Seriously?

Walked 18 holes yesterday and it was a quick round since the course wasn’t letting carts out. I was about the only person out there. Was pretty sore in many places, so it was good recovery. Got to the gym early this morning to do a couple more rowing tests. Warmed up with an easy 500m first.

Row

  • 3:00 for distance at <= 24 s/m
  • Rest 10:00
  • 250m for time

I’ve never paid much attention to my stroke rate, so that was an interesting challenge. I was able to keep it pretty steady with only one 30 second section missing. Managed 888 meters with an average of 23s/m and a 1:41.3/500m pace. Compare that to my 1,000m PR of 3:11.2 where I averaged 1:35.6 but at 33s/m. When I went to get up I felt my low back was really tight. The 250 meters was a good push and was just a half second off my PR time, getting 40.9.

IMG_6415

Could really feel my back getting off after the time trial. What the fuck?!?

Strength

Push Press

  • 6×45#
  • 6×95#
  • 6×115#
  • 6×135#
  • 6×155#
  • 6×175#

I put on my belt for 115# and above. Was ok, but not the greatest on the back so didn’t push the weight. Coming in my goal was 195# which I’ve done for a set of 5 before.

Figured I shouldn’t do some of the other stuff programmed for class so I did 3 sets of 10 Reverse Hypers with 210#.

Conditioning

8 Rounds (Tabata)

  • 20s Air Dyne (AD2)
  • 10s Rest

Something I could do that wouldn’t put any stress on my back and still get me sweat on. Racked up 133 calories and 1.17 miles.

1 More Sleep

Stayed up late and up early this morning. Too excited watching the stuff roll in from California on social media. I fly out tomorrow! Out in the garage around noon to do work.

Shoulder Press

  • 10×45#
  • 5×95#
  • 3×115#
  • 2×135#
  • 1×145#

Warmed up.

Pressing Complex

E2M 12:00

  • 1 Shoulder Press (155#)
  • 2 Push Press (155#)
  • 4 Push Jerks (155#)

Was feeling rough in the first round! I wore the belt so I wouldn’t overextend. Really tried to tighten up my lower body before each set. Last couple of singles felt heavy! Here’s my last set…

Death by Clean

* Every 30 seconds instead of every minute!

  • 1st 30 seconds – 1 Power Clean (115#)
  • 2nd 30 seconds – 2 Power Clean (115#)
  • … increase by 1 rep every 30 seconds

Testing this one out before it’s used later this week at CrossFit Intuition. I set the over/under at 9, figuring that it all came down to how long you can go unbroken.

I probably should have done a few warm-ups because the first few rounds felt ugly as hell. Went unbroken through 8+7 and then singles. Barely had any rest before the 10th round started so just kept with the singles. Didn’t make it through. Final score of 9+7. It got nasty real fast. Wore the belt here too just to be safe.

Gymnastics

12:00 EMOM

  • 2 Strict Pull-ups (40# vest)
  • + 2 Strict Ring Dips (40# vest)

Was taking about 15 seconds to get the work in each round.

Conditioning

2 Rounds

  • 75 Air Squats
  • 25 Ball Slams (30#)

My air squats are slow, but I never stopped during either movement. Finished in 7:13.

Took a break from watching the Masters and Teens on the live stream because I had to go pick up a case of Kill Cliff so figured I’d stop at the gym for some more work around 6pm.

I did some bottom squat holds and stretching, then 3 sets of 10 Reverse Hypers (210#).

Out of the blue I went for a big set of muscle-ups even though I’d already done those weighted pull-ups and dips earlier today. Got 9 and dropped without attempting a 10th. Was at that point where you just know it’s not going to be close if you try another. That’s a PR by 1 from a year ago. Curious to see what I can do fresh now.

Was going to do some light and long prowler pushing. But a young kid who was a good football player wanted to join in, so did some sprints instead.

5 Rounds

  • 25m Prowler Sprint (High, 180#)
  • 25m Prowler Sprint (Low, 180#)

They always seem to be worse than you remember.

Better Back

Went out and walked a quick 9 holes late last night in the heat and then got a decent sleep again. Back was stiff and had a few pain shots getting up and just after waking up. Feels pretty good once I get moving though. In for Super Sunday after missing last week.

Accessory

12:00 EMOM (alternating)

  • 8 Step-ups (2×35# KBs, 20″)
  • 10 Reverse Hypers (210#)

Conditioning

  • 50 C&J (135#)
  • * 1:00 work/rest until finished

I did the first 10 touch-n-go and then got 5 more in that first round. Did 5 touch-n-go in the second minute and then 7 more. Dropped all the rest, going 12 and 11 in the last two, to finish at 6:49, including the 3×1:00 rest. I did wear the belt to help with my back and it felt good.

