Only hitting up CF two times this week since Saturday we have our Zombie mud run. 5K full of zombies and obstacles, should be a blast! May do a light run on Friday, or just take the dog for a walk. Or do a couch WOD. We'll see.
10/15/12
"Dirty Thirty"
30 Box jump
30 Pull-ups
30 Kettlebell swings (55/35)
30 Lunges
30 Knees to elbows
30 Push press (65/45)
30 Back extensions
30 Wall ball (20/14)
30 Burpees
30 Double unders
Did everything prescribed except for the double unders. That just would have been too intense. I really need to get back to practicing them. Started this time with the burpees so that the burpees and wall balls were broken up. MUCH BETTER. Completed in 18:05.
10/17/12
4 rounds:
5 DL's
7 hang power snatches
9 OHS
200m run
Prescribed women's was 85 lbs. I did 75 lbs, as I knew that I could do that weight for OHS. I have done snatches at 85lbs before but they were hard. Thinking back, I probably could have attempted prescribed but it would have taken me awhile. Instead, I completed in 11:05. Felt pretty good, I was able to do most of the rounds unbroken with the exception of the second round where I had to drop during the OHS because my hands were slipping. Smartened up by the third round and chalked my hands up!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Getting naked!
Not me, but Arwen.
I'm actually quite proud of myself, I did my first ever body clip on her yesterday afternoon and it looks pretty good! Took me almost three hours though (UGH!) because I admit to being a little slow (and overly careful when I first started) and taking some breaks because towards the end my back started killing me. But, I got it all done, including her face and ears. Its funny, she's a totally different color when clipped. With her coat she's a very bright bay (with reddish undertones) but when clipped, she's a light golden almost seal colored bay. Totally different looking. She looks good though. Her long winter coat was making her look a little raggedy and with the clipped coat, she looks sleek and pretty again. I just have one patch on her butt that needs to be touched up a bit, but other than that she's good. Next week I do need to do her mane, however.
This was also my first time really seriously using the clippers I bought last year. I really like them. They have enough power, are fairly light and very quiet. Not too impressed with the blades though. I basically used one for the entire clip, and towards the end I had to take shorter and shorter strokes to get it to cut through the hair. I did a blade change about halfway through and that blade didn't even last for part of her body. Fortunately I bought it from Smartpak, so I'm hoping they will send me a replacement (even though it was a year ago). We'll see if they live up to their legendary customer service reputation!
Anyway, I'm hoping this helps her not be so grumpy and hot when we're working. Its supposed to be pretty warm this week, so I'm definitely glad I clipped her.
I'm actually quite proud of myself, I did my first ever body clip on her yesterday afternoon and it looks pretty good! Took me almost three hours though (UGH!) because I admit to being a little slow (and overly careful when I first started) and taking some breaks because towards the end my back started killing me. But, I got it all done, including her face and ears. Its funny, she's a totally different color when clipped. With her coat she's a very bright bay (with reddish undertones) but when clipped, she's a light golden almost seal colored bay. Totally different looking. She looks good though. Her long winter coat was making her look a little raggedy and with the clipped coat, she looks sleek and pretty again. I just have one patch on her butt that needs to be touched up a bit, but other than that she's good. Next week I do need to do her mane, however.
This was also my first time really seriously using the clippers I bought last year. I really like them. They have enough power, are fairly light and very quiet. Not too impressed with the blades though. I basically used one for the entire clip, and towards the end I had to take shorter and shorter strokes to get it to cut through the hair. I did a blade change about halfway through and that blade didn't even last for part of her body. Fortunately I bought it from Smartpak, so I'm hoping they will send me a replacement (even though it was a year ago). We'll see if they live up to their legendary customer service reputation!
Anyway, I'm hoping this helps her not be so grumpy and hot when we're working. Its supposed to be pretty warm this week, so I'm definitely glad I clipped her.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Another riding update and Sacramento International
Had my second jump lesson of the week on Saturday. Again, we weren't sure how Arwen would come out but she came out great. I mean, not as awesome as I've felt her in the past but still MUCH better than she was. There wasn't any rushing, she was doing some nice trot jumps and downward transitions. The jumps were pretty simple, just a couple diagonal lines and then some bending lines. Then we jumped a line on an angle (which was very fun!) and called it a day.
