Today’s was “An Eighties Halloween” at CFS, and what a fun day it was! I had the honor and privilege of partnering with Lauren, aka Lurleen Lumpkin, during the 7:30 am WOD. She’s an exceedingly strong athlete, and for the most part we were evenly matched.

For the most part.

She crushed me on the shoulder to overhead. I kinda crushed her on the run.

In teams of 2 or 3 complete 80 (teams or 2) or 81 (teams of 3) reps of the following:
— Shoulder to overhead (95/63)
— SDHP (95/63)
— Weighted lunges (45/33)
— KB swings (52/35)
— Abmat sit-ups
— Abmat back extensions
— Stiff-legged dead-lifts (95/63)
— 800m plate carry with partner(s) running together (25/15) 

Thus we both completed 40 reps of the activities and ran 800m together.

I said, “Lurleen, after all of the ring dips, skin the cats, and ring pull-ups that I completed yesterday, the shoulder to overhead is going to be tough for me. You have been warned.” Lauren began and completed 10 push jerks and I did the same. She again completed 10 push jerks and I again did the same. She completed 10 push jerks.

And I did not.

I completed 5 or 6 (I can’t recall exactly). In other words, I couldn’t keep up with her. Dammit.

We completed the remainder of the activities in sets of 10 reps, if memory serves me. Our exchanges were quick, i.e., I immediately began when she finished and she immediately began when I finished a round.

Running after completing stiff-legged dead-lifts is never fun. Holding a plate while doing so is even less fun. Running with me had to be miserable. Sorry, Lauren!

As we began the run I said, “You set the pace.” I kind of let her do so for the first 400m, but then kind of pushed her the last 400m. I even encouraged her to draft off of me if for no other reason than to give her my nice ass to look at something else to focus on, namely my shapely ass foot strikes.

We finished in 22:39, the fastest time of the day, yo.

Coach Chris was kind enough to lead the 5:15 session. Thanks, Coach Chris! You guessed it, I completed the workout a second time, partnering with new member Jason. I had no desire to complete as prescribed, so with the exception of KB swings I lifted the same weight as chosen by Jason: 65# for shoulder to overhead and 75# for SDHP and dead-lifts. Jason used a 35# I used a 44# KB.

Everything felt much lighter. Jason had very little time to rest. I did, however, truly let him set the pace for the 800m run. We recorded one of the slowest times of the day, and that’s okay.

I can be a very patient person. When I want to be.

I have been exceedingly busy as of late. I’m anxious to bring on additional staff.

I completed yesterday’s metcon but have not yet attempted 1RM Sumo dead-lift. Perhaps Thursday.

Conditioning
8-min AMRAP
8 front squats @ 55% of 1RM
8 V-ups GHD sit-ups

For an added challenge, I substituted GHD sit-ups for V-ups. And an added challenge it was. Fifty-five percent of my front squat 1RM is 115#, so that’s what I power cleaned and then front squatted. It was long before the weight began to feel muy heavy. I nonetheless completed all rounds unbroken.

Score = 7 rounds + 8 front squats + 4 GHD sit-ups

Today’s programming included ring skill work, which is tiring enough to demonstrate throughout the day let alone do.

Conditioning
Begin each 3-minute round with 400m run and then complete max reps of the following:
— Pull-ups (or ring pull-ups)
— Ring dips (or skin the cats)
— Pushups (or handstand pushups)
— Slam balls (or slam ball burpees)
— GHD sit-ups, muscle ups, or high box jumps

Rest 1 minute between rounds. 

There were but 2 athletes who attended the 11:45 session, SL and K-MO, so I joined them for the metcon. I trust them both, and know that they focus on form above all else.

The biggest challenge was counting reps while also keeping my eyes on the clock.

My goal was to run each 400m faster than the last round. I ran rounds in 1:27, 1:26, 1:25, 1:24, & 1:22. I didn’t go all out, as I wanted to ensure that I could immediately begin completing activities.

