Meet My Friend Kat!

This week's featured blogger is someone I met about a year ago. She and I connected before I knew any bloggers in person. My first impression of Kat was that this girl was beautiful. She is super fit and kind on the inside as well. I think I just assumed that she was one of those people who was just naturally fit. I was shocked to find out that Kat has worked really hard to get where she is and nothing comes easily. I think it was an eye opener for me in the fitness blogging world. All of us have a story. You need to check out Kat's. She is truly inspirational!

I almost forgot too... Kat is participating in the Marine Corp Marathon this weekend! Good Luck girl!

Name: Katrina P

State: Florida

When and why did you start working out? 

Back in 2005 I started a fitness journey since I gained weight through college. However, I didn't do it the right way, hoping fat burners would do the trick. They did, but temporarily and with side effects. So, I began running in 2007 with 5ks and slowly built up to a half marathon that I did last year - 6 more after and now will do my first marathon at Marine Corps Marathon 10/27/13. Living a healthy and fit life helps you to ENJOY life that much more fully!

What is your workout of choice? 

Running or High Intensity Interval Training Circuits/Tabata

What is your favorite race, race distance, and WOD? 

My favorite race to date was the Disneyland Half marathon, race distance is the half marathon, and WOD - I attempted crossfit and didn't stick with it, I use various circuits when I strength train. My favorite exercise is the push press and the pushup knee-to-elbow

What is your most favorite piece of workout gear? 

Good sneakers!

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your workouts?

I eat a mixed ratio of carbs/fat/protein. I aim for .80 g of protein per lb I weigh. I also eat tons of veggies and avoid starches if I can. Through marathon training my body's craved more of those starches and I don't fight it. After training is over, I'm attempting the Whole 30!

What is your favorite cheat food? 

Frozen yogurt

What advice would you give someone just starting out? 

Start slow and don't compare yourself to anyone but yourself! Set attainable goals that you can achieve and focus on!

What is your best workout memory? 

Sub 2 hour finish at my first half marathon and again at half marathon #5

What is your biggest “FIT BUCKET LIST”item? 

Achieving the 6 half marathons in 6 months, To complete my first marathon, to compete in a figure competition one day!

Tell us something that not many people know about you? 

I'm slightly OCD - order makes me happy ;)

You can find Kat at:

Blog: http://www.katrinaelle.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatrinaElleP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katrinaelle

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/katrinaellep

Instagram: http://instagram.com/katrinaellep

Gingermantra: Featured Blogger and Win a Polar Heart Rate Monitor

I have this beautiful friend that I was lucky enough to meet in real life in June. Her name is Tammy and she runs a blog called Gingermantra. She is a feisty red head and a true, good-hearted woman that I am proud to call my friend. You have to meet her! I cannot wait to see her in November for the Women's Half Marathon in St. Pete, FL.

Meet Tammy Means from  Florida

When and why did you start working out?  I was a tomboy growing up.  I loved the outdoors and camping out (primitive camping) at a very young age.  It was the classic childhood of you don't come inside until it is dark or dinner is ready.  I spent my days running and on my bicycle.  After 3rd grade my Mom put me in a summer camp where I grew to love softball which I played through high school and in a few adult leagues after that.  I also dabbled in running in high school, but never fully committed to it as my sport of choice since I was also a volleyball player.  After turning 25 I found myself in the rut of my mid twenties on the slide to 30 and I had gotten out of shape, so I joined a gym and began working out and taking aerobics classes 6 days a week.  In between workouts I would hit the treadmill for 6 miles every day.  Then after turning 35 I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and found myself right back at the threshold of needing to get back into better shape.  I began working out at a gym and then took several months of bootcamp classes and then a long time friend reunited me with my love of running I had found in my mid twenties and I have never looked back.

What is your workout of choice?  I'm a runner as my main sport of choice but I also cross-train with mountain biking with my husband and weight training in the gym.

What is your favorite race, race distance, or WOD?  I love the half marathon distance. 

What is your most favorite piece of workout gear?  Oh for me, the runner, it's all about the shoes!  For many years I was a Nike girl, but last year I was introduced to Mizuno's line of running shoes and have trained and raced with them ever since.  When I run I have an odd foot plant which makes me supinate (land on the outsides of my heels instead of neutral or inward) and if I do not have the proper shoe or foot bed in my running shoe it makes my legs fatigue much faster.  I know a lot of people would say a certain brand of clothing or maybe their favorite piece of equipment, but for me it's all about the shoes!

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your workouts?  I don't follow what society calls the traditional version of "diet" but I am a newbie vegetarian, about 2 months now.  I do not eat dairy at all and I only consume meat once a week if at all, but must know where it came from and how it was raised.  My requirement for all food I eat is that it is hormone free and pesticide free and I do not eat fast food or traditional processed food items.

What is your favorite cheat food?  Post race I love a great burger, grilled grass-fed beef with just mustard and ketchup and a side of sweet potato fries.  It's a race day tradition and sometimes I throw in french fries if sweet potato fries are not an option. 

