The Positives in Failures

Another post/rant about why I LOVE Crossfit.  I know you probably see these all over the place and I know I've written about it, but hey maybe there's something to this..maybe Crossfit is really THAT great! 

The reason I started crossfit (deep down the REAL, god honest reason):
I wanted to LOOK HOT.  Let's be honest everyone wants to look good.  People want to be that person that the crowd turns around and takes a double take because they can't believe their eyes.  We're all a little vain..and there's nothing wrong with this.  When I originally started crossfit, I wanted to look like Ms. Justine Munroe (pictured- found on RxMuscle.com).

I wanted to compete in a competition because I wanted those abs.  I never have had abs, so I figured I'd be happy if I could just get those cuts.  Well I found out quickly that my priorities changed....

 

What I got from crossfit (it wasn't the hot bod):  Okay, yes my muscles have grown and I am a little more toned, but not in any extreme fashion.  What I got from crossfit was something totally different:

- I became stronger

- I became more flexible

- I feel stronger, more independent

- I feel more confident in my own skin

- I feel more confident on my views

- I am more determined and have a stronger will power

- I EMBRACE THE SUCK

Why I stay, even though I fail: People have asked me why I do crossfit- I'm not as strong (or will ever be) as many of the elite.  I have many goats (weaknesses) and am still working on...well, everything (pull-ups, lifts, gymnastics, etc.).  My response/defense is that I wasn't ever going to win a marathon, not even close, but I still ran because why let failure stop you?

If we avoided things we weren't good at or failed at; how would we grow?  How would we find out what we're good at?  That's why I love crossfit.  Many of the people at my box will never compete in The Games or even be considered a "contender."  I'm okay with that because even though we fail at one point or another, we're always there for each other!!

Even though I may not complete a WOD, I can tell I'm progressing. I didn't finish Monday's WOD:
3 Rounds-
10 Pullups
30 Double Unders.

At first, I was pissed.  I wanted to walk away and mope, but then I had to think of something to take away.  What did I decide to take away??  It was my first WOD EVER I did unassisted pull-ups.  I always had to use some sort of band, even a really really thin one.   But I did this one all on my own and I was pretty damn proud of myself!

 

The final point and reason behind my post: The Open



The Crossfit Open is 1 WOD a week from March 5-April 7.  You can try each WOD as many times that week, as you would like.  Just make sure your score is in by that Sunday.  Nothing can be scaled, so if you can't lift a weight; you just keep trying and trying. 



I was terrified last week.

WOD Week 1:
17min AMRAP
40 Burpees
30 Snatches (45#)
30 Burpees
30 Snatches (75#)
20 Burpees
30 Snatches (100#)
10 Burpees
As Many Snatches at 120# for remainder of time

I had only ever snatched 73# and it was THAT Thursday!  How in the world was I going to do 75# two days later?  Well, I didn't but it was a great learning experience and I couldn't be happier that I did it.  Did I do well..hell no, but my friends from my box were still cheering me on.  How could you want to be a part of that community?
 

Tomorrow I'll be trying Week 2 WOD:
 

10min AMRAP:

5 Shoulder to Overhead (75#)--thank god I just got 100# on my split jerk!

10 Deadlifts (same weight)

15 Box Jumps (20in)
 

 

I know it doesn't look difficult, but I think my biggest struggle will be fatigue.  It's easy to get cocky and think I'll knock this out, but going too quick on deadlifts could ruin my box jumps.  I guess only time will tell...literally.

Crossfit Competition Numero Tres

Today I got to compete (or participate might be a better word) in another crossfit competition with my box (Crossfit Hydro) and two other local gyms (Crossfit Artis and Crossfit 402).  

It was awesome and sucked all at the same time!! I love these competition between the three boxes because it's not just about winning.  No matter what gym people are from, everyone cheers for each other.  We especially cheer for those who look like they need an extra boost!

They also make me realize how far I've come since I started in July.  If you would have told me 6 months ago that I'd be 100% engrossed in this sport and thriving off the community feel, I probably would have laughed in your face....

..but here I am 100% engrossed and thriving...I think the pictures do it better justice.

WOD #1:

1Min at each station; continous

Double Unders

Deadlifts (95#)

KB Swings (35#)

Jumping Squats

Wall Walks

WOD #2:

5min AMRAP

Squat Snatch (65#)

**This was 5# away from my PR, so I was pretty happy when I did 13**

WOD #3:

10min AMRAP

1 clean (65#)

1 push press

1 burpee

2 clean

2 push press

2 burpee

(and keep going up until 10min)

YEAH..that one kicked my ass

AND here are some more pictures about the community..

Talking to one of the owner's of Fit Farm

CROSSFIT COMPETITION!!!!!!

Okay, seriously I need to figure out how to add sound effects (I feel like the title should have an awesome voice).  If you've ever talked to me you know how much I LOVE using sound effects.  My boyfriend laughs at me all the time when as I make turning and breaking noises when I drive.

