WOD one and other BS

Its so.....so.........so f**king cold here!! The weather refuses to make up its friggin mind so one day its hot (think low 60s) next days its rain/lightening/snow next day the sun is out but its freezing ass cold. Weather reports are useless, looking outside is useless, almost all of my REI stuff is useless. I'm in the process of trying to cut down body fat % and I am starting to think that it may be a bad thing because some extra tires around my mid section could keep me warmer.

Really?!?!?!

What sucks worse is I feel like I'm getting it the worst with the weather. Some of these kids will literally show up with short and a t shirt to practice and I'm wearing A) High socks b) long johns (paints and shirt) c) under armor heat gear d) shirt e) sweater f 2 jackets. Its only a matter of time of me standing on the field that I start to lose feeling in my hands, limbs, ears, nose, mouth.

I'm gona have to do a post on how coaching is actually going. Hopefully tomorrow. There is a bunch of funny stuff going on with it. But as per what my lawyer allows me to say, I have been advised to keep my mouth shut (that's legal speak) about certain topics. If you would like the full x-rated version you will have to contact me some other way.
Really all that's been going on is work, training, eating. We are finally going to have some fun couple time this weekend that we are both really looking forward to. We are going to the Please Touch Museum.....I'm sure all of you, every single one just had a dirty thought.........for shame.....and then hanging out with her mom, bro and maybe some friends and then Sunday we are going into the city to the farmers market (one of our favs) to indulge in some of the tastiest things they have (il post a full confession) and then probably going shopping so we have food for the rest of the week. Below are some pics we have been taking so enjoy! Right now I'm going to switch blogs and post the recipes and info you all have been waiting for.
If I haven't heard from you please leave a comment, text or call me. I miss you guys. I know you got some rain recently??? It wasn't actual rain, don't worry, it was me crying over the city about not being there.
XOXOXOX

Took this before H and I went for a 6am morning jog. It was drizzly and there were lightening flashes and like fools we both wore dark clothes. We lived and we are better for it though.

 A lil late night foam rolling session.

My dinner, some night.

Our diner: salad, steak, sweet potatoes+cinnamon+apple butter.

 

3 Year Anniversary set up (I made her dinner:)

3 year anniversary execution: BBQ chicken Meatza, veggie stir fry, choco balls. Like I told wendy: there are two ways to a girls heart; through her eyes or through her stomach. If you cant buy something shiny just make her something tasty.

Me post wod.

Untitled from Christopher Espinosa on Vimeo.

Dwelling

Here it finally is folks!! My humble-eloquent-sytlish-modern-santuary-escape from the world-cave of wonders..... or better known as "Home."

Enjoy the Video!! (The password for the video is: biggestbird)

"So who knows the difference between houses and homes??...When you're lost and you're found.....that's when you'll know."
                      ~Cursive

Untitled from Christopher Espinosa on Vimeo.

In the News

What's going on folks!!??

So the sun is out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was amazing!! Truly amazing. I have missed it so, so much. Its been fleeting if it has been out because basically if there is space in the never-ending clouds it will momentarily light up my world and then quickly disappear. It was actually warm today (55F?) and even had to kick on the air conditioning which sucks because Im never ok, or in a consistent temp throughout the day. So it was actually ok to be outside today watching everyone do their track thing.

Speaking of which, it has been going pretty well but I have to look into more details concerning the actual technique of what the heck is going on. Most of the guys are down to try anything really even if they know they will look goofy or get hurt. The girls are almost scared to do anything. Ive been coasting on just general guide lines but now its getting serious and its coming down to finding the devil in the details. Hand position, foot position, the amount of steps required, rules etc etc. Ive never done this before so I am inexperienced and completely uneducated concerning the details. I can get peeps to run faster, jump higher no problem but pole vault - get the hell out, Ive got nothing for you. So mainly I look out of place for 15% of the time then we end up in the gym or need to stretch and then my A game shines. I'm liking it though, none of the kids have attitude or don't want to be apart of what I'm doing (and if they don't want to listen I just don't talk in their direction), they cuss for me, they pay attention, they love doing mobility stuff and they are really putting forth effort. Its a little bit tough when boys and girls are together because it gets inappropriate fast (between them, I stay out of it) and everyone gets distracted. Normally though I stand out there and completely freeze my azz off. Its been getting so cold that I actually will lose my ability to talk correctly. I basically sound like I'm drunk - so I do a lot of finger pointing and hand gesturing.

