Have I mentioned lately that I don't like running? This particular workout, Daniel - it's not so fun, but I guess that's appropriate since it's a workout dedicated to a fallen soldier. Suck up and do it - it could be worse!
I will say this, Daniel makes Helen look like a walk in the park. Daniel:
50 pull ups (yes, that is not a 5 - it's a 5-0, as in 1/2 of 100)
400 m run - that's 1/4 mile......2 times around the building -not so bad
21 thrusters - 65lbs - I tried to wimp it out at 45, but alas, I was caught!
800 m run - JINKIES!! that's 1/2 mile-not much to running afficionados, but it's a long way to me!!...and after the thrusters - OY VAY!
21 thrusters - again 65 lbs
400 m run - AGAIN?? Really?? my scalp is tingly.....must breath!!
50 pullups-Ok, so my pullups, were Bouncing in the Blue Bands, but criminy, 100 of them??ZOWIE!
This actually, was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be - not to say that it was good, but not horribly horrible. Finished in 26:29 only modification was the Bouncing Blue Bands!! ....and to think, I actually had the unbelievable thought that the Filthy 50 would be better than this earlier today. I think my Fishy pills need to kick it into high gear because my brain is a bit off, to be thinkin' that!!
Actually, thinking about it, I did need something to kick my butt tonight, since I'm off tomorrow, and need to kick the cardio into gear again. We'll see what Wednesday brings!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Functional Focus...what did we learn?
As Functional Focus month draws to an end, I must say I have some mixed emotions.
I have completely enjoyed the slower pace and complete focus on trying to do something you wouldn't ordinarily do, or something that you need improvement on. Seriously - I never would have tried something as silly as clapping pushups. Would I ever have faced the 20 inch box without hesitation - much less doing it on the platform, making the jump 22 inches or so??? I think not! Then there's the pullups - not a huge improvement in those, but I can get a single pulllup just about there, in the red bands (now, ask me to do 20, and I'm all for bluebands!!). Not as vast of an improvement there, but it'll come...(if I keep repeating that, I'm sure it will work!). One legged squats although not deep - are pretty good, and really, why would you want to do them, when you have 2 perfectly good legs for??? But - it was fun to work the balance angle, and, I believe it's the first time I've ever been told I was graceful! (at least without sarcasm attached!) Hand stand push ups - yep - don't think I ever would have hit the full vertical on those, without the help of my favorite upside down rubber band contraption! Not that I have full range of motion.....but still, an improvement to the chair kneeling ones from before. Dips, I believe are one of the final things, and who knew? I can actually do them to some degree unassisted. Something that you wouldn't normally try if you have to do 15 in a row.
So, for me, the functional month, even though it was on and off due to ......we'll just say circumstances, was highly successful, and dare I say....fun?? Yes, I would say fun and enlightening!
Now we head right on back to full on Crossfit. Time to kick it up a notch and bring back the sweat! It'll be interesting, I've got a bit of a new focus on the whole eating thing. (it really does help knowing I'll be going to Mexico in a mere 3 months, with people I work with.....not friends and family - there is a difference when it comes to putting on a bathing suit!!). On the positive side, after last weekend, which I thought was rather bingeful, I was very good this week, and.....there's a chance I may have broken through my 6 year sticking point - that freaking point that no matter what you do, you can't get under. Only time will tell, especially since the weekend is here, but I'm feeling optimistic. Of course, in my mind, since I won on 4 out of 5 scratch tickets today, that naturally means I'm gonna win the $200 million lotto tonight! See how my mind works??
Now, I suppose it's time to watch the Nebraska game....joy!
I have completely enjoyed the slower pace and complete focus on trying to do something you wouldn't ordinarily do, or something that you need improvement on. Seriously - I never would have tried something as silly as clapping pushups. Would I ever have faced the 20 inch box without hesitation - much less doing it on the platform, making the jump 22 inches or so??? I think not! Then there's the pullups - not a huge improvement in those, but I can get a single pulllup just about there, in the red bands (now, ask me to do 20, and I'm all for bluebands!!). Not as vast of an improvement there, but it'll come...(if I keep repeating that, I'm sure it will work!). One legged squats although not deep - are pretty good, and really, why would you want to do them, when you have 2 perfectly good legs for??? But - it was fun to work the balance angle, and, I believe it's the first time I've ever been told I was graceful! (at least without sarcasm attached!) Hand stand push ups - yep - don't think I ever would have hit the full vertical on those, without the help of my favorite upside down rubber band contraption! Not that I have full range of motion.....but still, an improvement to the chair kneeling ones from before. Dips, I believe are one of the final things, and who knew? I can actually do them to some degree unassisted. Something that you wouldn't normally try if you have to do 15 in a row.
