CROSSFIT WOD....10 MIN. AS MANY ABMAT SIT-UPS IN THAT TIME.
580 sit-ups
People often ask me how do you get abs like that?? Well it's not from running that's for sure. I get them from my abmat. Check out http://www.abmat.com
and you too can get crossfit abs ;)

IF I WAIT UNTIL I BECOME PERFECT BEFORE I LOVE MYSELF, I WILL WASTE MY WHOLE LIFE. I AM ALREADY PERFECT RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW.

Friday Joe, Mylinh, Jerry and myself set out to run 40 miles on the Way too cool course. We lost Jerry right away, he took a wrong turn. Tried to reach him by cell(which he always carries) he forgot to put it in his pack. We all made the assumption he was mad at us and didn't want to run with us.
The weather was perfect, it was just a little humid.
We stayed together most of the day. I left them at Browns bar. I was out of water and was really hungry. I only had 4 cliff shots the whole day.
When I got to No Hands bridge I saw all the fast guys from Oregon,who were all running cool. They were out for a little run.
As I reached the top of Robie Point I got my headlamp out. It didn't work. DUH!!! It had no batteries in it. I had to hall butt the last two miles so I wouldn't be in the dark. I was a little freaked out in that section because I saw a big mountain Lion there in 2006. I just sung really loud running through there.
Made it back to my vehicle just as darkness fell.
Worked Way too cool yesterday that was fun.
I'm off to SoCal to visit Andy. we are running our first race together since we've been dating. Looking forward to it.

The inner Venus has arrived. She just looks a little dead!!!

Goddess on a mountain top
Burning like a silver flame
Summit of beauty and love
And Venus was her name
(chorus)
She's got it
Yeah, baby, she's got it
I'm your Venus
I'm your fire
At your desire
Well, I'm your Venus
I'm your fire
At your desire
Her weapons were her crystal eyes
Making every man mad
Black as the dark night she was
Got what no-one else had
Wow !
(chorus)
Venus
(chorus)
Goddess on the mountain top
Burning like a silver flame
The summit of beauty and love
And Venus was her name
Wow !
(chorus)
Venus was her name
Yeah, baby, she's got it

"CINDY" That bitch tried to kill me!!! But I kicked her ass!!! The photo above shows how bad it really was. I came to crossfit class complaining that my right shoulder hurt and I was only going to try and do 15 rounds...LOL...I killed the wod!!!
20 min. 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, 15 squats. Thanks Eric for pushing me and Audrey. That really helped. Also watching the guys fall apart gave me motivation. I guess I'm just good at pacing myself. :)
30 rounds + 2 squats



This is my friend Audrey and she rocks!!! I have watched this woman blossom into a badass crossfitter. Audrey you really push yourself and it motivates me to see how hard you work. I love seeing your smiling face everyday at crossfit.

-inspiration-
It's always better to ask questions than to make assumptions. Have the courage to ask questions until you are as clear as you can be. Once you hear the answer to a question, you won't have to make assumptions because you will know the truth.

They lyrics below are from the band Sum 41. Did I mention I love boy bands ;)
I don't want this moment
To ever end
Where everything's nothing, without you
I wait here forever just to,
To see you smile
'Cause it's true
I am nothing without you

Through it all
I've made my mistakes
I'll stumble and fall
But I mean these words

I want you to know
With everything, I won't let this go
These words are my heart and soul
I'll hold on to this moment, you know
As I bleed my heart out to show
And I won't let go

Thoughts read unspoken
Forever and now
And pieces of memories
Fall to the ground
I know what I didn't have so
I won't let this go
'Cause it's true
I am nothing without you

On the streets, where I walked alone
With nowhere to go
I've come to an end

I want you to know
With everything, I won't let this go
These words are my heart and soul
I'll hold on to this moment, you know
As I bleed my heart out to show
And I won't let go

In front of you're eyes
It falls from the skies
When you don't know what you're looking to find
In front of you're eyes
It falls from the skies
When you just never know what you will find

I don't want this moment to ever end
Where everything's nothing, without you

I want you to know
With everything, I won't let this go
These words are my heart and soul
I'll hold on to this moment, you know
As I bleed my heart out to show
And I won't let go

Working on my Pose technique.
Way 2 cool 4 cool 40 mile run is this Friday. We will be starting from the Damn overlook in Auburn at 8am. Please email me if your interested. catrarunner@yahoo.com

"Le Disko"


Hello little boys, little toys
We're the dreams you're believing
Crawling up the walls
Running down your face
Razor sharp, razor clean
Feel the weapon's sensation
On your back...
With loaded guns


