Tag Archives: getting stronger

That Didn’t Suck!

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Wow. 18 miles done already this morn and it didn’t suck. Could I finally be getting stronger? I’m not a lover of the long run. I like 10 milers. Anything over 10 miles, including the half marathon, is a “bit” of a stretch for me. And normally anything 15 and over just sucks. Bad. I think about the long run all week. I dread it. I even promise myself that if I get thru “this” marathon training cycle, then I’ll never sign up for another. Lies. All lies. I will sign up for another marathon. I don’t know why. They aren’t my forte. I’m not fast. I don’t enjoy the distance or in some sick way, do I enjoy it? What I do enjoy, however, is the training. Getting out on the trail before the sun comes up. Watching the sunrise. Feeling like for those few hours, the world is all mine.

20130817-104731.jpg

Pure bliss.

Each training cycle is “cyclical”. I have good runs and bad runs. I can be in a bad cycle for a year or more. It could be due to injury, or fatigue, or stress. But when the cycle ends and I start hitting my workouts again, or running long without the “that sucked” feeling, then my heart sings with joy. I’m on the verge of coming out of a bad cycle and I’m starting to get excited. I still have a hamstring that is rebelling against the “come back” but I have a feeling that fast times are in my future. Finally. Could it be true? Only time will tell.

If you’re in a training rut, hang tight. This too shall pass. It can’t all be good all the time and if you have been running a long time, then you know to accept the bad with the good. And some of the downswings can be downright confidence zapping. But that’s normal too. Trust me, hang tight and keep putting in your miles unless your body is just too tired, then just take some downtime to recharge your battery (and confidence).

Any good hamstring stretches? Send them my way! I need this hamstring to get on board with the big picture. It isn’t painful, just tight and irksome.

** Hang On, You WILL Get Stronger ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

CrossFit Day 13 – Handstand Push-Ups!

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Great quote on the white board this morning.

“Even if you are dead last every single WOD, remember that you finished the same WOD as the person who finished first.  Yell “TIME” loud and proud, you did it!”

Love that.  CrossFit, and any fitness activity, is about improving oneself.  Push hard and compete against you. Try to do better than yesterday and move forward with a good attitude, being confident that the person you see in the mirror tomorrow will be stronger and tougher than the one you see today.  This is all about you, don’t worry about what anyone else is doing or how quick they may be doing it.  It doesn’t matter if your activity is walking, running, biking, swimming or maybe CrossFit.  Do it for you.  Compete against you.

Today’s workout began with two new moves.  Handstand Push-ups and Kettlebell Swings.  Yay!  I’ve wanted to work my way up to handstands since I first saw my friends and fellow F’N Runners in this photo below (April 2013).  From left:  Jeni H, Amy C & Tina B.

Handstands_CF NL

I saw this photo via Facebook months before I started CrossFit.  I was green with envy.  These ladies are normal people.  They aren’t big and muscly and nobody would probably pick them out of the crowd as being overly “strong”.  They are moms who run.   Ladies I know.  Regular people like you and I.  If these ladies can do it, so can I.  So can you.  But as with everything, we have to put in the work.  These ladies obviously did that.  Wow.  This photo is what convinced me that CrossFit was something I needed to add to my life.  I’m not saying that I’ll ever be coordinated and/or strong enough to replicate this move but I’ll never know if I don’t try.  I learned a long time ago, never say never.

Handstand Push-ups – They are just as they sound.  Kick up into a handstand, then dip down to do a push-up.  Took me a few times to be confident enough to actually kick up with enough force to actually stay up but it was something that became more comfortable with each attempt.  The goal was to do the handstand, then 10 push-ups, then kick down.  Here I am below.  Yes, I always wear my Aspaeris Pivot Compression Shorts and Pro Compression or SLSTRI  Compression Socks to class.

Handstand Pushup  Handstand Pushup 2  Handstand Pushup 3

I couldn’t dip down very far for the push-up but it’s a start.  I also wasn’t able to complete all 10 before I lost my balance and had to kick out.  I did make 9 on one attempt though!  Super excited!! 

Kettlebell Swings are super fun too!!!  Demo below.  I added the last photo too because the range of motion isn’t complete until the kettlebell is above the head.  Sequence from Todo Entrenamientos and then the lady in blue is from South Coast CrossFit.

kettlebell-swings    kettlebell swing_vertical_South Coast Crossfit

After the new moves, we did a quick “2 minute AMRAP” (as many rounds as possible) workout of:  Box Jumps (12” box), Abmat Sit-ups, Squats & Ring Rows.  2 minutes on each activity, doing as many as possible in the 2 minute timeframe. 

Done.

Anything you are excited to tackle in your upcoming workouts?  Maybe your first 20 miler of marathon training?  Handstands in CrossFit?   It’s a beautiful things to watch the progress of a good training cycle.  Be proud!!

