Sunday, August 26, 2018

Accept No Limits

This week, I continued to push out of the comfort zone and challenging any limits--physical or mental-- that have been holding me back from reaching some goals. I'm not sure what's behind all of this, but I have been having fun!

It's been a busy week and I apologize for my lack of posting. We've got my youngest leaving for college this week and lots of other things going on. Summer's like that. I'll be back to my regular blogging schedule after Labor Day.



You might have seen my rope climb on Instagram this past week. On Thursday, when Coach Sammy Jo introduced the rope climb as one of our bootcamp activities, I wasn't planning on actually climbing the rope. In fact, about a year and a half ago, while I was still working with Coach Becky, I set a couple of upper body goals that included handstand, pull-ups, and the rope climb. We worked on these goals for quite a while, and while I never achieved them with her, I have since done the handstand, although I'm still working on holding it.

I never wanted to revisit the rope climb. Every time I tried it, I couldn't get my legs positioned properly on the rope. The rope hurt my hands and my legs. I was frustrated with my inability to pull myself up the rope. After Becky moved away, I was glad to let go of that goal.

This time when it was my turn to approach the rope, I decided to at least work on the positioning. I grabbed the rope in both hands and wrapped it around my ankle, stepping on the rope with the other foot to secure it. It felt ok, so I pulled my legs up the rope and was able to straighten up, moving my hands up the rope. Ok. Totally didn't expect that to happen. I repositioned my feet and pulled myself up the rope again. It was happening. Coach Sammy Jo stood there in stunned disbelief, as did the rest of the bootcamp class. I made it to the top and she instructed me on how to come back down. I begged her to take a picture because, as we all know, if you don't have a picture, it didn't happen.

It's happening...
Coming down was much harder than going up and I started lowering down too fast, burning my ankle with the rope on the way down. My inner thigh took a beating from the rope as well.

It was so worth it!

My head was pounding when I landed on the ground. Not sure what that was all about. It took about 5 minutes for that to clear. I was in a bit of a daze. But I had to keep on moving through all the other activities that were part of the workout. I didn't climb again, instead substituting those raises and lowers. For that day, once was enough.

But I'll do it again. I sent a picture of my climb to Becky and she was excited to see that I finally accomplished that goal. Next up: the pull-up. This was definitely the highlight of my week.

Running
Running is definitely taking a back seat to all the other activities I've been participating in. But I have Zooma Great Lakes coming up in 3 weeks and I needed to get in some miles! On Wednesday, I ran 6 miles, on Saturday, I ran 10, and on Sunday, I ran 4. All 3 runs were done using 4:1 run/walk intervals and while they weren't easy given the very humid conditions, I was pleased with my pacing. On Saturday, I was a little nervous running on the bike path after the creeper I saw there a few weeks ago and with the sad news about Mollie Tibbets. My run was uneventful, but this tragedy was most definitely on my mind.

I'd love for you to join me at Zooma Great Lakes!
Use my code WENDY2018 to save 10%.
CrossFit
Prior to the rope climb, I did strength training with Coach Sammy Jo. We're still doing high volume weights. I did deadlifts 115# x10 reps, 3 sets, alternating with barbell good mornings. After that, I did unstable walking overhead presses--in the picture below, you can see the KBs dangling from the pipe. These were so hard. This work is definitely paying off--I'm so happy she and I are doing upper body strengthening. It's fun and it's rewarding. The bootcamp has been great as well. Not only is it fun, I'm seeing lots of benefits from the variety of things we do in the class. Hooray for crosstraining!


Yoga
I had a super busy week off the road and so I was only able to squeeze in one Five Parks Yoga class. Slow Flow Gentle Yoga definitely hit all the high points. I was really sore from all the waterskiing last weekend. Hopefully, I'll find more time to get in some quality yoga. But we do what we can, right?

This is one of my "best stretch ever" poses
Kayaking
I don't know if you can call this activity, but I spent the afternoon with my friend Elaine while kayaking on the Fox River in the town where I grew up. Every summer, my high school friends and I do a "kayak krawl" to celebrate Elaine's birthday. This year we weren't able to make it happen. Fortunately, Elaine and I coordinated this week and spent a very leisurely afternoon on our own lazy river. We didn't kayak hard or far, but we managed to stop at a couple of the taverns that line the river in my old hometown. Isn't it great to have a friend that you can just pick up where you left off the last time?

Kayak selfies are so hard!
Isn't that what life's all about?

How was your week? What did you do to push yourself out of your comfort zone? Have you ever scaled a rope? Did you run #milesformollie? Do you have friends who like to push you out of your comfort zone?

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap! To celebrate the WW's 3rd anniversary, my co-host and partner-in-crime Holly and I are giving away a prize package to one of our linkers as a way of thanking all of you for supporting us. All you have to do is link back to both of us and comment on both of our posts. We'll be randomly selecting one of you from the linkup below. Fitness bloggers only, please.

