Category Archives: CrossFit

CrossFit ….. Day 5

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I know that many of you are interested in CrossFit but are scared to try it because there are so many photos floating around of super strong people doing really crazy things.  It’s intimidating.  I know because I too was intimidated. So I’ll keep posting on it cuz trust me, if I can do it, anyone can.  I’m weak.  I have a bad back.  I have multiple muscle imbalances causing little “aches & pains”.  I have zero core strength.  However, these are the very reasons why I keep going back.  I want to get strong.  No, I NEED to get strong to support my body better and possibly carry any fallen comrades during the Dopey Challenge at WDW Marathon Weekend.

Day #5 at CrossFit brought us the Deadlift.  Say what?  It’s the long bar with weights on the end that we would NEVER touch in a million years.  Yep, it’s apparently time to build some muscles skills.  There was a bit of instruction involved.   Then practicing with the empty bar which was heavy all by it’s lonesome.   Then the addition of tiny weights which were still heavy.  Sequenced Photo Source:  CrossFit Centurion

deadlift_demo

weight bar   10 lb plates  

Look, I can do it!!!!

DeadLift_me_7-9-13

I did it.  Not well but I did it.  Once we went thru the instruction/trial period we probably did 4 sets of 10 with a 10# plate on each end. 

Since the deadlifts took some instruction, we were split into two groups.  The non-deadlift group did AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) in 19 minutes of the following sweatfest.

  1. 10 Step Ups onto an 18” Box – Body weight only
  2. 5 Burpees.  These were almost impossible the other day and totally impossible today.  I must have tweaked something in my flabby abs cuz each time I went down for the burpee, I just ended up laying on the floor.  Zero power. Zero pop.  Nothing.  I could just feel that pull in my abs.  LOL!  Yep, I NEED to get stronger!!!
  3. 10 Ball Slams – 10# ball.  These are one of the easier moves for me.  So I tried to make up lost time after the “burpees”.
  4. 5 Ab Baskets – New move for us!  And I can’t find a pic of it.  Sad smile  It was  a sit-up with the 10# ball.  Initially lay down with knees up, arms out over your head holding the medicine ball (while it rests on the floor), then sit-up and put your 10# ball on your extended legs (like a basket).  Your legs are up like they would be in a crunch position but instead of crossed, they straight and together in order to hold the ball.  Leave ball on the extended legs until you sit-up again, then take it back.  So half the sit-up is with the ball, half without.  When you aren’t holding it, your legs serve as a “basket” to hold/rest the ball.  Clear as mud, right? 
  5. 100 meter run with 10# plate.  Easy, just pick up the 10# plate and run the 100 meters.  Easiest part of this set for me! 

This was a killer workout, add in the heat/humidity and the fact that the facility was SO FLIPPIN’ HOT and it was kinda funny.  I was dirty and gross.  I had sweat dripping from places that I didn’t know could sweat.  Like from the end of my nose.  Wow.  Sweat dropping constantly from the end of my nose.  Now that’s disgusting fun.  #GettingStronger

Getting Stronger

** Getting Stronger Thru CrossFit cuz that’s the only thing open at 5am **  TooTallFritz  **

CrossFit ….. Day 4

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I’m currently in a bit of a rut and totally disenchanted with the swim, bike & run.  It’s almost impossible to make time to get to the pool; I’m averaging about 30 minutes one time a week, which is inadequate.  I get one bike day each week, which is inadequate.  Plus, my body is a bit damaged and the run isn’t going well.  In fact, I haven’t ran long in 3 weeks, and that’s definitely inadequate.  OUCH.  Let’s just keep pretending that I am not facing down the Racine 70.3 in 2 weeks and the Chicago Marathon in 14 weeks.  Yep, let’s just keep pretending.

It's not denial

So basically at a point, when all the things that I “normally” really enjoy aren’t coming together, it’s nice to have something different to focus upon while I try to decide if I should bail on some of my scheduled events.

