Month: September 2014

No Excuses When Traveling

Slept better last night, finally finding a sweet spot with the temperature in my room. We are staying at the Canyons Resort, which is really nice. I’m in the Grand Summit Hotel and they have a decent fitness center, which I hit up at about 7am. No excuses while traveling; you can get in a workout anywhere. Do something!

7 Sets

  • 10 Incline DB Bench Press (45° incline, 20-25-30-35-40-45-50# DBs)
  • 10 Russian Twists (35#)

5 Rounds NFT

  • 5 Strict Wide Grip Pull-ups
  • 5 Strict Bar Dips

They had one of those dip/pull-up/push-up/ab stands, which wasn’t very stable or very tall, but it got the job done.

5 Rounds

  • 15 Push-ups
  • 20 Lunges
  • 25 Air Squats

My legs were burning something fierce during the air squats after the first round. Brutal combo with the lunges. Never really stopped moving and finished in 9:18.

CrossFit Park City

I’m out in Park City, Utah for the week. It’s our once-a-year Grand Meetup for Automattic. Got up bright and early and headed over to Chris Spealler’s gym with Simon for open gym from 6:30a-7:30. This gym is massive!

crossfit-park-city

Thruster Attack

Every 1:30 for 6 sets

  • 10×135#

Brutal at over 6,000 feet above sea level. I had to split the last set into 6+4 with a very short breather.

Next Simon and I did kind of a relay workout where one person would do GHD Sit-ups while the other would flip a tire once, jump in the middle, jump out, run to the opposite wall, and run back to switch. The tire was mid-size. We flipped it a length of about 36 feet and then back. The sprint distance was about 56 feet and I’m guessing the tire was maybe 150-200 pounds, give or take.

Then we did a little gasser.

  • 10-20-30-40-50-40-30-20-10 DU
  • 1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1 Burpees

Need more oxygen!! I finished in 6:49.

Week 5 of the Attack

Feeling pretty good. In for Super Sunday at noon. Started with Crossover Symmetry Activation and some other stretching.

Bench Press

  • 10×45#
  • 5×95#
  • 5×135#
  • 5×165#
  • 5×180#
  • 5×185#
  • 5×195#
  • 5×205#
  • 5×215#

I was only planning on making 5# jumps in the 5 work sets, but it was feeling really good.

10:00 EMOM

  • 5 Muscle/Power Snatch (75#)
  • 5 C2B Pull-ups

Wow, much harder than I expected. Had to break up the pull-ups a little in the last few sets. Grip was getting fried from the snatches, while I held the hook grip throughout the reps.

3 Rounds

  • 2:00 AMRAP
    • 5 Deadlifts (205#)
    • 5 T2B
  • Rest 2:00

I got 4+5, 4+6, and 4+6. Chalked up after the first AMRAP and it made a huge different on my T2B, where I usually start slipping off the bar. I guess I’ll have to start using chalk!

Thruster Attack (week 5)

3 Rounds

  • 4:00 Tabata
    • 20s Thrusters (45#)
    • 10s Rest
  • 1:30 Rest

Same weight at last week and same amount of work time, but a change from 4×3:00 and 1:30 less of total rest time. I got 8 every round and 10 on the last round.

Did Crossover Symmetry Iron Scap before leaving the gym. Getting on a plane to Park City, Utah tomorrow morning and plan to get to a box there a few times.

Trying Jerk Dips

Feeling pretty great. Mid back is a little sore, but not sure why. In for the 10am at CFi and then some extra lifting after class.

Warm-up

  • Bottom Squat Holds
  • Wrist Stretching
  • Rack Position Stretching

Strength

Front Squats

  • 5×45#
  • 3×135#
  • 3×185#
  • 3×205#
  • 3×225#
  • 3×245#
  • 3×265#
  • 3×275#
  • 3×285#

Felt really good! Would have liked to try another set or two if there had been time.

Conditioning

20:00 AMRAP (Partner)

  • 20 Power Cleans
  • 30 Burpees
  • 40 American KBS

* One person working at a time. Split up reps any way you want.

I paired up with Raymond and we used different equipment. Split up reps for the most part but a few rounds in I started doing more burpees. I used 135# for the cleans and a 53# KB for the swings. We got 4 full rounds plus 20 cleans, 30 burpees, and 6 kettlebell swings. I was sweating more than I can remember in a long time and the weather has shifted to fall, so that was weird.

Midline

4 Rounds

  • 20s Hollow Rocks
  • 10s Rest

Right into…

4 Rounds

  • 20s Plank
  • 10s Rest

I could not keep up with the hollow rocks for all 8 rounds after doing that workout. Fought hard to get through just the 4.

Weightlifting

Jerk Dips & Split Jerks

  • 5×45#
  • 3×95#
  • 3×125#
  • 3×145#
  • 3×1653
  • 3×185#
  • 3×195#
  • 3×205#
  • 3×215#
  • 3×225#

Have seen Catalyst Athletics using the jerk dips with a few of their athletes and figure it would be useful for me to try some in order to reinforce that positioning and body path. I was doing the jerk dip reps and then going right into the first rep of the jerks. They also fatigued my legs a bit, forcing me to think about dropping under the bar, which was much better today.