Apartment tour coming up soon, probably by the weekend. In the mean time enjoy some pics we snapped tonight of us making dinner - which was SO amazing!! I'm performing the 1st qualifying workout tomorrow after practice for the Crossfit Games. My hips are extremely tore up. Today alone I have stretched - rolled- LAX'd 3x iced 2x and even got stimulus treatments where the coach hooked (literally) my ass up to electrodes and shocked me for 15 mins, 4th strangest thing I have ever felt back there. Hopefully all heals well by tomorrow and I get 9 rounds on the wod. I will post the video here as well as send it to CF HQ and CFSV HQ.

Take care every body!!

The cutest kitchen helper ever!!

Slicin' and dicin' bitchez!! 



2 birds - 1 stone: Refuel & Recover. LAX ball at dinner :)



GLORY!!!

Add caption

Like true G's plates cleaned. Ive learned well from Andy - there is no such thing as "left overs."

No Oats Oatmeal!! Thats right we found it and its for tomorrows Bfast! :)

Moving - Moved - Tour

Hello every-body!!

So I know there was a break in my posts and I am sure that all of you were like super concerned and just chomping at the bit to hear from me.........I'm sure........

News!!:
We moved! It was a horrible 4 day experience with all kinds of bumps and hiccups along the way but we got it done. And just you wait until you see the place....that's all I'm gona say.

I learned something about Heather this past weekend!...........She has way too much stuff. Like WAY. I think she has a sweater fetish, although I can understand from the weather but I mean: COME ON!! Maybe I will count and give you guys a tally. We are trying to adjust to our new place and get settled. The funnest place is the kitchen. We have been making some good and sometimes tasty things and should probably do a video on such activities.

I should be doing a video on our apartment soon. Tomorrow I have to go to the ER and the chiro so I'm not exactly happy. Coaching is going well but I may just sum that up in a vid post as well.

In the mean time enjoy this recent video of me showing you around town. Enjoy!

Something to think about

I came across this in the 2012 book and thought it was amazing. I switched the paragraphs around because the second one ends with such a slam in your face about truth, the self and reality its incredible.


Similar to the famous line: "You think that's air you're breathing?"


Post to comments your immediate feelings and reaction, Id love to hear them!


Let the Enlightement BEGIN!!


Excerpt from A Singularity in Time - Peter Russell


Prophets of Wisdom
Another consistent realization of the awakened ones is that the essential nature of mind, uncluttered by worry and chatter, is one of deep ease, joy and love. Not recognizing this, most of us look to the world around us to provide us with peace and happiness. But despite all the messages from marketing and advertisting industries, things and events do not bring happiness. On the contrary, our minds are so full of scheming, planning and worrying whether or not we will get what we think will make us happy, we seldom experience the peace and ease that lie at our core.

The enlightened ones have realized the illusory nature of the concept of a unique individual self. When we examine our experienes closely, delving deep into the nature of what we call "I," we find that there is nothing there - no thing, that is. This sense of "I-ness" that we all know so well and that has been with us all our lives, is just our sense of being. It is awareness itself - so familiar, yet completely intangible. Thus it cannot be "known" in the ordinary sense. Not realizing this, we seek to give our sense of self some form, some substance. We dress it up in various psychological clothes - all the things we think we are, or would like to think we are. This is the reverse of the emperor having no clothes. With true self-awareness, one discovers there are lots of clothes, but no emperor inside them.

Pics from Yesterday:




Best view of the day.





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For those who miss the horrible sound of my voice

Here are two videos I made using my badazz laptop webcam. Some of you think I'm bitching too much so here is some footage of me stuck in a car doing not-a-damn-thing. Enjoy!