The highlight of my weekend was the Sacramento International going on in the area. Its a big two week show that draws a lot of people from the Bay Area, PNW and even Canada this year. First week is what most of the ammy's go to, because it has lower divisions. The second week is jumpers only, and the lowest division is 3' so it definitely weeds out quite a few people. The second week also has the big evens, like the Ride and Drive and the World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix. This year a few people from the barn bought a box, which is 8 seats right on the side of the arena. It puts you super close to the action, and is fun because you just kind of hang out in there with friends and all the other horsepeople (right in front of the vendors, so people are constantly walking back and forth, stopping to talk and say hello). So I basically spent three nights at the horse show, watching all the events. It was a great time. Drank a lot of wine, chatted a lot, and watched some super super horses go. Can't wait for next year, and would actually be fun if Arwen and I could go. Doubtful, but one can wish!
The highlight of my weekend was the Sacramento International going on in the area. Its a big two week show that draws a lot of people from the Bay Area, PNW and even Canada this year. First week is what most of the ammy's go to, because it has lower divisions. The second week is jumpers only, and the lowest division is 3' so it definitely weeds out quite a few people. The second week also has the big evens, like the Ride and Drive and the World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix. This year a few people from the barn bought a box, which is 8 seats right on the side of the arena. It puts you super close to the action, and is fun because you just kind of hang out in there with friends and all the other horsepeople (right in front of the vendors, so people are constantly walking back and forth, stopping to talk and say hello). So I basically spent three nights at the horse show, watching all the events. It was a great time. Drank a lot of wine, chatted a lot, and watched some super super horses go. Can't wait for next year, and would actually be fun if Arwen and I could go. Doubtful, but one can wish!
Friday, October 5, 2012
Puzzling.
Had my first jumping lesson on Arwen last night post disasterous Saturday. M had treated her Wednesday night, she got a long turnout prior to my lesson so I was really REALLY keeping my fingers crossed that my girl was feeling good again.
And thank GOD she was.
Seriously so odd that she was so out of whack on Saturday she turned into a pulling mess. I am still not 100% sure what the heck happened in such a short period of time. Regardless, I'm glad that she is clearly feeling better (although she's still feeling a little dull in warm up). We did a couple trot fences and where she was rushing them last week, she trotted up to this one just fine and cantered away nice and quietly. We also did a couple lines to see how she was and sure enough, back to her old self. Was listening pretty well, and even took a launcher of a long spot like a good girl.
After my lesson I went over to watch the welcome grand prix of the big horse show that is going on. That was super fun! Its always a good time hanging out with horsey friends, drinking wine, and watching the pros (and some ammy's) jump the big jumps. At first glance the course didn't seem too difficult, but it actually turned out to be pretty tough. Only a few people went clear (and it was a speed round only), a lot of people had one rail, and then there were a few who were knocking them down right and left. The toughest spots seemed to be the combos. There was a one stride set of a pretty tight rollback that people kept knocking, and then a one stride to a two that a lot of people knocked too. It was interesting to see though that even the people at this level make mistakes. We saw some scary distances, horses doing rider override (which I know too well), refusals (not many, but some) and one rider even tried to gun her horse down the first line that was set as what we thought seemed a pretty normal 7, in a 6! It was scary. She did ask pretty soon after landing but her horse was small and I think just couldn't do it. So she had a horrible out, horse crashed through the fence and tripped (I think) and she of course came off. Rider and horse were fine, but that was definitely the excitement of the night! Oh, and seeing Rich Fellers ride. He actually didn't end up doing well (placed out of the top six due to having one rail) but last night was not the GP that counts. He has won the big one coming up for the last two years in a row, so we'll see if he can hold onto it!
And thank GOD she was.
Seriously so odd that she was so out of whack on Saturday she turned into a pulling mess. I am still not 100% sure what the heck happened in such a short period of time. Regardless, I'm glad that she is clearly feeling better (although she's still feeling a little dull in warm up). We did a couple trot fences and where she was rushing them last week, she trotted up to this one just fine and cantered away nice and quietly. We also did a couple lines to see how she was and sure enough, back to her old self. Was listening pretty well, and even took a launcher of a long spot like a good girl.