Talk about a shoulder-burner. Uhm, you try completing skin the cats and glancing at the wall clock. Let me know how that works out for you.

In order, I completed the following activities and reps:
HSPUs | 17
33″ box jumps | 22
Skin the cats | 18
Ring pull-ups | 21
GHD sit-ups | 27

Yup, I modified the workout slightly, as I didn’t complete slam balls or slam ball burpees. While I had planned on doing so the last round, my shoulders told my brain “no”. It was a resounding and brainfelt (as opposed to heartfelt) command. I obeyed.

Score = 105

 

 

Another great day at CFS! I coached the 9:45 WOD and completed the 11 WOD led by Coach Jeff.

20-min AMRAP
— 24 lateral bar hops
— 2 SOTs presses (45/33)
— 4 barbell jumping air squats 
— 6 burpee pull-ups
— 24 double unders

Rest 3 4 minutes

AFAP 6-minute AMRAP 
101 Tthrusters
Complete 1 wall walk at the top of each minute

It became obvious that more than 3 minutes of rest was needed, and that few if any would be able to complete 101 thrusters. I increased rest time and changed AFAP to AMRAP. I’m just that nice. You’re welcome.

My goal was to complete all rounds of reps unbroken, and if there hadn’t been an equipment malfunction I may have been able to do so.

Okay, lateral bar hops, SOTs presses, jumping air squats, and burpee pull-ups shouldn’t — and didn’t — present any problems. It’s sometime difficult, however, to complete numerous rounds of unbroken double unders.

I worked at a steady pace. During the 4th round of double unders I had completed about 15 reps when the screw holding the handle came loose. I said, “Shit. Jeff, can you fix this?” I then began to run to the other end of the box to retrieve a jump rope but then changed my mind and retrieved one of my many Rx jump ropes.

Nope, couldn’t get a single double under after numerous attempts. The rope was too damn short. I yelled “Shit!” once again and then ran to the other end of the box and retrieved a jump rope with a green handle.

And it worked. I completed the remaining reps unbroken.

I had completed exactly 5 rounds when Jeff yelled, “Ten minutes left. You’re halfway there!” I set my goal to complete another 5 rounds.

Mark was working behind me and with a couple of minutes left on the clock said, “I’m a rep ahead of you.” I thought, “Could that be? Did I lose that much time when I putzed around with the jump rope?” I should’ve know better.

Side note: Please note that correct usage of the words “loose” and “lose”.

As there was a rather large crowd I wasn’t able to use the Speal bar, and instead completed burpee pull-ups using one of the very high inside bars.

This white man can jump.

I’m almost certain that I completed 8 instead of 6 burpee pull-ups on one or more occasions. My bad, yo.

I completed 10 rounds + 24 lateral bar hops + 2 SOTs presses + 4 burpee pull-ups.

That’s 264 lateral bar hops, 22 SOTs press, 44 jumping air squats, 64 burpee pull-ups, and 240 double unders.

We rested 4 minutes.

I love wall crawls. I don’t love thrusters. I completed 15 thrusters the first minute but only managed to complete a total of 55 @ 75#, a little more than 50% of body weight.

I coached the 8:30, 9:45, and Community WODs this morning. I had planned on working out, and Jeff had agreed to coach, but as often happens I began coaching and, well, just couldn’t stop.

Jeff and I attended CFD’s 5th anniversary celebration. Dave is a great friend, and I’m exceedingly proud of him and his accomplishments. I got to spend time with lots of friends, including Rona, Einar, and (wait for it… wait for it… wait for it…) Amy Scott! I rested the back of my head between her breasts. And it was good.

I worked out solo this afternoon, and completed the programmed WOD.

Strength
Overhead Squat
5-4-3-2-1

I completed sets @ 85, 95, 105, 115, & 125#. I focused on guidance provided by GF, and OHS went smoothly.

Conditioning
Part A
400m time trial

I more Inov8s and ran 400m in 71 seconds. That last uphill is not fun. Oh, who am I kidding — any running is fun!