The 4th of July brought my 4th CrossFit workout.  Fun but I was still sore from Tuesday’s 1/2 Murph.  Smile   We started off with “Death by 10 meters”.  This workout starts easy enough, run one 10 meter sprint over the course of 1 minute.  Then run two 10 meter sprints in 1 minute.  Each minute then rolls right into the next adding another 10 meter interval.  Lots of waiting time at the beginning, no rest at all toward the end as you are attempting to pump off 13, 14 & 15 ten meters sprints in the minute before it rolls to the next.  I just missed the 15th interval only making 14.  So I “died” at 14+14.  Not an easy workout for me because my “run fast” left me a while back and it’s difficult for me to get any lift out of my hamstring to “move it” quickly. 

After “Death by 10 meters” killed all of us, we were ready to crawl home but apparently that was just the warm-up.    We then went to two 6 minute rotations.  As many rounds as possible within the 6 minute time frame.

First 6 minute set:  10 Ball Slams, 10 Ring Rows, & 10 Push-Ups (reapeat as many times as possible) – This one about killed me.  Even the Ring Rows which seemed easy last time were very tough.  Sore arms, sore pecks, sore TTF.  I was very slow and complained and wanted to go home. 

Second 6 minute set:  10 Box Jumps, 10 Sit-Ups, 1 Plate Carry (carry a 25 lb plate 100 meters) – This set was so much easier for me and I actually enjoyed it.  The plate carry was my favorite.  It was hysterical to see the various ways that people carried their plates.  These are a few pics from google images but it was the same for us.  Some held the plate high over their heads, some under their arm and I carried mine out in front like a load of boxes.

Plate-Carry       Plate-Carry 2    Plate-Carry 3

More fun times at CrossFit.  Stay tuned for this week’s fun & games!

** Attempting to Get Strong ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Find Something You LOVE …..

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We don’t live in a “one size fits all” society. What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another.  My favorite run club, shoe, athletic wear won’t necessarily be YOUR favorite.  We have lots of choices because collectively we NEED different things to make us happy, fit our bodies and tackle our everyday needs.

One Size Does NOT Fit All

Seems logical, right?  Well, maybe not because it isn’t easy to find things that we like, that we LOVE!  So I encourage you to keep trying!  If all your friends are running and well, you just don’t enjoy it then please, try something else.  There are so many options to keep us moving that it’s really hard to “find” an excuse for inactivity.  Try Yoga, Zuma, CrossFit, Cycling, Swimming, Body Pump, TRX, P-90X, Ballet or just go for a hike on your local trail.  MOVE THAT BODY and reap the benefits of health!

Same with your local run club, if it’s not a good fit then try a different one.  I recently did a post on local run clubs on the South Side of Chicago.  There are so many options!  Find one that works for you whether that means a relaxed atmosphere, lots of runs, track sessions or a more structured group with pacers.  We have choices.  Explore the options!

What to wear?  Good question!  I’m blessed with a closet full of workout wear that I’ve amassed over the years that not only fits me but that I like.  No, that I love!   Thru trial and error, I have found a few retailers that do athletic wear that works for my body type (tall and  lanky but thick thru the midsection).  It took a long time to find things that both fit me and were in my style “comfort zone”.  If you don’t like how your running/workout clothes fit, then try a new brand/style.  There are retailers out there that make cool clothes for EVERY body type.  Don’t settle, keep trying because when we look good, we feel good!  You deserve to feel good, even when you are sweating buckets!  If you see someone wearing something that might work for you, don’t be afraid to ask them about it and if they bought it within the last century so you know if there is a chance of it still being available.

Running shoes.  Wow, how many choices do we have here?  Shoes are changing ALL THE TIME.  What has worked for me for the last 5 years, no longer fits my foot properly!  I have had more running shoes this year than any year previous and it’s not because I’m wearing them out.  I’m not putting my typical 300-400 miles on each pair but rather buying a pair, putting in 75 miles or so and then dumping them on eBay.  I don’t want to run in shoes that mangle or blister my feet!  Why should I?  Shop around to find the right shoe for your foot and don’t worry what everyone else is wearing or the color of the shoe. 

It’s important to manage our expectations and realize that what works for one (or many) doesn’t necessarily work for all.  I’m current loving CrossFit after only 3 workouts but I know a lot of people who can’t stand it.  Some people LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the marathon but it’s just not my bag forte.  I am in love with my running club but it may be a bit too lackadaisical for some.  I am an Athleta (TALL clothing options!!) and Tough Chik freak but you may prefer Lululemon or Champion Brand from Target.  We have options.  We have choices.  Rather than being upset that one particular thing isn’t working, let’s just focus on the positive and be thankful for the plethora of choices in most aspects of our life and find something that WE LOVE!  And don’t forget, it’s okay to change.  So if you were loving something yesterday but are dreading it today, it’s okay to move on and try something new.   

