Sunday Partners

Went in for the 11am this morning. What a beautiful day!

Warm-up

5 rounds

  • 1m Bottom Squat Hold
  • 1m Plank

WOD

I was teamed up with Brett and we destroyed (I think) this WOD.

  • 100 Burpees
  • 100mm Prowler (50m high and 50m low)
  • 100 Air Squats
  • 400m Sand Bag Run (40#)
  • 100 HR Push-ups
  • 5 minutes of Plank
  • 100 Wall Ball Passes
  • 150m Farmer’s Carry (45# DBs)
  • 100 Pull-ups
  • 100mm Prowler (50m high and 50m low)

Both partner could be working on rep counts at the same time, so that’s burpees, air squats, push-ups, and pull-ups. We split the prowler pushes in half so we each had equal time at the high and low pushes. The sand bag run and farmer carry were done together. For the planks we each did a minute twice and then each did 30 seconds. Our total time was 27:56. My time for the 50 burpees at the beginning was 2:33, a new low.

Finisher

I had no idea what weights to grab for the farmer’s carry but found out the girls had more than me when I got out there. So after a couple of minutes off I picked up the 60# DBs and did a 130m walk with them, which was a struggle. Next time I have to do a farmer’s carry I’ll know.

Kettlebells and Prowlers

Still a bit sore in my legs from death by wall balls, but I think working out yesterday really helped to speed up the recovery process. I got up and went in for the 9am class today since I have an adjustment and massage at the chiropractor later today.

Warm-up

We partnered up and switch back and forth between some KB work and ab stuff.

When doing ab work we rotated between the following movements and kept going until our partner was finished with their KB reps.

  • AbMat Sit-ups
  • Mountain Climbers
  • Plank

While working with the KB, we did 20 reps of a movement before switching with our partner.

  • Russian KBS
  • Power KBS
  • KBS
  • Right arm Russian KBS
  • Left arm Russian KBS
  • Right arm KB Snatch
  • Left arm KB Snatch

Then on our own we did 10 Quarter Get-ups on each side and a couple of Turkish Get-ups an each side to warm-up. I used a 35# KB for all of this.

WOD

50 Turkish Get-ups (30# KB)

The Rx for men was 35# and Matt made it sound pretty tough, so I went down to the 30#. Doing 5 per side at a time I was able to keep a good flow and knock out the WOD in 8:22. I should have went with a 33# or 35# KB.

Finisher

We formed two lines and started doing prowler work, going from line to the other. Each prowler was loaded with a couple of 45# plates, but since I was the only guy in class today, I got to load on extra. I’m not sure how many rounds I got it, but it was probably 5 or more.

  • Prowler Suicide (140# load) – 10 yard high push and low push back, 20 yard high push and low push back
  • Prowler Walk and Sprint (135# load) – Walk with high hand position for 25 yards, low position sprint back

I don’t know why, bit I like the prowler work. A lot of people get physically sick (or close to it) from the prowler. Really good work for the legs.

Scaled “Garrett”

I went back to the chiropractor today and he showed me the x-rays. I have some weird curves going on in my spine due to sitting all day for work. Might be time to look at setting up a standing desk. Sore in my calves today, probably from all of the push presses last night. Shoulder soreness is definitely from push presses and I bet they’ll be even more sore tomorrow after today’s WOD.

Warm-up

  • 10 Russian KBS (53# KB) each round before the Wall Ball set
  • 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 Wall Balls (20# MB, 10′ target)

I started out slow and steady, which quickly put me behind a lot of people. But I never rested and ended up finishing first in the class with a time of 6:15.

WOD

“Garrett”
Three rounds

  • 75 Air Squats
  • 25 Ring HSPU
  • 25 L-Pull-ups

Anyone that can do this WOD as prescribed is a fucking beast.