Part B
8-minute Tabata alternating dead-lifts (185/135) and rings pushups

I had completed a similar workout when I visited CF Conshy, although the weight of the dead-lifts was a mere 135#. I had completed 12 dead-lifts and 10 ring pushups a round. I’m stronger now, so I set my goal to complete 10 dead-lifts, as the weight was 50# heavier, and 15 ring pushups per round.

Yup, the score was true Tabata, i.e., lowest number of rep in any round is score.

I forgot to wear change into Chuck Taylor shoes. Dammit.

I completed 10 dead-lifts the first round, but as clock hadn’t beeped I completed 1 more for a total of 11. I thought, “That may have been a waste of energy. Time will tell.” I easily completed 15 ring pushups in about 14 seconds.

I continued to complete 11 unbroken dead-lifts, usually in 17 or 18 seconds. I continued to completed 15 unbroken ring pushups until the 7th round, and had to rest after completing 9. Dammit.

Dead-lift became increasingly more challenging, but I was nonetheless able to complete 11 reps each round, even completing the last round in 17 seconds.

I began to experience arm muscle failure, and completed last round of ring pushups in reps of 6, 5, & 3. I had just begun to lock out my elbows on the 15th rep when the timer beeped.

I don’t cheat. Thus was score was 14 for ring pushups. Dammit.

That’s 88 dead-lifts & 119 ring pushups.

… I can leave all my cares behind.

I enjoyed Wednesday’s WOD, but was nonetheless somewhat sore yesterday. This didn’t prevent me from meeting with GF and working on power cleans and push jerks. As always, I gained much from the experience.

I worked out after coaching the 8:30 session this morning, and for the first time in as long as I can remember I began my workout with skill building. I practiced thrusters, cleans, and push jerks, keeping the weights relatively light and focusing specifically on form. I then completed today’s programmed strength.

Strength
Power clean
5 reps @ 75% of 1RM
5 reps @ 80%
5 reps @ 85%

I completed sets @ 110, 115, & 125#. Never did my feet leave the ground.

I then reviewed butterfly pull-ups, and gave them a try. And succeeded. Once I discovered the sequence and then let it happen it, well, happened. Not that I don’t need to practice and gain muscle memory, however.

Conditioning
10-min AMRAP
30 double unders
10 power snatches, 65#

First, I should’ve gone heavier with power snatches, as with improved form the weight felt too light. I nonetheless completed 1 rep at a time, focusing on form. Yup, I know it’s a metcon and it’s supposed to be completed quickly. Yup, that didn’t stop me from slowing down a bit.

I did complete double unders quickly, and completed 3 of the rounds unbroken. Wow. I didn’t realize how difficult double unders would be doing power snatches. My legs felt like lead. I completed 5 rounds + 21 double unders.

I had a moment of panic this morning, and I’m not quite sure why. I’ve been exceedingly busy, often working (coaching, programming, blogging, updating files, etc.) from 5:30 am to 8 pm, with but a short break to walk Luke and, if possible, grab an afternoon power nap. With the exception of July 4, when I was ill, I haven’t had a day off since our Grand Opening back in April. That’s more than a half a year without a day off and/or away from CFS. It’s not even that I’m complaining so much as stating the obvious: I need a break. It might not be until another half of a year until I get one. And you know what? That’s okay.

Because I absolutely love what I do.

 

I rested yesterday. While not planned, but my mind and body insisted that I do so.

And it was good.

I worked out at 9:45, completing today’s programmed WOD.

And it was tough.

Every other minute for 32 minutes (16 rounds)
4 chest to bar pull-ups
8 ring dips
12 medicine ball cleans (20)
24 double unders

I set up the equipment and then made a numbered list from 1 to 16. My goal was to complete all chest to bar pull-ups and medicine ball cleans unbroken, thinking that I wouldn’t be able to complete ring dips unbroken and knowing that it was highly unlikely that I’d complete 16 rounds of 24 double unders unbroken.