As always, thanks so much for being a part of the Weekly Wrap. Have a wonderful week.


76 comments :

  1. That rope climb is pretty badass. Congrats. I'd be more terrified of rope burns than actually falling off of it. I have been running for Mollie all week....it's just way too close to home for me to ignore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After the epic bike crash and all that road rash, a little rope burn is nothing. It's all about perspective!

      Delete
  2. Congrats on your rope climb! I used to be able to do that when I was a kid because we had to do it for gymnastics class but I doubt I could even get a foot off he ground now, lol.

    Glad that you were able to have a little fun too and get in some kayaking!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have never scaled the rope! I couldn't do it when I was a kid. Kind of like the handstand. I think I'm regressing!

      Delete
    2. I wanted to say congrats as well! I couldn't find the spot for a new comment somehow, so that's why it's a reply. :) I definitely don't think I could climb a rope. I'd need to work on my upper body strength!

      Delete
    3. I actually was really surprised that I could do this! I didn't plan on it, but it just kind of happened.

      Delete
  3. Great job on the rope climb! You're so strong I can't imagine you not being able to do it. I'm pretty sure my upper body strength isn't there.

    I've never actually kayaked but my understanding is it's good exercise.

    I did run #milesformollie today (and for Meghan, a skirt sports ambassador who survived a horrible incident of road rage).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There have been just far too many incidents lately. I feel like we need to run for everyone!

      Delete
  4. Look at you going up that rope!! That's so mightily impressive. I have never tried anything like that since school and I could NOT do it then (I once did a roly poly between two ropes just because my teacher was pushing pushing pushing me and I kicked her in the face! (by accident)).

    I haven't pushed out of my comfort zone this week, apart from running 4 times in one week, but I am doing more track and field official training next weekend, somewhere I've never been before.

    Great week of exercise, you're so strong and capable, I'm in awe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're too kind! I have never ever in my life climbed a rope. I sure didn't plan on it that day either. It just kind of happened. Just goes to show you that you never know what can happen if you don't try!

      Delete
  5. Congrats on climbing that rope! I remember we had that in middle school and I always dreaded it. I had no upper body strength and it took me all 3 years to finally climb it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never could do it in grade school. Where's my gym teacher Mr Harvey now?

      Delete
  6. Very cool on the rope climb. I’ve never tried and am sure it would take a lot of attempts. Love how you took it on with low/no expectations and nailed it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I saw the #MilesForMollie hashtag and subsequently forgot to tag either run with those. Such heartbreaking news, kept hoping it would end some other way. Rope climbs terrify me.You are a warrior!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! I will keep pushing my limits as long as my body lets me.

      Delete
  8. Look at you on that rope! I have pushed myself a bit in yoga lately. I realized that part of my problem is that I am afraid to try and when I do, I often surprise myself

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And that sums up how I feel! I get scared to try something new, but when I do and I can do it, it's so exciting!

      Delete
  9. That's so awesome that you were able to do the rope climb! It's been like 25 years since I did a rope climb and I have no idea if I would be able to even attempt it now. It just shows how strong you have gotten!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I credit my coach Sammy Jo for pushing me and making me do all that upper body work. I love it!

      Delete
  10. That rope climb is just awesome! I love that you keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad I have all this other stuff to do since running isn't working so well for me these days.

      Delete
  11. I can't believe how much you accomplish in a week! I feel like a total slacker now. I didn't do anything this week, except one Body Pump class. No running! Ooof!!! Still hurting after my marathon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're recovering from a marathon! You shouldn't do anything this week. Now next week is another story...

      Delete
  12. Never climbed a rope. Have zero upper body strength.

    Yes I ran #milesformollie. How horrible was that.

    My friends are pretty conservative.

    I really want to SUP and kayak but the summer has gone by so quickly. Definitely next summer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hate the idea of pushing anything off to next summer. Man, this summer flew by!

      Delete
  13. That is sooooo awesome! I've never done a rope climb. Actually I don't think I've ever even attempted one. Maybe I need to fix that? Congrats, you bad ass woman! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Look at you climbing!!! Congratulations on turning your dislike and avoidance of it on it's head! I'm excited for you to tackle a pull-up, that's bee one of my goals for years and I still haven't been able to do it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been doing assisted pull-ups with my coach and even those are hard. I have to figure out what I'm doing wrong.

      Delete
  15. WOOOWWWW! That rope climb- impressive! You have a lot of upper body strength!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My coach and I have been working a lot on my upper body strength. I didn't realize how much we've done until that rope climb. Such a thrill!

