Unnerving

My friend Alexis posted the picture. I responded that I like Mondays (and Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursdays and Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays). I really do love my job!

As usual (at least for the time being), the morning started off slow. Mike attended the 6, no one attended the 7:15, and Deborah attended the 8:30 session (coached by Jannicka). Eleven attended the Boot Camp — 8 of them for the very first time. Yup, I’m really enjoying coaching the Boot Camps and will likely continue to do so.

Jannicka has been exceedingly generous with her time and talents. I let her know that she was welcome to work out at any time. (Not workout at anytime). She said, “I’d like to attempt a one rep max for a dead-lift, but I know I’m not gonna get it. I haven’t had a PR in a very long time.” I determined right then and there that she would indeed get a dead-lift PR. She warmed up and then I said, “Just go into the next room. I’ll put the weight on the bar and let you know when top begin.” Her previous 1RM was 190#. I loaded the bar to 195#. I said, “Chalk your hands, mixed grip, step up to the bar, and lift.” And she did! I didn’t, however, let her know how much weight she had lifted. I said, “That was a very good warmup. Go into the next room again.” I loaded the bar to 205#, her all-time PR. She once again lifted the weight! Congratulations, Jannicka!

Lifting heavy sh!t is as much psychological as it is physical. Get all up out of yo’ head.

“Lynne”
5 rounds not for time
Maximum number of bodyweight bench presses
Maximum number of pull-ups

The last time I completed Lynne was November of last year with a score of 144. My only goal today was to score 145 or higher, as I’m still somewhat (okay more than just somewhat) sore from the Spartan Challenge. Jannicka and I spotted each other.

I bench pressed 145#, a little more than bodyweight. I completed all but 2 pull-ups with overhand grip, using mixed grip for just 2 reps.

Unlike the last time that I completed this WOD, I immediately moved from bench press to pull-ups, i.e., I only rested between sets of bench presses and pull-ups. This made the workout very, very challenging. My forearms felt like they were going to explode.

I completed 10, 8, 8, 7, & 6 bench presses and 25, 22, 20, 20, & 20 pull-ups for a total of 146. That’s just 2 more reps than previous PR — and I’ll take it! I would’ve even been happy with 145 reps.