It's my Birthday!

Brendan and I are taking off in a couple of days to go back to Santa Cruz. It's been a year since he's been there and much longer for me. I'm looking forward to meeting his parents, family and old friends. It's going to be a great vacation... and we need it!

Is it too much?

So, the other day I was doing back squats with Brendan and a few of his training buddies. I've been doing them for over two years now so the weight on the bar has become just another number. But that day I had to step back a realize what I was doing.

My back squat for 1Rep is 260. That day I was doing multiple reps at 240, easily. The only reason I stopped going up that day is because Brendan brought it to my attention that I was out lifting more than his friend.

I don't know who was more freaked out - his friend because he was lifting less than a girl or me that I was lifting more than a guy. I think it was me.

Way back when I started CrossFit I looked up to the women who were lifting hundreds of pounds and had big muscles. But the deeper in it I get the more I realize what my priorities are.

I want to be strong, but when is enough enough? How strong do I really need to be?

If this is really about preparing yourself for real life, then wouldn't the realistic thing be to work on being really cute so my boyfriend will want to lift all the heavy things for me???
I have a boyfriend who can lift over 500# off the ground. Why does it matter if I can lift 250?

I know there are plenty of women that can lift tons more than me and 260 may seem like a toothpick to some of you. Some of them may be hot as hell, too. But, I won't ever compete in the CrossFit Games or do any other kinds of fitness or strength competitions. So what's my motivation?

Does anyone know about elevated testosterone levels in women with heavy lifting? What really happens inside a woman's body when they get so strong? I'm really curious about this subject. Any information would be appreciated. I'll surely be doing my own research.

I'm considering easing off on the lifting. I've always put an emphasis on strength training, because I think it's important to be strong and healthy.
But have we decided if there's such a thing as "too strong"?


I'm half kidding, but really.....
What's worse: having a weak squat or having your picture posted on Androgen Friday!?

Washington D.C. with B and Izzy!

We needed and deserved a mini break from the gym. We work so hard and so many hours so it was so fun and refreshing to get away for the weekend. Izzy came along of course! It was her first vacation and she loved trotting around and sightseeing. She's so stinkin' cute and Brendan is even cuter when we walks with her. It's adorable.

Izzy!!!

We got a puppy!!! We love this little girl.

CrossFit Obsession

Finally got my strict press up to 103#!!

I had been stuck at 98# for a long time. Today I went for 100 and got it easily. Then got 103 but it was tough. Then pressed 95 for a bunch of singles.

Thank goodness! It was frustrating me.

Banged out 5 Muscle Ups in a row, too. First 2 were strict then kipped the next 3. I want to get up to 10 and keep them as strict and pretty as possible.

I'm up to about 20 HSPU's in a row against the wall, head touching the ground. Still stuck at 1 free standing but I don't work on it enough.

Went to the Running and Endurance Cert again last weekend. My running technique improved by 40%. I wonder how much it improved since the first time I went last year. It's helped my CrossFit training. It's made running way more tolerable and faster, although I'm still pretty sure I'll ever enjoy it.


I'm going to try to get over 40 pull-ups tomorrow. Wish me luck.

I want to start working more on my strict and weight pull-ups. I can so a set of 15 with a 35#DB but I haven't done a 1RM weighted pull-up in a long time.