      Delete
  16. Sounds like a great week! Congrats on the rope climb! You are awesome!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love how you just hopped on the rope and crushed that climb, without expectation. It's validation of how hard you work and how strong you are! The kayaking excursion sounds like a blast. If only the Coosa had a few taverns along the way...

    ReplyDelete
  18. That rope! I have been haunted by a climbing rope ever since elementary school...that would surely be out of my comfort zone! I count kayaking as an activity - core and arms for sure ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You nailed it--haunted by the rope is really a good way of looking at it! LOL!

      Delete
  19. Congrats on the rope climb! Not only for doing it but for even trying! Your upper body strength is great! That pull up can’t be far behind!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so hard, tho! I have to talk to my coach about what muscles I need to work on to achieve it!

      Delete
  20. Holy smokes!! I am sooo impressed! You killed it!! Good luck moving your son- what an exciting time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exciting and heart wrenching! Motherhood isn't easy at times!

      Delete
  21. Congrats on the strong rope climb - that is so impressive! I don't think I've ever attempted one, and I probably would need to really work for it. This week I tried battle ropes at the gym, and those were enough to fatigue my arms!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Battle ropes fatigue my arms, my glutes, my core...they are so tough!

      Delete
  22. Congrats on climbing that rope! I used to love the rope as a kid, I know I'd be depressed if I tried doing it now haha! I'm sure your old coach is very proud!

    I actually did some running last week and now I'm so sore in my quads and hamstrings...I'm not complaining, but I could sure use some yoga right now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did that today. I so needed to stretch it all out! Felt great.

      Delete
  23. That rope climb!! I love that you made them take a picture AND that you sent it to Becky. FWIW, I didn't know that is how you make yourself move up the rope with the ankle wrap/foot push. Not that I'm planning on ever climbing a rope, but hey, it's good to know in case I fall down a well. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congrats on that rope climb! That's really impressive. That's something that I always had a hard time doing as a kid and am still intimidated by.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never did it as a kid and to do it as a 55 year old--well, who knew?

      Delete
  25. That rope climb def brings back memories. Memories of when I actually had some upper body strength ha ha And that unstable overhead press is impressive.....all of that and you still got some runs in. Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Amazing rope climb! That kayak adventure sounds like a lot of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  27. You are so inspiring! I love the idea of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. And I love that your expectations for the rope climb were low and then you astounded yourself!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I saw that the rope climb was part of the workout, I was "oh hell no". And then it happened. It just goes to show you that you never know what a workout will bring!

      Delete
  28. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Crosstraining is the key to running longevity. Glad you're enjoying some new to you workouts! Ropes are tough!

    ReplyDelete
  29. You are an inspiration, Wendy, as always! Hearing about Mollie Tibbetts was absolutely heartbreaking... my prayers go out to her and her family and friends. I can't imagine. The whole situation has been on my mind frequently, especially while running last week. It's hard to trust anyone these days. As for running, I pulled my groin this weekend and haven't ran since. Soooo. That stinks, but in the big scheme of life, it's a minor hiccup. Doing my best to recover well, and hopefully quickly too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear about the groin pull. What are you doing to rehab it?

      Delete
  30. Congrats on your rope climb! That's so cool! Now I want to find a place that has a rope and try it because I've never had the opportunity to do that.

    I ran ten miles for Mollie on Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad I can cross the rope climb off the bucket list! LOL!

      Delete
  31. Ropes and I are very much not friends. However, I think it's awesome that you got to the top like that!

    My hips are really craving some yoga sessions - I need to get back into the studio soon!

    Even if you're not running as much, you are definitely staying busy! Keep it going!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually feel better mixing it up like this than I do when I'm running a ton. Who knew?

      Delete
  32. It looks like it was a great week! I'm so eager to try some different workouts again! I used to be game for anything, but as a full-time working mom of a toddler, my time to workout is pretty limited to early mornings before she is awake. It's hard to find time or energy for much adventure at that point!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When the boys were little, I used to get up and run before my husband left for work. That's all I had the time or energy for!

      Delete
  33. Awesome job getting up the rope! The rope climb becomes so much easier when you get the foot positioning right. I never had much upper body strength so I needed to use my legs to get up the damn thing.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Congrats on your rope climb! I feel like I would struggle with the pulling and my knee might not like it either. I haven't been kayaking in a couple of years, but a kayak krawl sounds like a lot of fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My knees didn't mind the rope climb at all. It was more glutes and core than anything.

      Delete
  35. Wow - congrats on the rope climb! I've only climbed a rope with knots in it, which of course makes the foot positioning a lot easier.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! But the way we do it, the knots would just get in the way.

      Delete
  36. You had another incredibly active week. I'm in awe of your rope climb. You're superwoman!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Not at all. I'm just an aging athlete who doesn't want to let it all go away!

      Delete
  37. I haven't done a rope climb since middle school P.E class! I want to do one now!

    ReplyDelete