossFit love.)  So, I brought my old trusty tennis ball to work to roll out the knots.

I'm convinced I have the crappiest chair in the entire refinery.

My mind was consumed with those 75 pound snatches.  Our workout Saturday included a similar style snatch ladder and I tried and tried, but could not get 75 pounds up overhead.  My goal became to get one snatch at 75 pounds or a total score of at least 101.  

Caffeine and carbs were my pre-workout fuel. 

At 5:00 PM on the dot, I jetted out the door and headed over to the box.  4:30 class was finishing up.  The energy was awesome!  I yelled and screamed for those finishing up and anxiously awaited my turn. 

My sister came to support me, even those she took it on at 5:30 AM. (and rocked a score of 122!)

The burpees (aka my kryptonite) were tough.  The 45 pound snatches were manageable.  The second set of burpees sucked!  Then came the daunting 75 pound snatches.  I took my time, caught my breath, took a sip of water, chalked up, and almost forgot to switch the weights on my barbell.  

Attempt #1: fail.

Attempt #2: fail.

In front of me, a couple of guys were snatching heavy stuff.  I watched their form and their fight and got inspired.

Attempt #3: fail. 

Attempt #4: fail.

My coach, Megan, came up behind me and told me to take a breath, rest what I needed, and use my butt.  All drive from the butt.

Attempt #5: fail.

I knew this would cause a gap in the women's division.  There would be a whole slew of girls who couldn't complete a 75 pound snatch.  My rank would be so much higher if I could just get one.  Just one! 

Megan came and told me to get under it.  She said I was pulling high enough and just needed to drop under it and stand up. 

Attempt #6:  Butt drive.Drop under it.Just get one.Butt drive.Drop under it.Just get one. ----Success! 

Barely, just barely, I stood up and straightened my arms with that bar overhead!

There were 15 seconds left on the clock.  I pulled two more times with no success, but I was on cloud nine! I met my goal.  

Even though I would have LOVED to get more snatches, I couldn't help but be so proud of myself. I walked out of the box with a full heart and a smile on my face.  This is what the Games is about! Not just superstars who make it onto Regionals, but about everyone pushing themselves to a new level.  

Bring on 13.2!

When was the last time you surprised yourself or set a goal and accomplished it?
Anyone else signed up for the open?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

How is it only Wednesday?  Last weekend feels like years ago. 

1. Instagram.  

Just recently (January), my life was changed by the acquisition of an iPhone, which is why I'm so late onto the Instagram bandwagon.  It's like Facebook, but better, because you don't have to hear everyone's political rants!  (follow me @beccaardoin)

2.   My busy spring schedule.

There is so much fun stuff coming up locally!  Actually, I had to turn down invites to the Women's Final Four in New Orleans and the Zurich Open/first weekend of Jazz Fest in New Orleans because I have stuff going on both weekends.   2013 CrossFit Games South Central Regionals in San Antonio also falls on a weekend I have plans.  That's the one that breaks my heart!  I wish more than anything that I could be two places at once so I could cheer on all the competitors from CFLC that I know will be there.

3.  Zumba!

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It's like going to the club on my lunch break!  So much fun and such a release in the middle of a hectic work day.  It, like our boot camp, is led by employees using their own time.  They are all certified and awesome.  While I do work up a sweat, it isn't quite intense enough for me to call my work out of the day.  I usually hit CrossFit after work on Zumba days.

4. Bacon

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Loathing used to fill my body as the smell of bacon filled my nose, but somehow, someway I have seen the light.  I am now bacon obsessed! The last piece of bacon in the house was fried up and gobbled down Monday and I have been longing for some salty, fatty, delicious pig belly ever since.  Good thing it's Paleo!

5.  These tanks.

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Crack.me.up!  Someone buy them for me. :)



What are you loving today?
Bacon...Love it or leave it?
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