Felt pretty solid overall and didn’t have any misses. My wrists have built back up too. I didn’t wear wrist wraps at all, but I could start to feel it some in the last few sets. Pretty stoked though. I’ve never hit triples that heavy before.

Hose Off

Originally today was going to be a rest day, but since I didn’t get much done in the gym yesterday I figured I’d play it by how I felt. Was still exhausted last night at the movies from the fire truck pull, but feeling pretty good today. Went to the 5:30 class.

Warm-up

3 Rounds

  • 30s Bottom Squat Hold
  • 20 Jumping Jacks
  • 30s Plank
  • 5 Push-ups

Strength

  • 6×155# Deadlift
  • 6×245# Deadlift
  • 6×315# Deadlift
  • 6 Rounds NFT
    • 6×345# Deadlift
    • 6/6 Side Bends (62# KB)

Keep pushing the weight/reps on the deadlifts. Little by little. 345# is the same weight I recently used for 8×3 and then 7×4. Back has still been feeling good. Chalked up after the first work set and it made a huge difference without the bar starting to slip in my hands.

Conditioning

3 Rounds

  • 10 HR Push-ups
  • 20 Air Squats
  • 30 Russian Twists (35#)
  • 40 Flutter Kicks
  • 50 DU

Too many misses (2 every round I think) on double unders. Haven’t been doing them enough and it showed. Finished in 7:05. Everything else was unbroken.

6 Rounds

  • 1:00 Row
  • 1:30 Rest

The rest time is approximate since Andrew and I were alternating on the rower. I went 310, 309, 309, 308, 310, and 319 meters. I guess I won’t row tomorrow like I was planning. Will be able to work on my jerk instead.

Pulling a Fire Truck

This morning I participated in a fire truck pulling event for the United Way over in Bay City. It was a great event and we took down first place!

Pulling a Fire Truck

Our legs were still on fire a couple of hours later as we waited for all of the teams to go and then the trophy presentation. I ended up taking a nap later in the day before going to the gym because I was so exhausted. The nap didn’t even help though. I can’t believe how much a 40 second workout took out of my body.

I had every intention of making it to the 5:30pm class, but I didn’t wake up until 5:15 and was not feeling it. I definitely wanted to get in and do my thruster work, so I dragged my ass to the gym. Warmed up with 5×45# and 5×95# thrusters.

Thruster Attack

Every 1:45 for 6 sets

  • 10×135# Thrusters

Nasty! Made it through though. Have definitely been learning how to pace and breathe on thrusters with all this work. I think the program is working better than expected.

After catching my breath, I went for a 135# power snatch and started to get tunnel vision! Wow, talk about exhausted. I hit it one more time, before switching to something lighter. Did 6 sets of 3 high hang power snatches with 40kg.

I was planning to rest tomorrow, but without hitting a typical CrossFit metcon today, we’ll see how I feel. I really wanted to do the class workout today too!

Morning Garage

Out in the garage around 8am.

Ski Erg

  • 1000m (4:33.7)
  • Rest 1:00
  • 800m (3:16.4)
  • Rest 3:00
  • 1000m (4:27.4)
  • Rest 1:00
  • 600m (2:25.8)
  • Rest 3:00
  • 1000m (4:27.3)
  • Rest 1:00
  • 400m (1:36.8)
  • Rest 3:00
  • 1000m (4:23.4)
  • Rest 1:00
  • 200m (0:48.2)

* 1,000s at moderate intensity (2,000m PR pace plus 10-15sec/500m)
* 800, 600, 400, 200 at hard intensity (2,000m PR pace plus 0-10sec/500m)

My goal pace for moderate intensity was 2:15 and I went for 2:00-2:05 for hard.

Midline

8 Rounds

  • 15s Hollow Rocks
  • 15s Rest

I got 14 every round. Felt much easier than the previous times I’ve done this.

Got in a little order from Rogue today, in which I picked up a set of the safety straps for my rack.

IMG_4908

Went to the 5:30 class at CFi.

Warm-up

  • 3x10x120# Reverse Hypers
  • Double Squat Jumps
  • Explosive Squat Jumps
  • PVC arm/back stretching behind back

Skill

Single Leg Standing Box Jumps

Had never tried these before. Pretty weird and different feeling. Started at 20″, then 24″, and slowly worked up from there. Hit 31.5″ on both legs and ended there. Will have to come back to these once in a while. Nice change from using both legs.

Conditioning

5 Rounds

  • 5 Hang Power Cleans
  • 5 Front Squats
  • 5 Push Press
  • 5 Back Squats
  • 5 Burpees

I used 115# because I figured I’d be able to hold on to the bar through an entire round. Worked out too. I wouldn’t have made it with 135#. Finished in 6:49.

