CATZ VS. CROSSFIT

VS.

I've been wanting to write this blog for a VERY long time, but didn't know how to go about it....or get my point across. Now, with the help of CP (if you need a good analogy, she's your girl), I've got it all figured out.

As some of you may know, I'm a CATZ (Competitive Athlete Training Zone) athlete and a Crossfitter. The main focus of CATZ is sport performance, speed, power, and agility. A basic definition of Crossfit is, "a strength and conditioning fitness methodology that promotes broad and general overall physical fitness (weightlifting, sprinting and gymnastics)."

I have been a member of CATZ Austin for about 3 years and Crossfit Central for about 3 months (prior to crossfit I was just doing kettlebell). Some may ask why both? I say because I consider myself to be a dynamic athlete. CATZ is my weakness. Crossfit is my strength in comparison to CATZ .

Before starting CATZ my body hated moving laterally (side to side), my feet were not quick and I was not agile. Now, I can rock a speed ladder. My feet are quicker. I've got some pretty decent "ups" for a short girl. I'm 10x more powerful than I was 3 years ago. I am totally out of my comfort zone, which is why I will never give it up. I will only become a better athlete if I stay outside my comfort zone.

I came into Crossfit with a gymnastics background, so certain elements are easier for me. I am very comfortable and confident when it comes to pull-ups, handstand push-ups, muscle-ups, ring dips and box jumps. I can execute them, but I've still got a long way...very long way to go before perfecting them. The other side of Crossfit is power lifting, which I find NO comfort in doing. Therefore, I see myself as a long time crossfitter....like forever. I've only been doing crossfit for a short time and have already seen some tremendous strength gains. Not to mention a whole new outlook on food, which will forever be a part of my life.

The next question I get is, "but aren't they competitors." My answer, "yes and no." Here is where CP's great analogy comes in that ties it all together.

CATZ and Crossfit are competitors in the sense that they are like vehicles. They are necessity for everyone. Vehicles provide transportation. CATZ and Crossfit both provide health and fitness. CATZ is like a Porsche. It is built for speed and performance; whereas, Crossfit is like a Range Rover. It can haul heavy things and is able to take on more rugged, extreme terrains. However, both are high quality luxury vehicles.

I am both! Would that be considered a crossover? Anyway, I can haul heavy things, over a rugged terrain, very quickly. Can you?

Peace Out,

BIG J

YouTube Tuesday

I would like to dedicate this week's video to Miss Hannah Lowe and Miss Melisa Aguilar-Rehm.

Peace Out,

J-Kitty

Music Monday...it's late

Sorry this is late. I know all of you have been waiting in suspense and checking your dashboard every 5 min for this blog. This week's pick is "Hoppipolla" by Sigur Ros. The song is in Icelandic, and I have no idea what he saying,so just use your imagination and make-up your own interpretation. That's what I do anyway!

I chose the song before I saw the video, and I am so glad that I did. The video has a great message...you are never too old to play like a kid. Watch, listen and ENJOY!

Peace Out,

J-Strada

YouTube Tuesday

This is probably one of my favorite Youtube videos of all time.

Peace Out,

J-Diggity

Music Monday

This is my new, pump me up, going to kickass in the gym song. The lead singer also happens to be the most beautiful man in the world...in my opinion. (Melisa, remember when we met him at Emo's, while listening to Saves The Day. Ahhh, our good ole' punk days. haha)

The band is 30 Seconds to Mars (lead singer is Jared Leto btw) and the song is "This Is War." My favorite part of the song is when the crowd is chanting, Fight, Fight, Fight....,because that is exactly what I hear when I'm trying to get through a workout that is kicking my ass. I will not let it beat me. I will fight till the end and leave nothing on floor.

And just for fun

Ahhh, what a sight!

Peace Out,

J-Rock

YouTube Tuesday

Mama knows best! I'm the mother of a 4 year old schnauzer, Monty. So, I can totally relate to these furry mamas. I would do anything for that pup...ANYTHING!

Peace Out,

Mama J

Music Monday

This week's pick is a special request from Miguel Garza. He is getting ready for the 2010 Crossfit South Central Regional Competition and has chosen a theme song for the next 2 weeks leading up to regionals.

I'm not a big fan of rap music. I only have 3 rappers/rap groups that I can say I really enjoy. If you must know, they are DMX, Beastie Boys and Run DMC. I don't know if the last two even count as rap, but I say it is....so it is. However, I do enjoy a little Eminem every once in a while and the song that Miguel has chosen is pretty good. I can bob my head to it and it makes me want to throw-up some gang signs, so it works. It passes the test for a spot on Music Monday!

Here it is for your listening pleasure, EMINEM "Not Afraid." Enjoy!

Good Luck to Miguel and the Crossfit Central Crew at Regionals! I can't wait to watch the sweat fly.

Peace Out,

Gangsta J

My new inspiration!

Peace Out,

J-Flippty Flop

Visit sicfit.com for more Videos

This is the kind of day I'm having.....

Peace Out,

J-Fizzle

Mind over Matter

Here is an amazing story of not giving up. The article from People Magazine was a little too long. I try and keep my blogs short, sweet and to the point. I took what I thought was important in really grasping the point of this blog and the video.

"In all the years of televised sport, with each thrill of victory balanced by the equally celebrated agony of defeat, no ordeal has been more painfully graphic than the suffering of Julie Moss at Kona, Hawaii. The event was the Ironman Triathlon World Championship, in which entrants of both sexes swim 2.4 miles through the rolling Pacific, bicycle 112 miles, then run a full 26.2-mile marathon—all within 12 hours. At 23, Moss, an unheralded amateur athlete who had never competed in a triathlon before, was leading by several minutes over her nearest female competitor last February with just 440 yards of the marathon to go. Then she fell. It took her three minutes to struggle to her feet and wobble to within 100 yards of the finish, where she collapsed again. Desperately, Julie rose, lurched to within 50 feet, and fell once more. She was still crawling when college student Kathleen McCartney, 23, raced past to victory.

Undaunted, Moss will try the Ironman again later this week. Not that she's forgotten what it felt like to lose; even then, though she seemed almost insensible, Julie was all too vividly aware of her plight. "I was thinking, 'When is this going to end?' " she recalls. "Everyone thought I was really out of it, but my mind was really clear—my legs just kept going out. Everyone had a bad moment in that race, a point where they had to reach down deeper than ever just to keep going. Kathleen had a terrible swim. I had my bad moment at the end." By Ed Zieralski

If you'd like to know more about Julie Moss and her race, you can listen to an interview with Julie on radiolab. You have to click on the side tab that says "Limits."

Peace Out,

BIG J

Music Monday

This week's pick is from one of my FAVORITE bands of all time, STARS. They are from Canada and make amazing music. The song "Fixed" is the first single off their new album, The Five Ghosts (June 22nd release date).

I love this song for two reasons 1. because it has a little 80's beat to it and 2. it starts off strong...kinda my style. I hope you all love it as much as I do; and if you do, you should check out some of their other songs. They are brilliant I tell you, just brilliant.

Enjoy!

Peace Out,

DJ Jazzy Jess