Friday, August 28, 2009

Day 707...sOmEtiMeS iT's eNoUgH...

I don't know what it is with people that Crossfit. I wonder if Crossfit makes us the way we are or if we are drawn to Crossfit BECAUSE of the way we are. I love meeting other people that love CrossFit as much as I do and I always notice many similarities. Most Crossfitters are tough and unapologetic and passionate and driven...always pushing for more...faster...not afraid to suffer or puke or gasp for air. We are not afraid of a challenge or a little blood. We wear our bruises and scraped shins and torn up hands with pride...we see them as battle scars..something to be proud of rather than injuries we want to hide or be careful to prevent. It's always full throttle...no halfway or maybe or in between.

Sometimes this gets me in "trouble"...sometimes it makes me understimate a workout or make a stupid decision. Today was one of those days. I wanted a cardio type, metcon workout today...no heavy weight...just my body and lots of heavy breathing. I saw one that a friend had posted on Facebook and decided that I would do it. As I headed to the gym, I made a decision. I decided that while the workout looked good...I could add just a little MORE to it.

So I came in and did a fairly lengthy "dynamic warmup". I wrote the workout plus my addition to it on the whiteboard...and then grabbed a timer and took off on the first of what was supposed to be 4 one mile runs. It was originally 3 one mile runs, but I thought I would add another run and an extra 50 reps of yet another exercise. It was about 10:45 and it was already sticky and hot. I realized on the way back when I was running uphill, that this would not be too easy...and it would not be fun...still I was determined to follow through with my plan. The second run I started to have that feeling...the one where the realization of just how hard it will be to finish kicks in...and the third was just a fight..."a bare knuckles...no rules...do whatever you can to win" fight. It was so muggy and hot and I was starting to feel exhausted. It was then...as I climbed up on the GHD to do my situps and leaned all the way back...that I realized that the prescribed workout...the original creation..was ENOUGH. And it was not because I am weak or afraid of pain...not because I wanted to get out of the gym quickly...I just knew. I know that when I program a workout, I have a reason for what I prescribe and I know that my friend did too. For once I decided to be smart...to stop trying to become everything in ONE DAY and realize that what I had done...was ENOUGH.

DYNAMIC WARMUP
-------------

WORKOUT
--------
RUN 1 MILE
50 PUSHUPS
RUN 1 MILE
50 SQUATS
RUN 1 MILE
50 SITUPS (I made it more difficult by doing them on the GHD)
(36:36...slooooow but steady)




*this WOD (workout of the day) courtesy of CrossFit Scottsdale

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Day 706...i sUcKeD...iN a gOOd wAy...

It's been a long time since I've written. This use to be a huge part of my day...everyday. And one day, I realized that it wasn't "fun" or satisfying anymore. It had become a chore...just as my working out had become. I felt stumped and negative and I felt as though I was maybe bringing myself and my friends and family that read this down...and so I stopped and took a break. I went from feeling an incredible need to write everything I did down...to not caring about it at all.

Last week, I started thinking about writing again. And again, I think that my desire to write has a lot to do with my desire and satisfaction in the gym. For a few months...I was always alone in the gym. I felt separated and lonely...tired of the same routine...stagnant. I was really feeling sorry for myself in a lot of ways and I have continued to workout this whole time...mostly alone. The last couple of weeks, I've decided to make a change. I still workout alone several days a week, but I've been goin up to the gym when I'm not teaching and joining the group sessions (usually at 9AM). It has really made a difference. I feel more motivated...happier...I look forward to working out again. So anyways...I guess I'm back to continue what I started...

Today I went in and did a workout that I did a while back off the Navy SEALS site called "Embrace the Suck". I've wanted to do it again in a group setting so I was excited that J finally agreed to do it. It's a workout that you do as many rounds as possible in 20 minutes...last time I only got 7 rounds. I didn't care what I got today as long as it was 8 or more!

Right before we started, I got that feeling in the pit of my gut. It was the same feeling I got when I went into labor with my 2nd and 3rd children. All the pain and agony that I had "forgotten" suddenly started to reemerge from my memory. It was that "Oh crap! Now I remember what I'm in for!" feeling. Before I could panic, it was time to start. The first few movements are always a shock to my system and today was no different. My body felt like it was resisting but I continued anyway...defying the urge to stop.

I was next to MB. MB is an example of what hard work can do for a person. He was not very strong when he came to the gym...many times he was the slowest. MB is one of the most committed people I have ever met in the gym. He never quits. He even broke his arm on a missed clean and still worked out with one arm while he was healing. Now MB is always right there near or at the top. He keeps me goin too...keeps me pushin! We all worked hard and it was like a stack of dominoes when J called "TIME!" Everyone dropped their barbell and collapsed on the floor in a pool of sweat.

I made my goal...I got 8 rounds plus a few extra movements. MB was lying there motionless...I yelled across the room "M! You alive over there?!?!" He looked over at me and said, "That's one of those workouts that will leave you not feelin right for the rest of the day!". I laughed and agreed.

Today I can honestly say that I SUCKED...but not in a bad way. I buckled down and felt "the suck" of that workout, but I didn't stop or run away...I embraced it as best I could! I felt strong and I know I pushed myself as hard as I could...but the best part was being surrounded by people that I like...people all working and suffering just like me...people that can still smile when its all said and done...people that will come back for more tomorrow.

WARMUP
------------
1000 M ROW
DYNAMIC STRETCHING

WORKOUT
--------------
"EMBRACE THE SUCK"

5 THRUSTERS (95/65)
7 HANG POWER CLEANS (95/65)
10 SUMO DEADLIFT HIGH PULLS (95/65)

AMRAP IN 20 MINUTES (8)