15:00 Row (easy)

Kept pace between 2:10-2:15. Went 3,383 meters.

Running the Show

I got to CFi a little after 8 to hit some stuff on my own. Kevin has been out-of-town so I ran the 9am class for him. I did Crossover Symmetry Activation and then got after it.

Gymnastics

5:00 AMRAP

  • 3 Strict Pull-ups
  • 3 Strict Ring Dips

Was a fun was to get in some reps without taking all day. I got 10 rounds.

Weightlifting

  • 5×45# Muscle Snatch
  • 3×75# Muscle Snatch
  • 3×95# Muscle Snatch
  • 2×115# Snatch
  • 2×135# Snatch
  • 2×155# Snatch
  • 1×165# Snatch
  • 1×175# Snatch
  • 4x1x185# Snatch

Felt so money today! No misses. It was one of those days where I would have loved to keep going, but class time was starting, so I had to end it.

I didn’t do the warm-up with class (already plenty warm) or really the skill work of double unders either because I was trying to help people out with them. I warmed up a couple of quick shoulder press sets with 6×95# and 6×115#.

Strength

6 Rounds (Every 1:20, alternating)

  • 6 Shoulder Press (130#)
  • 6/6 Kroc Rows (62# KB)

I missed a set of Kroc Rows in the middle when I was screwing with the music.

Conditioning

4:00 AMRAP

  • 15 Wall Balls (20#, 10′)
  • 10 T2B

Rest 2:00 & Repeat

I got 3+15 and 3+12. All wall balls were unbroken sets. I think I did my first set of toes to bar unbroken and then 6-4 for all of the others. Should try to push myself more with those. Grip on the bar felt good with them today.

Super Super Sunday

Up early to start Super Sunday at CFi at 8:30 with Alex and Brent. I did Crossover Symmetry Activation and then some light stretching.

Warm-up

  • 10×45# Back Squat
  • 2×24″ Box jump
  • 5×135# Back Squat
  • 2×30″ Box jump
  • 5×185# Back Squat
  • 1×38″ Box jump
  • 5×215# Back Squat
  • 1×41″ Box jump

XWOD

  • 5-5-5-3-3-1 Back Squat
    • 5×235#
    • 5×255#
    • 5×275#
    • 3×290#
    • 3×300#
    • 1×315#
  • 2-1-2-1-2-1 Box Jump
    • 2s: 43.5″
    • 1s: 47.25″

I wasn’t even thinking, but that’s a standing box jump PR. I’d done 47.5″ seated, but never that high standing. Squats felt good with my back. Slowly building it back up. Haven’t attempted 300+ in weeks.

Weightlifting & Gymnastics

Did 5×45#and 3×95# muscle snatches, then 2×135# power snatches.

10:00 EMOM

  • 2 Power Snatches (155#)
  • 4 C2B Pull-ups

Both movements back to back every minute. Felt solid. Butterfly is getting easier and easier. Figured I’d switch up the chest to bar work today by pairing it up with a lift and kill 2 birds with one stone.

Thruster Attack

4 Rounds

  • 3:00 Tabata
    • 20s Thrusters (45#)
    • 10s Rest
  • 1:30 Rest

I think last week was much worse, so hopefully means this work is paying off. I really enjoy being able to think about improving different parts of the squat and press during all of these reps. Pushing the bar back on the press in having a good carryover to my other overhead lifting movements. I did 8 reps every work period except for the final one when I busted out 10.

Brent talked me into going over to Survival Fitness for the 11am class for a partner workout with him. Sure, why not! It was a big class with 30 people. We formed 2 lines and did a dynamic warm-up of stuff like zombie kicks, lunge & twist, butt kicks, bear crawls, power skips, and I don’t remember what else. Then teams split up into the different areas and we rotated between 3 different 10 minute workouts.

10:00 AMRAP

  • 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 OHS (75#)
  • 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 Ring Rows

* Partner A does a round of 10 and then partner B does a round of 10. Same with 9 and so on. After the round of 1, start again with 10.

We were cruising for the most part with ring rows slowing us down a bit. I started us off, we got through the entire ladder, both did another round of 10, I got through the round of 9, and then Brent got 8 of 9 OHS.

Rest 3:00

10:00 AMRAP

  • 15 cal Air Dyne (AD6)
  • 80′ Burpee Broad Jump

* One partner working at a time. Split up work however you want.

I started off on the AD, Brent came at my from the other side of the building for 40′ of the burpee broad jumps, and then I did the second half. Then he was ready to go on the AD and we kept using that same strategy throughout, which worked really well. We got through 9 rounds of the AD (so I did 5) and then Brent was one burpee broad jump short of getting us 40′.

Rest 3:00

10:00

  • MAX Prowler Push
    • 50′ High Push
    • 50′ Low Push

We got in 2 attempts each. I did 270# on the sled (which weighted another 20# or so) and then 360#. Pretty brutal after all the work I’d done so far for the day.

Off to golf 18 (with card) this afternoon. I should sleep well tonight!