Crossfit Day 90

rudie2shoes vs kipping pull-ups (red band)
Winner: kipping pull-ups
(now I need to switch to the purple band so the line on my tummy will be 1/2 the size of the red band) :(

November 30, Wednesday
Workout – I’ve been up reading The Hunger Games, so I haven’t slept as much as I would like. This reading this is not doing me any good, so I’m tired today. I only have myself to blame. Anyway, We’ve done double unders for the past 2 days & we have to do more today. My abs feel a bit sore from Monday’s WOD, but otherwise, I feel pretty good. I feel like the WODs are more challenging now than when I first started CF, so that’s a good thing. I definitely feel stronger.

WOD –”Bradshaw” – 10 Rounds 3 HSPU (modified Box Push Ups), 6 Deadlifts (modified using 88lb KB), 12 Pull-Ups (red), 24 Double Unders for Time. My Results: 29:27 minutes.

I practiced my deadlift & felt something funny going on w/ my left knee/shin area. I asked trainer & he said it’s probably because we have a bursa there & it might be inflamed. So instead of using the bars for deadlifts, I used the 88lb KB to do them, which didn’t cause me any pain. Thank goodness, I really didn’t want to hurt myself any more than I’ve already had. The 1st round is always easy. The box push ups & KB deadlifts went fine. I even did 12 kipping pull ups in a row w/ the red band. My double unders got progressively better as the WOD went along. My pull ups got progressively worse after the 5th round. I started noticing the red rubber band was causing friction against my stomach & it started hurting. Now I have a stomach rash from the pull ups. :-( 10 rounds was a killer though because the WOD seemed to not want to end. By the last double unders, I looked at the clock. It was at 29:12 minutes & I wanted to come in under 30 minutes, so I went at it w/ the double unders. I finished the 24 in 15 seconds w/o missing one! Whoo hoo! I practiced more double unders afterwards, but I was too exhausted by then to keep them going to try to attain my 50 double unders in a row goal.

Crossfit Day 81, Nutrition Challenge Day 32

November 10, Thursday
Workout – I feel much better today. The Tex Mex tacos I’ve made for this week has been delicious. I wish I had more to eat, but I know I can eventually get tired of eating them, so I should lay off after this week & try out something else. I’ve admitted to another cheat on the Nutrition Challenge, again for bologna from last week.

No WOD today. I decided to work on double unders, which wasn’t really going according to plan. I am still trying to figure out how to be more efficient. I get really tired from doing them, so I’ll keep practicing. I ended up doing a whole bunch of exercises. I stopped practicing double unders, so I went to do single jumps. I was able to do 500 single jumps in a row w/o stopping! That was about 5 minutes or so. After 500, I felt I probably could have continued, but decided to stop. I did another 130+ single jumps after & figured that was enough. I practiced kipping w/ the red band. I was able to do 6 in a row, which is 1 more than before. I ended up doing 30 w/ the red band. Then I did 2 unassisted kipping pull ups. Then I did 100 Ab Mat sit-ups. I was there for a good 45 minutes & I was sweaty from doing a little of everything. Little did I know that 2 pretty well known Crossfit trainers (Camille Leblanc-Bazinet & Dave Lipson) were visiting our CF box while I was doing my own thing. Too bad I didn’t get to officially meet them. I looked them up after the fact & realized Camille & Dave are both just amazing athletes.

Crossfit Day 78, Nutrition Challenge Day 29

November 7, Monday
Workout – I’m feeling unmotivated today. I seriously think I’ve been away from CF way too long that I don’t even really care to go back. I think (hope) it’s just mood swings. I’ve been pretty good about cooking over the weekend so I’ll have food for the work week, but again, the weekends are absolute killers for me. I hate sitting there & watching others eat while I munch on nuts or bananas. It’s such torture. I shouldn’t even go w/ them, but sometimes I have no choice. This Nutrition Challenge is driving me bonkers. It’s the 5th week now & I think I’m nearing my breaking point, but I’m trying to keep strong & continue w/o cheating.

WOD – 12 minute AMRAP – 9 Kettlebell Swings (35lb), 12 Hand-Release Push-Ups, 15 Box Jumps (20") for Time. My Results: 6 sets + 9|12|4 box jumps.