So, for me, the functional month, even though it was on and off due to ......we'll just say circumstances, was highly successful, and dare I say....fun?? Yes, I would say fun and enlightening!
Now we head right on back to full on Crossfit. Time to kick it up a notch and bring back the sweat! It'll be interesting, I've got a bit of a new focus on the whole eating thing. (it really does help knowing I'll be going to Mexico in a mere 3 months, with people I work with.....not friends and family - there is a difference when it comes to putting on a bathing suit!!). On the positive side, after last weekend, which I thought was rather bingeful, I was very good this week, and.....there's a chance I may have broken through my 6 year sticking point - that freaking point that no matter what you do, you can't get under. Only time will tell, especially since the weekend is here, but I'm feeling optimistic. Of course, in my mind, since I won on 4 out of 5 scratch tickets today, that naturally means I'm gonna win the $200 million lotto tonight! See how my mind works??
Now, I suppose it's time to watch the Nebraska game....joy!
Functional Focus...what did we learn?
As Functional Focus month draws to an end, I must say I have some mixed emotions.
I have completely enjoyed the slower pace and complete focus on trying to do something you wouldn't ordinarily do, or something that you need improvement on. Seriously - I never would have tried something as silly as clapping pushups. Would I ever have faced the 20 inch box without hesitation - much less doing it on the platform, making the jump 22 inches or so??? I think not! Then there's the pullups - not a huge improvement in those, but I can get a single pulllup just about there, in the red bands (now, ask me to do 20, and I'm all for bluebands!!). Not as vast of an improvement there, but it'll come...(if I keep repeating that, I'm sure it will work!). One legged squats although not deep - are pretty good, and really, why would you want to do them, when you have 2 perfectly good legs for??? But - it was fun to work the balance angle, and, I believe it's the first time I've ever been told I was graceful! (at least without sarcasm attached!) Hand stand push ups - yep - don't think I ever would have hit the full vertical on those, without the help of my favorite upside down rubber band contraption! Not that I have full range of motion.....but still, an improvement to the chair kneeling ones from before. Dips, I believe are one of the final things, and who knew? I can actually do them to some degree unassisted. Something that you wouldn't normally try if you have to do 15 in a row.
So, for me, the functional month, even though it was on and off due to ......we'll just say circumstances, was highly successful, and dare I say....fun?? Yes, I would say fun and enlightening!
Now we head right on back to full on Crossfit. Time to kick it up a notch and bring back the sweat! It'll be interesting, I've got a bit of a new focus on the whole eating thing. (it really does help knowing I'll be going to Mexico in a mere 3 months, with people I work with.....not friends and family - there is a difference when it comes to putting on a bathing suit!!). On the positive side, after last weekend, which I thought was rather bingeful, I was very good this week, and.....there's a chance I may have broken through my 6 year sticking point - that freaking point that no matter what you do, you can't get under. Only time will tell, especially since the weekend is here, but I'm feeling optimistic. Of course, in my mind, since I won on 4 out of 5 scratch tickets today, that naturally means I'm gonna win the $200 million lotto tonight! See how my mind works??
Now, I suppose it's time to watch the Nebraska game....joy!
I have completely enjoyed the slower pace and complete focus on trying to do something you wouldn't ordinarily do, or something that you need improvement on. Seriously - I never would have tried something as silly as clapping pushups. Would I ever have faced the 20 inch box without hesitation - much less doing it on the platform, making the jump 22 inches or so??? I think not! Then there's the pullups - not a huge improvement in those, but I can get a single pulllup just about there, in the red bands (now, ask me to do 20, and I'm all for bluebands!!). Not as vast of an improvement there, but it'll come...(if I keep repeating that, I'm sure it will work!). One legged squats although not deep - are pretty good, and really, why would you want to do them, when you have 2 perfectly good legs for??? But - it was fun to work the balance angle, and, I believe it's the first time I've ever been told I was graceful! (at least without sarcasm attached!) Hand stand push ups - yep - don't think I ever would have hit the full vertical on those, without the help of my favorite upside down rubber band contraption! Not that I have full range of motion.....but still, an improvement to the chair kneeling ones from before. Dips, I believe are one of the final things, and who knew? I can actually do them to some degree unassisted. Something that you wouldn't normally try if you have to do 15 in a row.
So, for me, the functional month, even though it was on and off due to ......we'll just say circumstances, was highly successful, and dare I say....fun?? Yes, I would say fun and enlightening!
