I love people who actually look like they're having fun instead of just standing about posing. These two are effortlessly chic and in full on holiday mode.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
shiny happy people
I love people who actually look like they're having fun instead of just standing about posing. These two are effortlessly chic and in full on holiday mode.
The Revival
As many of you know, The Revival film is now making it's rounds with premieres around Canada and the US for around a month now. You'll notice a few B43 and Chukker wheel sets in the Buffalo premier teaser [shown below]. If you haven't seen the full preview of the film check out their site.
In a totally unrelated side note, I just lost $5 to Jacobi betting him that Nike did not make a pump shoe. Unfortunately, they did but they shouldn't have.
Still trying to figure out why these things didn't catch on back in '89. I guess Marty McFly couldn't push them as much as they'd like. Thank you Wikipedia for proving me wrong.
VéLOrue X Revival Premiere Buffalo NY! from Bill Bottriell on Vimeo.
In a totally unrelated side note, I just lost $5 to Jacobi betting him that Nike did not make a pump shoe. Unfortunately, they did but they shouldn't have.
Still trying to figure out why these things didn't catch on back in '89. I guess Marty McFly couldn't push them as much as they'd like. Thank you Wikipedia for proving me wrong.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
WOD
3 Rounds For Time:
10 Thrusters (Heavy)
10 Burpees
Post time to comments
Thank Kempie CrossFit NorthEast England for this one!!
10 Thrusters (Heavy)
10 Burpees
Post time to comments
Thank Kempie CrossFit NorthEast England for this one!!
Spotlight on Barlow: a new label from the left coast
Photo from the Barlow Spring 2010 LOOKBOOK
If you know me, you know I identify as a New Yorker with a certain sensibility and think L.A. fashion is a bit oxymoronic. Which is why I also love when I'm proved wrong. Designer Raquel Allegra opened me up to LA style last year, and this year I've discovered Barlow a new collection by Molly Girard Coonan. It's tough, sexy and playful all at once. Some of it reminds me of early Daryl K (which is a good thing in my book) and it all feels imminently wearable on either coast...or somewhere in between! I asked Molly about her new collection and her thoughts on LA vs NYC...continue reading in Musings
Breathless
The past few weeks have been eventful ones and the next couple promise more of the same: holiday parties seem to be happening every other day; Christmas shopping has infringed on most of my weekend time; we’re taking a red-eye flight to Paris on Friday that is sure to be stressful and tiring (even though it will constitute my first ever trip on a double-decker airplane). Most importantly of all, I’ve been absolutely awestruck by the fact that one of my dear friends, Jessica, became the proud (and most capable!) mother to a beautiful baby girl five days ago. Lately, I’ve been left breathless with all that I have to do and think about.
It was therefore a bit of sweet relief to run alone this morning (something that I rarely do these days) and, with no offense to my husband, it was a nice change of pace in every sense of the word. Zdenek has gone, in about six months, from being slightly less fit than me over distances longer than four or five miles, to matching my every stride on runs up to 10 miles long, to being a faster, stronger runner than me over distances from 100 meters up to 15 miles (we’ve yet to run further than that together). I shouldn’t complain -- it was me, after all, who gently encouraged his running habit over the past five years -- but I am often left to feel like a weak girl who can’t keep up. Our runs together frequently leave me tired, frustrated, or both. To make matters worse, lately my legs have begun to feel lead-like and sluggish. Though I’m sure I’m just in need of more rest, a day off seems to make little difference and I find my breathing labored and my muscles stiff almost every single run.
But this morning, as Zdenek nursed his hangover and requested an extra hour of sleep, I ignored the achy feeling in my legs and quietly slipped out of bed to brew a cup of coffee. Thirty minutes later, I was in Central Park on a clear, cold December morning. For almost 60 minutes I ran in solitude, never looking at my watch, slowing down when I needed to, pushing the pace when the mood struck me (which wasn't that often). (And as it turns out, I didn't run that much more slowly than I do with Zdenek by my side.) To be sure, it was still a difficult run -- I barely moved up Harlem Hill and had a hard time finding my stride against the strong winds -- and today's seven miles left me breathless. They were, however, the perfect antidote to a busy few weeks.
(Congratulations, again, Jessica and Adam!)