Also NOTICE: I got in trouble for this: My parents were super troopers in helping me get out here. They changed the locks before I left, put my stuff on the curb before I left and even slapped me on the bottom yelling "GO! GO! GO!" when they pulled up to the airport and kept the car rolling so I could jump out and practice my 'tuck and roll' cause as my mom says "you'll never know when you are gona use it!"


Im kidding. They noticed the airport was closed (yes airports close) rather than abandon me to the wolves they hung out with me at IHOP amongst the drunks until we all felt it safe enough to leave me behind all at 340 in the morning. I couldn't have made it without them, extend that for life in general actually. It was a horrible long drive out there and they drove home and watched the sun come up. I miss them. They were super supportive and awesome. I love them. I hope they aren't having too much fun without me but I do hope they are enjoying themselves and their first time ever in their relationship and marriage without the "babies" around.

Updates from the Giant

Where I kick it with coffee and Internet connection.

Thank you for those who noticed that I hadn't posted anything for like 2 days and sent out a rescue party to find me.


I am still adjusting to the time difference and its throwing me off. On top of that I don't have a schedule - I have Heathers schedule and dammit you MUST abide by that thing unless you want "The Wrath."  Internet single is scarce and carefully guarded like a Mother Lion would a cub. I'm dark out here, its basically whites, blacks, me. Oh! Occasionally there are a few middle eastern-ers but they don't really leave the Dunkin Doughnuts they own. I think they live there but I am not 100% sure on that.


So whats been up?


Ok so 1st day of coaching was Monday. It went over pretty well and like I mentioned to a few of you before I left I am in charge of Jumpers. Those being the long jump, double and triple jump, high jump and pole vault. I have one female who wants to try pole vaulting (it took everything within me not to make dirty jokes during this conversation) and 2 males who already do pole vaulting. One broke 3 meta-tarsals in his foot last year and the crazy little bugger still wants to do it. Hats off to him. He's is actually one of my favorites of the kids, probably because he is stronger and faster than the rest, so I have singled him out.


All of you forgot to tell me that Track and Field is an outside sport. SHAME on all of you. I didn't bring enough clothes or beanies or body fat for this shit. Every time we have practice I curl into a ball and get into the fetal position shiver and cry. It is SO windy on the hill where the field is. After this I should totally be able to pass Navy Seal Training....naked...with a smile...the entire time. Practice was short and we did some outside Plyo stuff like jump squats, jumping lunges, broad jumps and burpee broad jumps..so right away they didn't like me.
We went inside though to the gym shortly after the warm up and I gained all their respect by teaching the Deadlift, Press, Back Sqaut and Pull Up/Body Row. These kids only want to lift really and they were super excited when I said if I had my way we would lift everyday. They nicknamed me "Coach King Leonidas" after seeing me do pull ups and muscle ups.
Its hard to watch my language and hold back jokes. There is one black kid on the team and they all (including him) make racial like jokes - even the coaches, which kind of shocked me. I have seen 3 confederate flags while driving around, so naturally I keep a low profile. No one has asked me "what are you?" yet and I am sure none of them know anything about the middle east so luckily I don't have to deal with dumb ass questions like "are you Persian?"


Yesterday it was UBER windy and freezing. I until yesterday, have only been training the boys. When I was walking across the field I was approached by 3 younger girls jogging towards me. Naturally, I resorted back to what I did in high school......I ran like a mutha F**ka in the opposite direction!!! Kidding, they came up and we exchanged introductions and started playing 20 questions: "are you the new coach?!" "Are you gona coach us?" etc. I told them what I knew and when I mentioned lifting everyday which is my intent they lit up and proclaimed me the best coach ever. Then the lead female track coach came down and went OFF on them. I guess they aren't suppose to be talking to male athletes or coaches. They got in a bunch of trouble from what it seemed like. This may be because all of my paperwork hasn't come back yet. Later the same head coach asked if I could "take them" while everyone else trained. Turns out I will be training them. The boys were tested running sprints as fast as possible for time trials and I put the girls through the same warm up (they didn't complain an ounce) and workout as I did with the boys the day before.


