The Good. The Bad. The Ugly.

Resting 60 seconds between sets:
Deadlift 2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2

225-275-295-300-305-310- 310.........

That's when it ended for me.  It was quite humbling and disappointing all at the same time.  Bad form = shitty results and that's exactly what happened.  I was stuck on 310 and felt my back "go" then tried 275.  The bad form really messed up my back and the rest of the workout.  Failure is good.  Now I know that I have to practice better form and take a day off throughout the week.  I've had a hard time sticking to the three on one off rule.  Failure can breed determination and eagerness to strengthen competitiveness.

The Mill:  I am not a political guy by any stretch, and I would never claim to be.  What I think I know is that Republicans and Democrats (in Congress and the House) act like snobby children in the playground, and Michele Bachman is less than desirable.

With that said something that Obama said in last night's speech got me thinking about a lot of things, and none of them revolved around the fact that no one in office genuinely cares about the well being of this country.  The President said that we (the USA) need to strengthen our competitiveness, and strive for competitive greatness.  As a Nation.  So what I'm proposing is that Obama starts Crossfit asap!  Crossfit's specialty is not specializing which is something these parties could adopt to become leaders for the Nation.  Like I said I don't get politics, but one side stands up to clap and the other side sits shaking their head.  How is anything supposed to get done?  Crossfit is the answer to this solution.  Put both parties in the same gym and line them up to do one of the most painful WOD's of them all.  Fran (21-15-9; su** it suits).  Watch them help each other through this crazy painful, but quick, WOD.  I would like to see the President and Congressman Jack Kingston power clean, deadlift, bust out a few burpees, and possibly get a little Diane work to boost morale in the House.

Mechanics. Consistency. Intensity.  After failing at today's WOD I guess it's back to the mechanics.  Mechanics and consistency performed with intensity will allow for gains to be made.  Just like how Rocky went back to the beginning to dominate Drago and even in III when he pounded Clubber Lang.  He failed, worked harder, became consistent and dominated.  Rocky is not just a movie.  He was doing Crossfit before Crossfit was born.

Failure breeds knowledge and willingness to perform better.  Mechanics. Consistency. Always done with enthusiasm and intensity. 

Gut Check.....No But Seriously

For time:
25 Walking lunge steps
20 Pull-ups
50 Box jumps, 20 inch box
20 Double-unders
25 Ring dips
20 Knees to elbows
30 Kettlebell swings, 2 pood
30 Sit-ups
20 Hang squat cleans, 35 pound dumbbells
25 Back extensions
30 Wall ball shots, 20 pound ball
3 Rope climb ascents
15 Pull Ups
15 Squats


17:45

My man Curley Johnson!

There were a few barriers to get through on this one right from the get go.  The walking lunges were done like the Harlem Globetrotters famous weave.  I was no where near as graceful as Curley though I was moving in, out and around machines and people to get to 25 lunges. 


The Mill:  I was looking for a gut check WOD and it found me today.  Nothing beats enjoying a difficult challenge which always has a way of humbling anyone.  It was a struggle for sure, but I finished.  Double under's were probably the toughest part and it didn't help that the new guy floating around was locked on my every move.  He was right there, about 3 feet away from me during every lift, just staring and judging.  It was a little uncomfortable to say the least. 

It's time to show some energy, every time.  Since I was bouncing all over the place this morning in the weight room the actual lifts were a bit conservative.  I didn't get after them like I usually do.  Too many people?  Not enough room? I don't know, but I was/am quite disappointed in myself.  Not about the time (because that doesn't matter), but about the effort on each lift and each jump.  No worries though because it was still tiring and a lot of fun. 

Pure elation for today!

I'm A Maniac, Maniac On The Floor

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Thruster 3-3-3-3-3-3-3
135-140-145-150-155-175-190(2)

Monday, September 5, 2011
Front squat 3-3-3-3-3 reps
155-185-205-215-225

Friday, September 2, 2011
15-12-9-6-3 reps for time of:
135 pound Power clean
Bar-facing burpee

9:22.....Pukie was right around the corner.  Actually he was being suppressed from about the 5 minute mark.  Luckily JH was there lifting some crazy heavy chest and needed a spot so a little break was in order which is calculated into the total time.  I was soaked and spent after this workout and it was worth it.  It's a good thing there weren't too many people in the weight room since the burpees look like I'm humping the floor.  I'm not kidding at all.  I don't really care, but the less crazy eyes I get; the better.  However, one of the three people in the gym did laugh at me I think.  Snicker at least. Nonetheless, this was a fun, exhausting, exciting, embarrassing, and awesome WOD.

The Mill:  This past weekend I put my Crossfitting to the test as I attempted to tear up the dance floor.  You know those classic wedding songs like The Isley Brothers and some patented slow dance songs.  It was a wedding/dance party that wore me out by the end of the night, and had me falling asleep before I hit the sack.  And believe you and me we (yes we; mostly everyone there) are not good dancers by any stretch of the imagination.  Who gives a shit.  The show belonged to the one of my good friends who I have never seen dance as much as he did that night.  I found myself just standing and watching as he put everyone to shame with his unforgettable suspenders and knees move.  I would have fallen, but he had it mastered.  Hats off Chief!  Good people, good times.  The shirts were close to coming off

A few shout outs today to MM on the Crossfit Cert (3rd pic down), PM on the publication, JM on the sweet ass backyard gym, and everyone else.....

Can't Shine a Horse Turd

Weighted pull-ups 3-3-3-3-3 reps

45-55-65-70-80 @ 205 (+) body weight

Mixed in some burpees and thrusters afterwards to get a good sweat going in the AM.  


The Mill:  I view my handstand push ups as horse turds because they seem absolutely impossible to master.  I practice and practice, but it seems to be taking forever.  Kind of like the process of polishing one of those turds.  I worked on them again today, and they're starting to come along.  There's this apparent fear in the back of mind that I'm going to slip and potentially hurt my neck.  Talk about a huge horse turd.  These self proclaimed obstacles and negative thoughts always seem to creep in during the many attempts at a handstand push up.  Aside from a few other movements, this one pisses me off the most.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy failing time and time again, but the modification hspu's are old news.  As soon as I think about failing again I fold down from the handstand and shake it out then get back at it.  Kind of like Kevin Costner in the For the Love of the Game, when he has to "clear the mechanism", or another Costner great; Bull Durham.  In Bull Durham, he has to get the broad out of his head. It's kind of the same thing except I have completely different thoughts.  My thoughts are all over the place and sometimes downright crazy.  It's simply a matter of replacing the polishing the turd.  If you keep rubbing then it will soon be polished. Stay at it and you'll get it.

Shout out to JW and his bride to be....show her the SNOW BIRD!!!!