It was therefore a bit of sweet relief to run alone this morning (something that I rarely do these days) and, with no offense to my husband, it was a nice change of pace in every sense of the word. Zdenek has gone, in about six months, from being slightly less fit than me over distances longer than four or five miles, to matching my every stride on runs up to 10 miles long, to being a faster, stronger runner than me over distances from 100 meters up to 15 miles (we’ve yet to run further than that together). I shouldn’t complain -- it was me, after all, who gently encouraged his running habit over the past five years -- but I am often left to feel like a weak girl who can’t keep up. Our runs together frequently leave me tired, frustrated, or both. To make matters worse, lately my legs have begun to feel lead-like and sluggish. Though I’m sure I’m just in need of more rest, a day off seems to make little difference and I find my breathing labored and my muscles stiff almost every single run.
But this morning, as Zdenek nursed his hangover and requested an extra hour of sleep, I ignored the achy feeling in my legs and quietly slipped out of bed to brew a cup of coffee. Thirty minutes later, I was in Central Park on a clear, cold December morning. For almost 60 minutes I ran in solitude, never looking at my watch, slowing down when I needed to, pushing the pace when the mood struck me (which wasn't that often). (And as it turns out, I didn't run that much more slowly than I do with Zdenek by my side.) To be sure, it was still a difficult run -- I barely moved up Harlem Hill and had a hard time finding my stride against the strong winds -- and today's seven miles left me breathless. They were, however, the perfect antidote to a busy few weeks.
(Congratulations, again, Jessica and Adam!)
WOD
A really nice account of our games from one of Kempies CrossFit NorthEast England members Lee Hill who competed and acquitted himself well:
This weekend Lee Hill and I travelled down to Swansea to compete in the Crossfit Velocity Games. Lee has crafted a great review which will follow in a sec. Firstly though I just want to give a coaches congratulation to Lee. His movement, commitment and heart were a great reflection on himself and us at CFNEE and the Faktory.
9 AM - people arrive at Crossfit Velocity. Momentary wariness of all the other serious-looking dudes in performance sportswear began to thaw once we started realising a lot of us knew each other from the boards. Lots of tactics discussed, but everyone was still a bit cagey.
10 AM - driven to run site, bravado and humour started to kick in. Then the run, which was muddy, wet, unfamiliar and hard. I set out fast, no concept of pacing, and managed to hang on to finish 4th. All of us beaten by a lass from Crossfit Manchester, which was humbling. Once over the finish line, the familiar crossfit atmosphere sprang up – bellowing encouragement to everyone as they staggered up. At this point it became a shared thing, lots of congratulations, back slapping, honest conversations about the remaining events and good dark humour. 11 AM – rush for Tescos and Costa - Saw several athletes trying to cram in a fry up and grande lattes. Back at box, between all the protein eating, there was a load of banter, technique demos and good hearted showing off. Most nerves had now gone and everyone chatted like old mates. 12:30ish – Deadlift event for girls, unanimous roaring encouragement from all. Then the Snatch event. Every attempt met with support and applause, no matter how light or how bad. Lifting in front of a positive audience like that worked well for me, cleared my head and I came away pleased and proud of efforts (Equalled PB). Some more and some less inspiring technique on show, which served to help me assess my own by comparison.3:30ish – Chipper WOD heats start. All audience crammed down one end of the box, roaring advice and encouragement. We all urged on those who broke down or couldn’t get past a movement (HSPU and MU) and felt a shared sense of pride that no-one quit or called it a day. Everyone pushed to the 15 minute cut off point. Some had to sub movements but were cheered on regardless. Some athletes made it look hard (myself included), some made it look easy with better pacing and mental attitude. 4:15ish – presentations and results – huge cheers and applause for all placings. Lots of numbers swapped, mini-muscle up tutorials (several people hit their first over the day) and honest discussion about new training targets/directions. Each event was a revelation, every athlete brought something to the day. I had expected a bit more ego and macho action, but spent the almost the whole day smiling, cheering and laughing like everyone else. I’ve come away from the experience with clear new training goals, a better idea of my strengths and weaknesses relative to other crossfitters and a major rush of new friends on my facebook account. Many people entered this event with no expectation of winning, and I think they got the most out of it. No-one was embarrassed, everyone got more than they had hoped from it. I’d recommend the experience to all Crossfit North-East England members, try one and you’ll see how true a old phrase is: ‘It’s not the winning but the taking part that counts.’ Too right.
Strength:
3 Rounds Max Reps Ring Dips
Met Con:
7 Rounds For Time
7 Overhead Squat
7 Wall Ball
7 Box Jumps
Post time to comments
This weekend Lee Hill and I travelled down to Swansea to compete in the Crossfit Velocity Games. Lee has crafted a great review which will follow in a sec. Firstly though I just want to give a coaches congratulation to Lee. His movement, commitment and heart were a great reflection on himself and us at CFNEE and the Faktory.
