A couple Weeks ago we all came together within the amazing community that is CrossFit, in support for Kelvin Nivens. He is one of the original CrossFitters and simply one of the kindest humans I have the pleasure of knowing. Kelvin recently was diagnosed with Lymphoma cancer and is fighting with all he has to get well. The local gyms came together at Central for a fund raiser in support of Kelvin, all proceeds went directly to HIM for hospital bills, treatment costs, etc. When I mentioned the fund raiser to all of you I was so impressed with how you all were so eager to help - even without never meeting Kelvin. Your willingness to support was very touching and made me VERY PROUD of all of you. I was the ONLY coach who had so many clients come to enjoy the day and gave of your money and time for somebody you didnt even know. I have said this many times but I am saying it again......I have the BEST clients and athletes EVER! So, thank you thank you THANK YOU for your support. Kelvin appreciates it immensely!!!

Its been a while since I updated our blog. I apologize for that guys! However.....you ALL have been killing it in CrossFit! Hitting HUGE Prs, and changing the way you eat. Its been a great month.

WOW! Times sure have changed!!! I read this in a magazine recently. This was taught to Home Economics girls during the early 50s. Just makes me crack up!!! What the hell!! Women are the ones (most often) at home dealing with small children, diapers, fighting and arguing, no adult conversations, grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning, lack of self, being a taxi for the kids, you name it. Women are the back bone of the family unit. I have to admit, when I was married I did a lot on this list. Only because I thought, for some odd reason, I was supposed to. I agree with some of the items....like de cluttering and cleaning yourself up. Even having dinner ready - sometimes. But what happens if both partners work outside of the home? Id LOVE to hear your thoughts on this. What do you do in your home to have your family run smoothly and happily? * Ill post pics and PRs soon....... Instructions for Housewives ~~~As taught to the girls attending high school during the Leave it to Beaver era~~~~ 1. Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on the table -- on time. This is a way of letting your husband know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. 2. Prepare yourself. Take fifteen minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when your husband arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair, and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift. 3. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up schoolbooks, toys, paper, ect. Then run a dustcloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. 4. Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces. If they are small, comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures, and he would like to see them playing their part. 5. Minimize the noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. 6. Some don'ts. Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he is late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through during the day. 7. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedrom. Have or cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing, and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind. 8. Listen to him. You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first. 9. Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment; instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his need to be home and relax. 10. The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can feel refreshed.

Winning!!!!

We had so many awesome things happen for us the past couple weeks. Here's a recap: Marian Crockett ran the Boston Marathon in the sweltering heat of 90 degrees! She finished in 3:38 and most importantly, she beat her local rival by more than 14 minutes!!! Way to go Marian!!! We all know how hard it is to run that distance LET ALONE in the heat and humidity!! We are all very proud of you!!! Mary and Matt Ryan welcomed sweet baby Maggie on April the 13th. Momma and baby are doing fine and Daddy is smiling ear to ear. The crazy thing is Mary was training CrossFit at 5am Thursday and did a tough long workout with zero problem. Little did we know that by Friday early afternoon her labor would start and by the end of the day she would be holding her CrossFit baby!!! I can't WAIT to meet her!!! Less important than the two I completed a 13 mile trail run that kicked my ASS last year! I not only finished the whole course, but felt great the whole way!! Yay CrossFit and trail running friends!! Here's a look at the PRs that you have been hitting......now get out there and RUN or enjoy the day!!! Carlos PRd in a full clean lifting 185x2 reps, 165x12 reps He also PRd in a front squat getting 215 x 3 reps easily!! Michele PRd in a full clean lifting 85x3, 90x1, 63x12 reps She also Prd in a front squat getting 93x3 reps fairly easy too :) Bo Prd in his split jerk getting 150x1 rep, and 125x3 reps!! then turned around and got a bench press Pr 150x 5 reps!! He also had a amazing training week last week and I was throwing hard wods at him!! Way to go Bo!! Teresa Prd in her front squat getting 100x3 and then got a pr in her sumo deadlift 115x12 reps Tiffany got a pr in her front squat as well getting 100x3, and her sumo deadlift was 113x12 reps!! Teresa also got a PR in her shoulder press 3 rep at 70x3 We've been focusing on endurance workouts lately and they seem to have been paying off. I can throw a long workout at you all and you can just keep on going!!! This next cycle of training we will be hitting some strength and some testing. Getting max reps for body weight movements, as well as some timed events. I KNOW you all are excited about that and can't wait to see whats waiting for you when you walk through the gym doors. RACE UPDATES!!!! I have a few races that I would like to get a head count on if you are in. Saturday, May 12th is the CHICK CHASER 5k race. A LOT of fun and couples can enter!!The race starts at 3pm followed by a huge party in the park. May 20th Surfers Path Half Marathon, 10k, 5k RACE!!! This is the first year for this event and I think we ALL should go for it and support the host.