What advice would you give someone just starting out?  Never ever compare your beginning to someone else's middle.  Never concentrate on the number on the scale either, get full measurements and track your progress with body fat tests and other health assessments.  Getting healthy takes time and it never happens over night, even if we wish with all the wishes we could have that it would.  Getting on track to being a healthier version of you requires dedication and focus, but even more than that it requires that you identify triggers that you have.  Whether it be an emotional state of mind that you must overcome that keeps driving you to quit or if it is finding the right workout for you to see the results you want, you have to sometimes step outside the box and try different workouts and routines.  I'm a morning workout person.  I love to get my runs in at 5:30 am and on cross-training days, you will find my husband and I in the gym by 5:00 am.  We love to spend our Saturday mornings on the mountain bike trail for a quickie 7 or 10 mile ride to clear our heads and get away from the hustle and bustle of the week.  It's all about finding what works for you.

What is your biggest “FIT BUCKET LIST” item?  Oh I have so many, I don't think I could chose just one!  I would love to run the New York City Marathon and I would also love to run Chicago.  I have a list of things I want to accomplish before I turn 41 and one of the biggies is going sky diving (tandem of course), though I have yet to find anyone that would join me in this adventure.

Tell us something that not many people know about you?  When I was a little girl in 2nd grade I struggled with a learning disability.  It was something that I wished to overcome and knew that I could with hard work.  I decided to put all my focus on what it would take to develop past this issue and to make sure I always challenged myself to work harder and do better and be a better student.  I think a lot of what I pushed myself through with those insecurities and also as a little ginger child helped me get where I am today.  I believe to be successful you must work hard, inspire others, always be encouraging and above all remain humble.  "People may not remember your face but they will remember how you made them feel"

We can connect with you:

Blog:  http://gingermantra.com

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/gingermantra

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/gingermantra

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/gingermantra

Instagram:  http://instagram.com/gingermantra

Win a Polar Heart Rate Monitor! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Loving CrossFit Blackbeard! And 2 giveaways!

Split Jerks during the week

When this CrossFit journey began at CrossFit Blackbeard about a month ago, I was really apprehensive. I am overweight and not young anymore. I worried about fitting in. I got through Fundamentals with only one puke, and I felt good.  But then it was time to try this on my own. Without someone there holding my hand...

Well I immediately learned that this wasn't true. I now had the entire box there to hold my hand and answer my questions. I couldn't believe how uplifting and motivating everyone was. It took me a little time to feel comfortable (like maybe a week and a half) and that was my issue, no one else's. Now I feel like part of the group.

Best Place ever!!! CrossFit Blackbeard!

I am definitely someone who struggles more with basic movements and running than others, but mostly I struggle with confidence (nothing new for me) and a lot of times I hear myself saying negative things in my head. The difference is, no one else is saying those things about me. This gym (box) has taken me in and become my support system. This is the difference between going to a BIG Named gym like Golds or something. These people have taken the time to know my name and care if I show up. That is the kind of support I need!

I have gotten through the workouts. I have survived the WODS or Met-Cons (metabolic conditioning) as we call them. Last Saturday, I decided to take on my first SATURDAY TEAM CHALLENGE!  Holy Crap! As I walked in, Trey was writing the Met-Con on the board....



Saturday's Team Challenge:
In teams of 4 For time: (Only one person does the exercises at a time... you take turns)

Ty pushing me and coaching me! Awesome!

1. Run 400 meters (as a team)
2. 75 power snatch 75/55
3. Run 200 meters (as a team)
4. 50 reverse burpees
5. 50 meter two-person farmer carry right arm 115/75 (only two from each team at a time)
6. 50 meter two-person farmers carry left arm 115/75 (only two from each team at a time)
7. 50 burpee pull-ups
8. Run 200 meters (as a team)
9. 75 bear complex
10. Run 400 meters (as a team)

This came from www.crossfitblackbeard.com

Um, I was ready to turn around and get into my car. I started wondering if anyone noticed me hiding in the bathroom.  Want to know what scared me the most... Team Run!!! Yes, as you all know, I run like a turtle stampeding in peanut butter. I am so slow. I was on a team with the most supportive, up-lifting people. They pushed me and coached me... It was unreal! And, WE WON! As we were doing the last 400 meter run, there *may have been tears from me. I started to doubt myself, when this guy Ty, turned to me and said, "You've got this Mindy! I know it!"  He was right! I did! Then I heard Rob (the owner) yell, "We are not getting second! Let's go!" And I kicked it into gear (lol, I am sure it wasn't really fast, but I did my all-out!)  And WE WON! 

Winning team! Ty, me, Erin and Rob!

I had another awesome week at CrossFit Blackbeard, and  I will tell you more in my blog tomorrow. 

Don't forget that I have 2 giveaways going on. TARGET $25 GIFT CARD click HERE!

And I am also giving away on registration for The Flavor Run click HERE! 

Do you lift weights? Why or why not? Have you tried CrossFit yet?

 Comment below.