In the gym they did a fantastic job. I could sense they were uncomfortable because everyone else in the weight room was a male. Trying to teach 3 female athletes surrounded by hormonal gawking teenage boys was tough, even I felt shy but they did super well. I used "California speak" and they thought it was amazing. Im like an alien here (no mexican jokes please). I was super impressed by how athletic they already were. Each could nail between 3-5 dead hang pull ups and I almost cried from joy. A lot of the other head coaches came out and over to check to see what I was doing and I completely understand. I have to be EXTREMELY careful of how I conduct myself. Ive always been able to be hands on in some way with clients but in this setting I have safety mitts, 10 feet of distance giving instructions behind 3 inches thick bullet proof glass. I get it though and this is how I should behave. I wasn't sure if they were into ANYTHING I was saying or doing but when the Athletic Director came over to see how I was doing the girls said I'm the best coach and should be head coach of everything. I asked them later if they were lying and they said no. I will believe them for now. I was up front with them because I feel like I need to be. I said if anything makes them uncomfortable or they don't want to/like to do something to let me know. I offered nutrition help which they all want and we ended the day foam rolling and stretching. Hopefully they will still talk to me.


I am trying to help Heather be more efficient. She gets caught up doing bs things and all of a sudden hours have passed. Unfortunately she is doing and handling a LOT. Some good, some bad, some just annoying life things. I am trying to help her as much as possible because she is overwhelmed by so much. I'm surprised she isnt fat because she has a lot on her plate (thats a joke people, do you see what I did there??) On top of it she tries super hard to be there for everyone and anyone but leaves nothing for herself. She spreads herself paper thin, transparent...everyday almost. We are having some pretty fun times but not even really seeing each other. Its fantastic to be this close to her though. Am I having fun? No, to be honest. I'm still living out of a suitcase, my bed sucks, the weather is worse I have created my own time zone and this is just me being a whiney bitch. I'm not having a bad time, I am some where in between. This is the transistion and I understand that, its not really suppose to be a blast and I was prepared for that. Its pretty relaxed and I'm not really killing myself doing anything just adjusting.


Today we should be signing the lease for the apartment. The apartment manager seems to be a testy bitch and if she rubs me the wrong way I just gonna walk out. I cant give someone access to my bank account, sign a contract with and be held under any rules and restrictions if they are immediately acting unfavorably. I am super excited to have my own place out here with Heather though. At least my clothes will be cleaner (its a joke mom.)


Eating has been kind of rough as well. As most of you know I have switched over to IF (intermittent fasting- google it if you all don't know or read my other blog) and meal timing has become difficult. I try to eat around 1, having to pack a pretty hefty meal and then I pretty much cant eat again sometimes until 9. There is literally just no time. I may have to switch my schedule around some but I am just trying to workout the details. I am not used to the stores out here so food choices were limited and unfortunately expensive. I am going to search out alternatives this weekend with Heather. I feel good over all except for the low back issue which I may have to see a chiro over and I am NOT at all happy about that idea. Sleep has been tough, uncomfortable bed (because its not a bed is a horrible mistake of a wannabe futon made for a midget) and its either super hot or super cold. I had another out of body experience the other day while trying to catch up on sleep that was very very interesting.


I just realized how negative this post is and how much I'm crying like a wuss!! Maybe this is my version of being home sick?? I'm just not adjusted. It should get better. I'm looking forward to it. I don't really have anything to worry about just need to get stuff done and help out the munchkin. Works cool and I'm liking it more and more each day. It was honestly like the first day of high school all over again; no one talked to me, everyone stared, I wasn't wearing the right clothes etc but I keep telling myself the same thing my mom told me my first day of Kindergarten "Quit being a p***y!"


I Miss my brother.


I'm rambling. Too much coffee in the blood stream, not enough water. Yes I noticed I used some bad words in this post, I cant cuss at school so I have to hear. Actually before practice I turn the radio up and sit in the car and go through a whole torrets-tantrum that would make a sailor blush to get it out of my system. Im taking photos and should be able to post em by the end of the weekend. Is everyone finding my stories?? See ya! 

Started reading this today, should be done by tonight. Its coming folks!! Dont get it twisted!!

Kittens

Its pouring kittens out here. Literally kittens. All different kinds and colors. They make small little meows when they land on the ground, of course, always on their feet.

