Reflections on 12.1

It's over.  And by over I mean the first of 5 grueling workouts.  In my previous post I mention that I was unsure of whether I was disappointed or not in my performance.  Well...After more thought I decided that I was not happy and I thought I could do better....so I did.

I was visiting friends outside of Boston this weekend and was able to find a box near where I was staying.  Crossfit Florian, whose name is wicked cool.  St. Florian is the patron Saint of firefighters and this box was owned by a few of Boston's bravest.  VERY cool name, also a very cool place.  The coach there who judged me was incredibly helpful in pushing me through the WOD, even though I felt bad about asking to judge me rather than doing the group WOD (Barbara, which by the way was cool to hear in a Boston accent)

I was hungover (6-10 beers the night before).
I was Tired (<4 hours sleep).
I didn't stop.

I improved from 93 to 98 burpees.  Even though I was struggling in the final minute he pushed the shit out of me and I was able to get 18 in the final minute.

I don't know if I have ever hurt from a workout more...Fran might be the only thing close.

I did not reach my original goal, but I can say that when I did the workout, I gave it my all.  Maybe without the hangover I get the triple digits, but I'm at peace with it.

STANDINGS

Ahh...the all important standings.

I finished in 14,658 out of roughly 34,000 people worldwide (beat 57% of male participants)
I finished in 1160 out of 2820 in the region (beat 59% of male participants)

In my box I was 12 out of 17 male participants.

A big shoutout to Mike who finished 3rd in the region and Evan who pumped out 134 in one try.  Our best female was Molly with 121 .

Crossfit 610 is currently 7th in the region, great job team!

Next up...workout 12.2.  What kind of surprises do you expect?  And did anyone see the guy do 161..holy shit that was crazy...actually I'm finding it and posting it below.  Drago has nothing on this guy.

Disappointment or happiness?

I completed the first workout of the Crossfit open.  I finished it but I can't say I killed it.  I went in with a goal of 100.  I actually only got 93.

How do I take this?  Did I fail? At first I felt a little okay with it since I know I did the best I could...but there is still this nagging "I could have done better" feeling in my gut.

1 extra burpee per minute and I'm at 100.  Just 1 measly burpee.

one of these a minute...that's it.

So..do I do it again?

I'm going to Boston this weekend and going out on Friday night leaving only Saturday to try it.  And it's so cardio intensive that a night out would likely ruin the chances of triple digits.  Not that I'm gonna get drunk, but even a few drinks could derail the chances.    

I think I may.  Even if I don't beat it, then I'll know I pushed myself.

I do want to say though, that watching the other people from 610 and feeling the enrgy in the room was A-MAZ-ING.  Having Linds screaming at me prolly added 5 reps to my score to I'm really appreciative of having those people around.

WOD

max reaching burpees (6 inches) in 7 minutes

Score: 93

First WOD of the 2012 Crossfit Open aka 12.1

It is upon us.  The start of the 2012 Crossfit open.  Myself and more than 50,000 other people eagerly waited for the announcement about the first workout at 8p.m. last night.  Then it came....

7 min amrap (as many reps as possible) of Burpees.  

I knew it was going to be something simple, that even people who just started crossfit could do, but I did not think it would be THIS simple.

My thoughts immediately went into goal setting.  

What should my goal be?  I knew what it was almost immediately...100.  I want triple digits.

Then I watched the video on standards....a 6 inch target must be touched on each rep....

Uhh ohhh...this might be harder than I thought.  

The reaction on the social media outlets was not exactly mixed...in fact I think I read exactly one person excited for this workout.  And that is cause he destroys speed/body weight movements.  

Oh well.  It's time to go out and get at it.  Tonight I'll be doing my best to reach the century mark.  

Here is my strategy

1. Pace.  Not too slow but also don't blow it out in the first minute.

2.  Do.  Not.  Stop.   Keep moving no matter how tired I am. 

3.  Blow it out in the final minute.  This is much much easier said than done.

Simple.  Straight Forward.  