I was trying to think of what would be a good time for this and kept coming back to 5 rounds. I thought the pace would drop off a lot more after the first round, so I was pretty happy to get done in 4 rounds with time to spare.

30-20-10

  • HR Push-ups
  • Goblet Squats (53/35#)

I did sets of 6×5 push-ups, 20-10 squats, 5×4 push-ups, 12-8 squats, 6-4 push-ups, and 10 squats to finish at 5:47.

Midline

10 Rounds

  • 20s L-sit
  • 25s Rest

We did 8 rounds a couple of weeks ago, but it was the first thing of the day. Tough going today. I did the first 5 on rings, then 2 hanging from the bar, and finished with a fight for the last 3 on the rings.

Like Butta

Got up and was laced up by 8. Went 2.01 miles in 19:06. I don’t really enjoy the morning runs like I enjoyed getting up and squatting every morning. I definitely felt like I was still sleeping out there.

Gym at 6 after an appointment at the chiro, which I’m not sure I need anymore. My back has been good to go. Warmed up with 100 walking lunges.

Back Squat

  • 10×45#
  • 8×135#
  • 5×225#
  • 5x5x265#

Tried to focus on driving up with the back again. Didn’t wear a belt for any sets. Now that my squat is back and everything is feeling good, it’s time for some structure. First day of a Rippletoe squat program.

No B.S. Bench Press

  • 10×45#
  • 4×135#
  • 4×185#
  • 4×215#
  • 3x4x235#

That’s a PR for a set of 4 and then 2 more sets of the same. Doubles next week and then max out. Will probably take a little break from bench since I have a couple of weeks of vacation coming up next month.

Snatch

  • 3×45#
  • 3×95#
  • 2×135#
  • 155#
  • 165#
  • 175#
  • 185#
  • 190#
  • 195#
  • 200#
  • 205#

I took 8 minutes to warm up through the 175#, rested 2 minutes, and then did the last 5 lifts going every 2 minutes to simulate what we’ll be doing on Saturday. Didn’t lift with the weightlifting bars or bumpers either. Lifts felt smooth and everything was locked in solid. No misses. Wasn’t afraid of the weight at all like I was last week. Most I’ve put up since the 210# PR in October. Looking forward to seeing what I can do on Saturday with the adrenaline pumping.

Accessory

5 Rounds NFT

  • 10 Reverse Hypers (210#)
  • 10 GHD Sit-ups
  • 5 Strict C2B Pull-ups

Seemed like I hadn’t done a strict pull-up in months since I’m always hitting muscle-ups.

5 Seconds Can Be A Long Time

Surprisingly I didn’t sleep very well last night. I figured being out in the sun would have me so wore out I’d sleep like a baby. I used the A/C in my room for the first time of the year too, so maybe that was it, but otherwise I would have been miserable hot.

Got to the gym a little after 9. Warmed up with 100 walking lunges and some bottom squat hold.

Squat Every Day

Jumping Back Squats

  • 10×45#
  • 5×75#
  • 5×95#
  • 5×115#
  • 5×135#

Pause Back Squats (5s in the hole)

  • 4×185#
  • 4×225#
  • 4×245#
  • 4×265#
  • 2×285#
  • 2×295#

Five seconds is a long time down there. Was starting to round on that final rep so it was a good stopping point. Makes 27 days. I wore the best starting at 245#.

Did an easy 800m run to start 10am class.

Conditioning

Partner Chipper

  • 200 Wall Balls (20#, 10′)
  • 150 American KBS (53#)
  • 100 Power Cleans (95#)
  • 50 Pull-ups

Teamed up with Bryan. We did sets of 20 wall balls, 15 swings, 5 cleans, and 5 pull-ups. The pull-ups sucked with no grip left and so much sweat dripping down on to the hands. Thought I might rip. We finished in 17:54.

Midline

3 Sets

  • 10 GHD MB Pass (14#)

Pretty simple.

Accessory

3 Sets

  • 15 Reverse Hypers (210#)

Lunge Sandwich

Squat day 17. Here we go. Warmed up with 100 walking lunges that took 3:58.

Coffee Squats

Front Squats

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 5×185#
  • 6:00 EMOM
    • 2x5x225#
    • 2x3x255#
    • 2x2x275#

That was a good one. Originally I was going to use 285# for the doubles at the end but the triples were feeling rough with 255 and I wanted to be able to keep good positioning.