Back Squats 5 sets of 3 reps starting at 80% 1RM. I was able to do: 78-93-103-113-123lb today. It was not my best (135lb) but I didn’t feel like I could handle anymore today. The cold weather is making me take forever to warm up so my body is still cold. If it were warmer, I think I would have been able to do 135lb again. I’m still happy w/ my back squats though. My goal for the 12 minute AMRAP was to do at least 6 sets, which I was able to do. The 1st set took me 1:30 minutes, so I estimated my time will only increase as I fatigue, so 6 sets would be a good goal. I wish I could have finished the 7th set, but I got as close as I can. The hand-release push-ups take a lot out of me. The kb swings & box jumps went smoothly. I practice a few kipping pull ups afterwards. I can do 2 in a row, but I’m hoping I can continue to get a few more in a row w/ more practice. I finished w/ 60 GHD Sit-ups.

Crossfit Day 77, Nutrition Challenge Day 25

November 3, Thursday
Workout – I’m sore from yesterday’s running clinic, but that could also be due to not working out for 4 days, which is the longest I’ve been away from CF thus far. Man, I really am addicted to CF. My name is rudie2shoes & I am a Crossfit Junkie.

WOD –None.

I decided not to do a WOD. It’s just one of those days that I don’t feel like doing much. Instead, I worked on my Front Squats. I did 5-5-3-3-1-1 starting at 80% 1RM. My max was 96lb, so I started at 80lb & did 5 reps. I went up to 90lb & was not able to do 5 reps & my wrist was hurting. R told me it’s my flexibility so I should work on stretching my wrist and arm out. I was getting frustrated w/ myself because I didn’t feel like I could even do 90lbs. I think it’s my hormones talking. Anyway, I went up by 5lb instead & was able to do 5 reps at 85lb. Then I stretched in between & did 3 reps at 90lb. And then I did 3 reps at 95lb. I was afraid of going up any higher, but I tried 100lb & I was able to do 1 rep! I was super ecstatic but was even more afraid of trying 105lb. It was just so heavy, but I tried it anyway & I was able to do 1! That is officially my Personal Record thus far. I need more practice so I can meet my 115lb goal before the end of the year. I practiced my double unders, then did some kipping pull ups. I was able to do 2 in a row, which is still difficult for me, but I was able to do it, so I’m super psyched. Next time I might be able to do 3 in a row! Hehee I hope so anyway.

Crossfit Day 72, Nutrition Challenge Day 16

October 25, Tuesday
Workout – I’m looking forward to tonight’s WOD because it looks like it’ll be hard & I feel like I’ve been lazy the past 3 days, so I need to push myself hard. I cooked a lot on Sunday so I’ve been pretty good w/ the Nutrition Challenge & I do not feel like I’m starving. The weekends are still the hardest part because I can’t control what others put in the foods, especially in a restaurant, but I’m trying to pick the best options for me.

WOD – 1200m Run, 120 Double Unders, 900m Run, 90 Air Squats, 600m Run, 60 KB Swings (35lb), 300m Run, 30 Ring Dips (blue) for Time. My Results: 29:40 minutes.

There were a bunch of guys & 4 girls doing this WOD. For the run, I was actually 2nd to last for awhile, but then I ran ahead of Danielle when she got tired & I was getting my rhythm going. I was able to do the double unders fairly quickly, which surprised me. I am definitely getting better at them. 2 of the guys were way ahead of so they started their 600m run when I was going for my 900m run. I was ahead of them & I heard them behind me, but I made sure they never passed me. I kept a really good pace & I was able to finish w/o being completely winded. The air squats were exhausting. I kept going on my toes instead of staying on my heel, but I tried to correct myself. After about 40, they got really difficult. I continued slowly & didn’t stop. Once done, I did the 600m run. My legs were feeling funny after the air squats, but I got my legs back after 100m. The kb swings are always tiring, but I got though them okay. After about 30, I started only doing sets of 3-4. Another run, then it was off to the ring dips. I still use the band to assist me, so they weren’t too bad. I don’t think I’m ready to downgrade the band just yet because the ring dips put a lot of strain on my shoulders that I don’t want. I can’t afford to injure my shoulder any more than it already is. I finished ahead of at least 2 of the guys & all of the girls, so that was pretty satisfying. We had to do 50 Toes to Bars for Time afterwards. I was able to do 10 in 3:30 minutes, which means it would have taken me over 15 min to finish. I didn’t even attempt to finish. I practiced a few kipping pull ups instead. I can still only do one & need to rest, but I’m still happy I’m able to do them.

