Gimme some STRUMPH!

Hello, lovely people. :)

I am back from an amazing vacation, where I came in contact with only magnificent people and adventures. I feel rejuvenated, besides being more tired than I was before the trip since Doug and I were running around all day. My spirit feels full, my heart is happy, and I feel vibrant and ready to take anything on. Well, most of the time.

Last night in kettlebell class I realized something: I haven't been maintaining my strength. I've sort of been fixated on doing a variety of things, which is great... but I love me some strumph. I realized that for most of the things in class, I had just gone back to using the 16kg kettlebell. So last night, every set of swings was with a 24kg, as well as all of the TGUs, the double front squats (those felt HEEEEAVY... I was very displeased), and double rack walks. I will continue to use the 24kg for all that I can in class -- I want to be growing stronger!

I also need to do some more deadlifts again. I must say, having the right music playing is oh so key... normally at the gym we have class out of, there's some crappy punk music blaring, and you just sort of need to phase it out. Or enjoy it if that's your thing, in which case... where are the pink weights? ;) Someone plugged their iPod in and played some metal the other night while I was doing a few sets of DLs before class. I just had 225 threaded on the bar, and was poised, ready to lift, when some excellent chunky metal synchronized with my heart beat. BOOM! Up goes the bar! Rep after rep, no problem. Best feeling ever... well, one of, anyway.

So training is going well. So is eating, might I say. I learned what cut and how to cut up sashimi on our trip, which is ideal since we've been on a huge sushi kick for the last... year? So now we can have it at home! I'd like to attempt making sushi as well... maybe when I'm feeling particularly daring.

Anyway, time to enjoy the lovely weather. I hope the new year has kicked off in an excellent manner thus far, and that everyone is treating themselves well, healthfully, and happily. With much love, and tough love.

Another day

I had never attempted the SSST (Secret Service Snatch Test) before. After watching Doug do 45 minutes of Turkish Get Ups without rest with a 24kg (solid all the way through! So awesome to watch!), it felt right to do 10 minutes of work.

We set the GymBoss at 1 minute increments, and I did 10 snatches R/L at the top of every minute. In this way, I ended with 210 reps (added 5 R/L in the last set) at the end of 10 minutes.

I wasn't going for numbers, so much as overcoming the mental mindf*ck aspects of the SSST. Now that I've done that, I'm going to keep doing it, and eventually reach 300 reps. I have no doubts I can achieve this.

On another note, I've been thinking a lot about writing lately. My mind has been teasing the idea of a novel... we'll see what unfolds in this year...