Now we head right on back to full on Crossfit. Time to kick it up a notch and bring back the sweat! It'll be interesting, I've got a bit of a new focus on the whole eating thing. (it really does help knowing I'll be going to Mexico in a mere 3 months, with people I work with.....not friends and family - there is a difference when it comes to putting on a bathing suit!!). On the positive side, after last weekend, which I thought was rather bingeful, I was very good this week, and.....there's a chance I may have broken through my 6 year sticking point - that freaking point that no matter what you do, you can't get under. Only time will tell, especially since the weekend is here, but I'm feeling optimistic. Of course, in my mind, since I won on 4 out of 5 scratch tickets today, that naturally means I'm gonna win the $200 million lotto tonight! See how my mind works??
Now, I suppose it's time to watch the Nebraska game....joy!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Deadlifting Fran...now that's a concept
Fran, Fran, Frannie, Fran, Fran!! What can I say about Fran? Well, I guess the good thing, is that she is rather speedy!
Fran is 21/15/9 Thrusters/Pullups.
I did prescribed for Thrusters at 65lbs. Pullups, still in the blue bands, on the high bar. Today, I do know that I concentrated alot harder on the silly pullups - did them slower, and not rebounding jumps. Do ya think I'll ever actually conquer these things - and will they ever get easier??? My focus slowed me down - I actually finished almost 2 minutes slower than last time, but overall, I think I got higher for most of them - so I'm okay with that. Finished in 12:06. Eh - not spectacular, but, good 'nuff!
Yesterday's workout should have been called "Deadlifts - don't stop". It was basically 982,000 sets of 3 deadlifts - focusing on form. (ok, maybe it was only 15..but who's counting?). DL's felt heavy to me at the beginning of the night, despite that I started at 205. HOWEVER, after round one, I was doing something funky, Jonathan suggested I drop down - no argument from me, in fact, dare I say, I jumped on this rare chance to decrease!! Did the remaining sets at 185. It was peculiar, because that weight seemed ultra heavy at first, but by the end, not so much. In retrospect, I actually think I may have wimped out a bit by jumping so quickly on the first mere suggestion to decrease, and should have stayed at the higher weight for a while longer
Fran is 21/15/9 Thrusters/Pullups.
I did prescribed for Thrusters at 65lbs. Pullups, still in the blue bands, on the high bar. Today, I do know that I concentrated alot harder on the silly pullups - did them slower, and not rebounding jumps. Do ya think I'll ever actually conquer these things - and will they ever get easier??? My focus slowed me down - I actually finished almost 2 minutes slower than last time, but overall, I think I got higher for most of them - so I'm okay with that. Finished in 12:06. Eh - not spectacular, but, good 'nuff!
Yesterday's workout should have been called "Deadlifts - don't stop". It was basically 982,000 sets of 3 deadlifts - focusing on form. (ok, maybe it was only 15..but who's counting?). DL's felt heavy to me at the beginning of the night, despite that I started at 205. HOWEVER, after round one, I was doing something funky, Jonathan suggested I drop down - no argument from me, in fact, dare I say, I jumped on this rare chance to decrease!! Did the remaining sets at 185. It was peculiar, because that weight seemed ultra heavy at first, but by the end, not so much. In retrospect, I actually think I may have wimped out a bit by jumping so quickly on the first mere suggestion to decrease, and should have stayed at the higher weight for a while longer
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The highlight of my day!
Can you guess what was the highlight was of my day?? If you guessed NOT doing plate drags, you are, oh so very smart!! It's sad to say that not doing something that in reality is probably very good for you, is the highlight - but I think I may have a true hatred for those silly things.
Instead of the nasty, wasty, evil plate drags, we had a stellar functional day. I think everyone hit new highs in the box jumps! Why the heck I would ever need or want to jump 22 inches, I'll never know - but hey, it's still high!! (of course, please note, it's not like I'm upright the whole time, I land in a full low squat - I've learned if you curl your legs up, you can jump higher - who knew??
Pull ups - I was working the red bands - BIG step up......not that I did a full pretty pull up, but at least I got somewhere! Of course, Patty was one step ahead of me, workin' the mini's - DAM GIRL! you're gonna be 100% on your own in no time!
Overall - not too bad for just coming back from an overindulgent long weekend......with hours upon hours spent in the car - and not enough fortitude to do even a stinkin' sit up while I was gone - wait - I lied - I did 3 pushups, then gave up. So, there was a half assed attempt to do something, not complete failure, but almost.
Ah well, back home, back on the train!
Instead of the nasty, wasty, evil plate drags, we had a stellar functional day. I think everyone hit new highs in the box jumps! Why the heck I would ever need or want to jump 22 inches, I'll never know - but hey, it's still high!! (of course, please note, it's not like I'm upright the whole time, I land in a full low squat - I've learned if you curl your legs up, you can jump higher - who knew??
