Sunday, May 31, 2009
Missed Opportunity
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Get Back At It
It feels so good to strap those shoes back on and tear that weight off the floor again. Those two weeks of training for the CFNEQ’s really took me out of my rhythm. The afterward soreness of the “unfamiliar” movements done at high intensity really put me in my place, literally, but getting under the bar on Tuesday, with sore, tired legs put me back in the zone. The two weeks I “took off” from Mike Burgener’s programming was almost like a training vacation. That type of training is a nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there. I think though that my “vacation” helped me refocus. Granted, it’s only been a couple of days, but I have been hitting the WOD’s hard and not half-assing them. I’ve made a pact with myself to not underachieve from this point going forward and to take this Oly-lifting ride as far as it can take me. I’m not sure how strong I can get, I’m sure I won’t ever be an Olympian or National level athlete but I can keep progressing. That visit to Crossfit Land helped me get back to why I decided to put my efforts into strength. It’s something that I enjoy. Tossing heavy shit in the air and dropping my ass underneath is a thrill and I get to do it everyday. I enjoyed my Crossfit vacation but I’m back home in the land of wooden heeled shoes, ATA squats and shoulder girdle flexibility and it’s nice to be back. Home Sweet Home.
In other news; my buddy has started a business venture. His goal is to team up trainers and people who want to get in shape, whether it is the previously sedentary or those looking to get ready for training camp. If you are a trainer looking for clients or are looking for a trainer yourself please visit his website. This could be a great opportunity to create clientele revenue in your gyms. All details are available on his website.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Got Regrets?
This weekend was a blast. All of it; the competing, the soreness, even the standing in the rain. I got to meet some great people who absolutely killed themselves for those five spots. Many of the best shows, however, were people who had no chance of qualifying but were there for fun and to prove to themselves that they belonged. I, absolutely, became one of the latter. It became apparent one minute into my first workout that maybe I should have done at least a little bit more metabolic conditioning. The thrusters went up with ease (I use that word loosely) but the burpees crushed me. I haven’t been that close to Pukie in a long time.
With tender legs, I went into the 2k Row thinking that I had a shot. And I think I held my own, for at least the first thousand meters. I died, almost literally. It took me five minutes and the help of Charmel from CFSBK to get back up again. I would have loved to have competed on Sunday, but being mathematically eliminated made my decision to watch Carlee kick some serious ass in her marathon ridiculously easy.
As I drove off into the sunset with my two Double Quarter Pounders with Cheese, large chocolate milkshake and diet coke (I hope I’m not the only person to see the irony) I came to realize that maybe my training didn’t prepare me completely for the Crossfit Games Qualifier. My focus on strength, specifically Olympic lifting, made me susceptible to burpees and other bodyweight exercises. But I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Over the course of a year, I have added over 100 pounds to my snatch and about 70 to my clean and jerk. I’ve put about 10-15 pounds of muscle onto my frame and went from looking like an anorexic swimmer to a lumberjack (albeit the palest lumberjack on the planet).
I had a great time in Albany. I made some friends, worked out hard and survived my sketchy hotel. I’m excited for next year, I just hope that one of the WOD’s is Snatch 1RM.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Big Weekend
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The WOD's
Saturday, May 16, 2009
High and Tight
Friday, May 15, 2009
Suck Me Sideways
- This seriously hampers any quality training that I could have gotten over the course of next week
- I can't go full bore on the announced WOD's so that I have an idea of what to expect on Saturday
- My hand just barely heals in time for May 23
- During the 1st workout with pullups it rips because it's not calloused enough and I get completely screwed and have no chance of winning.