Now hold onto me pretty baby
If you want to fly
I'm gonna melt the fever sugar
Rolling back your eyes


We're gonna ride the race cars
We're gonna dance on fire
We're the girls Le Disko
Supersonic overdrive

So what's it gonna take?
Silver shadow believer....
Spock rocker with your dirty eyes
It's a chance gonna move
Gonna fuck up your ego
Silly boy gonna make you cry

If what they say is true...
You're a boy - and I'm a girl
I will never fall in love with youcrossfit wod "Grace" 30 clean & Jerks for time. 5:01 #55

It is the things in common
that make relationships enjoyable,
but it is the little differences
that make them interesting.
~ by Todd Ruthman ~
I am so proud of Andy, my little sunshine ran a PR at the L.A Marathon. 3:28. He said it was because of me ;) I think it was really because our special matching tattoos we got. Danny used a special ink that will make us run faster;). It worked!!!!

Andy is amazing he hardly trains and he always kicks ass. I wish it could be that easy for me. We will be running our first 50k together in two weeks and Andy plans on running the whole thing with me. Looks like I will be getting a workout, trying to keep up with my fast BF. We also are running our first 50m together in April at Leona Divide, and in June we will run San Diego 100 together. My dream has always been to have a boyfriend I could run Ultras with. It has finally come true.

crossfit wod
5 rounds for time
400m run
50 squats
30 back extension
time: 20:53
I love training with Austin he really knows how to push me.
He was really trying to get me to do 20:00 flat. My time will be hard to beat today. I have less distance to go during the squats so being short was a good thing today. Austin opened up his own crossfit box in Milpitas. I hope to stop by for a wod. Congrats. Austin

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put back in order.
Me waiting for my lost friend Julia. She missed the turn and went the wrong way. She did end up showing up about 15 min. later.
Ben and me. I haven't seen Ben since 2006 b-day run. He was injured and we lost touch. He showed up in REI Friday and now we can run again together.
Julia Bramer and me at her ranch the JB ranch in Sunol..LOL

It was a beautiful day cool and breezy. Julia and I did my Sunol 50k that I love.
We had a blast. I practice my pose running technique the whole 31 miles and I felt great. I felt good in the end and could of easily kept on running.
It was a slow run but I kept my form all day.

Seduce my mind and you can have my body,
Find my soul and I'm yours forever.
~ by Anonymous ~
My love for you is a journey;
Starting at forever,
And ending at never.
~ by Anonymous ~


My life has some how become so much more amazing. As you all know I have been in Sierra Madre a lot. Why?? Well because of Andy.
I wasn't looking for love but somehow it found me and hit me on the head and made me think. I have thought I have been in love before many times. But was I??/ I don't think so.
These feeling I have now are feelings I have never had. I have never been sad when I am away from a BF. Infact most of the time I'm happy not to see them everyday. Even when I was married I was happy when my husband was gone so I could run and not have anyone to answer to.
With Andy I'm so sad when I'm not with him. He is the same way. We both cried at he airport when I was leaving knowing it would be 14 days before we could hold each other again.
I didn't know love could hurt. Is it suppose to be like this. Missing someone so much it hurts, has anyone else experienced this???
Andy and I have so muchin commen together, we love going to clubs and hanging out. We love to go out to eat,he's so sweet he has taken me to so many vegan restaurants and he's not even a vegan. We have gone to the beach, movies and even got tattooed together.
We finally ran together for the first time last week. I run when he's at work, but we have never run together. We think it's funny because our relationship wasn't based on running. All my others were, that's what I did ran and who ever I dated ran with me. If it wasn't for ultrarunning though Andy and I would of never met. If i didn't have issues at HURT 100 , only ended up running the 100k me and Andy would of never talked. It was out on the trail with Kimmy that I asked about Andy and she told him I liked him. The universe brought us together at the right time. That's what I believe.
Andy is an amazing ultrarunner he has run 19 100's and many other ultras. We will be running our first race together in a couple weeks a 50k. We will also be running Leona divide 50m, I just hope to keep up with him. I at least know I can kick his butt in a hundred because I usually pass him the last 5 miles.

It's funny to say but with Andy in my life it feels complete for the first time ever.
We live life and love life together. He's my sunshine and I'm his funshine.

Have a beautiful day!

Kat Von D and Catra C at Musink tattoo and music convention.
“The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.”