Strapped on the 20# weight vest and did 200 more walking lunges at a relaxed pace. Took me 9:14 but still got me sweating.

Wednesday night, so off to CFi in the evening. Warmed up with Crossover Symmetry Activation and then did this little number…

3 Rounds NFT

  • 75 DU
  • 10 Reverse Hypers (260#)
  • 5 Back Extensions (15#, 51X3 tempo)

Did the first two rounds of dubs unbroken and then got 49 in the last round. Those tempo back extensions create such a pump in my low back.

No B.S. Bench Press

Starting a second cycle of the program. Alex and Bryan are joining us this time around.

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 5×185#
  • 5x5x205#
  • AMRAP 205# (12)

Starting up 10# over the base number from the previous cycle. It the AMRAP that’s 2 reps more than I got with the 195# last cycle. Excited to see how the extra accessory work I’m adding on Sundays helps out.

Weightlifting

Snatch Balance

  • 5x20kg
  • 2x3x40kg
  • 2x3x50kg

Bringing the weight back down doesn’t feel very good on my shoulders so probably won’t be doing that for snatch work again anytime soon.

Clean Pull + Clean + Push Jerk + Split Jerk

  • 60kg
  • 70kg
  • 80kg
  • 90kg
  • 3×1 100kg

The push jerk was an interesting twist in this complex and so was bringing it back down to the rack for the split jerk. No misses.

Finished up with Crossover Symmetry Iron Scap.

You Got It, Chief

Still feeling some soreness from the pull-ups, but shoulders seem fine after all that pressing volume last night. Maybe the DOMS hasn’t kicked in yet. I hit the quad with the TENS unit before going to the 9am class. It was a packed house this morning.

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • Bottom Squat Hold
  • Jumping Jacks
  • 10 Air Squats
  • 10 Lunges
  • 10 Air Squats

Strength

Back Squats

  • 10×45#
  • 6×135#
  • 6×165#
  • 6×195#
  • 6×215#
  • 6×235#
  • 6×255#

Got to relax at home this morning since it’s squat day in class. Used a belt for the last set. Felt solid.

Conditioning

“The Chief”
5 Cycles

  • 3:00 AMRAP
    • 3 Power Cleans (135#)
    • 6 Push-ups
    • 9 Air Squats
  • 1:00 Rest

* Restart the AMRAP for each cycle

I did 5+1, 4+16, 4+16, 4+9, and 4+9 (23+15 total). Did the majority of the cleans going straight back to the floor instead of coming back to the thighs. My air squats are soooo slow. Need to bump up the volume on them so I can handle quicker reps and be ready to crush “Murph” this year.

The only other time I’ve done this was in November of 2012 and I’m pretty sure we didn’t restart every cycle. I managed 21+12 total then with 115#.

Midline

4:00 Plank (hands)

Class was doing Tabata, so I went for a hold the entire time. Had big puddles of sweat under my hands when it was over. Didn’t think I’d make it through today, especially at the halfway point.

Accessory

4 Sets

  • 15 Reverse Hyper (210-260-300-320#)
  • 10 Weighted GHD Sit-ups (20-20-25-25#)

Got this done after class and took my time. Did Crossover Symmetry Iron Scap before heading home.

Pork Gainz

Wasn’t feeling as motivated to get out of bed for the squat rack this morning, but I made it. I bet the beers I had last night have something to do with that. 🙂 My legs are still pretty sore from the week. Warmed up with 3:00 Air Dyne (1.4km).

1-1/4 Front Squats

  • 10×45#
  • 3×125#
  • 3×135#
  • 3×145#
  • 3×165#
  • 3×185#
  • 3×205#

Might have felt something in that right quad doing these. Will need to keep an eye on it. That makes 5 days in-a-row at the squat rack. Nothing heavy, but greasing the groove.

Went to the 9am class.

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • Bottom Squat Hold
  • PVC Pass-thrus
  • Air Squats
  • PVC OHS

Weightlifting

Hang Muscle Snatch

  • 5×45#
  • 5×75#
  • 5×95#

Gotta be careful bringing them down. Felt some pinching in my left shoulder if I got sloppy.

Snatch

  • 3×115#
  • 3×135#
  • 2×145#
  • 1×155#
  • 1×165#
  • 1×175#
  • 1×185#

Second rep of 145# and the 185# were power snatches. All the others I rode down. No misses. I haven’t attempted any weight in well over a month. That 185# power snatch was the easiest, by far, that I’ve ever done one.

