Tag Archives: Push-ups

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 **

Challenges….

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I normally don’t take the bait join challenges because well, I’m frequently at a different level than the target audience.  I’m not being pretentious, I just don’t need much motivation to get out the door because I enjoy getting out the door.  I enjoy moving.  I enjoy the time away from my screaming kids chaotic family.  I enjoy quality ME time. 

There are a few challenges to which I fall prey.   Not so long ago, my Ragnar Relay Chicago teammate Run with Jess put on a week long series of virtual races called the Jelly Bean Virtual Race.  She offered a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon & a 21K bike.  I took that as a “challenge” and did all 4 events.  My theory has always been “Go Big or Go Home”. 

go-big-text

I know I’m not a snowboarder but the pic above is just too cool!  By the way, can somebody replace that snowboarder with a runner?  Love you people with mad skills in graphics & Photoshop!

So I haven’t really been “challenged” since the Jelly Bean but Jeni at Sparkalish Roar threw down a small informal challenge this week.  She suggested just focusing on one small goal for the week, like drink more water (which I do) or do 10 pushups every day for a week.  Well, the pushup thing is something with which I really struggle.  YES, I need this!  I’m in the challenge for 10 pushups (minimum) every day this week and hopefully everyday for the rest of my life!  So on Tuesday, I did 12 pushups.  Sounds pathetic, right?  Well, I struggle with upper body strength so this is good for me!  You have to remember  not  to compare yourself to others when setting a goal or accepting a challenge.  The purpose of a goal or challenge is to do something for YOU that will improve YOU.  So don’t go out and run 30 or 40 miles because TTF you know somebody who does that each week.  Focus on choosing a goal that is challenging for you personally.

I have been really focused on dropping the pudge for the Palos Half eating clean this week and drinking my water.  Then I added this little challenge to my schedule.  TUE – 12 pushups, WED – 15 pushups, THUR – 15 pushups & today I did 17!   Whoooooop!

I also upped the ante by eliminating Starbucks from my calorie count occasional routine until after the Palos Half.  Jeni upped the ante on her end by adding chin-ups/pull-ups to her routine.  Damn, that bitch she is tough!  So I went shopping.

pull up bar

In case you are confused, that’s a chin-up/pull-up bar that hubby so kindly put together and installed for me while I was sleeping last night.  

I can’t do any,  not even one pull-up.  How long will it take before I can do 5?  Aby sent me a text message that she did 2 pull-ups before school this morning.  Great, I love it when my 10 year old is stronger than me.    Michael did 4 assisted pull-ups before heading off to a tough day at daycare.  Even better when my 2 year old is stronger than me.  I WILL conquer this.

How about you?  Do anything stupid lately?  Have you accepted any interesting challenges?  Wanna do some pull-ups with me?  Wanna spot me?  Go get yourself  a pull-up bar at Wal-Mart and for $19 you can suffer accept the pull-up challenge too!  How long will it take YOU to be able to do 5 pull-ups?  Let’s race to OUR 5 pull-up goal!  🙂

Challenge yourself, no matter how BIG or small, just step outside of you comfort zone toward a better you!

Happy Friday!                                                                                                                Amanda – TooTallFritz