** Getting Stronger ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

CrossFit Day 12 – WOD Blake & CrossFit Day 13

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The 12th day of CrossFit brought me the Blake WOD. 

blake_David Blake

From CrossFit.com

“Blake“

Four rounds for time of:
100 foot Walking lunge with 45lb plate held overhead
30 Box jump, 24 inch box
20 Wallball shots, 20 pound ball
10 Handstand push-ups

Info on Blake below:

U.S. Navy Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician David Blake McLendon, 30, of Thomasville, Georgia, assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Support Activity in Norfolk, Virginia, was killed September 21, 2010, in a helicopter crash during combat operations in the Zabul province of Afghanistan. McLendon is survived by his wife Kate McLendon, his parents David and Mary-Ann McLendon, his brother Chris McLendon, and his sister Kelly Lockman.

Of course, our class had to be modified for us newbies.  We did 3 rounds for time:  100′ of walking lunges (body weight only), 30 box jumps (18” box), 20 Ring Rows & 10 Push-ups.  I’m at the bottom of this photo doing crappy  push-ups in my pink shoes & green compression socks.  Took me 10:43 for all three rounds. 

CrossFit_FNRC pushups_Blake WOD

We then got to try a few new things.  Thrusters.  Bar only.  You can check out this stud gentlemen from the Reebok CrossFit Coastal Carolina page demoing the thruster below.  Just imagine us doing them without the giant muscles or the big ass weights on the end of the bar.  Since we are still relatively weak new, we have to put in the time learning the moves, proper form, etc. so that we don’t hurt ourselves. 

crossfit-thruster

The second “new” move was the Wall Climb.  LOL!  This was just entertainment at it’s finest.    We started in a push-up position with our feet against the wall, then started to back up with our hands while our feet were “climbing” (walking up) the wall.  As this is happening, your feet are walking up the wall and your hands are walking toward the wall so you “should” basically be in a handstand position facing the wall once your feet are in the full “up” position.  Yeah, right.   Not my finest hour.  Then you return to the push-up position by walking your hands back out until you are at a 45 ish degree angle.  At that point, you are “supposed” to let your feet slide down the wall back to the floor.  Controlled motion.  Not me.  I about broke my toes each time.  #WallClimbFAIL  Demo from CrossFitFire below:

CrossFit_wall climbs_CrossFitFire  

CrossFit Day 13 – Partner up!  I think he may have been taking it easy on us Tuesday, which scares the crap out of me thinking about tomorrow morn. 

10 Rounds 

  • 20 Wall Balls (14# ball, I think)
  • 20 Abmat Sit-ups

Since we were with a partner this time, the two of us had to complete the 20 moves together.  I had a great partner so each of us did 10 of each move (or half of the set).  It went fast.  Only one partner could move at a time.  I started with the Wall Balls, did 10.  Handed off to her, she did 10.  I then moved to the Abmat Sit-ups, did 10.  Then she did 10.  Repeat x10.  Fast workout.  Took us 15:40 to complete.  Done.

What will tomorrow bring?  Hmmmm, I “may” have asked about handstand push-ups and they “may” have been added to the board.  Hehehehee!  Smile  We’ll see!

** Getting Stronger, One Workout At A Time ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

CrossFit ….. Day 8

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Thursday brought my 8th day at CrossFit.  Did you think I’d last this long?  I certainly didn’t know when I went to that first class but I am LOVING it.  I am loving it so much that I should have technically stayed home and rested for Ironman 70.3 Racine but I went to CrossFit anyhow.  Yep, I love it.  I love that it’s something different.  I love that I never know what to expect.  I love that it’s fun.  I love that it’s challenging.  I love that my friends get up before the sun to go with me at 5am.  I love that it kick starts my day and gives me loads of energy!

I may or may not have emailed the instructor whining concerned about Thursday’s unknown WOD and fearing that it might be too much for me since I’m so close to the Racine race.  He may or may not have taken that into account when he planned the WOD for our 5am class.  We’ll never know but I was happy to see the looks of it on the board and the fact that it looked manageable. 

3 Rounds – 1 minute per station – No rest, just rotate to the next station.

Kettlebell deadlifts, Push-ups, Ring Rows (I’m really liking these, is that sick?), Box Jumps & Sit-ups with knees out.  Rest. 

100 meter sprints (x5)

I did much better on the kettlebell deadlifts this go around.  I stayed focused on staring straight ahead and not looking down at the kettlebell.  My form was better.  I felt better.  Am I getting stronger?   Who knows but I’m going to say yes because that’s what I want to believe!

kettlebell deadlift

The push-ups, ring rows, box jumps were all standard.  I did wuss out use the small box for the box jumps so as to not tax myself too badly before the race.  I also have jacked up hamstrings so no need to irritate them more than necessary.  The sit-ups had an added twist this time, not to make them harder just different.  We sat on the floor in butterfly position, then did our sit-up with open legs and came up and touched our feet each time. Not difficult, just different.  And we always use the abmat so that really saves my back. 

situps_knees out   abmat

After three rounds of those 5 stations, we then took a brief rest and went out to the parking lot to do 100 meter sprints (x5).  The first one was rough, as usual, but then my hamstrings loosened up and the last 4 were fun!  Sprinting is way better than marathoning!!!  What have I been thinking??   Photo source:  CrossFit West out of Santa Cruz.

100 m sprints

Loved this workout.  Loved ending with the sprints.  Smile

** Getting Stronger ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

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 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 **