Pull ups - I was working the red bands - BIG step up......not that I did a full pretty pull up, but at least I got somewhere! Of course, Patty was one step ahead of me, workin' the mini's - DAM GIRL! you're gonna be 100% on your own in no time!
Overall - not too bad for just coming back from an overindulgent long weekend......with hours upon hours spent in the car - and not enough fortitude to do even a stinkin' sit up while I was gone - wait - I lied - I did 3 pushups, then gave up. So, there was a half assed attempt to do something, not complete failure, but almost.
Ah well, back home, back on the train!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wallowing in mediocrity???....not if I can help it!
Oh what a procrastinator I am!! We are scheduled to depart in 3 hours or so, and what I am doing?? not packing that's for sure!
Yesterday was Helen - not sure what happened, but timewise, I was slower than previous - the only difference was I was on the low bar last time, and the high bar this time, both were still kind of jumpy though. Today was Grace,(30 clean and jerks) although I don't remember doing this one before (must have popped that brain cell) I did it pretty quick...last time was 6:20 or so with 70 lbs. Today, 6:56 with 80 lbs. I think I'm at the point that in most things, I always seem to end up wallowing in my mediocrity! (I always hit that point, be it skiing, roller hockey, etc). I just really have to force myself through it this time
In the psycho analysis of myself, that I always tend to do, I think if there were prizes for Crossfit, I wouldn't want to be the biggest, fastest, or strongest, my goal would be to win the most improved. I believe this is where the frustration is setting in - the improvements have been big and vast up until this point. Easy to see. Now - there may still be improvements being made - but you have to search for them - they aren't apparent at first, second or even third glance. Ah well, muddle through it, I will!! I'll give that whole diet/supplement thing a shot, see where that gets me.
But - not until Monday...traveling with Sean and my sister who is 7 months pregnant, may be a very bad thing. The two feed off each other with their cravings, and ice cream habits! Hmmm...apparently I'm feeling a bit introspective today...go figure!
Have a spectacular weekend! See everyone on Monday!
Yesterday was Helen - not sure what happened, but timewise, I was slower than previous - the only difference was I was on the low bar last time, and the high bar this time, both were still kind of jumpy though. Today was Grace,(30 clean and jerks) although I don't remember doing this one before (must have popped that brain cell) I did it pretty quick...last time was 6:20 or so with 70 lbs. Today, 6:56 with 80 lbs. I think I'm at the point that in most things, I always seem to end up wallowing in my mediocrity! (I always hit that point, be it skiing, roller hockey, etc). I just really have to force myself through it this time
In the psycho analysis of myself, that I always tend to do, I think if there were prizes for Crossfit, I wouldn't want to be the biggest, fastest, or strongest, my goal would be to win the most improved. I believe this is where the frustration is setting in - the improvements have been big and vast up until this point. Easy to see. Now - there may still be improvements being made - but you have to search for them - they aren't apparent at first, second or even third glance. Ah well, muddle through it, I will!! I'll give that whole diet/supplement thing a shot, see where that gets me.
But - not until Monday...traveling with Sean and my sister who is 7 months pregnant, may be a very bad thing. The two feed off each other with their cravings, and ice cream habits! Hmmm...apparently I'm feeling a bit introspective today...go figure!
Have a spectacular weekend! See everyone on Monday!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Strong like....what did you just say??
We did sets of 5 backsquats today. The whole backsquat in general, is one of my favorites, because I have "Srebernak thighs" meaning they are big, meaty, and actually pretty strong. I started at the high point of last time, 185, and went up 5 lbs each time, they did feel heavy, but I guess there's the big DUH- it is still about 200 lbs. I ended with a final set at 205.
Now, here's the funny part - as I was sitting here tonight telling Sean about this. He starts saying in a happy little sing song voice "she's a moose, tra-la-la"
I turn my head and give him my best "Dude, did you really call your beloved wife a MOOSE??" look. He pauses and and his grin fades away as it slowly dawns on him that he didn't just say "she's strong like moose" in his little ditty - he actually called me a moose!l....ME!! His most beautiful, excellent and funny wife!! Good thing I have a good sense of humor!
Now, here's the funny part - as I was sitting here tonight telling Sean about this. He starts saying in a happy little sing song voice "she's a moose, tra-la-la"
I turn my head and give him my best "Dude, did you really call your beloved wife a MOOSE??" look. He pauses and and his grin fades away as it slowly dawns on him that he didn't just say "she's strong like moose" in his little ditty - he actually called me a moose!l....ME!! His most beautiful, excellent and funny wife!! Good thing I have a good sense of humor!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Pullups...will they ever click??
