Getting the Most Out of Crossfit

I think I made a breakthrough in my workout today or, rather, in my mindset around my workout. 

Crossfit WOD's (workout-of-the-day) are typically set up so there's a beginner, prescribed and advanced level of the workout. The advanced is so far beyond my current skill level, I just ignore it. I'm beyond beginner level but, when weights are involved, have never felt comfortable with the prescribed weight. I always convince myself it's just a little too heavy or just beyond my capabilities and so I usually use a weight that's 10-15 lbs under what's prescribed. 

This is pure ego. 

Crossfit workouts are timed and we're competing against ourselves and other people. I don't like using heavier weights because it slows my time down. I go slower, rest longer. But guess what? That's what's supposed to happen. 

Today I decided enough with the ego. I'm doing the workout and if I'm the last one to finish, I'm the last one to finish. We do a 21-15-9 workout where we did 21 ground to overhead (GTO) thrusts with a weighted bar, followed by 21 burpees, 15 GTO, 15 burpees, etc. The prescribed weight for females was 65 lbs and I did it. I was the second to last person to finish but I did it. What's more, I feel really good about being almost last simply because I did the workout the way it's supposed to be done. No slacking off, no compensating. My arms were ready to DIE by the last round but I muscled through. 

So right now, physically, I'm wiped. But it's a fantastic mental start to my day. I can't guarantee I'll remain ego free but I am going to make a concerted effort to "man up" and do the prescribed workout and not worry about competing or my time. 

Happy Monday,

Dena

Magic Beans and Long Lashes

Two minutes ago. Blair and I are in the master bathroom, getting ready for bed. Blair's brushing his teeth and I'm using an exceptionally small brush to apply a clear liquid to my top and bottom lash lines. 

"What are you doing?" asked Blair, around a mouthful of toothpaste. 

"Growing my eyelashes," I answered. I was rewarded with a doubtful stare. 

"Seriously," I said. "It's a liquid that makes your eyelashes grow."

Blair spit and rinsed. "You have GOT to be kidding. How do you fall for this stuff?" he asked.

"Stephanie told me about it," I said. "She has beautiful lashes." 

"Stephanie, huh?" 

"Yes." 

Blair nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Sooo.... did she give you any magic booby powder too?"

Oh my God, I died laughing. That was just cold. 

Cheers,

Dena

Don't Crossfit Before Flight

I’ve recently recommitted to Crossfit, attending twice a week. Although it’s hard to drag myself away from a soft bed, I’ve found that if I can get up and out the door, I really enjoy the 5:30 a.m. workouts. By 6:30 a.m., the hard working out for the day is done and I can look forward to an evening run. 

The one problem is that most of the Crossfit WOD’s (workout-of-the-day for the uninitiated) leave me feeling more than just a little sore. I find myself wincing at my desk if I do something overly ambitious, like move my mouse or take a sip of coffee.

As I type this blog, I’m sitting in seat 18A on a US Airways flight to Vegas. There is work to be done, magazines to be read, conversations to be had but I can’t focus on any of that. Why?

MY GLUTES ARE KILLING ME. (Again for the uninitiated: “My butt hurts.”)

Monday’s WOD was 400 meters of walking lunges. Full lunge on one leg, stand up straight, lunge with the other leg. Repeat, repeat, repeat. It took me 13 minutes even and I was the fastest female of the day. I didn’t feel the full effect of the workout until I rolled out of bed this morning and—this is important—tried to stand up.

Holy moly! I made it into Crossfit and we all just cracked up as each person from yesterday’s workout lurched through the door, stiff-legged and grabbing their ass.

I got through this morning’s workout but the glutes are still pretty sore. I’m incredible excited that there is no one in the middle seat next to me on the plane, allowing me to do a little more stretching than usual. (Who cares what seat 18C thinks anyway?)

I read something over the weekend that said the best way to acclimate to a time change is to get up early wherever you are and go outside and exercise. To that end, I’m meeting a work friend tomorrow morning for a Vegas run at 6:15 a.m. I’m less worried about the jet lag then I am if my legs and glutes will yet be fully functional.

Stay tuned.