My times fluctuated wildly, as my fastest round (round 7) was 1:11 and my slowest round (round 9) was 1:30.

I completed all rounds of chest to bar pull-ups, ring dips, and medicine ball cleans unbroken, and 4 rounds of double unders unbroken as well.

There were quite a few times when I was convinced that, while I knew I’d be able to complete all rounds within 2 minutes, I would have to take a 2-minute rest. This workout was as much psychological as it was physical.

Of all of the activities, medicine ball cleans were by far the most awful. Completing double unders after so many freaking medicine ball cleans wasn’t much fun either. My slowest rounds, obviously, were those in which I stumbled — literally — with double unders. If I was able to get into a rhythm by the 3rd double under all was good. If I found it difficult to settle into a rhythm, well, things didn’t go so well.

Back to medicine ball cleans. Twelve reps seemed like an ungodly amount. Who programs this shit? During the last rounds I would count up to 6 and then down from 6. I don’t know why. Also during one of the last rounds I thought, “Puppies dogs and unicorns.” I did indeed think of frolicking puppies and that made me smile.

I don’t much care for unicorns.

I completed all 16 rounds with an accumulated time of 21:32.

I wonder what this would be like as a 16-round AFAP?

Oh, and for those of you keeping score at home, that’s 64 chest to bar pull-ups, 128 ring dips (!), 192 (!!) medicine ball cleans, and 384 double unders.

I was going to put 3 exclamation marks after “384”, but it hurt my brain to think of “3” before “double”.

Oh, how I love a clean box.

I coached the 6 & 7:15 WODs and 8:30 Boot Camp. I thoroughly enjoy leading the Boot Campers! T. did request Jeff, though. Hee! He’s a hell of a lot nicer than I am.

Ms. May attended the Boot Camp, resplendent in her rowing jacket. ‘Twas a challenging workout, yo. May stayed after the workout to complete strength — and I gladly joined her!

Strength
Sumo dead-lift
5 reps @ 60, 65, % 70% of 1RM

I completed lifts @ 200, 220, & 235#. Lifts felt solid — and easy.

I worked out once again after coaching the 11:45 session. I began by completing tomorrow’s programmed metcon.

Conditioning
7-min AMRAP
EMOTM
1 press, push press, and push jerk from behind the neck @ 50 to 60% of press 1RM and then complete maximum number of burpees in remaining minute

Score = number of burpees

I mistakenly didn’t record, so I’m glad I keep a running count of reps. While I can’t recall how many burpees I did each round, I know that I did complete 15 the first minute and completed a total of 85. Yup, 85. I was a little sweaty and panty when all was said and done.

I rested a few minutes and then completed the metcon programmed for today.

Conditioning
11 RFT
— Bear crawl from blue wall to grey wall and complete 2/leg (alternating legs) box step-ups holding DBs or KBs (24”/20”; coach determines weight of DBs or KBs)
— Bear crawl from grey wall to blue wall and complete 5 unbroken wall ball shots (20#/14# & 10’/9’)

As I was the coach, I determined my weight. Dammit. I chose 35# dumbbells, nearly half of my body weight. Dammit.

I didn’t look at the clock until I completed the very last wall ball shot. Why not? Because as I didn’t have anyone to race, I didn’t want to race the clock — and risk executing poor form.

This was quite a challenging workout. I kid you naught. (Like how I used “naught” instead of “not”?)

Bear crawls went well, and it took my 10 steps to get from the blue wall to the grey wall and vice versa. I completed all rounds of wall ball shots unbroken, i.e., I began with a squat below parallel and hit the target. I did, however, drop the ball during one of the rounds.

Step-ups were beastly, I tell you. Beastly. Seventy pounds began to feel like 140. I did ensure that I squeezed my ass at the top of each step-up. My ass be squozen. That’s a word.

Time = 10:02

I joined the 9:45 and then coached the 11 athletes. It was a beautiful morning — and perfect running weather.

Izabela attended the 9:45 session and was nipping at my heels the entire workout. I like being chased! It certainly motivated me to work harder and run faster.