Cindy was back today, and she reigned in her evil ways. (Cindy= as many rounds of 5 pullup/10 pushup/15 squats as you can muster in 20 minutes) At least I got 10 rounds in this time. Although I've seen people do it, I'm not really convinced that you can do Cindy a whole lot faster. OR, I'm just a bit lame, and am really slow in my pullups - hard to say for sure. I think the pushups and squats were pretty fast today. Pushups, I was able to do all 10 in a row, until about the 5th round - then the least that I did off the bat was 6. Squats, the beginning of the first round I started off slow then watched the pace of ....can't think of his name- not Joe, but the other dude who was there(hey - is it the other Joe??) He was whippin' 'em out, so I kept pace with him - and kept that up in later rounds. It's just the pullups - the evil, evil pull ups. I was able to do the first round relatively ok, with no jump but after that - not so much. I was on the higher bar, if that counts for anything. BLECH! Pullups are the most frustrating thing ever!
Oh - I could be wrong - Pullups and the inverted ring things are the most frustrating things ever! (basically holding yourself in a fetal position on the rings - yes, you are mostly upside down!) Although - I did see improvement in the ring thingy yesterday - that was good, but I'm nowhere close to upside down. Also did dips yesterday - first round was all good, had my feet on the box, tried not to put too much pressure on them when I was doing them - felt like they went really well. Next round - Jonathan tells me to try it without the box...WHAT?? Since when did he start smoking crack?? Crazy Cheetah!
Well, I tried it - had about a 5% range of motion - but hey- I guess that 5% is better than nothin' . Who knew the box made it that much easier?? Ah well, despite the 5% range of motion, I still did it. Here's the best part about the whole functionality month - I may not be doing these things fast or pretty, but I'm feeling a bit braggy about some of them, such as the 20" box, the clapping pushups, even the dip with no box! (so if I get obnoxious bean me over the head and tell me to stop...sometimes I just can't help myself) Gotta say though - I still love the handstand pushup rubber band contraption do-hicky and I dont' know why - I really gotta figure that one out!
Patty and H - you need to work on bonding with it, trust me, it's a kick in the ass!
Oh - I could be wrong - Pullups and the inverted ring things are the most frustrating things ever! (basically holding yourself in a fetal position on the rings - yes, you are mostly upside down!) Although - I did see improvement in the ring thingy yesterday - that was good, but I'm nowhere close to upside down. Also did dips yesterday - first round was all good, had my feet on the box, tried not to put too much pressure on them when I was doing them - felt like they went really well. Next round - Jonathan tells me to try it without the box...WHAT?? Since when did he start smoking crack?? Crazy Cheetah!
Well, I tried it - had about a 5% range of motion - but hey- I guess that 5% is better than nothin' . Who knew the box made it that much easier?? Ah well, despite the 5% range of motion, I still did it. Here's the best part about the whole functionality month - I may not be doing these things fast or pretty, but I'm feeling a bit braggy about some of them, such as the 20" box, the clapping pushups, even the dip with no box! (so if I get obnoxious bean me over the head and tell me to stop...sometimes I just can't help myself) Gotta say though - I still love the handstand pushup rubber band contraption do-hicky and I dont' know why - I really gotta figure that one out!
Patty and H - you need to work on bonding with it, trust me, it's a kick in the ass!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Hamsters and Kate Moss in the same sentence...WHAT?
Woo hoo - the Hawaiian Hootchie Mamma is back (don't take offense Patty, I am just a major fan of alliteration, and figured you'd like Hootchie Mama better than Harlot!)
Anyway Sista-P - I missed your spunk, laugh and just pure effervescent personality while you were gone - glad you're back!
It's funny - almost 2 weeks with functionality (ok, one day of CF thrown in), and despite the workouts being lower intensity (meaning, the sweat from my head isn't cascading in rivers down my entire body and dripping onto the floor, leaving puddles wherever I go) the last two days, have actually been "thin" days for me. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I've suddenly turned into a waif or anything. If that had happened, the pullups would no longer be my nemesis!! Pullups at 100lbs - pee-shaw!, that would be a piece of cake!! But I digress....what I meant was that, no, I didn't suddenly turn into Kate Moss, but I feel like I may have lost a hamster or two off my left buttcheek.
The only "bummer" is that my favorite workouts are coming up!! I'm no dummy - I know they'll come back, but naturally they all come in a row! DAGNABIT! But I must say - I am still a big fan of the upside down rubber band hand stand push up contraption - that is also one of my favorites. Now - what's the next big challenge coming up that I wouldn't normally try?? AKA - the clapping push up - I have to say - I am proud of that one - I'm blabbing about it to everyone, because that is just impressive- even to me, and even as kind of lame as the ones I did were...they were still there!!