I’ve never attempted a ring HSPU and don’t have plans to try one. I started off doing HSPU with no assistance and got about 10 in each round before adding an AbMat under my head. I did mostly kipping HSPU, except for 4 or 5 strict ones at the beginning of each round. I did a few L-Pull-ups in the first two rounds, but quickly resorted to strict dead-hangs. After about 10 or 12 of those per round I added a purple band to finish out the 25. My total time was 32:44.

Finisher

  • 1m Side Plank (L)
  • 1m Side Plank (R)
  • 1m Plank

This was supposed to be 3 rounds, but there wasn’t enough time so I only got in the one.

After a Couple Days on the Golf Course

My cousin Matt and I, all muddied up

On Saturday night I did the Warrior Dash for the first time. It was a lot of fun doing the obstacles. As I had expected, the run wasn’t bad at all. Now I need to step it up and try a Tough Mudder. Then on Sunday and Monday I went on a little golfing trip up to northern Michigan. It was nice to have a couple of rest days away from the WODs.

Warm-up

5 rounds

  • 1m AbMat Sit-ups
  • 1m Russian Twists (30# KB)
  • 1m Plank
  • 1m V-ups
  • 1m Table Top (30s each side)
  • 1m Rest

I could still feel the GHD work that I did on Friday night. This was the first time doing table tops and wow are they tough.

WOD

  • 1m Wall Balls
  • 3 rounds
    • 100m Run
    • 5 KB Snatches (L)
    • 5 OH KB Lunges (L)
    • 5 KB Snatches (R)
    • 5 OH KB Lunges (R)
    • 100m Run
  • 1m Wall Balls

Kind of a weird WOD with the minute of wall balls at the beginning and at the end of the WOD, especially when everyone had to keep track of their own minute at the end. I got 29 wall balls that first minute and 25 at the end in the last minute. Total time for the WOD was 8:40, using a 53# KB for all of the snatches and lunges.

Finisher

  • 100 HR Push-ups

My push-up endurance sucks. I think I started off with a set of 15 and then a set of 10, but after that it was 5s for a while and then whatever I could do. It took me 7:48 to finish off the 100.

Be a Warrior

Got to sleep late last night, but feeling pretty good today, other than my lower back of course.

Warm-up

  • 400m Run
  • 30 Air Squats
  • 20 PVC Pass-thrus
  • 30 PVC OHS
  • 4 rounds
    • 15s Jumping Jacks
    • 15s Air Squats
    • 15s Mountain Climbers
    • 15s Jump Squats
  • 4 rounds
    • 15s Plank
    • 15s Supermans
    • 15s Side Plank L
    • 15s Side Plank R

Long warm-up, but just what my body needed.

WOD

Cool partner WODs today. I was paired up with Laura. You keep alternating each part of the workout, so while one person is running, the other is doing the movement for reps inside.

10:00 AMRAP

  • 150m Run
  • Over the Box Jumps (24″)

We got 198 reps total. Great WOD that keeps up the intensity the entire 10 minutes. There is no place to rest here until you’re done.

We rested for 5 minutes before moving on to the second part.

10:00 AMRAP

  • 150m MB Run
  • Alternating one-arm DB Snatches (40#)

We got 175 reps in this one. MB runs are never easy. Another 10 minutes where there is no place to rest because snatches are such a full body move.

Now I’m off to run the Warrior Dash at 4:30 this afternoon. It’s only 3.25 miles and from what I’ve heard there is a lot of waiting at the obstacles, so I don’t expect it to be too hard on the body. I’ll use it as a recovery from this morning’s WOD. Then tomorrow I’m heading out-of-town for the weekend to golf with my Dad and a couple of buddies. Looking forward to the rest days.

Hold that Finish

Other than my lower back I’m feeling good. Went to the 5:30pm class today and with all the rain we got last night it was really humid out.

Warm-up

5 rounds

  • 15s Jumping Jacks
  • 15s Air Squats
  • 15s Mountain Climbers
  • 15s Jump Squats

WOD

20-19-18…3-2-1

  • Burpees
  • Russian KBS (53#)

Wow, this one will kill you. I did all of my reps unbroken for both movements and only rested during transitions. I think we had 16 people in class so it was a scramble for KBs. I ended up with a 53#, which was just fine by me. It allowed me to keep a high intensity and maximize my power output. I finished in 25:51 with an ocean of sweat under me.