Its cold. To cold for sex. Removing layers and exposing skin for any reason sends shivers through synapses. Even the idea of being intimate becomes iced over by the thought of having to undress. I don't know how Eskimos have survived.

I am never warm. Showers? A heater? Yes! Its here, they have them but its fleeting. Once you step back in the shower to reach for the soap your over come with frost. You don't want to get out once you get in. No need for a towel, you just stand-shiver-shake the water right off. No wonder people are fatter out here, they need it for survival. Its life choice - one you make if you choose to stay alive.

DON'T TOUCH ME!! NO TOUCHING!! They have become catch phrases. Hands are always cold. No one warned me. Snow on the ground. Its teasing me, it looks how I feel. I try not to sweat because I don't want to create icicles. The sun isn't real. It doesn't do a.....godforsaken....thing.......

Something I wrote recently about such topics:

8.       To me life can best be analogized by the moments on cold Midwestern days when, through the frost mid-afternoon air, you blow warmth into your trembling hands. For seconds your fingertips ignite like match heads, your palms burn, but only briefly. The warmth fades quickly and the tragic realization of cold hurries through the cracks. You stand there, shaking in the sun, surrounded by snow, inhaling and exhaling even though you know damn well its not going to make any difference. 

The Party is Over

I guess this is like the first official post. I am WAY to caffinated right now so lets see how this goes.

I left the party Friday and went home to finish packing. This was way harder than I thought to separate what I needed and wanted, what I could live without and the harsh realization, much like Jack, I own random, mostly unnecessary shit. My parents and I left for the airport around 1230 almost 1am and took what seemed like the never ending drive down to John Wayne Airport. I forgot that it is located pretty much in San Diego.

When we did get to the airport it was closed. No, that's not a type-o folks, it was funking closed. Dead. 3 TSA agents, some guy vacuuming and me. I convinced my parents that we should go hang out at IHOP for at least an hour to see if it opens and so I can get some coffee. I was afraid of falling asleep and the possibilities of the following: 1) missing my flight 2) having someone steal my stuff 3) ending up doing something weird in my sleep in front of everyone 4) someone touching me. Why is 4 the last thing I was worried about? Good question.

So its my parents and me at an IHOP with about 20 severely drunk younger groups of what looked like club goers and flight attendants. Everyone was wearing way too short of a skirt and I'm not really sure if they were all girls. When we entered you could hear and smell some poor bastard who couldnt hold his liquor well for shit giving it all back to the drain in the bathroom. My parents had breakfast, I had 2 cups of coffee and by 330 in the morning they really didnt care if I had to wait on the curb. So they left me, in a nice way, and I parked myself inside until the airport opened at 5am. You think airports are boring?? Try being in one when NO ONE is there. It was a hoot! I waited for my flight and in all of my tiredness punched out this short story some time later. Enjoy! Story

This is what John Wayne AP looks like at 3:38am on a Sunday. I am surprised I wasnt detained, questioned or arrested for taking pictures.

One of the 3 books Im reading and kept me awake, entertained and untouched. I read 3 books at a time. Cant really tell you why. ADD much??

A Man the World could not Slay

The Long Goodbye:

Full hearted hugs had.

I want to sincerely thank those who came out to wish me (as well as Jesse and Ian kind of) a fond farewell as I departure to the cold weather of the east coast and the warm arms of someone I completely love.

I was pleasantly surprised by the turn out last night. Surprised because I wasn’t sure as to the full extent of the relationship that had been formed between me and you. Between the “fuck you’s” and “you are the devil incarnate” and “Oh No!! You’re coaching this class?!!?! NO!” I wasn’t expecting a warm good bye. As I said during the event I am not sure if you guys are excited for this opportunity I am pursuing or excited I am leaving. Probably both.