Anyway - I'm a dork - and now that I've psycho-analyzed myself and figured out this is my "creative outlet" .....be afraid, be very afraid...........
Anyway Sista-P - I missed your spunk, laugh and just pure effervescent personality while you were gone - glad you're back!
It's funny - almost 2 weeks with functionality (ok, one day of CF thrown in), and despite the workouts being lower intensity (meaning, the sweat from my head isn't cascading in rivers down my entire body and dripping onto the floor, leaving puddles wherever I go) the last two days, have actually been "thin" days for me. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I've suddenly turned into a waif or anything. If that had happened, the pullups would no longer be my nemesis!! Pullups at 100lbs - pee-shaw!, that would be a piece of cake!! But I digress....what I meant was that, no, I didn't suddenly turn into Kate Moss, but I feel like I may have lost a hamster or two off my left buttcheek.
The only "bummer" is that my favorite workouts are coming up!! I'm no dummy - I know they'll come back, but naturally they all come in a row! DAGNABIT! But I must say - I am still a big fan of the upside down rubber band hand stand push up contraption - that is also one of my favorites. Now - what's the next big challenge coming up that I wouldn't normally try?? AKA - the clapping push up - I have to say - I am proud of that one - I'm blabbing about it to everyone, because that is just impressive- even to me, and even as kind of lame as the ones I did were...they were still there!!
Anyway - I'm a dork - and now that I've psycho-analyzed myself and figured out this is my "creative outlet" .....be afraid, be very afraid...........
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
OOOOF -TA!!
Well - Crossfit is definitely back, and back with a vengeance!!
Tonight we endured the aptly nicknamed "3 Bars of Death" - otherwise known Linda. Really?? Linda??? Linda is a kind and gentle name - who the heck came up with that one?? Helga or Eloise would have been far more appropriate.
Rounds of Deadlift, Benchpress, then Squat Cleans (these are just unnatural, awkward things!) Looking for the best time on this, but because of the late start, cut off is at 25 minutes.
round 1 - 10 reps of each - not so bad, except for those awkward clean-ie things
round 2 -9 reps of each - again, still feeling good - although I'm an idiot and actually did 10 deadlifts - apparently counting, along with barbell math, and pullups is not my strong suit.
round 3 - 8 reps of each - not so good, but not so bad either
round 4 - 7 reps of each - ok, now you're feelin' it, get thru the first 5 and only 2 to go!
round 5 - 6 reps - Really??? I'm only at 6??? that means there still 5,4,3,2 and 1 to go..CRIPES!
round 6 - 5 reps - woo hoo things are looking up - despite only doing 2 at a time (at least deadlift and cleans)
round 7 - 4 reps - HOMESTRETCH BABY!
round 8 - 3 reps - yikes, only 5 minutes left, and feelin' every one of these silly things!
round 9 - 2 reps...Zowie
Round 10 - 1 rep - 1 minute left, racing thru....PHEW! Got it, in time - barely..
Final time 24:52 a mere 8 seconds to spare.
Took longer than the only other time I did this, but weights increased.
Deadlift - 155
Bench Press - 103
Clean -55
I'm tellin' ya - the BP is by far the easiest! I was happy when I got to that point each round. GO BENCH!
....and so, Helga (my new name for this beast) welcomes us back!
Tonight we endured the aptly nicknamed "3 Bars of Death" - otherwise known Linda. Really?? Linda??? Linda is a kind and gentle name - who the heck came up with that one?? Helga or Eloise would have been far more appropriate.
Rounds of Deadlift, Benchpress, then Squat Cleans (these are just unnatural, awkward things!) Looking for the best time on this, but because of the late start, cut off is at 25 minutes.
round 1 - 10 reps of each - not so bad, except for those awkward clean-ie things
round 2 -9 reps of each - again, still feeling good - although I'm an idiot and actually did 10 deadlifts - apparently counting, along with barbell math, and pullups is not my strong suit.
round 3 - 8 reps of each - not so good, but not so bad either
round 4 - 7 reps of each - ok, now you're feelin' it, get thru the first 5 and only 2 to go!
round 5 - 6 reps - Really??? I'm only at 6??? that means there still 5,4,3,2 and 1 to go..CRIPES!
round 6 - 5 reps - woo hoo things are looking up - despite only doing 2 at a time (at least deadlift and cleans)
round 7 - 4 reps - HOMESTRETCH BABY!
round 8 - 3 reps - yikes, only 5 minutes left, and feelin' every one of these silly things!
round 9 - 2 reps...Zowie
Round 10 - 1 rep - 1 minute left, racing thru....PHEW! Got it, in time - barely..