Finisher

5 rounds

  • 30s Bottom Squat Hold
  • 30s Handstand
  • 30s Plank

This looks rather easy, but it definitely was not, especially being so sweaty. When I went up for my 3rd handstand, the mat started to go flying and I nearly ended up on my head. My arms were even shaving in the 3rd round of plank. Great way to finish of the workout.

First Grace

Saturday night we had a great time at the 2nd annual Survival Fitness Picnic. I didn’t get home until 2am and slept in until 9:30. I spent the entire day watching the finals of the CrossFit Games. Amazing and inspiring! One of my favorite parts is seeing elite athletes cheer each other on, which never happens in any other sport.

After the Games ended, I decided to take a shot at rigging up my gymnastic rings in the garage. I made a quick trip to Home Depot for supplies and started working around 8pm. I quickly found out that both of the batteries for my drill were dead, which made things a lot harder because I had to keep switching batteries on the charger. I also had to make a run to buy some nutdriver attachments for the drill. A little before midnight, I finally had everything up. The project turned out to be much tougher than I expected, especially for one set of hands. I wish I had a taller ceiling in the garage, but these will be just fine for the limited use I’ll give them.

Yesterday was my second rest day in a row and a much-needed one. I did get an hour-long deep tissue massage, which really helped loosen up my back. I’m going to have to get massages more often. It’s supposed to hit 100 degrees today so I went in to the 9am class, which was already in the mid 80s. I was the only guy in a class of 9, which was kind of odd.

Warm-up

4 rounds

  • 15s Jumping Jacks
  • 15s Air Squats
  • 15s Mountain Climbers
  • 15s Jump Squats

Immediately followed by:

4 rounds

  • 15s Plank
  • 15s Superman
  • 15s L Side Plank
  • 15s R Side Plank

I was already sweating bullets at this point it’s so hot and humid.

WOD

“Grace”

  • 30 Clean and Jerks (125#)

This was my first time doing “Grace” and I’m pleased with the results. We had a 6 minute time cap so I was deciding between 115# and 125#, but glad I went heavier. My time was 5:10.

Finisher

10 Prowler Sprints (5 high, 5 low, loaded with 135#)

I’ve done these heavier, so this wasn’t too bad. Being able to go faster does some different work.

Small WODs Add Up to a Big WOD

Yesterday I got out for a 2 mile trip on the kayak and then walked 9 holes of golf with Dad. I’m sore, but not feeling fatigued.

Warm-up

  • 10 Turkish Get-ups (45# DB)
  • 3 rounds
    • 1m Plank
    • 1m DUs
    • 1m Side Planks (30s each side)
    • 1m Rest

The 45# seems to be about my limit for Turkish Get-ups. I can get through them, but it takes every bit of concentration to keep the weight steady over me. My DUs sucked again today.

WOD

7:00 AMRAP

  • Man Makers (45# DBs)

Rest for 2 minutes.

5:00 AMRAP

  • 10 Pistols
  • 10 Chair Dips

Rest for 2 minutes.

5:00 AMRAP

  • 5 Floor Wipers (45# DBs)
  • 5 Burpees

I was able to do 19 man makers, 4 rounds plus 10 pistols and 8 chair dips, and 4 rounds plus 5 floor wipers and 2 burpees in the AMRAPs. Before starting I figured 25 make makers and 5 rounds in each of the 5 minute AMRAPs would be good numbers to shoot for. Great work on a lot of areas.

Finisher

Every other minute for 10 minutes

  • 4 HSPUs

I did these all strict without any additional head support (usually AbMats if needed). Doing 5 reps would have been a challenge, so I’ll have to give that a try if I ever do this again.

