For A Moment Photography

Crossfit Legit

My Super Spartan Partner Laura

This weekend I competed in a Super Spartan Race with a high school running partner.  The race was a 8+mile run with obstacles.  Some of those obstacles were, jumping over fire, crawling under barb wire in mud, climbing 10ft wall, pulling and pushing 80-100lbs weights and fighting pass gladiators to name a few of the 16 obstacles.  I knew the fire had to be safe, but it was still scary to think about.  

Since August I have been doing my Crossfit workouts at Core Crossfit.  We do short, high intensity workouts, I had not run 8 miles in several years.  When I decided to do the race my only intention was to complete the race, I didn't care how long it took me.  As the race got closer I started to wonder if I was blissfully unaware of what I signed up for.

The Monday before the race I went on a 6 mile run.  I stopped every half mile and did air squats, push ups or sit ups (to get me ready for obstacles).  I felt really good and more confident in my fitness level.  I was very excited for the race and now only worried about being hit by one of the gladiators at the finish line...

As we started the race we pretty quickly got into a good running pace.  We waited for each at each obstacle and cheered each other on.  At mile four we both felt really good and proud of our speed.  It was at that obstacle that we were forced to wait about 20 minutes or so due to a back log of competitors.  We were required to pull these weights on ropes.  I was told they weight both 80 and 100 lbs.  I don't know what is true but either way- they were heavy.  It was at this obstacle that I got hot, a little light headed waiting in the sun (it was not a water station site) and I hadn't even done the pull yet.  After this obstacle with my legs burning I had a moment of doubt.  

My legs felt like jello my mouth was so dry and I really questioned if I could run another 4 miles with obstacles.  But once again we started running and got a steady pace and within about a half mile I felt amazing.  I remember thinking that this particular challenge really proven to me I am capable of doing much more if I keep pushing through my doubts/fear.

The next challenging obstacle was a 10 ft wall with one little block nailed to the wall to jump on to help get you over.  On this obstacle they gave you a chance to do it and if you failed you did a penalty of 30 sit ups.  My negative mind frame (I'm too short to ever get over that wall) was in full force (bad habits).  I asked if I could just go straight to penalty.  I was told no, so I gave it a shot and I did it.  Again I was right back on cloud nine!

The last two miles were hard, but I knew if we just kept moving as soon as we saw spectators we would get some energy from them.  It was near the end my Bug, in pink with a pink balloon cheered me on...  Then finally the gladiators posted as you cross the finish line.  My most feared obstacle.  There were four of them, two with padded clubs and two without clubs.  I had decided before the race I would run right towards them so their hits would be more of a push then a hit because I was so close.

As I enter the gladiator arena (it's super small) I smiled and with my arms tucked in sheepishly race towards one of them.  He gave me a little body check and push me through.  Then the gladiator with the club did try to hit me but my strategy worked and it was just a push- relief...

My performance in the race really speaks to the Crossfit training and paleo diet!  It's now a day after the race and I feel awesome.  I'm so thankful that my gym, coaches, Tommy, Erica and the 5:30AM class continue to push me.  In the past 7 months my body composition has changed, I've seen a drop in my weight and increase in muscle.  I have a "before" photo of me taken when I started in August.  I was half temped to share it today.  But I think I'll wait for my year anniversary to do that.  I still have some work to do!    

I entered this competition thinking I would do it just once.  Now I'm wondering if I want to travel to another location to do it again...  The journey continues...

 

 

 

Change your Mind Change your Life

 

Today I had a chance to see ASU wrestle against Cal Poly.  I don't usually go to wrestling meets but decided I wanted to watch one athlete in particular.  There is a ASU senior from Mesa, Arizona that has made quite a name for himself, Anthony Robles.  He was born without a leg and has still become an All-American Athlete.  Today was his last match at ASU.

I took my camera but unfortunately my battery died before I saw him wrestle.  I was able to find a video of him on Sports Center in 2009 on YouTube to use for this post.  I'm sure if I spend a little time digging around I could find video of him wrestling.  And seeing him wrestling was a pretty cool experience.

Because it was his last meet they had his match last, so I was able to watch an hour of wrestling before him.  All of the athletes were in great shape and must of had an overall body fat percentage of 9% or less.  They were so muscular, it was surprising.  

Anthony's match was much different then the other matches.  He has found a way to make this disadvantage work very well for him in his chosen sport.  He had a crazy strong grip, could get low to the ground and had such great upper body strength.  His one disadvantage is he doesn't have the balance that the other athletes have.  But with his senior record being 20-0 you wouldn't know it.