Final time 24:52 a mere 8 seconds to spare.
Took longer than the only other time I did this, but weights increased.
Deadlift - 155
Bench Press - 103
Clean -55
I'm tellin' ya - the BP is by far the easiest! I was happy when I got to that point each round. GO BENCH!
....and so, Helga (my new name for this beast) welcomes us back!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Would I really have tried a clapping pushup without the functionality??
So, a week into it, the function month is over. Although I fully understand the reason why it must come to an end, it's too bad people didn't want to give it a shot. I have to admit, the first couple days, I had some reservations, but I'm a "go with the flow" kinda gal. So, hey, I'm up for anything, and I'll give anything a try for a while. By the end of the week, it was clear that despite not having that "just showered" look at the end of the workout, I was still accomplishing, and getting a lot of benefit, from this lower intensity training.
Now onto the good stuff (this one's for you Patty!) ....Saturday we worked on pullups and dips. With the pullups, I swear, I'm way above the bar, it's practically at my belly button (ok, maybe not quite THAT high), and Jonathan is still saying "keep pulling" ARGH! I'm tellin' ya, my arms just won't bend anymore. Maybe I'll just try working on the top part of the pullup - see if I can do the top part without having to pull from the bottom......I dunno. Pullups=Nemesis!!
Tonight was pushups and box jumps. The box jumps were reversed - so you start at the top jump down, and back up quick (without feet changing position). Sounds relatively simple, but I had to take it down to the 12 inch box - having to jump from where you land throws things off a bit. By the end, I got the hang of it though. We mingled that with pushups. Hee hee - now here, I have to gloat a bit!! Although they weren't pretty by any means - I managed to do clapping pushups!! Yeah -that's right, full on, boy push-ups with a clap in between. I actually managed to connect 2 in a relatively semi-pretty (at least in my head) fashion - the third one, I got up, clapped and basically barely caught myself before I smashed my face into the ground. Ah well - I still succeeded.
Tomorrow - back to Crossfit - we'll see if my stamina hold up after a week off!
Now onto the good stuff (this one's for you Patty!) ....Saturday we worked on pullups and dips. With the pullups, I swear, I'm way above the bar, it's practically at my belly button (ok, maybe not quite THAT high), and Jonathan is still saying "keep pulling" ARGH! I'm tellin' ya, my arms just won't bend anymore. Maybe I'll just try working on the top part of the pullup - see if I can do the top part without having to pull from the bottom......I dunno. Pullups=Nemesis!!
Tonight was pushups and box jumps. The box jumps were reversed - so you start at the top jump down, and back up quick (without feet changing position). Sounds relatively simple, but I had to take it down to the 12 inch box - having to jump from where you land throws things off a bit. By the end, I got the hang of it though. We mingled that with pushups. Hee hee - now here, I have to gloat a bit!! Although they weren't pretty by any means - I managed to do clapping pushups!! Yeah -that's right, full on, boy push-ups with a clap in between. I actually managed to connect 2 in a relatively semi-pretty (at least in my head) fashion - the third one, I got up, clapped and basically barely caught myself before I smashed my face into the ground. Ah well - I still succeeded.
Tomorrow - back to Crossfit - we'll see if my stamina hold up after a week off!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Coordination highs and lows
Oh the highs and lows of this functional stuff. Yesterday's goal- work on form, so that one day we will be able to do the elusive handstand pushup. It started off nice and innocent: feet on a box, hands on the floor, ass in the air. Next stop, hands on the floor, feet crawling up the wall with buttocks flying high in the air again. Final stop...climbing into a rubber band contraption, hanging from a bar. Once you are fully strapped in, locked and loaded, it was a matter of placing both hands on the floor, then kicking your feet up. Fortunately, there is assistance from your friendly neighborhood trainer/coach to help get you into that full on vertical position. So we did this several times, and it went well. I actually liked being strapped into this rubber band concoction and flipping myself upside down for a bit. Sounds a bit funky in a perverse kind of way, but, there ya are!