AFAP
— Run 200m
— 20 chin-ups (scale up to chest to bar chin-ups)
— Run 400m
— 40 pushups (scale up to HSPUs)
— Run 600M
— 60 toes to bar
— Run 800m
— 80 air squats (scale up to jumping air squats)
— Run 1000m
— 100 double unders
— Run 200m
— 30 burpees (scale up to twisting burpees)

I very much like the new running course. All running was an absolute pleasure this morning, regardless of whether I was running into a headwind or with a tailwind at my back.

I love running. I may not have mentioned this in the past.

I completed 20 unbroken chest to bar chin-ups.

I completed 10 unbroken HSPUs, 10 pushups, 2 more HSPUs, and completed the remaining reps of pushups. I’m much better at pull-ups than I am at pushups. I suppose I may need bigger chesticles.

Toes to bar were the most challenging of all of the activities. No surprise there. I completed the first 30 in sets of 5 unbroken and kipping reps, the next 25 in unbroken but not kipping reps, and the last 5 in sets of 3 and 2. I was so ready to run. I love the Dixie Chicks.

I completed jumping air squats in sets of 10 reps.

While not my cleanest sets of double unders, I did manage to complete them rather quickly.

I had completed 10 twisting burpees when Izabela entered the box. There was no way that I was going to rest! I completed 30 unbroken twisting burpees.

Time = 26:28

Izabela finished less than a minute after. Great job, Izabela! Focus on proper form for burpees, please.

Jeff and I attended Ms. Amy Scott’s birthday party last night. I love Amy Scott. I know it, she knows it, the world knows it. I have spent the last 6 or so months wearing shorts and tee shirts. I wore jeans to the party. I tried on quite a few pair only to discover that my waist size has apparently decreased by an inch or so. I wore the only pair that kinda sorta fit the best.

I don’t wear a belt with jeans. You shouldn’t either. Yes, I’m talking to you.

Looks like I’m going to have to purchase 27×30 jeans, yo. Real world problems, yo.

 

Uhm, yeah, so like no one attended the 8:30am WOD. I knew that the 9:45am WOD was going to be packed. Thanks, Jeff, for helping coach! I’m going to change your title to “Assistant to the Head Coach”. (Anyone get the reference? Anyone?)

As I had planned on working out with the now non-existent 8:30 group, I did just that. Once again, I worked out solo. Sayeth Jeff, “You like working out by yourself.” It’s not that I like working out alone, it’s that I don’t dislike working out alone.

I began with sled pulls.

Time Trial
— 50m sled pull @ 50% of bodyweight

Jeff timed me, and I completed 50m sprint in 14.9 and then 14.8 seconds. I had forgotten just how miserable sled pulls can be.

Conditioning
16:30 AMRAP
— 31 double unders
— 21 KB swings, 52#
— 11 lateral box jumps, 24″
— 1 dead-lift @ 85% of 1RM, 275#

Jeff asked, “How many rounds do you expect to complete?” “I usually only get 5 poker chips and start a new stack as needed,” I replied. “So,” Jeff said, “you really don’t know how many rounds?”

As this was an AFAP and not an AMRAP, I didn’t even consider attempting to play out in my head to determine how many rounds I could expect to complete. What I was certain of, however, was that the lateral box jumps were going to be difficult and that the dead-lifts were going to feel very heavy. I was correct.

Time seemed to come to a crawl as I completed this. I’d occasionally glance at the clock and would often think, “I have that much time left? Shit.” 

I completed all but the first round of double under unbroken. Luke got too close to the rope during the first round. Ouch. I did begin 2 other rounds with a few double unders and a miss, but I’d then start over. ‘Cause that’s what I do, bitches.

Only the first round of KB swings was completed unbroken, and the remaining in sets of 11 & 10 reps. KB swings felt heavy.

I had to re-do one lateral box jump, as I wobbled on the top and then descended. Jumping to the right was much easier than jumping to the left.