9 AM - people arrive at Crossfit Velocity. Momentary wariness of all the other serious-looking dudes in performance sportswear began to thaw once we started realising a lot of us knew each other from the boards. Lots of tactics discussed, but everyone was still a bit cagey.
10 AM - driven to run site, bravado and humour started to kick in. Then the run, which was muddy, wet, unfamiliar and hard. I set out fast, no concept of pacing, and managed to hang on to finish 4th. All of us beaten by a lass from Crossfit Manchester, which was humbling. Once over the finish line, the familiar crossfit atmosphere sprang up – bellowing encouragement to everyone as they staggered up. At this point it became a shared thing, lots of congratulations, back slapping, honest conversations about the remaining events and good dark humour. 11 AM – rush for Tescos and Costa - Saw several athletes trying to cram in a fry up and grande lattes. Back at box, between all the protein eating, there was a load of banter, technique demos and good hearted showing off. Most nerves had now gone and everyone chatted like old mates. 12:30ish – Deadlift event for girls, unanimous roaring encouragement from all. Then the Snatch event. Every attempt met with support and applause, no matter how light or how bad. Lifting in front of a positive audience like that worked well for me, cleared my head and I came away pleased and proud of efforts (Equalled PB). Some more and some less inspiring technique on show, which served to help me assess my own by comparison.3:30ish – Chipper WOD heats start. All audience crammed down one end of the box, roaring advice and encouragement. We all urged on those who broke down or couldn’t get past a movement (HSPU and MU) and felt a shared sense of pride that no-one quit or called it a day. Everyone pushed to the 15 minute cut off point. Some had to sub movements but were cheered on regardless. Some athletes made it look hard (myself included), some made it look easy with better pacing and mental attitude. 4:15ish – presentations and results – huge cheers and applause for all placings. Lots of numbers swapped, mini-muscle up tutorials (several people hit their first over the day) and honest discussion about new training targets/directions. Each event was a revelation, every athlete brought something to the day. I had expected a bit more ego and macho action, but spent the almost the whole day smiling, cheering and laughing like everyone else. I’ve come away from the experience with clear new training goals, a better idea of my strengths and weaknesses relative to other crossfitters and a major rush of new friends on my facebook account. Many people entered this event with no expectation of winning, and I think they got the most out of it. No-one was embarrassed, everyone got more than they had hoped from it. I’d recommend the experience to all Crossfit North-East England members, try one and you’ll see how true a old phrase is: ‘It’s not the winning but the taking part that counts.’ Too right.
Strength:
3 Rounds Max Reps Ring Dips
Met Con:
7 Rounds For Time
7 Overhead Squat
7 Wall Ball
7 Box Jumps
Post time to comments
In the land of P. Wood...
Every now and again, the guys back in the wheel department start to dream. Dreaming of big dreams of long rides, good beer, and what the world would be like if the Phil Wood Spoke Cutter ruled the world... Yes, I am serious.So sit back, relax, hell put your feet up and let your imagination go as we drift off to the magical land of P. Wood...
As we become accustom to this new land it seems strangely familiar, not too different from the world we know now but only better. No, this is not a world of candy cains and lolly pops but a world of precision and excellence. This is a world where there is no human error and the spokes are always the perfect length and have amazing threads; where spoke tension is never a battle. This is the world we would expect from a machine such as the Phil Wood Spoke Cutter and Threader.
It might come as some surprise that this world is a magical place where your coffee if always at the right temperature; never too hot, never too cold. Always tasting almost sweet but alive with the full flavor of the beans. There would be no need to find fair trade coffee beans either, for this is a place where all is fair and equal. Coffee would not be a necessity either, rather a spice of life because in the Land of P. Wood you would never run late, always waking up at the perfect time.
There are seasons here, yet they don't interfere with life and serve as a marking of time. In the winter, there is plenty of snow for the holiday season but the snow is only in the grass and in the trees, never on the pavement. In the spring, mud is contained to the single track and mountain trails yet there is never a need to wash your kit since it will always be clean. In summer, the sun will always shine, the nights will always be clear and the occasional thunderstorm will only roll in during the night to help usher you to sleep. Then in the fall, the leaves will continue to fall but mysteriously disappear never needing to be raked.
We are all family here in the Land of P. Wood: from Roadies and Mountain bikers, to BMXers and recumbent riders all get along as brothers and sisters. This is a place where you spouse reminds you that 'It's ok, you need time with your buddies and on your bike. Go on!'. Oh, this is a magical place where the Phil Wood Spoke Cutter rules the land.
So ends our little daydreaming of this perfect Utopia...
In all seriousness, a big thanks to all the crew over at Phil Wood for continuing to put out amazing products!
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