Tonight was not so successful in the functional arena. Started off okay, doing some "knees to elbows". For anyone who doesn't know, knees to elbows in this new world of mine is not that happy little dance where you lift your knees and touch your elbow to it alternating.....no, no, no - that is far too wimpy of a move. Knees to Elbows is basically, kind of doing a sit up from a hanging position. In other words, imagine yourself in a dead hang from a bar - then hoist your knees up until they touch (or in my case, come semi-reasonably close to touching) your elbows. No wimpy-ass dance move there! Then we did the same thing from some rings. After that we hit the wall with this "sticking point" thing. Remember, oh so many years ago, as a mere chitlin, when you would play on the bars at the playground, hang upside down, do flips, like they were nothing?? Yeah - now try that in your 40's - not quite so limber anymore,huh? The main goal of tonight was to hang from the rings in curled up in a ball and mostly upside down. Could I do that?? HECK NO!!! I was bouncin' all over the place. This was definitely not my forte. I knew I lost some of the abilities of my youth - but holy crap..it was apparent with this one! So, for me - this was the end of my excellent coordination week.
Now - despite the night ending on a bitter note for me (it's quite odd - I'm getting to the point that I don't like failure on these workout challenge things - who'da thunk?), on the plus side, I did manage to conquer the 20 inch box. Yes, that is right, I actually jumped onto a monsterly huge, high box, and didn't kill myself - and I did it more than once! Tonight, this is a good thing - the next time we have to do 30 box jumps - I'll probably have a change of mind.
Tonight was not so successful in the functional arena. Started off okay, doing some "knees to elbows". For anyone who doesn't know, knees to elbows in this new world of mine is not that happy little dance where you lift your knees and touch your elbow to it alternating.....no, no, no - that is far too wimpy of a move. Knees to Elbows is basically, kind of doing a sit up from a hanging position. In other words, imagine yourself in a dead hang from a bar - then hoist your knees up until they touch (or in my case, come semi-reasonably close to touching) your elbows. No wimpy-ass dance move there! Then we did the same thing from some rings. After that we hit the wall with this "sticking point" thing. Remember, oh so many years ago, as a mere chitlin, when you would play on the bars at the playground, hang upside down, do flips, like they were nothing?? Yeah - now try that in your 40's - not quite so limber anymore,huh? The main goal of tonight was to hang from the rings in curled up in a ball and mostly upside down. Could I do that?? HECK NO!!! I was bouncin' all over the place. This was definitely not my forte. I knew I lost some of the abilities of my youth - but holy crap..it was apparent with this one! So, for me - this was the end of my excellent coordination week.
Now - despite the night ending on a bitter note for me (it's quite odd - I'm getting to the point that I don't like failure on these workout challenge things - who'da thunk?), on the plus side, I did manage to conquer the 20 inch box. Yes, that is right, I actually jumped onto a monsterly huge, high box, and didn't kill myself - and I did it more than once! Tonight, this is a good thing - the next time we have to do 30 box jumps - I'll probably have a change of mind.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Pondering Functional Focus...
Functional focus month.....thinking about it, what does that really mean??
2 days into it, it's definitely slower paced, but more concentrated. One thing that I think I will need to do this month is refocus on diet a bit more - I don't think we'll be doing alot of the hardcore, calorie burning Crossfit stuff. So - this is actually a good thing, since I've pretty much veered away from paying a whole lot of attention to diet - not that I'm porking out daily, but not really putting alot of effort into it either. This month, I think I may need to refocus or pay the price of puffing up like a blowfish.
Worked on one legged squats tonight, and it was quite interesting. This definitely showed me how far I have come in the last year. A year ago, I could barely stand on one foot without losing my balance. Tonight, while not exactly going "uber-low", for the most part I felt pretty well balanced and in control on both exercises.
So, I think this will be an interesting month, finding out exactly what I really can do now, throwing in that extra diet focus, and maybe, just maye by the end of it all, I actually WILL be able to conquer my nemesis and do a silly pull up!!! (bah hahahaha - yeah right!)
Maybe I'll try Zen living...."be the pullup"......
2 days into it, it's definitely slower paced, but more concentrated. One thing that I think I will need to do this month is refocus on diet a bit more - I don't think we'll be doing alot of the hardcore, calorie burning Crossfit stuff. So - this is actually a good thing, since I've pretty much veered away from paying a whole lot of attention to diet - not that I'm porking out daily, but not really putting alot of effort into it either. This month, I think I may need to refocus or pay the price of puffing up like a blowfish.
Worked on one legged squats tonight, and it was quite interesting. This definitely showed me how far I have come in the last year. A year ago, I could barely stand on one foot without losing my balance. Tonight, while not exactly going "uber-low", for the most part I felt pretty well balanced and in control on both exercises.
So, I think this will be an interesting month, finding out exactly what I really can do now, throwing in that extra diet focus, and maybe, just maye by the end of it all, I actually WILL be able to conquer my nemesis and do a silly pull up!!! (bah hahahaha - yeah right!)
Maybe I'll try Zen living...."be the pullup"......
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