jeffblaylock.com
Hiker. Blogger. Photographer. CrossFitter. Dog Owner. Austinite.
Hiker. Blogger. Photographer. CrossFitter. Dog Owner. Austinite.
Aug 31st

After today’s kettlebell WOD, a fellow CrossFitter reported a bright rainbow was shining in some unseen rain. Beneath its technicolor arc lies not a pot of gold but the CrossFit Central storage shed, emblazoned with the Double Cs. Sea breeze showers popped up around the area today, but not a drop fell on my yard (natch). I am hopeful that the island of Vieques, which I recently visited, and all the people there were spared from serious damage from Hurricane Earl.
Aug 24th

Blue Beach on the island of Vieques
My friend Marshall and I landed in San Juan on a hot Thursday afternoon. He managed to get me upgraded to first class for the short flight from Austin to Houston, but I was relegated to coach from there. At least it was a window seat, and I had some good views of the ocean and occasional islands and reefs. Once in San Juan, we caught a cab to the Conrad Condado Plaza, located right on the ocean. After a walk to a drug store for some forgotten items and sundries not allowed on airplanes anymore, we caught a cab into Old San Juan, instructing the driver to take us to a hot spot for happy hour.
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Aug 23rd
Sunday was most likely my last “Lake Day” of this summer, as my pal Chris will be pulling his boat out of the water for the season next week. An intrepid crew of seven rode the faithful Cracker I and a pair of jet skis to a quiet cove on the north side of the lake, then over to Devil’s Cove, where the party was winding down. It was scorching hot, and the water felt more like a bathtub, but a great day was had by all.
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Aug 12th

The last, and best, sunset of my weeklong trip to Puerto Rico
Just got back tonight from a weeklong trip to Puerto Rico. The opportunity arose when my pal Marshall lost his original travel companion(s), and so I joined him and his colleague Blake for the first few days, including two rock star nights on the island of Vieques. My friend Lisa joined me for the remainder after they retreated to their conference. The weather was beautiful on Vieques and stormy on the main island. Lots of good food and drink, some beautiful beaches, two massive Spanish-era fortresses, a couple of soggy hikes, numerous claps of thunder, several close calls on the crazy roadways, a bioluminescent bay, and many good times were had by all.
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Aug 4th

I Am CrossFit
Two years ago today I began my CrossFit journey with Coach Chris at CrossFit Central. Thanks to box co-founder Coach Jeremy, who introduced me to Chris, and to the other coaches I’ve had: Coach Lance, Coach Big Mike, Coach Randal, Coach JDP, and Coach Travis, and to all my many classmates and the rest of the CrossFit Central family. The changes in my life are extraordinary, and we’re just getting started!
The second anniversary WOD started off with 27 birthday burpees for a classmate — yay burpees! — and some front squats. I managed to get in three sets of 3-5 reps at 45-85# before time ran out working with three other people. The main WOD was 21 jumping squats, 15 ring rows and 9 sumo deadlift high-pulls (75#). I managed to get three rounds and 12 ring rows (To balance the class, I started on ring rows.) in the 12:00 time. My quads were destroyed from yesterday’s Kettlebell Class workout, which involved 135 wall ball shots. It was a good indication of the work still in front of me, but I have certainly come a long way since that original hour with Coach Chris.