I do have to say that I owe almost each of you an immense thank you. Most of you saw me at my complete worst and occasional best and probably never knew the difference between either. Some of you have known me for 3 years and I would not be the person I am today and in the position I am in if it wasn’t for all of you. Each of you has shown up at our door step searching for betterment and at the very least an ass-kicking. Each of you has allowed me an opportunity to make an effort in improving you in some way. I cannot thank Andy and Cathy enough for allowing me the chance to try and make a difference in other people’s lives, hopefully in a positive direction. All of you have come seeking a positive change in the Look, Perform and Feel better categories. Through daily research, learning, testing, succeeding and failing I have made serious efforts to change you and in turn have changed myself as well. I’ve literally dreamed of WODs. I have woken up many mornings at 5 am lying in bed or taken sun rising drives thinking of who is going to show up for class, what they expect of me and what they would like to do to improve. I have taught people the naturally ability of squatting at least 2,000 times. I hope that I have had an impact on you like you have on me. I have made friends and forged elite bonds with people that I would not want to lose in life.

This iron game is an interesting one. There are no real winners or losers just those who suffer because we believe that through self-destruction we can find self-improvement. That through the inducing of sometimes extreme pain we can better ourselves and improve in a positive way even though this is an extremely flawed logic and fallacy.

I hope that soon we can meet again under long flickering halogen bulbs on concrete or thick rubber mats inside some industrial box gripping unforgiving cold foreign steel and make pour from our brows and souls our imperfections, fear and love. I hope that I have taught you something. I hope that you remember it when you sit back in your heels, find it in the bottom of your squat, feel it in the trembling of your elbows as you force lock out, hear it in your breath in the drop of a burpee or full extension of a box jump. I hope I remain there in those moments. I have shared an incredible amount with several of you. I’d move away from the cliché “blood, sweat and tears” and say there has been more. More than and including but not limiting to: laughs and triumphs, defeats and harsh realizations, not just the occasional smear of blood on pull up bars or the horrible heavy wretching sound made during dry heaving. I have been there for conquered and failed PR’s, times of finding another gear deep within yourself or those precious moments of completely letting go and giving up(in). I thank you because you have been there for my own such moments and did not turn your back on me. As hard as it is to believe I ask you to try and understand I have only wanted the best for you. Since that first hand shake all I have wanted to know is your goals both inside and outside the box and I have strived daily, late into the night and even on days off to turn them into accomplishments. I pushed you because I thought it was the right thing to do, because I believed in the soles of my shoes that what I was doing was good for you and most importantly because you let me. I know it hurt. I hurt alongside you. I will hurt across the country for you because you, I believe, want and hope the same accomplishments for me. You came last night and showed me what one person can do, the impact one person can have. The house filled and bodies strung about outside and each of you looked me square in the eye and thanked me and wished me well. That is a feeling I can never repay. I meant it when I sincerely and whole heartedly thanked you in return.

Again, I thank you.

-Coach Chris

 

Try to understand

I know some of you are confused or rather perplexed over my decision to take a hiatus. Ultimately all I can say is; you wouldn't understand. Even for those of you who "know" of my relationship still dont really understand.

Maybe though you can begin to try and conjure up an idea from the words in these pages: Reason

Departure

For those who do not know I was offered the coaching job in Philadelphia and accepted. I will be moving out there March 5^th.
 

A lot of people are looking at this as some sort of abandonment or separation or even break up which it is most definitely not. This was an EXTREMELY tough decision to make but after reviewing it with those that were close to me, there was really only one option.

The job I am accepting is SEASONAL. A lot of people for whatever reason think that I am moving and never coming back, this is not true at all. I will be out there until some time in June but could in fact be back sooner. I still have every ones best interest, goals and agendas in mind and in no way am I turning my back on that. 

This blog has been started to detail almost every damn thing that I do training, nutrition, supplementation, sleep wise and other while I am gone.

Like I said, and please believe me, this decision has weighed heavily on me. It was anything but easy and when I actually got the Ok from people whose opinions I value greatly I felt worse about it. Everyone has admitted than any reason they would use to persuade me to stay would be done out of selfish (but well intended selfishness) intentions. Both my reasons for staying and going would very well fall into this exact selfishness. I would like to have my pie and eat it too but this choice has made me realize that there are several other people that I share my pie with. Ultimately though, this is something I need to do for someone I truly love. I hope that fact is something that you and others can focus on rather than just my absence.

In short due time I will leave something that would hopefully give better insight in to why I am doing what I am doing. Until then, your guess is as good as mine...