All dead-lifts were completed on the first attempt. After each rep I’d say, “That shit felt heavy.” Jeff ignored me.

As I requested that he do. “No cheering, no coaching, please,” I said. “Don’t worry,” he replied, “you’re on your own.”

I completed 6 rounds + 31 unbroken double unders. I had enough time to complete a KB swing or two but instead sat down on the box.

After coaching the 9:45 and Community WODs, I made one last attempt at a 50m sled pull, and Kelly joined me. I shaved a mere second off of my time, finishing in a time 13.6.

I was hungry, but not so hungry that I wasn’t going to complete the other programmed activity.

Time Trial
— 200 Abmat sit-ups

My goal was to complete in unbroken reps, and that’s what I did. I also completed in an even split, ensuring that I was facing the clock so that I could keep track of time. I completed 200 sit-ups in 6:16.

I wore BodyGlide; thus, I experienced no chafing of the buttocks. Rona, can you say the same?

May, in this instance “can” instead of “may”. Okay? Okay.

I worked out after coaching the 8:30 am WOD. Jeff coached the Boot Campers today. Thanks, Jeff!

I’ve previously completed the Hero WOD “Badger” 2012 (29:44) and in 2011 (37:07). I vividly remember both occurrences, and I knew that today was going to be rough.

Hero WODs should be difficult.

My only goal was to establish a new PR. My strategy was to complete rounds of 30 reps of both cleans and pull-ups in 6 sets of 5 reps. For the most part, I did so.

Ninety-five pounds can feel very, very heavy.

I completed 10 unbroken cleans and then reminded myself of my strategy. Five reps at a time.

I finished 30 cleans, 30 pull-ups (in sets of 5) and ran 800m. I glanced at the clock and it read 8:30. “Okay,” I thought, “if I keep up this pace I can accomplish my goal.”

The second round was tough. I stuck to my plan and completed 6 rounds of 5 unbroken cleans. There were quite a few times when I thought I was going to hurl. I thought, “I only feel like I need to hurl when I rest, so don’t rest.” Six rounds of 5 unbroken pull-ups. I could’ve easily done more than 5 reps at a time, but I didn’t. I’m just that smart.

A mere 800m run felt like a mile.

I glanced at the clock. Just under 18 minutes.

I completed 4 rounds of 5 unbroken cleans, but on the 5th round only completed 4 reps. For a brief moment I became very upset with myself. I completed the last 6 reps unbroken, completed 6 rounds of 5 unbroken pull-ups, and began to run. I felt much better, thank you.

Running hurt. No, it wasn’t because I was wearing my Chuck Taylor Converse shoes. It was because of all of those damn squats.

And then this happened…

I thought, “Just walk. You’ll still likely get a PR. Just walk. No, don’t do that. Run at least to the 100m mark.” And I did. “You can see the 200m mark from here. Run to that, and you can maybe walk then.” I ran to the 200m mark. “It’s downhill. Just run downhill and then run to the 300m mark.” I did that. “If you make it to the halfway mark you can stop for a moment and shake out your legs.” I ran to the 400m mark. “Don’t stop, just turn around. Keep running.” And that’s what I did.

I took the last turn and could see the clock. I then realized that if I ran very fast that I could finish in 27 minutes. And that’s what I did.

I’m not good at math and all, but even I know that 27 divided by 3 equals 9. That’s nine minutes a round, and my splits were pretty even, although I did understandably slow down.

Ninety full squat cleans, 90 pull-ups, 1.5 mile run.

That hurt.

Do I lack modesty? Perhaps. I watched many very strong athletes struggle with the WOD today. My biggest strength is not my, well, strength, nor is it my light bodyweight, or even my stunning good looks. My biggest strength is my stamina. I need very little rest during the workout. At no time did I step away from the bar. I ran from activity to activity. I stopped a mere 2 times to take a drink of water. At no time did I think that I couldn’t finish — even if I felt like stopping.

Perhaps I’m immodest. And that’s okay.