CrossFit accomplishments

I had a good end-of-the-week with CrossFit.

On Thursday I set a PR on deadlift - 325 lbs. I probably could have done more, but I had taken so many 10 lb. steps to get to 325 that I was fatigued. Regardless, that's more than I've ever pulled before, by quite a bit! The big breakthrough was figuring out my grip such that I could confidently lift that heavy without risk of dropping the bar.

On Friday, I did the "Helen" workout and finished nearly 5 minutes faster than the last time, about 1 month ago. Cool!

Yesterday I got my first muscle-up! Plus 4 more! Woo hoo! I thought it would take me a bit longer to develop this skill. I had Lauren "video" the 2nd one I ever did with her digital camera, but the clip is quite dark. I think the file is also too big to post to Blogger.

So I'm making progress. I have my next nuclear stress test in November - they'll have to turn off the machine before I ask them to let me stop!

BTW, do you know why it is called a "nuclear stress test?" Because if it were called "double radioactive injection into your bloodstream stress test" it would not be as well accepted.

Two words

To revisit a mode of blog post from a few months ago...

Here are two words, the use of which I would like to SEVERELY restrict.

1. "Awesome" - My wife correctly states that only God is awesome. At best, other things are "cool" or "good" - but definitely do not make the cut for what "awesome" should represent.

2. "Like" - Do I have to explain? This word is a HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VIRUS. I hear so many adults misusing this word in EXACTLY the same way a "Valley Girl" did 25 years ago. It is not just kids.

"He was like, being SO lazy. So she was like, 'Get up and HELP ME!' It was like, sooooo uncomfortable."

In the immortal words of Count Rugen, "STOP SAYING THAT!"

Was it LIKE that, or was it THAT? Did he SAY THAT or only something SIMILAR TO THAT? My wife says this is like "ummmm" in that the speaker is having a brain cramp and feels compelled to keep the mouth moving until the brain un-cramps. We actually instituted a "Like Tax" in our house this summer - for every misuse of "like" the offender must pay 10 cents. I should have enough for a nice dinner out for my wife and me, if folks would, like, PAY the tax. (grin)

CrossFit

This has been reflected from other bloggers - I am a CrossFit devotee. While this sounds like it might be a cool camp theme, it is simply the best exercise program I have ever seen or used. Go to CrossFit and check it out. The intensity level at which you are expected to push yourself consistently is something you've probably only done a few times with other workouts. The results are quick to manifest, and continue beyond your expectation. You will STAY humbled by the workouts. They are relentless. You will also feel the best sense of accomplishment when you just complete some of them, or as you decrease your time for a specific workout.

The site works on an "open source" model - it's all free. (There are "CrossFit Affiliate" gyms all over the country, where you can pay for training/guidance.) There are TONS of demonstration videos of the specific exercises (so you can learn techniques), and of the Workouts of the Day (WODs) being performed (usually at a very high level). You can sign up to have the WOD delivered in several formats.

There are calisthenics components, gymnastics components, Olympic lift/weightlifting components, and running/rowing components. (this may not be a comprehensive list) Every exercise modality is stressed beyond your current capability. Some of the moves sound so simple and easy on paper. Uh, nope. If you truly follow the methodology, you will be 'sucking wind' at the end of every workout. Hard. Wondering who took all the oxygen out of the room.

HIGHEST recommendation! At my age (nearing 46) I'm at last getting a two-pack! (grin) Maybe it'll be up to 4 before the holidays...