Crossfit Day 70, Nutrition Challenge Day 11

October 20, Thursday
Workout – I haven’t been going to bed as early as I would like, so I’m not really motivated to go workout. And then, there’s the Nutrition Challenge which is going ok, but I crave so many things, especially chips, noodles & cake/cookies. All the things I’m not allowed to have. I’m not starving myself, I actually feel like I eat more meat than I used to, but I don’t think the foods I’ve been eating has been fulfilling me as much as I’d like. I guess it just takes some getting used to.

WOD – None.

I didn’t do any WODs today. I just wanted to practice my double unders & kipping pull-ups. I wasn’t doing too well w/ the double unders & kept whipping my right arm & the back of my right leg pretty badly. I kept trying & I was finally able to get some consecutive double unders, but it was only 5 or 10. Then I got up to 21. And my best thus far is 31! I need 19 more to make my goal of 50 double unders. I know I’m expending too much energy doing them & I’m doing them too fast, so I’m trying to slow down a little so I don’t waste so much effort doing them. Also, I need to keep my arms closer to my body because Jim R. noticed my arms keep getting further & further in front of me, which makes it easier for me to step on the rope. There are so many things to consider, but I just need to practice more. I also attempted kipping pull-ups again. My arms are super tired from the week’s workouts, but I still managed to get 3 in, although not consecutively. I always rest on the box, & then try again.

Crossfit Day 65, Nutrition Challenge Day 4

October 13, Thursday
Workout – The back of my right shoulder is really sore & the muscle is completely knotted. I think it’s from all the Olympic lifting we’ve been doing. I’ve been trying to massage it on the corner of my cabinet any chance I can get to try to unknot it. Oh I need a massage badly. I’m feeling a bit hungry today but I think it might stem from being bored or when I procrastinate w/ work. I tend to want to eat during those times. I’m trying to refrain from eating during those times, but it’s hard. At least I’m reaching for foods that are good for me instead of unhealthy chips or candies.

WOD –21-18-15-12-9-6-3 Calorie Row, Wall Ball (8lb) for Time. My Results: 18:24 minutes.

T made up the WOD for us, so I did it even though I hate rowing & wall balls. I dread wall balls. I still need to improve on my rowing form. Gawd, it’s so hard for me. I don’t know why!?! Afterwards, we were shown how to do Wall Climbs. You basically lay in front of the wall, push up onto your arms, then start walking backwards up the wall & walk your arms in until your chest touches the wall. It’s a good exercise & it wasn’t too difficult. I practiced more hand stands & I was able to get one really good one. Then, I finally practiced kipping pull-ups w/o a band. I haven’t had a chance to practice in a long time. I tried it & I was able to force myself up!!!! I was able to do it & D was there to see it!!! I was ecstatic. I couldn’t believe it myself. It was so unexpected, but I actually did an unassisted kipping pull-up for the very first time. Ahhh. I thought it was a fluke so I tried again & I got up again! T & others in the gym saw me do it too. It was such a great feeling because I’ve struggled w/ it for 3 months & I’m finally able to do one. Granted I can’t do it continuously. I tried & I was able to do 2 max. I’m not sure if I can do it during a WOD, but I think I’ll eventually try. I left CF feeling absolutely elated!

Crossfit Day 11

July 21, Thursday
Workout – I am so sore today. Everything is sore. Arms, legs, back, abs, everything! I still muster some energy to go to Crossfit. It was our day to work on anything we wanted. I asked the trainer (Pat) to show me how to use the rowing machine properly. He showed me the 3 steps of rowing. 1) Push w/ your legs, 2) Open your hips, 3) Pull w/ your arms & you return in the opposite order (arms, hips, legs). It was different rowing knowing that I’ve been doing it wrong all these years. I did 1000m row warmup (~6 minutes), & then had Pat show me kipping pull-ups. I tried the blue & purple band this time & it seems to work pretty well. I’m still practicing the technique but I think I’ll eventually get it. He also showed me Toe to Bars. He actually had me lay on the floor holding onto a regular bar above my head, & then bringing my toes to the bar. Then he had me activate my arms while doing the same motion & it was much easier to do. I need to remember that when I practice on the real pull-up bar. I also practiced the Overhead Squats. I have trouble keeping the bar overhead. Another girl at the gym, Desiree, helped me out by suggesting taking my shoes off because the air cushion on the back doesn’t help w/ keep my heels on the ground. I tried the 22lb bar & it was a challenge for me. I stayed at the gym for about 2 hours just practicing & trying to get better & stronger. My arms definitely are killing me now & I have one blister in the middle of my right hand. Ouch.