Ako na lang

I stumbled upon this song by Ziya Quizon months ago while listening to the radio, and I think anyone who's ever liked a person who liked someone else would be able to relate. Such a cute, cute song.

Kung sino-sino pang tinatawagan mo, nandito lang naman ako

Kung saan-saan ka pa naghahanap, nandito lang naman ako

Two things

One: I've decided to create a separate blog for my fitness-related posts to spare those who can't stand reading yet another CrossFit- or running-related post. From now on, this blog will contain a minimal amount of stuff about (mostly) CrossFit. My other blog: http://almostprettyfit.blogspot.com.

Two: The family just got back from Boracay, and although it was fun, for the most part it was stressful. Not only because we had the kids with us but also because one of my sisters' baby girl and our elderly parents were also with us. We tried to make the most of it but I sure am glad to be home now.

And Boracay isn't what it used to be. What I remember the most the first time I went there back in 1998 was the powdery white sand stayed cool even at midday. You could walk barefoot the whole day if you wanted to. Now, you have to wear slippers when you walk around. It was also too crowded this time of the year (or is that my age talking?).

We still managed to have fun, though. I got to taste Jonah's banana milkshake again, we had a scrumptious seafood lunch at the talipapa, and we were able to try out the yummy calamansi muffins at The Real Coffee and Tea Cafe.

And now, here is one of our funnier attempts to do a jump shot on the day of our departure.

With my sisters and niece

January 2 WOD: Starting the year right

The family is leaving for Boracay on Wednesday, so I won't get to work out until maybe Saturday or Sunday. Today's WOD was quite simple, and the coach explained that's because he wants to ramp up the intensity. We were asked to choose if we were doing WOD A or B. The exercises were the same, except that there were more reps in B. Of course, I chose A. :) We did 15 mins AMRAP of:

- 3 pull ups
- 6 push ups
- 9 squats
- 20 double unders (or 40 singles)

I did band-assisted pull ups using the green band, push ups on my knees, and 40 singles. Part of the warm up was scap pull ins, where you start from a dead hang position and push your shoulders down then raise your chest. I think that helped me with the pull ups, and -- dare I say it -- I think I'm getting better at it. It's just putting on the band that's difficult.

Anyway, I was able to do 9 rounds + 3 pull ups. Yay, me!

December 30 WOD: Making it count!

Before leaving for a lunch date this morning, I packed my gym stuff because I was planning to go to the last class at the box. After having eaten too much and consequently feeling bloated however, I was hesitating about working out. But when the lunch group broke up at around 2:45, I took it as a sign that I had to go to the box.

When I got there, the coach divided us into 2 groups -- probably because there were too many of us -- and he put me in the easier group. I say easier because the other group's WOD included 2 2-mile runs, squat cleans, and box jumps (gulp!). My group had to do 20 mins AMRAP of:

- 15 toes to bar (again with the toes to bar!)
- 12 push presses
- 9 pull ups
- 6 pass throughs

For the toes to bar, I again did leg raises; for the push presses, I initially used the 35 lb bar, but the coach saw me struggling after the second set so he gave me the 25 lb bar.

I was able to complete 4 rounds and made it up to the 9 pull ups of the 5th round. I felt good about it but my hands sure didn't.

Growing calluses

I'm starting to learn that calluses, bruises, and even wounds come with CrossFit territory. My knees have semi-perpetual bruises because of the lunges and push ups we do, and I still have scratches on my shins because of the dead lifts we did some days ago. Battle scars is what they are.

December 28 WOD

I attended the 12:30 class today (the perks of being on holiday) and we did 15 mins AMRAP of:

- 5 hand stand push ups

- 10 chest to bar pull ups

- 10 wall ball shots

- 5 toes to bar

I did modified versions of all but the wall balls. For the hand stand push ups, I did them kneeling on a box with my head upside down. For the chest to bar pull ups, I used the rings again. And for the toes to bar I did leg raises instead.

But I sucked at wall balls the most. You're supposed to hold the ball with two hands, squat, then launch the ball and hit the red line on the wall. Then you catch it with your two hands and squat again in one fluid motion, and repeat. I used the 7 kg medicine ball, and for the life of me I could never hit the red line on the wall! I generally don't like balls, especially ones that look like they're going to hit you.

I did 4 rounds and made it up to 5 wall ball shots.

Tomorrow (or maybe the day after tomorrow) is another day!