If you always do what youve always done

** Find Something You LOVE ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

CrossFit …. Day 3 ….. 1/2 Murph

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I didn’t know Murph but he was apparently a badass tough guy.  So tough that they named a CrossFit WOD after him.

Murph

 “Murph”

For time:
1 mile Run
100 Pull-ups
200 Push-ups
300 Squats
1 mile Run

In memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y., who was killed in Afghanistan June 28th, 2005.

This workout was one of Mike’s favorites and he’d named it “Body Armor”. From here on it will be referred to as “Murph” in honor of the focused warrior and great American who wanted nothing more in life than to serve this great country and the beautiful people who make it what it is.

Partition the pull-ups, push-ups, and squats as needed. Start and finish with a mile run. If you’ve got a twenty pound vest or body armor, wear it.

Today we were fortunate enough to “only” have to do a 1/2 Murph.  Thank goodness we are all newbies!  As I looked at the board and saw the workout, I immediately knew that it would be bad and was immediately thankful that we didn’t have a “full” Murph on the agenda. 

The HALF Murph started and finished with an 800 meter run.  Sandwiched between those runs were 10 rounds (without break) of 5 Pull-ups, 10 Push-ups & 15 Squats.  Sounds easy enough but by the 4th round, I think most of us were doubting our ability to complete all 10. 

None of us could do a pull-up which is my personal nightmare and something I’ve worked on at various intervals of my life without success.  So we needed to modify those and use bands in order to even get thru the very first set of 5.  Here is a pic of the pull-up with the bands, except most of us needed two or three bands to give us enough support to get up to the bar.  Photo Source

pull up with bands

Most know what a push-up and squat looks like so we will leave it at that but let’s just say that by the time I was half way done, a squat never seemed so difficult.  Now add in my lingering hamstring “issue” and my new hip “issue” and well, damn, I don’t like squats very much!  And they weren’t pretty like this:

SQUAT

Ironically, this was good TRI training though cuz when we went out for that second 800 meter run, it felt like a brick workout.  Legs were heavy.  Legs were dead.  Legs were shaking ……. just like how they feel when we get off the bike to hit the run.  BAM, cross training with purpose!

I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to get up from my desk without assistance by lunch time.  I’m pretty sure that my swim is going to hurt tonight cuz my arms will be like rocks.  I’m pretty sure that I’m stronger today, than last Tuesday.  Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration on “being stronger” but hey,  I have to think positively!!  I am getting stronger.  I am making progress.  I am  loving the “burn”. 

Whats My Secret

** Feel The Burn ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

CrossFit …. Day 2 …. FGB

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Apparently every day at CrossFit will require me to google acronyms and try to figure out what the heck we are actually doing.  This morning’s 5am workout was the “FGB” workout.  Apparently that stands for “Fight Gone Bad”.   Ummm, okay.  I thought sure I’d be the only one that showed up but no, I had 15 other friends who were just dying to KILL the FGB WOD (workout of the day).

FGB – Fight Gone Bad

(3x) – 5 minute rounds  – 1 minute per station/5 stations, then 1 minute rest after completion  of all the stations in succession  = 17 minutes total

1)  Jump Lunges – Grab some coordination real quick if you are clumsy like me cuz your gonna need it.  Think walking lunge except there is no walking but rather jumping and changing feet in the air to get into the next lunge position.  I think I did 4 before the tears appeared and my quads started shaking.  Maybe 3.  Not sure but the good news is that once I got into a rhythm, it was easier, and faster.  Success.

jumping-lunges

2)   Kettlebell Sumo High Pull – Took me a “minute” to get this right.  My damaged hips/back/hamstrings took a beating here and I subconsciously wanted to cheat and not go down into squat to grab the kettlebell.  Photo source:  Google Images

KB Sumo High Pull_squat   KB Sumo High Pull

3)  Box Jumps – We got to use the small box today.  Yay for being a newbie!!!!  And yes, we’d totally steal the short box from that kid.  Photo source.

box jump

4)  Abmat Situps – Sit-ups with a device which supported the arch of the back.  I heard sit-ups and thought the doc would be mad at me but the support ensured that I didn’t hurt my back.  Image #2 from abmat.uk

abmat     abmat_stick figure

5)  Burpees – HA!  Apparently, I’m not very good at burpees yet.  This was by far my weakest station.  Here is a diagram below which I got from yakkaFIT HERE.

burpee-1

6)  REST – 1 minute – Cough up your numbers & repeat.

