I’m not even sure how to begin this post. It’s been an amazing last five days, and wow. Never do I want to lose the incredible LOVE for everything CrossFit I have right now. I’m seriously about to burst with love and happiness and excitement.

So, this weekend was the CrossFit Games North East Regional competition in Canton, MA at Reebok Corporate Headquarters. I signed up to volunteer with the Media Team and wasn’t quite sure how much responsibility I would be given, where I would be, whether I would have time to watch, whether I would sleep… at all. continue reading

I’m a fan of any company that pays extra attention to the details.

Not only making it clear that they are fully and 100% aligned with the fitness-loving foodie, but that a supplement isn’t just a supplement. It’s what you look forward to immediately after a workout, when you reach for a snack, or when you want something that tastes like dessert, but doesn’t come with all of the messy ingredients. continue reading

This week has been hard on Boston Marathoners, spectators, runners, families and friends, bloggers, Americans, and those around the world. Cities across the nation are uniting to #runforboston, fundraise, show their support, and mourn those who have been effected, whether directly or indirectly.

In CrossFit, we have a tradition of creating and completing “hero” workouts when someone has died before their time and left a mark on the world and people around them. I’ve shared my experience with you. Now comes the time when I’m starting to process everything that happened, and going to CrossFit has been my saving grace. Some days it’s helped me let it out through training, and others (like yesterday) have sparked the waterworks.

With Grete Waitz, a Boston Marathon and running legend, at the 2010 Boston Marathon expo.

This workout is dedicated to everyone in Boston and across the world who has been a first responder, marathoner, spectator, friend or family member, or someone simply affected by this tragedy. With Designer Whey, we bring this workout to you with the spirit of Boston, no matter “what kind” of athlete you are. continue reading

I will never forget what it was like to see one of my favorite childhood events turn into a blood-soaked tragedy. As many of you know, I was at the Boston Marathon to watch my Dad run for the third time. Ever since I was a child, the Boston Marathon has been an event that my entire family looks forward to. Growing up in New Hampshire, we would visit Boston on Patriot’s Day to experience the energy, community, and excitement; a positive force in our lives, and eventually becoming an event that my Dad qualified to participate in. For many runners, the Boston Marathon is the holy grail of racing. When my Dad qualified, I realized the dedication and passion he had been putting into his running all of these years.

2010 Boston Marathon, his second time.

The Boston Marathon was the first time I realized that my Dad was not just my Dad; he is a quiet hero. MY quiet hero. Through mental strength and patience, he accomplished something that I believed I could never do. Year after year, he keeps running, through tragedies and joys, never faltering. The Marathon has always been a time when I am reminded of how amazing my Dad is, and continues to be after the accident. It brings the entire world together; I’ve met people from every country around the world, strangers from my hometown, and just plain strangers who love spectating. I love it. continue reading

It’s been quite the last two months. With the buzz before the Open, anticipation of each workout, and determination to get every possible rep was overwhelming, incredible, and utterly contagious. There are some incredible athletes at Flower City, one officially going to Regionals, and another hopeful. Here’s what I learned from my own experience, and watching the Ninjas.

continue reading

All photos by baby sister, Rebecca Block.

continue reading

All photos taken by my talented baby sister, Rebecca Block.

continue reading

This past couple of weeks have been crazy. I’ve been CrossFitting more (but making sure not to overtrain this time), and immersing myself even more into my love for CrossFit as an athlete and as a coach.

I got my Level 1 Trainer’s Certification back in December, and learned a lot. I’ve always been fascinated by the technicality of functional movements, whether it was for crew back in high school, running during track, or gymnastics and lifting during CrossFit. There are always areas to improve, and fascinating ways to coach others – tweaking little by little!

With 13.3, we were faced by 150 wall balls, 90 double unders, 30 muscle ups, and then back to the wall balls if you make it that far. Time cap: 12 minutes.
continue reading

So, these last two weeks have been crazy (awesome) for us CrossFitters. A week and a half ago, the worldwide CrossFit Open began, and now every athlete, team, and affiliate is competing to be at the top of the leaderboards. It’s been incredible to watch and to participate in. It’s no secret that I love CrossFit – I took time off, which I did need, and now I’m on the road to being back on track. After extended time off, it was time to get back into it, just in time for the Open.

I heard about the first workout, 13.1, and immediately thought: doable through 75# snatches and burpees. It really is true that once you’re out of the game for a bit, it’s a huge shock to the system when you get back in. I warmed up, got to 75#, and it felt almost as heavy as my snatch PR: 90#. Then I started to panic right before the workout, but decided to pace myself on the burpees and snatches. Seventeen minutes doesn’t sound incredibly long (at least to me), but it definitely feels like it: so my approach was just to pace.

I think I did my maximum and my best, given my sub-par CrossFit training the last few months. A friend told me back in October or November that I shouldn’t be adding so much volume, switching up the programming, etc or else I would overtrain. That I would feel it a month or two down the line and to step back a bit. I didn’t listen – I thought my boundless energy and good nutrition would make up for all extra training, but I soon learned that it just doesn’t work like that. Five days in the gym per week, following competition programming, plus some skill work is enough. Note to self: Don’t push yourself too much farther. continue reading

Hey guys! So I’ve been MIA lately. I’m going to try not to dwell on that and just start writing again, but I do have a sappy post coming based on what’s been happening with CHAARG and why I love it so much.

Quick ramble: I’ve been noticing a lot of buzz lately about how “blogging is dying” and I do, to a point, think this might be true. GASP. I know that sounds extreme and slightly shocking, but I do believe that as people are becoming more and more busy, media is becoming even more fast-paced. Consumers look for something that they can read in under a minute. And on my side, something that doesn’t take three hours to write. Homegirl don’t have that kinda time. continue reading