What did YOU do over the weekend???

I know you all work very hard in the gym during the week....and I know what MOST of you do during the weekend : it involves 2 wheels and running shoes. But if you aren't running in Nisene Marks, or barreling downhill on your mountain bike or riding like the wind on your road bike....what do you like to do?

Here's a great photo of Bo Janowski. He spends some weekend doing Search and Rescue Training. When somebody is lost out there, Bo is one of the great group of people that look high and low until you are found. This is a great pic of how muddy his training can get! Thanks for doing what you do to help others Bo....!!!

Some of you races the Santa Cruz Half Marathon on Sunday. Post to comments how you did!!

Also...I LAGGED at giving major kudos to Cari Martin!!! She finished a 50k recently in the crazy fast time of 5 hours plus some change!! I have NO idea how the heck you did that sooo fast! Must be CrossFit ;) I will post pictures of your races as son as you pass them to me.

I'm so blessed to have such an amazing group of people that push their limits every time they train and are just great people . Thank you all for making my life so full.

Women In Pink on a Sunday.....

After all the rain we ended up having an absolutely beautiful day for the run. The weather was perfect - not a drop of rain - and the energy was so much fun! Thank you to all who were able to show up and run for fun and for dressing up in all your pink. Most ran for fun, or walked while supporting each other - I ran with most of you just having a blast the whole way. Breakfast after wards was a lot of fun and much laughs were had by all. I really appreciate all of you joining in on my idea to start doing races together as a team. The next race I will post shortly and see who is in. There is a mud run that everybody can do,....boys too....in May, and some trail runs as well as bike/ run races. We all have a great time exercising out of the gym so doing it together instead of solo makes it even MORE fun!!

I am very proud of all of you today. Teresa and Megan prd on their 10k time. Gia ran her first 10k and never walked once! Tiffany kept running even with a bum knee....Lisa ran the whole 10k with a bum ankle (she hasn't even been able to put pressure on it for a week) and my lovely Sarah ran her first 5k. Oh, let's not forget Mary who walked the whole thing with little baby girl snug inside her belly.

I love all you guys and couldn't have asked for a more rich day with friends training and laughing hard!!

On to the next one.......

RACE DAY THIS SUNDAY THE 25TH!!!

*** Who wants to meet up at Fleet Feet this Saturday in Aptos to get our packets then head to lunch together??? What about 12:00????? I will also text everybody for a head count. Any suggestions for a restaurant??? Read the below for instructions for race day. If you cannot do packet pickup Saturday please show up EARLY Sunday to do so. Also lets all meet Sunday BEFORE THE RACE at 7:30 am for photos and cheering eachother on. Remember its The Pinkest Race. That means come decked out in crazy pink wear!! The more the better!!


Talk to you soon for another update as race day approaches.


Packet Pick Up:
Saturday, March 24th 9am-1pm

Join us at Fleet Feet of Aptos on Saturday March 24th for packet pick up between 9am-1pm ( coffee and water will be available because these items make us happier people.) This is where you will get your bib number and goodie bag- your race shirt will be waiting for you after the race { they are awesome shirts!} If a friend is picking up your packet for you, you must have them email us your permission (Melissa@runsheisbeautiful.com.)

If you can't make it on Saturday morning, there will be packet pick up available on the morning of the race between 6:30am-7:30am on Cowell's Beach.
warning: there may be a line of women on race morning!


Race Morning
We suggest arriving to Cowell's Beach ( on the beach in front of the Dream Inn) between 7am-7:45. Please allow time for parking and getting here on time so you don't feel rushed ( c'mon no one enjoys the feeling of being rushed ever, but especially on a Sunday morning!)
We will have coffee, water and port potties waiting for you!

Race Start Times
The 10k starts at 8am. We ask that participants make their way up from Cowell's Beach to the starting line by 7:45am( see "Race Location" at the top right hand column of this letter for start line details.)

The 5k starts at 8:15am. Please make your way to the start line by 8am.