CrossFit Sectionals 2011 - Workout #1

Anyone who knows me knows that I am an advocate of CrossFit. I slip it into about every conversation I have. I try to recruit people to CrossFit every day, even if I’ve just met them. I love it.

I also hate it.

With the arrival of spring comes the arrival of the CrossFit Games, which is separated into 3 parts (now, I’m explaining this with very little knowledge of the games, so it’s very probable that this information is incorrect): sectionals, regionals, and the Games.

Right now, sectionals are taking place. The Games website posts one workout a week for 6 weeks, and each registered athlete does the workout at an affiliate gym (CrossFit Oshawa, which is obviously the best ever). The first week workout was an AMRAP 10 minutes of 30 double unders and 15 ground to overheads at 55 pounds (75lbs for men).

I was not pleased. Double unders are not easy for me. I’d never done snatches in a workout, which is what everyone was going to do to get the weight as quickly overhead as possible.

I practised. A lot. I felt pretty good about it.

That’s a lie. I was ready to throw up. But at least I was able to do SOME double unders, plus I’m fairly strong, which would make the snatches super easy.

I was aiming to do between 3 and 4 rounds.

I did 2.

Plus 30 double unders and 10 snatches. So almost 3. But not 3.

M was my judge, obviously. That also meant that he couldn’t say anything to me or coach me in any way, so one of the owners of the gym took the place of my coach. If I stopped skipping, he would tell me to breathe and keep going. If I threw the weight down, he told me to pick it back up and get it overhead. You may not think that having someone yell at you would help, but it really does. I would have taken much longer rests had he not been there to keep me moving and motivated.

That’s what I love about CorssFit. No matter who you are, where you are in terms of athleticism, or where you want to be, there will ALWAYS be someone there to push you, motivate you, and encourage you.

Tonight, I’m doing the workout again. I was going to do clean and jerks, but snatches are so much faster (hahaha, I giggle every time I write that). I’ve got nothing to lose, except time. But really, I hope I don’t do even worse than I did the first time.

How embarrassing would that be?

UPDATE: I totally beat my time! Well, I at least got 3 rounds this time around. And that, for me, is good. And then I fell down. But still.

Love,

Bella

Blood Sweat & Barbells

The title of this post fully encapsulates the main idea that is CrossFit. There aren’t any fancy machines. No treadmills, Stairmasters, or Ellipticals. Mirrors are non-existent. There’s nothing pretty about a CrossFit gym. There’s nothing to take away from the workout itself. Blood and sweat (maybe some tears and definitely some vomit) are commonplace. The camaraderie and support is unwavering, even despite the competitive nature of most of the CrossFitters at the gym - these workouts will take any inflated ego and quickly deflate it.

Take a look at some of the people that workout at the box gyms. Some don’t sweat. Many laugh and talk through their workouts with their friends (and the laughter is not brought upon by the incredulity one feels regarding the workout itself). Chances are, some of those people leave the gym without feeling like they’ve had their asses kicked. Not once during my CrossFit workouts have I thought to myself, “I don’t feel like I’ve worked out hard enough.” Today was no different.

I’ve been working out with M for about two months now. I can tell that I’m getting stronger – I can do 10 pullups in a row, 10 pushups with my chest hitting the floor, among other things – and fitness wise, I know I’m improving. Every time I do CrossFit, though, I’m reminded that I’m far from where I want to be, far from being close to par with the other girls at the gym, and far from being able to compete – and do well – at any sort of CrossFit games.

Today, I did Elizabeth (hehe – catch the sexual overtones? There’s a lot of that where CrossFit is concerned). 21-15-9 reps of 95 pound squat cleans and ring dips (which I do with a band – like I said, I’m far from where I want to be). For some reason, I felt that I would be able to do this workout in good time. I’d done squat cleans before, and I’m relatively strong. No problem, right?

Wrong.

Ten squat cleans in, I knew I was in trouble. I couldn’t breathe, I was seeing stars, and each clean took every ounce of energy I possessed. I’d never felt as strong an urge to quit during a workout as I did today. I wanted to throw up, faint, and cry all at the same time. During the first round, I honestly felt like it was going to be near impossible to finish the workout. I just didn’t think I had it in me. I kept shaking my head at M who, to his credit, was being super encouraging – I probably would have been yelling at me if the situation was reversed. I could only think two thoughts for the entire 19 minutes and 34 seconds of the workout – “I’m going to die” and “don’t let M down”.

I think I was on the floor for a good 5 minutes after I was done, and I only got up because M told me to move into a sitting position (yes, I was lying down). He captured my sentiments exactly – “I’ve never seen you so beat up by a workout before.” I don’t think I’ve ever had that much trouble getting through a workout, especially one that involved strength training. It was a very humbling – and painful – experience, and further proved to me why CrossFit is possibly the best workout ever.

I have a very love/hate relationship with CrossFit, but I’m in it for the long haul. After all, what better way to measure your abilities than to constantly, without fail, push yourself past the point that you thought was the end?

I just hope I don’t burst into tears one day. How embarrassing would that be?

Love,

Bella

Oh, by the way, the guy in the video is M. He's my go-to guy for anything CrossFit related - pictures, videos, explanations, and training (obviously).

CrossFit: No Excuses

I went to the gym today.

I realize that’s a very simple, boring statement but, for me, it’s huge. I so did not want to go. I woke up exhausted, and being in an office all day doesn’t exactly scream ‘energy booster’.

I have a headache. My arms hurt. I’m tired. I’ll go tomorrow.

All excuses that don’t fly with my trainer, who also happens to be my brother. They also don’t fly with the owner of the gym, but not for lack of trying on my part, trust me.

“My head hurts; I just want to put that out there,” I announced to the whole gym. M smiled. He literally couldn’t care less. The owner asked if that was an excuse. “No, I’m just letting you know.”

“20 burpees for excuses,” guy in blue shirt says as he walks by. Excuse me? Who the hell are you and, while we’re at it, shut up.

“10 seconds,” the owner tells us.

Well, shit. That didn’t work.

30 clean and jerks (at 95 lbs, thankyouverymuch) – including one that almost took me down with it – and 6 minutes and 7 seconds later, and I was done. Quick and painful.

Did you expect me to say painless? Please. Anyone who has done CrossFit knows that this workout regime brings ‘no pain, no gain’ to a whole new level. I’ve come closer to crying during a workout than I would ever care to admit.

See, my warmup sucked - I couldn't get past 4 full, chest to the ground pushups. I only got 4 55 lb overhead squats. It was tough. But I DID IT. That's they key. Not every workout is going to be fantastic. Just push yourself as far as you can to make sure that you're not giving up on YOU. Because in the end, isn't that who you're doing this for?

Honestly, if you’re looking for a new workout, give it a try. Even if you’re not, I would still recommend it. If you can, try a CrossFit gym. I like CrossFit Oshawa, but then I’m biased because the people and camaraderie are fantastic. CrossFit workouts push you way beyond your limits, and the sense of accomplishment you’ll have after you hit a max rep that’s heavier than you ever thought you could get is second to none.

Besides, you'll never have to worry about your body getting used to the workouts. CrossFit will kick your ass every day, and I both love and hate it for that.

Seriously, do it. What have you got to lose?