1 Mile Easy? Pshaw!

So, nothing as humbling as a 1 mile run that makes you feel like you are dying.  Yep, dying.  It was awesomely sucky.  But let me back up a bit....

I decided recently (& spurred on by an awesomely cheap Living Social deal) to take my training more seriously and do more than just pound the pavement.  I had taken a handful of classes in CrossFit and fell in LOVE.  Seriously, as much as it hurts, I pretty much swoon walking into the box, knowing how much elation will fill me after kicking arse in a really serious workout.  The total downside to CrossFitting is there is not one near me.  I'm a rural girl and the closest box is around an hour away-that's with no traffic.  And it usually cost more than a regular gym and I'd have to budget that in, plus gas.  With me being laid off most of the summer, it just never ended up being an option for me.
But then, Living Social stepped in.  A 12 week Crossfit Endurance training program for around $30??? With another $5 discount???  Yes please!!!  I was sold in about as long as it took me to get out my card and buy that voucher.  
This past Sunday, I attended orientation and they explained the basis behind the program.  It's founded on CrossFit principles and focuses first on form, then intensity, then volume; which is completely opposite of most running programs.  This box has run this program for two years and boasts of ZERO runner injuries (AWESOME!) and massive PRs (Personal Records for Time).  After suffering several injuries and pains during my last two years of teaching myself to run, I decided that it was totally time to turn myself over to a higher power.  

Let the self-imposed torture  improvement BEGIN!

This is me, sweating before my class!  

Keep in mind, it is August in Oklahoma; temps are usually above 100 well into the evening and the humidity is not to be believed.  And I sweat like, well, a whore in church, honestly.  

So, during the class we ran 3 drills to work on form: pulling with hammies, lifting your feet and then hopping to learn your center of gravity.  Felt absolutely ridiculous and awkward.  This box, btw, is in the middle of downtown Tulsa.  As in, businesses all around.  Add in a bunch of people watching you from the area windows and the homeless folk cruising around on their bikes and you've got live entertainment people! Mostly during this time, I just tried to keep from running over the very small lady in front of me and hoped not to fall on my face.
After drills we were told we were going to run 4 x 400 m.  I'm thinking: "I'm a decent runner.  That's just a mile.  No biggie, right?"  
Um, WRONG!  Turns out it was 4 x 400 m balls out/as fast as you can and you take a 1:30 rest between. Here are my times:
Lap 1: 1:55 HR: 194   (HR=Heart Rate)
Lap 2: 2:03 HR: 206
Lap 3: 2:20 HR: 205
Lap 4: 2:27 HR: 198

Honestly, for me, the times didn't seem that terrible.  But apparently, it was.  Seriously, I was one of the slowest in class.  And I thought I was going to puke.  At least 3 times.  On the upside, I survived.  And one of the instructors was kind enough to email me the Travel WODS (Workouts of the Day) for CrossFit so I can incorporate that into my training too.  Which makes me happy and sad.  Happy because I really do love to CrossFit but sad because I cannot afford to drive to Tulsa 4-5 days/week; 2-3 days is stretching my budget pretty hard and I really would rather be in a class.

Overall, I enjoyed the challenge and getting to be in a class is always useful for me-I'm a total social butterfly and already made a friend!  Hi Rachel! ;)

I'm ready for my next class Thursday, which is actually at the track.  I will report back here, stay tuned!

Ps I don't have an after pic because my phone was nearly dead and I forgot.  But if you add redness to the face, a crap ton more sweat and an exhausted but triumphant smile, you can see it in your head!