Reception No. 1 in Photos

Cutting the Cake ©2011 Photography by Karen

One of the few traditions we upheld was the ceremonial cutting of the cake. As neither of us are dessert people, the only bites we had of it were the ones we ceremonially fed each other.

On our wedding day, we held a reception at the Wildwood Inn in Denton. We had rented out the hotel for the night of and night before the wedding. We had taken most of our photos before the ceremony, but we had a few to take at the end. So we arrived about half an hour after most of our guests.
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Before the Wedding

Angels on Our Shoulders ©2011 Photography by Karen

Angels sing on our shoulders in Cole Chapel.

Here are some highlights of wedding day photos, taken by Karen Scruggs and her excellent assistant. Lisa was already thoroughly photographed before my first turn before the cameras. Since we were going to escort each other down the aisle, and take photos beforehand, we decided to have a formal “First Look” moment for my first view of my bride.

First Look ©2011 Photography by Karen

Prior to our wedding ceremony, we had a few moments with just the two of us (and the photographers) so I could get a "first look" at my bride.


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Strictly Strength and PRs

The Price of a PR ©2010 Travis Holley

The price of a PR: a broken blood vessel in my left eye following a successful 315-pound deadlift.

PR. There is no better shorthand in the language of CrossFit. It means “personal record,” a new standard of achievement, whether in weight or time, a mark of improvement. One of CrossFit’s best attributes is its ability to demonstrate improvement, if the CrossFitter tracks his or her workouts (WODs — workout of the day) over time. I have watched my performance increase in many aspects during the now more than two years I’ve trained at CrossFit Central.

Last week, I concluded an 8-week program with Coach Travis called “Strictly Strength,” an intensive focus on strength training and the technique behind heavy lifts. Or, as Travis calls it, “having fun lifting heavy shit.” Most sessions were 2-on-1 — practically personal training — as we worked on a progression of lifts and techniques designed for one purpose: PRs on “CrossFit Total,” a workout comprised of the one-rep max of back squat, shoulder press, and deadlift. It worked.
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9 Days, 7 Challenging WODs

The Wolfpack, Week 2 ©2010 Jeff Blaylock

The Wolfpack poses for a photo after this morning's swim and kettlebell WOD at Barton Springs pool.

This has been a challenging last few days of training at CrossFit Central. I’ve faced, and completed, seven tough WODs ranging from pure strength training to high-rep met cons to, well, swimming.

A week ago, I began an 8-week program with Coach Travis called “Strictly Strength.” His program focuses on perfecting technique on the heavier lifts which we encounter in our WODs with the goal of increasing the weight we can move (as well as enhance our enjoyment of moving it). While all the lifts are familiar, they have to be approached with much haste during a typical workout. Travis is slowing the moves down, turning the clock off, and working on improving our approach to these lifts.
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San Juan and Vieques

Blue Beach ©2010 Jeff Blaylock

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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Last Lake Day of Summer

Sunset From West Beach ©2010 Jeff Blaylock

Sunset from West Beach Marina on Lake Travis

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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Wolfpack WOD at Barton Springs

The Wolfpack's Inaugural WOD ©2010 Mike Winchester

The Wolfpack after its inaugural WOD at Barton Springs pool. Top row: Firas, Aaron, me, Chris, John. Bottom row: Diego, Travis, Mike, Jeremy, Randal.

I met several coaches and clients of CrossFit Central at sunrise this morning to participate in the Wolfpack’s inaugural WOD (workout of the day). The women’s program was in full-on competition mode today, so founder Jeremy Thiel (who I would follow into any battle) decided the men needed a challenge of their own.
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Underwater, in the Water

Chris Underwater ©2010 Jeff Blaylock

Chris swims in the Barton Springs pool on a hot afternoon.

In anticipation of next week’s trip to Puerto Rico, I needed an excuse to test out a new underwater camera, the Fuji Finepix XP10. So Barton Springs pool was the first test area. It was also hot as blazes in Austin this weekend, so the cold spring-fed pool was perfect. Most of the shots were lousy thanks to lousy water quality and the fact that my eyes were above the water as I was trying to shoot in the water. Perhaps with goggles, the results would have been better.
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Murph Day

Murph Dat at CrossFit Austin ©2010 CrossFit Austin

The athletes, coaches, and spectators who stayed through the bitter end of heat number four pose for a Murph Day photo outside CrossFit Austin's box.

On Saturday morning, I took on the “Murph,” a grueling workout in honor of a fallen hero, Lt. Michael Murphy, who died serving our country in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005 (Read about his heroism here.). In his honor, Crossfitters take this challenge the weekend of the Fourth of July. For CrossFit Austin, it was the second annual Murph Day and my first time to take on the full workout.

“Murph” begins with a 1-mile run. Back in the gym, the athlete performs 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 squats in any combination or order. A final 1-mile run caps the workout.
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Lake Day, With Great Lighting

Great Lighting

Couldn't ask for better lighting as we wrap up a great day on the lake.

Had a great day on the lake today, with some great lighting at the end as I pull the boat up to the dock. Couldn’t ask for better lighting or camera angle! Thanks Steph!
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