Some Squatting

Feeling fine after yesterday, other than the lingering issues I have. This stupid shoulder has been acting up for a few weeks, but luckily hasn’t been an issue for any movements.

Warm-up

  • Bottom Squat Hold
  • Dead Hangs (4-5x of about 20-30s)

Conditioning

Partner Workout

  • Pacer: 500m Row (4x each)
  • AMRAP:
    • 5 Push-ups
    • 10 American KBS (53#)
    • 15 Air Squats

I was trying to keep my pace around 1:45 on my rows and just keep moving at a decent pace through the movements. First time really doing any squats in 2 weeks. We got done around the 17:40 mark and made it through 13+7 on the circuit.

Midline

3 Rounds

  • GHD MB Toss (20#)
  • 8 Evil Wheels

Went all the way back to the ground on the first round of tosses, but only to parallel on the next 2.

Accessory

4 Rounds

  • 30 Shoulder Taps
  • 10 Ring Rows (feet on 20″ box)

I actually felt better than I ever have on the ring rows and it’s quite a bit harder on the box like that. Progress!

Max Reps Set

Had a dentist appointment this morning, so went to the 5:30 class so I could squat with Alex.

Warm-up

  • 3×10 Reverse Hypers (210#)
  • Bottom Squat Hold

Strength

Back Squat

  • 10x20kg
  • 5x60kg
  • 5x90kg
  • 3x105kg
  • 3x117kg
  • 3x133kg
  • 6x149kg (PR)

Alex has been doing some cycles of 5/3/1, so I jumped in with his program since our squat numbers are really close. My goal was 6 reps since I did 5×325# about 2-3 weeks ago and that’s about 328#. Didn’t think I was going to make it about half way through. I lost my tightness on the 3rd rep and it was ugly. Concentrated harder and had to grind out that 6th rep, but made it! Estimates my 1RM at 380#.

Oh, I didn’t mention that I created a Rep Max Calculator site. Give it a try.

Accessory

6 Sets

  • 5 Ring Rows
  • 8 Push-ups

Did them pretty much back-to-back since I was catching up to the rest of class. Not hard though.

Conditioning

7 Rounds

  • 3 Curtis P (95#)
  • 6 Push Press (95#)
  • 30s Rest

Hot damn! Shoulders were burning up in the 4th round. Had to drop the bar in the 6th and 7th rounds, but was averaging about 30 seconds per round until then. Finished in 7:14.

Burpees up High

Up for the 7am at CrossFit Estes Park again. I did the programmed workout today.

Warm-up

  • 3:00 Row (680m)
  • 20:00 Mobility
  • 7:00 AMRAP (no rush, just get warmed up)
    • 10 Lunges
    • 8 Ring Rows
    • 6 Hollow Rocks

I did 5 rounds of the AMRAP going at a nice easy pace, not breaking a sweat.

Conditioning

21-15-9

  • Burpees
  • Box Jumps (24″)

Damn those burpees eat you up at altitude. Took me 4:59.

Accessory

Turkish Get-ups

  • 3/3 26#
  • 3/3 35#
  • 3/3 40#
  • 3/3 53#

Every time I do these I say I need to do them more often.

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!

Hump Day Sprints

Weather is still chilly. Might not even get into the lake all week! My mid-back is feeling sore this morning.

Did the DDP Yoga Fat Burner video this morning. I think I like the P90X yoga video a lot better, except for the fact it’s 90 minutes long, but maybe I’ll find the right video from the DDP series as I keep trying them.

A couple of hours later…

8 Rounds

  • 15s Hollow Rocks
  • 15s Rest

Made it all the way through without having to take extra rest! Will work my way up to being able to do Tabata.

Everyone was heading in to Rogers City to watch Kennedy in the Kiddie Parade. I went in early so I could go to the track on my old high school. Jogged 600m and walked 300m to get warm. Then it was time for a few sprints.