Accessory

4 Rounds

  • 8/8 Kroc Rows (70#)
  • 5 Weighted Push-ups (sandbag – 40#?)

It’s nice to have my 70# kettlebell at the gym now. I’d never used it once at home so figured I’d get more use out of it at CFi.

Conditioning

4 Rounds

  • 5 Burpees
  • 10 Plate Snatches (55#)
  • 15 Air Squats
  • 200m Run

I tried to keep my pace up on the runs. Finished in 8:54. Walked a 200 after.

Accessory 2

Reverse Hyper

  • 10×210#
  • 10×260#
  • 10×300#
  • 10×320#

Knocked out Crossover Symmetry Iron Scap and then 15 minutes of stretches. Picked up some gainz from the Makin’ Bacon Truck on the way home.

bacon-truck-pig

Coffee and Squats

Legs are still sore as fuck. Won’t stop me from squatting though. So happy to be under a bar again! Quad seems to be fine with it so far. Out in the garage shortly after waking up.

IMG_5815

Jumped on the Air Dyne (AD2) for 5:00 and went 2.25 kilometers.

Back Squats

  • 20×45#
  • 8×135#
  • 8×145#
  • 8×165#
  • 8×185#
  • 8×195#
  • 8×205#

Oh my, those first couple of reps felt terrible with the empty bar. Everything loosened up by the end of the 20 though. Put a focus on driving through with the hips today. I took a 2 minute rest between sets. Did a round of back stretches after finishing up. I’m enjoying these morning squats to get the day going.

Had a chiropractor appointment and then went to the 5:30 class.

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • 3×15 Reverse Hypers (210#)
  • Bottom Squat Holds
  • Jump Rope & DU practice
  • Banded Walks (red band, monster, side shuffle)

A strand of the cable came loose on my RPM rope again. 😦 Guess I’ll have to switch to their coated cables. So I had to use my backup Rx rope.

Conditioning

25-20-15-10-5

  • DU (unbroken)
  • Sit-ups

Holy shit did I screw up a lot. I missed 3 times trying to get the 5! Took me 3:41. Terrible.

15:00 AMRAP
2-4-6-8…

  • Deadlift (75#)
  • OHS (75#)
  • Burpee

Kept it light and just used the one bar. It was enough. Got through the round of 16 plus 18 deadlifts and 11 overhead squats. I broke up the 14 OHS 8-6 and the 16 as 9-7. Everything else unbroken.

No B.S. Bench

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 2×185#
  • 2×205#
  • 2×225#
  • 2×235#
  • 2×240#
  • 2×245# (PR)
  • 2×250# (PR)

Last week before testing a max. With doubles and heavier weight it was perfect to get an idea going into next week. That 250# is my previous max and I didn’t struggle hitting it for a double. BOOM!

Knocked out Crossover Symmetry Iron Scap before heading home and will hit some stretches tonight. I may start doing some other stuff on the days I stretch twice to mix it up.

Legs – Oww

Legs are so sore! Don’t take 2 months off from the squat rack. Went in for the 9am class.

Warm-up

Didn’t really do much. Some bottom squat holds but that’s about it.

Strength

Pause Front Squats (2s in the hole)

  • 10×45#
  • 5×95#
  • 5×125#
  • 5×145#
  • 5×175#
  • 5×195#

Didn’t really feel the soreness once I got moving. Didn’t notice any pain in my quad either, which is the real test. Decided to do pauses since I wasn’t going heavy. Still felt plenty heavy though.

Conditioning

10:00 EMOM

  • 5 Box Jumps (30″)
  • 3 C&J (115#)

Went high on the box since it wasn’t many reps and I was going to go light on the clean and jerks. Didn’t rebound any of the jumps, but cycled pretty fast. Was able to fly through the C&J by bringing straight to the ground. Took about 20 second each round once I got the rhythm of the TnG working. Was good to pick up a bar!

5 Rounds

  • 25m Prowler Sprint – High (90# sled + 90#)
  • 25m Prowler Sprint – Low (90# sled + 90#)

Yuck! Walked 200m after and then did Crossover Symmetry Plyometric.

Accessory

Reverse Hyper

  • 15×210#
  • 15×260#
  • 15×300#

Stuck around and did a round of back/hip stretches too after having done so much leg work.

In the afternoon, I went out to the garage and did 250 walking lunges in 9:20. I did laps around the garage today, which was 16 per lap. I’ll do another round of stretches tonight.