Pullup | theclothesmakethegirl

Jul 15, 2009 Posted by Mel

"Junk Drawer" Workouts

So… I don’t want to brag or anything, but… f*ck it. I’m gonna brag! My CrossFit Central coaches are now officially known as the 3rd fittest woman in the world — hello, Carey Kepler! — and the 9th fittest woman in the world — hey, Crystal McReynolds! I feel quite blessed and fortunate to have these ladies kicking my ass a few times every week. On Sunday,the final... read more

Jul 14, 2009 Posted by Mel

29 Minutes In Hell

We did it! This was the workout we chose for ourselves last night… Tuesday Backyard WorkoutFor time:200m hill sprint + 50 box jumps + 10 pullups + 5 burpees200m hill sprint + 40 box jumps + 10 pullups + 5 burpees200m hill sprint + 30 box jumps + 10 pullups + 5 burpees200m hill sprint + 20 box jumps + 10 pullups + 5 burpees200m hill sprint + 10 box jumps + 10 pullups + 5 burpees … and this... read more

Jul 13, 2009 Posted by Mel

Pick a Card. Any Card

The first year we lived in our house, every time I stepped outside, I collected the pecans that littered the driveway and yard. Like a squirrel, I scurried, zig-zagging across our property, plucking pecans off the ground and stuffing them into my pockets of the “basket” I made from the hem of my shirt. Dave teased me that I was going to grow a tail. A few weeks later, I made a pie from OUR... read more

May 18, 2009 Posted by Mel

Everyone Starts Somewhere

I felt a little down when I left the gym this morning. Some days it just seems like I’m never going to get a pullup. Today was one of those days. Our workout was the I AM CROSSFIT workout: 3 X (7 cleans + 15 pullups + 400m run). It’s not one of my favorites. The last time I did it was in January, and I used a 65-lb. bar for the cleans, finishing in 11:04, well under the 15-minute cutoff, and a... read more

May 16, 2009 Posted by Mel

The Good News is… There’s Lots of Room for Improvement

Aaah, Saturday: Weight Watchers meeting, the final workout for the week, and then breakfast… I love it! On tap for today, Spartan Challenge workout #1: 50 pullups + 50 burpees. This workout was one of the WODs at the CrossFit Games qualifier a few weeks ago. Before I tell you my time, check out the way that some of our CrossFit Central coaches killed this thing — keeping in mind that they had... read more

Apr 20, 2009 Posted by Mel

Hello, Arms?! Are You Still Attached?

I love the “fresh start” of Mondays. The whole week is layed out before me like a blank sheet of paper, and there are plenty of opportunities to write good stuff on it, like… “Got a great night’s sleep.”“Woke up before the alarm and went to CrossFit Central.”“Did 72 pullups with the blue band.”“Ate blueberries and milk and chicken and... read more

Jan 8, 2009 Posted by Mel

2009: The Year of the Pullup

Looks like I’ve got no excuses now. Dave built me my very own pullup bars as a Christmas present. See?Yesterday, my kickass plyo boxes arrived.And my Superband is on its... read more

Jan 3, 2009 Posted by Mel

… And Mel Is Down For The Count

Oh, my! I just woke up from one of those naps where I feel like I’ve been slipped a mickey then hit over the head with a cast iron skillet. That was some good napping, y’all. My day started at 4:30 a.m. after another night of tossing and rutching and pillow fluffing. I don’t know what was up with my sleeping, but I did get to start a new book. (More on that tomorrow; The Jane Project may... read more

Jan 2, 2009 Posted by Mel

Officially Freaking Out

Tomorrow is the kick-off for the I Am CrossFit Challenge. This was me last night: In a dreamy internal voice, “La-la-la, it’s so nice to be lying here watching NCIS, feeling all proud-tired after my 11-mile run. I am so awesome… la-la-la.” [check email] “Oh! Cool! A video of what we’re doing at the I Am CrossFit workout on Saturday. Sweet.” [watch the... read more

Nov 11, 2008 Posted by Mel

Presidential Pullups

“Two staffers had just passed this site and done two pull-ups. Not to be outdone, Obama did three with ease, dropped and walked out to make a speech. Missoula, Mont., 4/5/2008.” Photo by Callie Shell – see more of her photos of President_Elect... read more

Oct 9, 2008 Posted by Mel

CrossFit Central: Where Women Do Pullups

2009: The Year of the... read more

Next Entries »

reading is sexy
Reading right now...

The Redbreast: A Harry Hole Novel
I'm about two-thirds of the way through this detective thriller, and I'm hooked. It's set in modern Norway with flashbacks to WWII (catnip for me!) and features a somewhat grim hero that engenders empathy. I can't help pulling for the guy as I watch him struggle with his case and his life. The cast of characters is a realistic but motley crew, and it reminds me of other favorites set in cold, snowy climes: the Millenium Trilogy and Smila's Sense of Snow.
Recently finished...

The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million
I picked up this book after reading an interview with Lee Child (author of the Jack Reacher thrillers). He referred to The Lost as "the book of the century" and since I devour as much as I can about the Holocaust to try to make sense of it all, I decided I needed to read it immediately. Part memoir, part detective tale, this book was thoroughly engrossing. It's intelligent, annoying, moving, frustrating, and ultimately, rewarding and beautifully written. It challenged me in ways I didn't expect, and I was sad when it was finished.