ANYWAYS, let's get to business!  This past weekend I participated in my second crossfit competition! Instead, this time we went to one of the other gyms, CrossFit402.  I'll quickly list the three WODs we had to complete, but I'm not going to go into great detail (I could write a novel, if I did).  PS- I used ENERGYBits in between WODs to keep me strong and energized!

WOD #1:
25 Toes 2 Bar (I scaled to Knees to Elbow)
9-7-5 Deadlift and Hang Clean (full squat; 75#)
25 Toes 2 Bar (Knees to Elbow)
Completed in: 8:49min

WOD #2:
3 RDS: Lateral Burpees (over bar) and OH Walking Lunges (10x, 10#)
Use remainder of 8min to find 3RM OH Squat (have to snatch bar into place)

Got 65#

WOD #3:
8min AMRAP
Before you can begin AMRAP: 550m Run and 200 Single Unders
2 Snatch- 2 Wall Walks
4 Snatches- 4 Wall Walks, etc
I got to round 4 and 2 snatches.

I got to peek at the WODs on Wednesday when the hosting box posted them on their blog.  I knew right away that I wasn't going to be placing or even in the running to place.  The WODs contained A LOT of strength and shoulder work..my weaknesses!  Now if there would have been pull-ups, running, burpees, or anything like that; it would have been a different story, but it wasn't.  At first I was little bummed that I would be no where near competitive that Saturday, but then I remembered the whole reason why I started crossfit: TO GET STRONGER.  If I went lower scaled weights and could go faster, would I place?  Maybe, but would I really be improving..probably not.  That's when I decided I would use this competition as a way to push myself; with all these people cheering you on...why not try for higher weights.  What's the worst that could happen?  I don't get it, but at least I tried.

I didn't place, but it felt AMAZING to get those higher weights and to work on my form (my snatch form is awful!).  It was a great competition and I really enjoyed the atmosphere.  I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE!!!

Does your box compete with other boxes?  Or do you compete within your box?

The athletes from the different gyms

Some of the athletes from my box

MINI UPDATE ON NUTRITION CHALLENGE:
This past weekend I had a football/halloween party and kinda hiccuped on the nutrition challenge.  It wasn't terrible; it just wasn't zone and paleo.  I didn't get all bent out of shape and then I felt even better about it when I talked to some of the other people participating, on Monday.  They also talked about how they had fallen off the wagon.  I got back on the next day and didn't think too much about it.

Lunch yesterday..had to use TWO plates!

BY THE WAY: If you're friends or anyone say that eating healthy leaves them hungry..they're doing it wrong!!  Do you see that picture^^^  That was my lunch yesterday; I had to use TWO plates for all my food!!  I can't believe how much I WASN'T eating vegetables.  The amount of vegetables I have consumed in the last week is RIDICULOUS, but it's what I needed to do!  I'll keep you updated on more meals and recipes because raw veggies are getting boring.  

AND here's some more pictures from the competition that I couldn't leave out!

Some of the girls that competed from my box

Me before the last WOD- my mom's an aspiring photographer ;)

GOTTA LOVE PICSTITCH

Pre-Snatch

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!! 

What are you going as?  Or did you already have a party, like me??

I was "The Walk of Shame" and my boyfriend (top right corner) was a Rabbi

Workouts On Vacation

Here on the workouts I did while on vacation!  I didn't have access to a gym, so I had to incorporate cardio and bodyweight training.

Saturday: 200 single under jump ropes warm-up

3 rounds: 15 pushups, 20 burpees, 100 jump rope, 1.25 mile run (on the 3rd round I did 30 pushups, 40 burpees, and 200 jump ropes)

Sunday: AM- warm-up: 200 single under jump rope

3 rounds: 25 pushups, 25 squats

Finished with a 5 mile run in less than 40min! with my uncle on the golf course (hilly!!)

PM- swam 21 laps in that beautiful pool pictured above.

Monday- Rest Day

Tuesday- AM warm-up: 500 jump ropes (got creative- single unders, one foot, back and forth, side to side)

6 rounds: 10 burpees, 20 lunges (each leg), 10 pushups, .5 mile (hard!)

PM- 7 laps at the pool

Wednesday- 1 hour on bike

100 body weight squats, 50 pushups, 4min plank, 50 burpees, 100 crunches, 30min on bike

Thursday- 1 hour on bike, 2 mile run

AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) 15 min: 10 lunges (both legs),10 pushups with toe touches, 10 jump squats, 10 full burpees

Friday- 4 rounds: 15min on bike, 25 pushups, 25 squats (ass to grass)

Saturday- AM: 7ish mile run

                PM: 7 laps in the pool

Sunday- OFF (walked around an outdoor mall for a few hours)

Monday- Warm-up: 300 single under jump ropes (creative)

10 rounds: 

10 burpees (full)

20 jumping jacks

20 squats (ass to grass)

10 squat jumps (ass to grass)

10 pushups