Change is good

The 2012 Crossfit Open is officially done.  My worldwide standing for my age group is 577th place.  I was told by a very good friend to embrace my performance, so I will, perhaps with a henna tattoo.  Until the next Open, I will work on my goats, as they say, pullups being the first to be conquered.

The first Warrior Dash (3 miles of running and obstacles) came into town last week.  At the start of the race, the HAF group decided to do 30, 20, 10 squats at each of the mile markers.  This was a great event to transition from Crossfit Open to marathon training.

Now, I get serious and work on logging regular running miles.  My exercise journal is full of HAF wods, but now I need to transition that into at least 50% wods and 50% running days.  I think I forsee many double workout days as I cannot give up my Crossfit or my HAF family, but it is time to embrace change.  Say goodbye and good riddance to the belly!

I'm so hungry...

It's week three of the Crossfit Open.  I was dreading the very long 18 minute 12.3 wod up to the very moment that I HAD to do it.  Going in I said, I'd be happy with 3 - 5 rounds, but secretly, I thought I could get all 5 rounds.  It wasn't happening.  The fifteen 20" tire jumps, then the twelve 75# overhead presses weren't easy but I was able to crank those out.  My failure was getting my toes to touch the bar!  I wasted so much energy on lost reps.  Well, at least now I know what to work on - core and hip strength!

Lesson(s) learned:  Work on improving pre-event hunger/nutrition.  I lost energy and focus mid-wod because I felt the need to eat something. Everyone else wants to puke and I want to eat?  What's wrong with me?

Downtime is good, it can clear the mind....

For the past few days or so, the weather has been mediocre to downright awful - rainy, full of lightening, and thunderously loud at times.  Even though I have left the house, I often found myself wanting to simply stay in my pjs and stay in bed watching chick flicks.  Happy to say, I didn't give in to my temptation, but I have taken three more 'rest' days then planned.

Today was my first day back in the gym.  Wednesday's are strength day, where we practice our lifts and then do a short 5 - 10 minute metcon wod, so I kinda knew what to expect.  After our Press, Push Press lifts, the wod consisted doing as many reps of the dreaded double-under jump rope movement.  The rope passes under your feet twice for each jump.  (psst, secret, people - I CANNOT do this movement.)  In two years, I have done one double-under successfully and that was during wod 11.1 in last year's Crossfit Open.  And, I haven't done a single one since then either.  "Aiyaiyai", I'm thinking, "but what the heck I'm gonna try anyway".  Low and behold, after a little focus, I actually got TWO double-unders!!!

Right about now, you're thinking, what the heck is she babbling about.  Haha, okay people, let me tell you.  My revelation is that I just need to keep my focus and get in the 'car' (i.e. do lots of solid work), and drive myself down that road to attaining my goal of running a marathon! 

Lesson(s) learned:  A small occasional detour from the training path can be useful.  In this case, my extended down time helped to clear my head of some fears and renewed my optimism that I can complete the Honolulu Marathon in December, I just need to keep my focus on the prize - reaching the finish line.

Just keep moving.....

Last week was the first week of the Crossfit Open.  The workout a mere seven minutes of as many burpees as you can do, but have you ever done a burpee?  If you have, you know it can be a lung burner.  Burpee: from a standing position, get down on the floor (chest touching), then get up, and jump so that both hands touch a point that is six inches higher then your standing reach.  I did the wod once and got a score of 57.  Not the greatest, but I had no desire to repeat my efforts, especially since I did another wod just three hours prior.

This is week two.  The wod is to do as many snatches (barbell ground to overhead in one quick movement) as possible within a ten minute period with the prescribed ladder: 30 reps each in order, 45#, 75#, 100#, then 120#.  As soon as this wod dropped on Tuesday, I was estatic because I know this is something that I can do!  I enjoy barbell work.  My first validation attempt gained me a score of 55.  With several fellow HAF members encouraging me, I did a second attempt today and increased my score by 5 to 60!  I literally moved 3,600 pounds today.

I don't really have a competitive bone in my body, so this whole experience of 'competing' in this Open is really exhilarating for me.  I love all the encouragement and extra coaching from my HAF coaches and members.  Thank you to everyone at HAF for the unconditional support!

Crossfit Open wod 12.2 - Snatches (75# here and almost pau)

Lesson(s) learned:  Keep moving and relax are the key coaching points taken away from today's competition.  Pace is everything.