“Badger” 2013

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.