  • 400m Run – 1:07
  • 600m Walk
  • 200m Run – 0:30
  • 300m Walk
  • 100m Run – 0:13.6
  • 300m Walk

Timing yourself in sprints is no easy task. I was wearing a watch, so had a little disadvantage with starts and had to try to look at the time as I crossed the finish line. Close enough I guess for some benchmarks.

Strapped the rings up on the goal post and tested a set of unbroken strict ring dips. Got 15! About a year and a half ago was the last time I tried a big set of ring dips and only got 16 kipping. Quite the difference, when not many of my other bodyweight things (other than muscle-ups) have improved during that time.

8:00 AMRAP

  • 5 Ring Rows
  • 50m Run
  • 5 Ball Slams (15#)
  • 50m Run

Fun workout. I kept the reps low so I could keep moving. Did 8 rounds plus 5 ring rows, a run, and 2 slam balls.

Did backwards overhead throws to get the slam ball back. Took me 5 throws to cover 50+ meters. Great for hip extension!

E30S 10:00

  • 5 Ring Push-ups

I set the rings as low to the ground as I could, but being on the 10′ tall goal post, 10-12″ off ground was the best I could do. Did all 20 sets unbroken.

Got back to my parents and jumped on the Air Dyne (AD2) for 20:00.

  • 5:00 Sitting
  • 5:00 Standing
  • 5:00 Sitting
  • 3:00 Standing
  • 2:00 Sitting

Standing up for a long period of time is no easy task. First time I’ve tried it and it was a good way to mix things up. I kept my pace around 60 rpm for the entire 20 minutes, which is around the 55-60% range for me. Totaled 360 calories.

A New Chapter

Warm-up

  • Crossover Symmetry Activation
  • 2:00 Bottom Squat Hold
  • 2x 30s/30s Couch Stretch
  • PNF Rack Stretching

Strength

Warmed up with 5×45#, 5×135#, and 3×185# front squats, with a 2 second pause in the hole on the last set.

10:00 EMOM

  • Odds: 3 Front Squats w/ 2s pause (205#)
  • Evens: 3 Weighted Pull-ups (44# KB)

I’m terrible with the pauses, so it’s good to work on them. First time doing weighted pull-ups in a really long time.

Accessory

2 Rounds NFT

  • 5 Deficit HSPU
  • 10 Ring Rows

Did the HSPU at a much higher deficit than I’ve ever tried. It was rough. I’ve developed a bad habit of getting my shoulders on the wall for some reason. I need to push my head through at the top.

Conditioning

2-4-6-8-10-8-6-4-2

  • Goblet Squats (53# KB)
  • Russian KBS (53# KB)
  • Burpees

Finished in 6:45, going unbroken on everything.

Test Week

We’re doing a shit ton of tests this week. I’m already sore from getting back after it the last couple of days.

Warm-up

  • High Knees
  • Butt Kicks
  • Jumping Jacks
  • Shoulder Stretching
  • Bottom Squat Hold

Back Squat 1RM

  • 10×45#
  • 5×135#
  • 3×205#
  • 2×275#
  • 1×295#
  • 1×315#
  • 1×335#
  • 1×350# (PR)

Yeah!! Smoked 335# so much easier than I did on Saturday.

Strict press was up next, but I took extra time with my squatting since I can’t do anything overhead. 25 minutes is not enough time to max out in 2 lifts.

MAX Ring Rows in 1:30

Can’t do C2B pull-ups, so I did ring rows instead. Got 26. I still suck at these.

MAX HR Push-ups in 1:30

Did 39 of them. I should start hammering a lot of HR push-ups each week to help with chest size and tricep strength.

500m Row

My PR was a 1:34.4 so I tried to keep around a 1:35 or less early on, then started to kick it in with 150m left. Pulled off a 1:32.2 for a PR by over 2 seconds. Keeps getting better, but after that one I know I can go harder out of the gate next time.

Conditioning

Supposed to be a 1/2 “Cindy” but no pull-ups for me.