After each session were recorded our numbers, how many reps we did total.  So if we did 10 of each exercise while occupying that station for one minute, we would have had 50 reps.  Not sure if that’s the proper term but we were basically counting each thing we did and compiling a number as we went.

Round #1 – 97, Round #2 –  113, Round #3 – 116, Total = 326

No idea if that was good or bad in the grand scheme of things but I want to record it for comparison going forward.  I’d like to think that I’ll get better, faster, stronger.  My burpees were almost non-existent, so that was a wasted station for me.  I did much better in the other areas, and much better after I got a rhythm and an idea of how to do each activity.

Another fun, Fun, FUN workout.  Loved it and look forward to going back next week but for now, I’m going off grid to swim, bike & run.  Don’t forget about my giveaway for the Chicago Half Marathon cuz I’ll be drawing Monday morning!

** Let’s Get Strong!!  ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

CrossFit ….. Day 1

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If you follow me on Facebook & Twitter then you know that I’ve been terrified brimming with excitement to start something new.  CrossFit.  It’s no secret that I want to get strong.  That I need to get strong.  That my body has been breaking down over the last year or so because it can’t keep up with the demands of what I ask of it each and every week.  So I NEED strength to carry me thru when my body just isn’t feeling quite up to the task.

image

I’ve tried to do things at home.  But getting out the weights is dangerous because my lil man then feels the need to also prove his strength.  Do it when he sleeps, right?  Wrong.  Lil man doesn’t sleep much cuz he’s my Mini Me. 

I would have taken a class at a local gym but with my lil man schedule being so crazy between work, “the commute”, kids, family, training & Aby’s extracurriculars  …… well, they aren’t open enough hours in the day.  I don’t have a traditional life and don’t fit into a traditional mold so I couldn’t get my ass to attend any classes at this point in my life.

Hmmmm…… what to do?  Continue to be weak and dream of being strong?  Sounds good!  Maybe I’ll wake up “strong” one morning, that sounds way easier.   Well, I’ve been waiting for years and that isn’t working.  Then, I started talking with a few friends and it seemed that many others were having a similar problem, wanting to get strong but lacking the time to make it happen.  So, I went out on a limb and asked a local CrossFit instructor if he wanted to open an early morning CrossFit class for us.   And he said yes.  Crap.  I thought he would tell me to shove it.  The fear seeped in immediately for all of us.  We were concerned we couldn’t do it.  I was concerned that he was going to try to kill us and “make an example” out of us by showing us how weak we were even though we were all runners cuz that’s how my one and only personal training session went back in 2008.  Yep, we were scared.  Like really scared.  And I was amazed that with all that fear floating around 19 people managed to show up for a 5 am CrossFit session.

CrossFit_Day 1

Wow, proud to know these brave souls!  And the workout was good, a nice intro to CrossFit without killing us.  I know that it was probably one of the “easy” sessions but I’m glad that he didn’t scare everyone away because I don’t want to be the only one who shows up for Session #2! 

Our first workout, WOD (Workout Of the Day) is below.

20 Minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) Teams

3 person teams – First team member completes a full round before 2nd person starts, 2nd person completes a full round before 3rd person starts.  Repeat rounds, rotating thru team as many times as possible.

  • 10 Ring Rows

Ring Rows

  • 10 Pushups
  • 10 Ball Slams

ball slams

  • 100  meter sprint

We had so much fun.  The group had so much energy.  The team concept really helped push us faster than we may have otherwise done had we been doing the workout “solo”.  It was good!  My group got thru 11 rounds in the 20 minutes.  Today, I feel slightly sore in my chest and shoulders but it’s manageable.  I was still able to swim last night.  The Tuesday WOD didn’t destroy me.  This means, I’ll go back for the Thursday WOD.  Cross your fingers for us!  We are all CrossFit “newbies” who are just looking to get strong!

** Trying New Things ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **