To Hell and Back - For Time

The CrossFit Games are this weekend. Hundreds of athletes are travelling to Aromas, California, to duke it out in the desert in order to determine "The Fittest Man/Woman on Earth" as well as the top CrossFit Affiliate. The team from CrossFit Fire is leaving today to participate in the Affiliate Challenge, which includes three qualifying workouts on Friday of: A 500 m Run Relay, Max Sets of OH Squats and Pull Ups WOD, and The Stadium Workout, a WOD that includes wall balls, rowing, the push press, kettle bell swings, box jumps, and deadlifts.

Personally, I'm anxious to hear about the relay (still love running) and what kind of terrain they will have to run on and can't wait to do the Stadium Workout sometime. If there was ever a workout made for me, the Stadium Workout may be it. I pretty much love every aspect of that WOD except for maybe wall balls, which I only like as a friend. As for the max OH squats and pull up WOD, I'll leave that workout to those who can crush OH squats and pull ups because I am not that girl. Regardless, I am excited for our team (who I'm sure will do phenomenal – we've got a great group of people out there now) and just a little bit sad that I am only able to be a part of it from the sidelines.

For those of you who don't know this, I tried out for the affiliate team. As evidence by this and previous posts, I obviously did not make it because I am not heading for sunny California, and I did not make the team for good reason. I got smoked in the tryouts by the two other women. It was like being Slowpoke Rodriguez in a race versus two Speedy Gonzalez's. Guess who won. Regardless of this fact, I was still amazed and pleased at what I accomplished at the tryouts, which I will explain in further detail momentarily.

We completed the following WOD's for the women's tryouts:

One round for time of:

• 10 Clean & Jerks (60/40)
• 1 Sled Drag (20/15)
• 8 Clean & Jerks
• 1 Sled Drag
• 6 Clean & Jerks
• 1 Sled Drag
• 4 Clean & Jerks
• 1 Sled Drag
• 2 Clean & Jerks
• 1 Sled Drag

One round for time of:

50 Double-unders

21-15-9 reps of:

• Overhead Squats (40/30)
• Box Jumps (24")
• Pull-ups

50 Double-unders

And we were supposed to complete a third workout, which was:

Three rounds for time of:

• 500m Row
• 21 Burpees
• 400m Run

Long story short: I had never done 40 kg cleans or 30 kg OH squats in a workout. The load was just a little too heavy for me in both instances (before I had only done about 35 kg cleans in WOD's, 45 kg cleans at a max 3 rep and 25 kg OH squats). Also, if you've ever read my blog before, then you already know that pull ups and I do not get along. (I seriously don't know what their problem is. I try to be nice and they just mess up my hands). In addition to the heavy weight and my arch nemesis, there was blood (I put a big gash in my leg when I dropped the bar while I was OH squatting and tore calluses on both my hands during pull ups), there was sweat (a given), there were no tears, almost (almost doesn't count though people), and I did hate my entire being several times throughout both WOD's (see the picture below for proof). Despite all of this: I completed both workouts. I did it.

Let me say it again just because it makes me feel good: I did it. I was apprehensive about both of these workouts even before I did them because neither played to my strengths. The row, burpee, run WOD was more my style; however, I did it (I know, I keep saying it...). I cleaned and OH squatted more than I ever had before. I was setting PR's in a workout. Can we say "awesome"? I also didn't stop doing pull ups even when I finally noticed that both of my hands were bleeding (surprisingly it took awhile). And don't even get me started on the people that helped me get through both WOD's. Their support was instrumental in my finishing. Through it all though, all the blood, sweat and almost tears, all I could think about was finishing and getting to that point where I could say I went to hell and back and did it for time.

In the end, my only complaint was that I didn't get to complete the row, burpee, run WOD, even though I understand why we didn't do it and appreciate that Bill did not want me to die. However, I will do that workout. And Bill, if you're reading this, I want that WOD on my birthday (August 28th - mark it on your calendar) and to have "The Eye of the Tiger" played on repeat throughout the duration. Okay, maybe not throughout the whole workout, but at least one time.

Oh... and one last thing: I don't plan on cheering from the sidelines at next year's Games. I don't care if I have to look like that picture below everyday to get there either.

Me hating life during my last set of double unders in the second WOD.

Burpees for Cash

If you've been following the CrossFit Games site (http://games2009.crossfit.com/), then you would have noticed the other day that Amanda Miller of CrossFit Fairfax held a little burpee fundraiser to help pay her way to this year's Games. The plan was people would donate a certain amount of cash for every burpee done (without resting) within 10 minutes. Sounds awesome, right? Heck yeah it is, and what makes it even better is that she plans to donate any leftover money to the Fisher House, which provides housing for military families while their loved ones are in the hospital. The whole concept is ingenious, and I applaud her for her efforts and hopes she kills it at the Games. Good luck Amanda!

I've provided the link to the video here: Amanda Miller Burpee Fundraiser: [wmv] [mov]. Watch it. This woman is bad a$$, and it's not just because of her tattoos. She did 131 burpees in 10 minutes. I don't care who you are. That's a lot of burpees.

On a side note, I decided to do this WOD yesterday (AMRAP in 10 minutes of: Burpees without rest) just to see how I measured up. What I tried to pay particular attention to was the pacing of the WOD. Miller mentions in her video that she had a difficult time pacing this workout. I'm with her on this because I tend to go full out, crash and then do sets of five or so; however, I found that pacing myself helped me simply because I rested less than I normally do. And yes, unfortunately I rested for a few seconds here and there.

In the end, I did not reach 131. Let's. Get. Serious. However, I did break a hundo - 102, which I am happy with at the moment. Now... I only wish that people were donating cash to me so I could go to the Games and watch...

Just Don't Kick the Dog...

Long story short: The recession is not my friend. I lost my second job almost two weeks ago and after some thought I decided that I would take a break from the Fort. However, mostly because I am addicted and can’t bring myself to work out like I used to (aerobics, yoga and running just aren’t as fun anymore), I am not taking a break from CrossFit. I’ve decided to go back to many a Forts' CrossFit roots and have been primarily working out in my garage and completing workouts posted on both the main and different affiliate sites. I have also had some help from my pals at CrossFit Fire (Yay! I haven’t been forgotten!).

Tommy Mo(hr) sent me the workout below. It was his own creation, and I imagine him laughing evilly when I told him I would do it today. The workout, which I’ve rightfully named after the legend himself, was:

“Give Me Some (Tommy) Mohr”

100 Single unders (Sub: 25 Double unders)
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 of:
Burpees
Sit ups
Push ups
100 Single unders (Sub: 25 Double unders)

I did sub the 25 double unders for the single unders and then plowed through the workout in both my driveway and basement. It was wicked for me (Pairing burpees and push ups – ugh – I was having flashbacks of the burpee-jumping squat-push up workout) and for my dog, Boo. I accidently kicked him Round 6, mid burpee and sent the poor little guy flying across the room. (I’ll send you the vet bill, Tom). I finished the entire WOD though in about 11:40, which I thought was pretty decent when I saw that he did it in 9:38. For those of you who don’t know this, Tommy Mo is an animal and gives nothing less than 110% at every workout. He is kind of my hero *tear*.

Overall, it was a nice, quick metcon and one that I’ll probably do it again in the future sans dog kicking. Keep them coming though, Tom; we won’t get to the 2010 Games by taking it easy.

My dog, Boo, taking a much needed rest after today's WOD.