After my lesson I went over to watch the welcome grand prix of the big horse show that is going on. That was super fun! Its always a good time hanging out with horsey friends, drinking wine, and watching the pros (and some ammy's) jump the big jumps. At first glance the course didn't seem too difficult, but it actually turned out to be pretty tough. Only a few people went clear (and it was a speed round only), a lot of people had one rail, and then there were a few who were knocking them down right and left. The toughest spots seemed to be the combos. There was a one stride set of a pretty tight rollback that people kept knocking, and then a one stride to a two that a lot of people knocked too. It was interesting to see though that even the people at this level make mistakes. We saw some scary distances, horses doing rider override (which I know too well), refusals (not many, but some) and one rider even tried to gun her horse down the first line that was set as what we thought seemed a pretty normal 7, in a 6! It was scary. She did ask pretty soon after landing but her horse was small and I think just couldn't do it. So she had a horrible out, horse crashed through the fence and tripped (I think) and she of course came off. Rider and horse were fine, but that was definitely the excitement of the night! Oh, and seeing Rich Fellers ride. He actually didn't end up doing well (placed out of the top six due to having one rail) but last night was not the GP that counts. He has won the big one coming up for the last two years in a row, so we'll see if he can hold onto it!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
WOD 10/3/12
Working on presses again. They actually felt pretty good last night, I probably could have gone a little bit heavier. Only problem with presses is that I can either do them, or I can't. Its such a small muscle group failure happens pretty quickly, lol. So I erred on the side of lighter.
3x3 at 75 lbs.
WOD:
10 min AMRAP
8 wall balls
10 swings
12 sit ups
Honestly, I should have made this a little harder for myself. I did everything as prescribed, but managed to fly through 7 rounds. I was aiming for 6. Wall balls felt good (either should have thrown to the mens line, or used the 20 lb wall ball) and everything else was pretty quick as well. Some people did weighted sit ups, I didn't know that was an option and I noticed too late. Ah well. Next time!
3x3 at 75 lbs.
WOD:
10 min AMRAP
8 wall balls
10 swings
12 sit ups
Honestly, I should have made this a little harder for myself. I did everything as prescribed, but managed to fly through 7 rounds. I was aiming for 6. Wall balls felt good (either should have thrown to the mens line, or used the 20 lb wall ball) and everything else was pretty quick as well. Some people did weighted sit ups, I didn't know that was an option and I noticed too late. Ah well. Next time!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Arwen Quasi Update
So yesterday we just had a light hack/flat lesson. She still felt somewhat locked through the left side, but definitely better. I just rode her around on a fairly loose rein with a very light contact, we didn't ask her to get in a frame so she got to poke her nose out a bit.
Afterwards, the electro acuscopist poked and prodded around a bit to check for sensitivity, and found that she is definitely sensitive through her right side. She commented that this would for sure make it harder for her to bend on that left jaw, since Arwen would be hesitant to use the right side/hind leg at all if its hurting her. So. She's getting treatment today, and we'll see if it helps even her out a bit. We also discussed getting a chiro out to do some body work on her, because if she's uneven, its indicating something is out of whack. Ahhhh, another thing to spend money on! The joys of keeping a sport horse comfortable and performing.
Arwen also got to spend another night out in turnout to just keep her neck stretched down to help those neck/back muscles stay loose. I am definitely going to try and turn her out overnight on the nights I ride, because that essentially gives her about 12 hours of turnout versus the zero she usually gets when being ridden. I also discussed with S the idea of giving her a couple weeks of vacation, which S thought was a really good idea. She said she always used to do that with her horses, and that they came back much happier than before. I agree, particularly since last fall when I gave Arwen about six weeks off for that weird lameness stuff, she came back and was fantastic for about two to three months (and then spring hormones hit). I'm thinking if I do do it, it will need to be before the weather gets bad, just so she can get lots and lots of turnout. A vacation stuck in her stall won't do much good, afterall.
So we'll see. Jumping lesson tomorrow with trainer who is back in town. That will be the real indication of how pony face is feeling!
Afterwards, the electro acuscopist poked and prodded around a bit to check for sensitivity, and found that she is definitely sensitive through her right side. She commented that this would for sure make it harder for her to bend on that left jaw, since Arwen would be hesitant to use the right side/hind leg at all if its hurting her. So. She's getting treatment today, and we'll see if it helps even her out a bit. We also discussed getting a chiro out to do some body work on her, because if she's uneven, its indicating something is out of whack. Ahhhh, another thing to spend money on! The joys of keeping a sport horse comfortable and performing.
Arwen also got to spend another night out in turnout to just keep her neck stretched down to help those neck/back muscles stay loose. I am definitely going to try and turn her out overnight on the nights I ride, because that essentially gives her about 12 hours of turnout versus the zero she usually gets when being ridden. I also discussed with S the idea of giving her a couple weeks of vacation, which S thought was a really good idea. She said she always used to do that with her horses, and that they came back much happier than before. I agree, particularly since last fall when I gave Arwen about six weeks off for that weird lameness stuff, she came back and was fantastic for about two to three months (and then spring hormones hit). I'm thinking if I do do it, it will need to be before the weather gets bad, just so she can get lots and lots of turnout. A vacation stuck in her stall won't do much good, afterall.
So we'll see. Jumping lesson tomorrow with trainer who is back in town. That will be the real indication of how pony face is feeling!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
WOD 10/1/12
Still working on the 3x3 backsquats. Increased five pound from last week, total of 160lbs. Felt pretty good, the last rep in the set of three is usually a little bit of a struggle, but not bad.
10 min AMRAP
100m sprint
7 OHS w/DB, each side rx'd women at 25 lbs
7 box jumps
Did 5 full rounds, and then got through 5 OHS on one side. Felt pretty good, those OHS are HARD though. Its funny because doing it with a barbell? 75 lbs no problem. But with just the one arm and only 25 lbs, your body tries to twist itself around and its much harder to stablize. I remember doing these a few months ago though and the 25 lbs felt really hard. Wasn't "easy" last night, but definitely didn't feel as hard as I remember.
10 min AMRAP
100m sprint
7 OHS w/DB, each side rx'd women at 25 lbs
7 box jumps
Did 5 full rounds, and then got through 5 OHS on one side. Felt pretty good, those OHS are HARD though. Its funny because doing it with a barbell? 75 lbs no problem. But with just the one arm and only 25 lbs, your body tries to twist itself around and its much harder to stablize. I remember doing these a few months ago though and the 25 lbs felt really hard. Wasn't "easy" last night, but definitely didn't feel as hard as I remember.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Failure all around...
So this past week was a total CrossFit and riding FAIL. To the max. After doing Fran last week, I somehow didn't get my butt in the gym again. Wednesday I actually had an excuse (work thing for DH) but then Friday, I just decided to be lazy and go watch the big horse show that is in town instead. So this week (and the next three weeks) it is back at it because the 5K is coming up. Zombies, mud and lots of running. Gotta be prepared!
As for riding. Well...where to begin. We had a somewhat difficult day on Tuesday where Arwen didn't want to do a simple trot pole exercise. Okay, this is not a normal thing so I wasn't too miffed by it. Wednesday she was then hacked by a junior and then by me on Thursday. She felt okay, a little dull, just not fully herself. And not dull to the aids, she just didn't feel as sparkly or spunky I guess as she normally does? However I decided to chalk it up to being in a super thick fur coat already with temps still in the 90's. Friday we did our first jump school of the week and while she wasn't horrible, she wasn't great. We were having some slight issues with left turns, in fact when I asked her for one left roll back she totally ignored me, braced on that left rein, and kept going straight. Straight over a jump we had just jumped, in fact. Jumped it well though, and the next time through she did the left turn no issues.
But...then came Saturday. Warming up she felt okay, again just a little dull and not herself. But, overall not horrible either. We started jumping some trot lines, which she wasn't thrilled about, but was okay. Then we started to do our course. Singles were okay, she was listening fairly well, not having many issues. But down this one particular line...OMG. It was like iron on the left side of her jaw. It was totally locked, and she was grabbing onto that side and veering right. She was still jumping, but it was starting to get a little annoying. The last time through, I tried to correct it but she was totally in a far away head space. I thought she was still going to go, but at the last second she slammed on the brakes and spun out to the right. I was completely taken by surprise, and flew over her left shoulder into the standard. Ugh. This was probably the worst feeling fall I've had in awhile, because it totally knocked the wind out of me. I should have seen it coming too, what with her locked jaw and it only getting worse and worse as we kept doing that line. But, silly me I just kept going.
At this point I'm a little upset at myself, and at Arwen. Honestly, I know that she has only been like this when something is bothering her. I don't think its her hocks because she just had those done. Could be her coffins, but when the vet checked her hocks he said her front end looked fine. We pressed around her neck/poll area and she was definitely sensitive there, so that could be it. I don't know though-I mean really, how much discomfort is she really in that she can't just carry herself somewhat and be a normal horse? I'm sure that I'm dropping the ball somewhere in my riding her, but then again, so is she. I'm just getting tired of her going well for a few weeks, and then having major back tracking for whatever the reason du jour is. Its annoying, and while forward progress isn't that important to me, I still want this to be fun. And when she is completely un rideable like she was on Saturday, it is NOT fun.
So yea. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Selling is not an option but I am considering giving her a little bit of a vacation to let her body just rest/relax, since really, we are in a training program but aren't really training for anything in particular (since I really never show). Also, definitely going to give the ulcer meds a go. Or giving bute occassionally. Or even giving hormones a try, since I'm wondering if the tight muscles/pain are associated with her cycles. Also in the plan is restarting doing stretches on a regular basis, we did some carrot stretches yesterday and she got a couple nights of full on turn out and already she was feeling a little more limber. We'll see though.
As for riding. Well...where to begin. We had a somewhat difficult day on Tuesday where Arwen didn't want to do a simple trot pole exercise. Okay, this is not a normal thing so I wasn't too miffed by it. Wednesday she was then hacked by a junior and then by me on Thursday. She felt okay, a little dull, just not fully herself. And not dull to the aids, she just didn't feel as sparkly or spunky I guess as she normally does? However I decided to chalk it up to being in a super thick fur coat already with temps still in the 90's. Friday we did our first jump school of the week and while she wasn't horrible, she wasn't great. We were having some slight issues with left turns, in fact when I asked her for one left roll back she totally ignored me, braced on that left rein, and kept going straight. Straight over a jump we had just jumped, in fact. Jumped it well though, and the next time through she did the left turn no issues.
But...then came Saturday. Warming up she felt okay, again just a little dull and not herself. But, overall not horrible either. We started jumping some trot lines, which she wasn't thrilled about, but was okay. Then we started to do our course. Singles were okay, she was listening fairly well, not having many issues. But down this one particular line...OMG. It was like iron on the left side of her jaw. It was totally locked, and she was grabbing onto that side and veering right. She was still jumping, but it was starting to get a little annoying. The last time through, I tried to correct it but she was totally in a far away head space. I thought she was still going to go, but at the last second she slammed on the brakes and spun out to the right. I was completely taken by surprise, and flew over her left shoulder into the standard. Ugh. This was probably the worst feeling fall I've had in awhile, because it totally knocked the wind out of me. I should have seen it coming too, what with her locked jaw and it only getting worse and worse as we kept doing that line. But, silly me I just kept going.
At this point I'm a little upset at myself, and at Arwen. Honestly, I know that she has only been like this when something is bothering her. I don't think its her hocks because she just had those done. Could be her coffins, but when the vet checked her hocks he said her front end looked fine. We pressed around her neck/poll area and she was definitely sensitive there, so that could be it. I don't know though-I mean really, how much discomfort is she really in that she can't just carry herself somewhat and be a normal horse? I'm sure that I'm dropping the ball somewhere in my riding her, but then again, so is she. I'm just getting tired of her going well for a few weeks, and then having major back tracking for whatever the reason du jour is. Its annoying, and while forward progress isn't that important to me, I still want this to be fun. And when she is completely un rideable like she was on Saturday, it is NOT fun.
So yea. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Selling is not an option but I am considering giving her a little bit of a vacation to let her body just rest/relax, since really, we are in a training program but aren't really training for anything in particular (since I really never show). Also, definitely going to give the ulcer meds a go. Or giving bute occassionally. Or even giving hormones a try, since I'm wondering if the tight muscles/pain are associated with her cycles. Also in the plan is restarting doing stretches on a regular basis, we did some carrot stretches yesterday and she got a couple nights of full on turn out and already she was feeling a little more limber. We'll see though.
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