Tattooed girls showing some ink
Me doing a photo shoot in front of the Longway music booth with the Longway girls.
Me in front of the judges for the best overall female tattoo competition. Striker from love lines is to the right holding the mic. Nope I didn't win but was told I should of won. The girl that won had an amazing back piece.

Fun and games in SoCal. I was visiting Andy in Sierra Madrea. Of course I had a blast. We had so much fun just doing whatever we wanted. The tattoo convention was a blast. I was the second most photographed person there next to Kat Von D of course. I felt like I was famous in a weird sort of way. Someone would stop me and ask to get there picture taken with me and the next thing I know I would have 5 other people waiting to get a picture with me too. It was like that most of the day. Poor Andy he was such a good sport holding my purse and jacket every time.
Andy you're the best ;)

ZEN CARD OF THE DAY: REFLECTION
WHEN THE POND IS STILL, THE REFLECTION IS CLEAR. WHEN THE MIND IS STILL, THE REFLECTION OF LIFE IS CLEAR. REFLECTION BRINGS CLARITY.

Rock stars in the Making.......................... Vinnie and Catra doing an album cover pose in Pasadena on my way to get a tattoo.

Andy & Catra, I even have AK doing a rock star pose with me..LOL....

Do not put yourself in a situation that will compromise you or your values. It is frankly better to do without than accept compromise. Examine what it is that you want - perhaps what you want is not necessarily what you need. This is a time for improvement and betterment but you must clear away the old to make room for the new. Where there is a will there is a way, learn to operate in new ways and develop your strength of will.

Ok so my computer is totally messed up. Just thought I'd throw a couple pictures up. It might take a few days to figure out whats wrong.
It was having problems when I was in Sierra Madre and Andy tried to fix it.
Now I can't get it to post the pictures for me or download my pictures to the right place. So sorry everyone.
It took me three hours just to put these pictures up ,and put up the wisdom card.
I know nothing about computers so hopefully I can figure it out in the next couple days.
Hope everyone is well.

The call of destiny is strong, so follow what you know to be right and true. If you ask the universe for help, inspiration or guidance be assured that it will be supplied. Persevere with the sure knowledge that what will ultimately transpire will be, not only as good as you think, but will in fact be much better than expected. Have faith in the future, your long-term goals will surely be fulfilled. Remember though that it is the power of commitment that makes it so, not just idly wishing. © Stephen Haynes
CC & DK
Practicing the pose method on my run.
Finally my arm is done...Woo Hoo
Michelle Peot and Me on Melrose

We often blind ourselves to beauty precisely because it inspires us to go beyond ourselves. Today, find only beauty, especially when your first instinct is to be critical of someone, something, or some opportunity.

Todays crossfit: Run 400meters x 4 times 1:40-1:44-1:40-1:43. I practiced the pose method during my run rather than going out really fast and dying in the end. I stayed with 90 cadence the whole run. I need to work my way up to close to 100.
I will be back in SoCal at Andy's until Wed. we have an action packed weekend of Running, Clubbing, crossfitting & Musink tattoo convention. I am learning to live outside the box and balace many fun things ;)

"Show me how you do that trick The one that makes me scream" she said "The one that makes me laugh" she said And threw her arms around my neck "Show me how you do it And I promise you I promise that I'll run away with you I'll run away with you" Spinning on that dizzy edge I kissed her face and kissed her head And dreamed of all the different ways I had To make her glow "Why are you so far away?" she said "Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you That I'm in love with you" You Soft and only You Lost and lonely You Strange as angels Dancing in the deepest oceans Twisting in the water You're just like a dream Daylight licked me into shape I must have been asleep for days And moving lips to breathe her name I opened up my eyes And found myself alone alone Alone above a raging sea That stole the only girl I loved And drowned her deep inside of me You Soft and only You Lost and lonely You Just like heaven

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.
Who am I??? I often ask myself who am I??? My answer I'm Catra a girl with many labels...Most of all I'm a runner and crossfit junkie. I could add to that all day but it's safe to say I love running and I love crossfit, together they build the foundation of the athelete that I am. This week I was lucky enough to be part of the crossfit running and endurance cert. It's new for crossfit. Brian MacKenzie of Newport Beach and Mike Collins came up with the program to help runners run better and become more efficent. Brian is a fellow ultra runner and has trained using the pose technique that's what we learned. He has run 3 100's on very low milage. The longest run he did for AC 100 was 13 miles. He did harder crossfit wods and worked on crossfit instead of just focusing on running all the time. It worked for him.
I learned so much we did lot's of drills, and worked on the technique. they video taped us both days ,and it was amazing how much my running changed the next day and how easier it was to run fast.
I know it can't change over night but I am working on it, and using a tempo trainer for staying in a running cadence of 90-100.
I feel like running is new again.

We did WODS both days we did Helen on Saturday and a tabata run/push-press. I learned so much at the cert. and am looking forward to learning so much more about pose. I am planning to come back in a month and have Brian MacKenzie train me for two weeks. He wants to see me cut my running in half and focus on proper running and my crossfit WODS. I'm looking forward to getting my next cert. in March, that one will be the crossfit level 1 trainer.

Eric LeClair of Monrovia Crossfit/Fitness boot camp
Rookie of Newport Beach crossfit. He has run 3 ultras in less then a year of running and plans on running a hundred miler this year.
Brain & Melissa MacKenzie of NewPort Crossfit. Thanks guys for putting on the cert. I really enjoyed it.

Teach love to those who hate, and let that love embrace you as you go out into the world. May the teachings of those you admire become part of you, so that you may call upon them. Remember, those whose lives you have touched and whose have touched yours are always a part of you, even if the encounters were less than you would have wished. It is the content of the encounter that is more important than the form.

Andy and me at the Egyptian theater in Hollywood
Mari, Catra, Leigh and George hanging out at the OC 100k this past weekend.
Vinnie, Catra and Andy after a night out at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. We were celebrating me getting my crossfit running and endurance cert.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY.....i KINDA THINK IT'S A SILLY HOLIDAY. i THINK PEOPLE SHOULD SHOW THEIR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER EVERYDAY. Sure they can do something extra, extra special to show there love on this day. But I think everyday should be valentines day if you're in love.
Im heading out to So Cal this evening. I for once have a valentines day date. Lucky me ;)
Many of you ask what is crossfit? Down below I posted what it is. This is how it is discribe on the crossfit.com web-site.
Have a beautiful rest of the week.
Just a little windy on my run yesterday.
The setting sun.
My very first picture of a Pelican, isn't he cute in a funny sorta way?
Mission Peak looming in the distance.
Me after my run and ready to hit crossfit. 2/13 Wod 10 rounds for time of: run 200 meters-10 burpees-10 knees to elbows 28:22. Yeah, it sounds easy but it isn't!

CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide. Our program delivers a fitness that is, by design, broad, general, and inclusive. Our specialty is not specializing. Combat, survival, many sports, and life reward this kind of fitness and, on average, punish the specialist.The CrossFit program is designed for universal scalability making it the perfect application for any committed individual regardless of experience. We’ve used our same routines for elderly individuals with heart disease and cage fighters one month out from televised bouts. We scale load and intensity; we don’t change programs. The needs of Olympic athletes and our grandparents differ by degree not kind. Our terrorist hunters, skiers, mountain bike riders and housewives have found their best fitness from the same regimen.
Thousands of athletes worldwide have followed our workouts posted daily on this site and distinguished themselves in combat, the streets, the ring, stadiums, gyms and homes.

I love the wisdom card I picked today. It's dead on!!!!
I got to go climbing a city beach across from where I work. Since I work at REI we get to go for free. Tuesday & Thursdays everyone goes. I forgot how much I missed it, well not climbing indoors but the movement and the thought that goes into climbing. I enjoy the challenge and feeling of making it to the top.
Can't wait for the weather to get nice and go to Yosemite and get out on the real rock.
Of course I climbed with my camera had to take a picture of me climbing 5.10, it wasn't easy. I climbed one 5.6 route then stright up to 5.10. The rest of the time I climbed 5.8's
Making my move.
I also miss slacklining my x was amazing at this, slacklining 2,000ft above the ground it's called a highline when it's way up high. I of course needed my cute nephew Aaron to help his aunt. Yep, that's my 19 year old nephew Aaron. He is an amazing guy.
Me racing Aaron up the wall of course I had to kick his ass. He was on 5.6 and I was on a 5.9. I'm looking a little stuck, just for a second.
That's Scott REI employee belaying me. It was funning I totally forgot how to tie a figure 8 and how to loop it through my harness. I had a gri gri and none of the guys ever used one so I was a little scared having Scott lower me with it. It was fine though.

Release your worries and your cares, just let go as if you had no idea of what might or could happen. Don’t hang onto the idea of loss or failure because, if you let go of all you think you want, want will be replaced by true happiness. What you need will be given or will manifest itself, even though it is unlikely to come in the form you think it should. All mistakes are eventually corrected as the universe takes a hand in your affairs. ©Stephen Haynes