Here is my Athlete Page if you want to track my progress:  http://games.crossfit.com/athlete/5422

Other notes:  I can't wait to see the number Mike Abgarian puts up.  Also Chris Spealler will destroy this (I think)

Update:  Mike put up a 135 on his try today.  Awesome Job!  

WED WOD

1 mile timed run:  7:40  (after checking on google maps, it's actually 1.1 mile)

5 min amrap burpee pull-ups (figures)

3 min amrap ring dips

1 min amrap air squats

Total: 124

*UPDATE*  My wife (digital mustard) banged out 80 this morning!  I'm so incredibly proud of her.  She continues to surprise me in new ways every day.  I knew she had it in her to keep moving.  She has firebreather in her...just gotta find it and let it out!  Great Job Karen!

Why arn't you doing the open?  (Image stolen from: Here)

ROM and a PERFECT Crossfit Video

ROM

I used to associate this with computers (CD-ROM).  Now it means range of motion.  It is important in many crossfit movements, especially anything that is squat based.  To be counted as a rep, the squat must go below parallel.  So your butt must go below your knee. See image below.

 This is a constant struggle for me.  As I've stated in prior posts, I have no flexibility.  But recently I've been a bit more pro-active about increasing my ROM, through stretches gathered from the mobility WOD blog and asking some other members for help.  One thing I'm noticing is that I need to spread my knees.  Whenever I remember it it helps me a lot, but I need to get more in the habit of doing it.

Gotta keep WORKING.

BEST CROSSFIT VIDEO

My favorite quote:
"We will take something that is inherently challenging and make it a game"




WODS

Friday
"Karen"
Ughhhhhhhh

150 - 20lb wall balls for time
10:05

This workout OWNS me

Saturday

as a team of 4:
10k row
10k lbs dead lift
200 ring push-ups

Time: 22: something
I did 2,500m row and 12- 225  lb deadlifts and 50 ring push-ups.

Monday

Got to gym early so did a double WOD

wod 1: (made up by yours truly)
3 rounds
5 ring dips
10 ring push-ups
15 toes through rings

time: 6:40

wod 2:
10 min amrap
5 wall climbs
10 box jumps
5 pull-ups

6+2

Cash out: 5 min row total calories : 94

#BEATBOB

In a little less than one week the first workout of the 2012 Crossfit Games Open will be released.  I have no illusions of grandeur. I'm not making it to the regionals, but I do need a goal.  After thinking about it, and doing a little research into his current abilities, I think my goal will be to be Bob Harper of the Biggest Loser.

Abs are for show.  Put them away.

Why choose Bob?  Well, although he's in incredible shape and is a world renowned trainer he is also fairly new to crossfit.  He states constantly that he loves crossfit and that he is going to compete in the opens so his scores will be public. Another big reason is cause he is better than me at Fran, but only by about 30 seconds and some of his lifts are on the same level as me.  I think if I really push myself I can compete with and possibly even beat Bob!

Another reason is so I can tell family members who don't understand crossfit or what I get out of it, that I have beaten the celebrity Bob Harper.  I might even garner a little bit of respect from them rather than a cynical look.

So Bob...whether you know it or not...I'm gunning for you.  I WILL push myself each week to beat you.  A reformed fatter WILL beat the master trainer.  For every other beginning crossfitter I encourage you to gun for Bob.  If you're in use the #BEATBOB hashtag!  

Yeah, that is the look you'll have when I beat you.

Are you game?


WOD's

Monday

5 rounds w 20 min time cap
20 - 95lb push press
20 - 25lb half moons
20 - burpees

4+28 (just missed finishing)


Tuesday

"baby king kong"
1 - 300lb DL
2 - Musleups (or 4 get out of pools)  * I DID 1 MUSCLE UP in the WOD*
3 - 125lb squat cleans
4 -. HSPU 1 abmat

Cash-out: 500m row for time  1:35.7 *NEW PR*

Wednesday

7 rounds
7 2 pd KB swings
7 air squats
7 T2B

8:26