Sunday is Not a Day of Rest

I went to bed later than normal, so didn’t wake up quite as early as I have been. Still had time to get in my first WOD of the day before my brother and Mom woke up though. I can feel the effects of the weighted step-ups from last night already, so as the day goes on and in to tomorrow it should be interesting.

Warm-up

5 rounds

  • 1m Plank
  • 1m Bottom Squat Hold

WOD

50 reps of each

  • DUs
  • Plank Push-ups
  • Star Jumps
  • T2B (on rings)
  • SDLHP (50# KB)
  • Walking Lunges
  • V-ups
  • Push Presses (35# DBs)
  • KBS (50# KB)
  • HR Push-ups
  • DUs

I set a new PR by doing the first 15 T2B unbroken with kipping. The rings on the tree worked out really well. After the first 15 I did them 5 at a time. Push Presses were done in 5 sets of 10, KBS in sets of 20, 15, and 15, and I tried to stick to sets of 10 for the HR Push-ups, but that broke down a bit after 30 reps. My total time was 30:31, but it would have been under 30 had I not turned a single knot into a double when I picked up the rope and tried to fix it. I wasted over 30 seconds getting those out. Ugh!

I’ve been doing a lot of WODs in the 10 minute range, so it was good to get in a long chipper like this. After I get a late breakfast I’ll probably head out for a trip on the kayak and then I plan to do the Hero WOD “Brenton” later today.

Fat Bars on the Playground

Today is another hot one, so I got up early and took a drive down the road to a local school. They have all kinds of monkey bars, dip bars, and playground rigs to make WODs out of.

Warm-up

  • 400m Run
  • 2 rounds
    • 10 PVC Pass-thrus
    • 10 PVC OHS
    • 10 PVC Around the World’s (5 each way)

WOD

Fat bar DB “Fran”
21-15-9

  • Pull-ups
  • Thrusters (45# DBs)

There weren’t any great bars at a height high enough for me, so I went with the best thing I could find (pictured above). The bars were probably twice the diameter of a normal pull-up bar and I really had to bend my knees in order to get a kip going because I could easily touch the ground. Variety is good though right? My time was 9:32, which is worse than the 9:05 I did at Survival Fitness a couple of weeks ago. I’ll take it though since my intensity probably wasn’t as high as it would be doing the WOD next to other people and the fat bar makes this a lot tougher.

Finisher

Tabata Mash-up

  • Hanging Leg Raises (strict)
  • L-sit

I used the same fat bar for the hanging leg raises. For the L-sits there were some perfect dip type bars about 1.5-2 feet off the ground.

Kayaking

Went out for a 2 mile trip in the kayak again and it was easier than the first day. I had to keep switching up my grip on the paddle though because I started to get blisters on my thumbs the other day. I’ve really been feeling the kayaking in my abs over the last day or so as well. It really is a great workout. Not too long after, I went out and walked 9 holes of golf with by brother.

About 12 hours after the morning workout I did another one with Dad.

Warm-up #2

3 rounds

  • 1m Plank
  • 1m Lateral Hops (30s each leg)
  • 1m Side Plank (30s each side)
  • 1m Rest

I knew Dad could use the core work so I threw in the planks. Lateral hops were just something to get the blood flowing.

WOD #2

4 rounds

  • 5 HSPU
  • 25 Air Squats
  • 40 Tuck Jumps

The plan was to do 10 HSPUs, but I quickly realized that wasn’t going to be possible. My shoulders were pretty fatigued from pull-ups, thrusters, and kayaking. I had to scale back to 5 reps each round. For the first two rounds I did strict and kipping, then in the last two rounds I added one AbMat. Dad did piked push-ups and did 10 reps. He also scaled back to 3 rounds instead of 4. I finished in 9:57 and he wasn’t too far behind me for his 3 rounds.

Finisher #2

Death by Burpees

I made it through the round of 15 with less than 5 seconds left in the minute, so I shut it down there. That’s enough for one day. I walked a mile to cool-down.