I wanted to post this story as an inspiration for myself and others.  We all have reasons why we can't.  But as I been told before, you either have reasons or results- which do you chose to have in your life?  

 

 

 

Feels Something Like Film

So I've been mysteriously absent from my blog lately.  Ok, maybe not "mysteriously" but it's been a bit neglected.  It's not that I haven't been photographing I just haven't had the time to blog about it...  I wanted to add a few of the 1000 photo I have shot in the past week in todays blog.

Saturday I photographed a Crossfit event in Tucson, The Winter Open.  It's the first event of this size that I had attended and photographed.  The competing athletes were some of the best that I had seen and loved that I had such a great view of the event.  The work outs were so intense and difficult at times I didn't know how or if some of them would finish.  

I really don't like looking at videos of workouts (or reality tv competitions) because I feel the intensity is lost.  And it's easy to sit on my couch and think they're being whiny.  Knowing this about me, I tried to photograph the intensity of the day.  This event's workouts were longer (16 minutes) there for giving me a chance to cherry pick my shots.  

Another thing I like about these shots was a bit of grain (not super sharp) to make them look more like an old black and white film camera.  It adds a bit of grit to the feel of the overall photo, something you would expect and an event like this.  Not to mention I to adjust a setting to allow me to shot in this lighting with out a flash (therefore = grain).  

One thing I wish I could have been able to photograph was a bit more of the blood.  The pull up bars and ring are a spot that are not very gentle on the hands during any competition I've been to.  One competitors hand was bleeding so much he couldn't get a firm grip on the ring to pull himself up to do a muscle up.  Instead of quitting he just grabbed a paper towel and kept trying to pull himself up.    

So here are a few of my photos...  It's been a learning process for me to do these events.  It's something new and I'm not quite where I want to be with the look but I'm getting there.

Fitness Photo Work

This weekend I got to work on some photos I had been thinking about for some time now.  It took me about 30 minutes to get this shot (above).  We were in a perfectly lit room at 10AM this morning.  I used my lighting and a grid spot to fade all the other light out and direct this light.  It's sort of hard to get a real sense of the shot because of the way I cropped it.  I really liked the veins popping on his neck so I edited this way...  I'm excited to do more stuff like this... 

Ok can I just tell you how much I love my nephew.  He's the most loving and thoughtful Colvin (insert smiley face here).  I just adore him and love the fact he can rock a pull up (and I haven't yet).  He's always game for a photo and I'll always want to take it!  

Barbells for Boobs

Dougie Fresh

Felipe

SURVIVOR

 

Today I went to an event at East Valley Crossfit, it was Barbells for Boobs.  I didn't compete today but I wanted to swing by and support my fellow crossfitters.  I brought my camera "just in case"...  And I don't event know what that means anymore because I always take photos!

I was going to just take a few but then I started having fun with the camera and plus I couldn't leave any Core Crossfitters out.  So I stayed for the entire event and I'm really glad I did.  I met a few more people in the Crossfit circle which is always fun.  Plus I won six tickets in a raffle to ASU games (although I only came home with two)...

So the second photo (of Felipe) I was able to get a really cool lens flare.  Something I was sure my camera couldn't do...  I guess it was operator error...  Stacy is who the next photo is of, she is a breast cancer survivor and a part of the Core team.  She competed today and looked strong- Go Stacy!

My Body Talking

Well, today has been difficult.  I woke up at 4:45AM to head to my 5:30AM gym class.  As I got myself ready I realized I had a nauseous feeling which seems to happen to me if I don't get enough sleep.  So I slowly sipped water and continued to the gym.  Once I was about half way there I had to pull over, I was sick.

I headed home, I was a bit discouraged because I was so close (I felt failure) but only for a moment.  I came home got back in bed and feel soundly to sleep.  At this point I assumed it was because I did get enough sleep.  I went to bed at 10PM but Presley got up at 11:30 and stayed up until 12:30.  After getting her back to sleep I went back to sleep.  So 4:45AM came quite early.  It's now 2:35PM and I've only been out of bed long enough to grab a protein shake and  a shower.  My entire body hurts, my fingers, neck, head, back and legs.  I have no energy and no appetite (not surprising).