10:00 AMRAP

  • 5 Pendlay Rows (95#)
  • 10 C2D Push-ups
  • 15 Air Squats

I did 9 rounds plus 5 rows, 10 push-ups, and 4 squats.

My weight is up to the heaviest I’ve ever been, at 202.5# this morning. Starting a body fat challenge today and I measured at 15.4% on the device at the gym. I think I have a bit of an unfair advantage after gaining 8# in a week on vacation. I’ll be able to drop back to 195# in less than 2 weeks.

Survival Fitness Winds Down for 14.1

Shoulder is pretty much the same, but back doesn’t bother me unless I get in certain positions. Heading back to Midland Chiropractic Sports Rehab this afternoon for my 2nd session. I’ve also ordered my own TENS unit after finding out they only cost $100. I remember the Marc Pro being about $600 and saying no thanks. For $100, I can’t go wrong though. The unit is a great way to speed up recovery.

The gym is winding down to rest up for the first Open WOD, which gets announced tomorrow. I could use a lighter day anyway with my injuries and there was no lack of intensity with the workout.

Warm-up

  • 20 Zombie Kicks
  • 20 Air Squats
  • 20/20 Leg Swings (F-B, S-S)
  • Shoulder stretching
  • “Roxanne” with jumping jacks, burpees, and squat jumps

Conditioning

2014-02-26-1k-row

  • 1,000m Row
  • 30 Hang Power Cleans (135#)
  • 30 Ring Rows (feet on 12″ box)

I substituted the ring rows in for C2B pull-ups, which lost some intensity at the end because I have to rest so much in between ring rows. I set a PR on my 1,000m row with a 3:25.3! First PR I’ve set in over a month. I held my pace around 1:44-1:45 and then kicked it in to high gear for the last 100+ meters. Took a pretty big break walking over to my bar and did the cleans in 6 sets of 5. I would count to between 5 and 7 between sets before picking the bar back up. It’s a great way to manage rest periods. Ring rows were pretty much doubles the whole way. Slow! Finished right at 10:00 total time.

Feeling Wrecked in the Morning

Feeling pretty beat up this morning, especially in the posterior chain. Went in at 10 with Kevin and Ellen for strength lifts though.

Warm-up

5:00 Air Dyne

Strength

Bench Press – 5/3/1 Cycle 1 Week 2

  • 5 @ 85# (40% of Training Max – warm)
  • 5 @ 105# (50% – warm)
  • 3 @ 125# (60% – warm)
  • 3 @ 150# (70%)
  • 3 @ 170# (80%)
  • 3+ @ 190# (90%)

* Working sets completed using the Reactive Sling Shot

In the set with 170# I realized if I came a little lower on my chest I could keep my right elbow in a lot better. I think I was benching too high on my chest, which makes it hard to keep that elbow in. Went on to knock out 13 reps at 190, which is the same number I hit at 180# on Sunday! And I didn’t have a single issue with the right elbow flaring out to cause that arm to lack behind. Estimates my max at 271.5#, which is a joke, but I’m improving!

Deadlift – 5/3/1 Cycle 1 Week 2

  • 5 @ 165# (40% of Training Max – warm)
  • 5 @ 205# (50% – warm)
  • 3 @ 245# (60% – warm)
  • 3 @ 285# (70%)
  • 3 @ 330# (80%)
  • 3+ @ 370# (90%)

Felt good. Pulled 8 reps at 370# and it actually felt better than the 9 at 350# I did on Saturday. New estimated max of 467.5#.

Maybe I should lift more often when I’m not feeling great! Cut the session after those lifts because I’m going to a class this afternoon with a friend who wants to try out CrossFit. Went in at 4pm to a pretty big class.

Warm-up

  • 30 Air Squats
  • 20 PVC Pass-thrus
  • 10 Burpees
  • 300m Run

Strength

Wasn’t too big on doing another big strength lift with 2 already this morning, but I can always use an extra squat session. Front squats on the menu today.