As you know I end a paleo diet and love all that it does for me.  This past week I was out of town and didn't maintain my diet or workout schedule.  The food available to me was for the most part great there was salad and meats at every meal.  I however decided that I would indulge myself a bit and allow myself those forbidden foods.  So last week I ate bread, sugar, pizza and cake...  Below is a list of foods that I allow myself to eat Monday-Friday as a paleo diet.

Earlier this year I started Crossfit training a few times a week and migrated to the Paelo Diet. For those who don’t know what that is…

I basically CAN eat:

meats (steak, chicken, tuna, salmon, pork, bacon)

eggs (whole)

fat-nuts (almonds, etc, unsalted) olive oil, avocado, coconut, coconut milk

Fruits, veggies-tomatoes,broccoli, asparagus,carrots, apples, oranges, grapes, kiwi, pineapple, watermelon, strawberries, lettuce, cucumber,

Spices: garlic powder, italian spices with no salt or sugar

Drinks: Water & one 12oz coke a day (caveman had coke) j/k

 

I CANNOT eat:

white starchy carbs of any kind (bread, potatoes, rice cakes, rice)

Legumes (green beans, peas, peanuts)

sugar or sugar substitute

Dairy, cheese, milk

Drinks, soda or alcohol

The only supplements I use are fish oil and whey protein powder.  

 

Now during the weekend I allow myself to have some of those forbidden foods.  I usually have a bean burrito, chips and crackers on the weekends- I really look forward to those.  One thing I do know very clearly is with those "forbidden" foods I only feel good for as long as I eat them.  Shortly after a meal like that I feel bloated and lethargic.

I was sure this morning was due to the fact this was my first week back to the gym and I hadn't been treating my body very well.  When I started eating a paleo diet  it wasn't because  I was 100% on board with the idea that certain foods were really that bad for me.  It was more for the results that I saw in my brother's body composition and I wanted that.  

However once doing the paleo and having those foods out of my system for 5 days at a time then having them I noticed a huge difference.  It is very much a mind set that needs to change for me.  When I allow myself a soda or chips my head is telling me, "it's a treat".  What I should be admitting it's a toxic chemical my body is not very well equipment to process. 

PS the coke a day is not on the diet, as you may have guessed.  I figured in order to be successful I would slowly make changes rather then all at once.  I did that last year in December and I didn't stick to the paleo diet.  I also allow myself pickles for now...

I'm not sure why I feel so sick today but this is a post I had been wanting to write about.  Had I been feeling better I would have posted a few photos.  I wanted to write so I didn't feel like I wasted the entire day...  Now I'm going to lay down until I have to pick up Presley from school...  I will add photos once I feel better.  :)

Here are a few sites I visit on plaeo:

www.paleochix.com: blog for women who eat paleo.

www.paleodiet.com : lots of information on paleo, recipes, books.  It's not pretty but it's good source of info. 

Crossfit Phoenix

Me on the pull up bar.

I've recently blogged about a event I was taking part in at my gym, Core Crossfit in Phoenix.  After speaking to several friends it's clear that a lot of people don't know much about Crossfit.  So I thought I would blog a little about it to just clear things up.  Or at least explain what it is for me.

It's funny because I always have a hard time explaining "what" crossfit is.  During the free Saturday morning workout Coach Adrian always explains it by saying something along the lines of, "we take everyday movements do them at a high intensity for a short amount of time so that you can move more weight a longer distance faster."

A lot of what people hear about these workouts scares them.  In some workouts you'll do pull ups, squats, dead lifts or use kettle bells.  For someone like me all of that was new.  I've always worked out however I've never been able to do a pull up.  The great thing about Crossfit is it's all scalable so that everyone can Crossfit.   

In the photos above I'm doing a pull up with the help of a rubber band.  During this work out I think we have a total of 30, by this point I was feeling the burn.  What you can't tell is that I was kicking my free leg trying to find the power to complete the pull up.  I am still new to a lot of the movements and workouts at Core Crossfit.  But I'm doing so many things I never would have done outside of this gym.

Another draw to the Crossfit workout for me is people at the gym.  A lot of the members refer to each other as family, brothers or sisters.  During the workouts we all cheer each other on and that's huge when you want to quit or not push as hard as you know you can.  The coaches are the best you could ask for and making sure you stay safe and healthy.  When you're doing these type of workouts, moving weight it's so important that you do it properly.

I feel pretty lucky to be apart of this group of athletes.  The gym keeps me motivated and accountable.  I've had a membership at Lifetime Fitness since 2005.  I know many of the instructors and people working there.  I have to say in all the years of being there I've never had anyone ask why I missed class last week.