  • 5 @ 135#
  • 3 @ 185#
  • 3 @ 225#
  • 3 @ 245#
  • 3 @ 255#

Fuck it, go big! Matches my best 3RM, but the two sets before were higher than I’ve gone before, and legs got some solid work with the hill sprints last night and deadlifts this morning. When I last did this a couple of months ago I used 155-175-195-225-255, so this is a nice improvement in overall weight moved.

3 Rounds NFT

  • 8 Ring Dips
  • 8 Ring Rows

I still suck at ring rows. Did all of my dips strict and unbroken though.

WOD

12 Rounds

  • 1:00 AMRAP (continue next AMRAP where you leave off)
    • 5 Pull-ups
    • 10 Hand Release Push-ups
    • 15 Air Squats
  • 1:00 Rest

I was getting over a round per minute the entire way. In the 10th round I thought my hand felt a little funny on the bar. I got stuck to some old tap glue and it ripped it right open because I couldn’t slide around the bar on my butterfly. Ugh, just what I needed a few days before the Warrior Dash. I finished with 14+1 rounds, with the push-ups being my limiting factor. Probably could have gone a little faster on the air squats too, but all pull-ups were unbroken.

5/3/1 Begins

Was up early and got back to Saginaw around 11am. In to the gym this afternoon with Kevin to train. I read 5/3/1: The Simplest and Most Effective Training System for Raw Strength (2nd Edition) last week and loved it. Decided to start my first cycle of 5/3/1 today. Really looking forward to see how it works. I like having a program where I don’t have to guess what weights to lift; give me percentages and reps and I’ll do the work and trust the program.

Warm-up

I got a new, lighter/thinner cable for my Rx Jump Rope and tried it out as the warm-up for today. Got a streak of 73 in a row right off the bat. I was hitting the ground a lot with the cable though, which I haven’t been doing with the cable that is one step higher. This would prove to be a big difference when fatigued.

Strength

5/3/1 Deadlifts – Cycle 1 Week 1

  • 5 @ 165# (40% of training max – warm)
  • 5 @ 205# (50% – warm)
  • 3 @ 245# (60% – warm)
  • 5 @ 265# (65%)
  • 5 @ 305# (75%)
  • 5+ @ 350# (85%)

I got 9 reps at 350 before stopping because my grip had been failing since the 5th rep and I could start to feel my low back giving out. Wendler says leave a little in the tank, so I did.

10:00 EMOM

  • Odds: 7 Strict Chin-ups
  • Evens: Snatch Grip Deadlifts (135#)

I should have had the straps on right away, but didn’t until the 2nd round of snatch grip deadlifts. So I only got 4 in the first round, then 6 in the 2nd, and 8 in the last 3 rounds. Was really a struggle in the last two rounds of chin-ups. Working on the snatch grip deadlifts and hitting the hips hopefully will help me out with my full snatches.

WOD

30:00 AMRAP

  • 500m Row
  • 400m Run
  • 100 DU
  • 10 Ring Rows
  • 10 Ring Push-ups
  • 20 Air Squats

Figured we’d do a long WOD, which I haven’t done in at least a month. Kevin smoked me right out of the gate because he kicks my ass on the rower. I couldn’t catch back up. My DU kind of sucked and I think the new cable got me. Felt like it was hitting the ground so much it would either bounce up or lose shape. I could rarely recover from nicking it and I actually got whipped quite a few times, which hasn’t happened to me in who knows how long. Tried Kevin’s cable which looks to be 2 inches shorter after the WOD and I seemed to do better with it. So maybe with the lighter weight it just spins that much different that I need to chop off that much length. Or maybe I just need to get used to it.

Anyway…I finished 3 full rounds and was about 100m through the run in the 4th when the time ran out. I kept going though and completed everything in the round, so it was about a 35 or 36 minute AMRAP for me. 🙂 Had to split up every set of ring rows, but got all of the ring push-ups and air squats unbroken.