VolkeFit: A Double Shot of Steve

My wife said she was too tired to go to Steve's again, so asked me to take her spot.  She ended up staying home and dealing with our children, so I'm not sure it actually worked out for her.   Worked out great for me, though.


A. Every 2 Minutes for 30 minutes

Using 135lb barbell, every 2 minutes:
3 deadlift
3 power cleans
3 push press

The complex took between 23 and 30 seconds most of the way, so it allowed me to rest for the rest of each 2-minute round.



B. Don't Stop Skipping


300 DU
Everytime you stop, do 3 burpees and 1 handstand push-up.

Not for time, so I made sure to catch my breath in between rounds.

Here's how this went:

98 DUs (PR!)
3+1
55 DUs
3+1
6 DUs (DAMMIT)
3+1
60 DUs
3+1
81 DUs.

Deadlift, Push Press and Dodgeball

I did two muscle-ups during the warm-up. I barely got high enough and really had to work and kick to get locked out.  Basically, I got up there through sheer orneriness. 

Strength

Deadlift - 4 reps @ 60%, 70%,75%, 80-85%

Marco and I used 190, 225, 235 and 265

 

Push Press – 4 reps @ 60%, 70%, 75%, 80-85%

I used 120, 140, 150 and 165. 

 

 

Push press EMOM 4 reps every min @ 55-60% for 10 min

I used 120 for this.  After the heavier ones, this seemed pretty easy. 

 

Dodgeball

If you got hit, you had to do 20 reps of an exercise, depending on the colour of ball that hit you.  In the second game, I had to do 20 jumping squats.  Other than that, I got off scot-free as our team dominated . 

 

Later, I joined in a consequence-free game against some of the ACT or Invictus folks.  I ended up scoring the winning elimination by catching a ball from the opposing team's last player.  I didn't really catch it due to my awesome reflexes.  I simply got hit perfectly in the junk and bent over so quickly that the ball was trapped. 

 

I told the thrower who I eliminated, "If it's any consolation, you just ruined my weekend."

CrossFit Open Throwback Tuesday

With the CrossFit Open coming back, CFR decided to revisit a couple of workouts from last year's open for the Tuesday WOD.  And why not?


13.2:
10 minute AMRAP of
-5 shoulder to overhead (115lb)
-10 deadlifts (115lb)
-15 box jumps or steps on a 24" box

Here's how I did on this last year.

A year later, I wasn't quite as proficient.  I got 7 rounds, plus one push press. 

I used push presses for the overhead lifts, and was able to bang them out pretty quick.  The deadlifts started to suck about halfway through, but writing this the next day I have zero back discomfort so I guess the bit of foam rolling I did helped.  I stepped on the box the whole way through.  It allowed me to keep a steady pace and not burn myself out. It's maybe not quite as fast as jumping, but I didn't have to rest during the steps at all.   


We rested for 10 minutes.  Then..



13.5
Four-minute AMRAP of
-15 thrusters (100lbs)
-15 C2B pull-ups

Here's how I did on this last year.

Unlike the Open version of the workout, where you get another four minutes for every three rounds you complete, we were supposed to stop after four minutes.  Not that it mattered to me anyway. 

Again, I did significantly worse than last year, though that can probably be excused by being older, injured and freaking tired from the first WOD.  Plus, the competition atmosphere, with hordes of people cheering me on, was missing. 

I'll settle for a score of 61 (two full rounds, plus one thruster)

Deadlift / DHPLUs / KB Snatch

Made it to a 6a.m. workout.  On my day off, no less.  I wouldn't want to hold myself out as some sort of inspirational figure, but if you were to see me that way, I'd understand. 

A. Work up to a one-rep max deadlift

So I figured I'd do something relatively heavy, but not near my max before trying for something big. 

So I worked up to 255.  Then I put another 60lbs on the bar. (took off the 15s and put on 45s) 

In my head, it was only 305, so it was kind of discouraging when I failed it. 

I decided to try it again, then I got it up in a lift so ugly you wouldn't kiss it if it roofied you.

Later, I realized that it was 315.  For a little while, I was stoked because I thought that was a new PR. 

Nope.

Turns out, I lifted that much back in 2009.   Geez.

I was spent from getting that up -- lightheaded and my shitty leg was threatening horrible consequences -- so I didn't attempt to go five pounds heavier.   But maybe someday soon.

B.  Max Deadhang Pull-ups

I think the 500m row I did in warm-up and the deadlift was a good way to prepare.  I did 16, which is the most I've ever done.  I don't know if I've done it before, but I'm pretty sure I've never broken it.  The most I ever remember doing is 15, so I'm calling it a PR. 


C. Five minutes of KB snatch

I can't say my heart was in this one.  I sort of hate these. 

61.  The Janimal got 82. 

Press / Deadlift / Kodiak

A.  Shoulder Press - 3-3-3

95-115-120 


B. Deadlift 1x5

Warmed up with 95, 185 and 225. 

Then I lifted 300 for five reps, a PR of five pounds.

This breaks a PR I set earlier this month. 

One of these days, I have got to work toward a one-rep max.  I haven't done that for three years. 


C. "Kodiak"

With increasing the weight, do seven rounds of
3 snatch (touch and go)
6 overhead squat
9 back squat. 

You can't put the bar down in the middle of a round. 

The part I hated the least was the transition from OHS to back squat.  It did not feel great on the arm that's hurting.  I ended up going  into a squat as the weight came down across my shoulders

It was getting late, so I only did six rounds.

75-85-95-105-125  Another five-pound PR, although my previous best on Kodiak dates back to 2009.  

Note to future self reading this:  Tape your wrists when you do this. 

Press, Deadlifts, Rhiannon

A. Shoulder Press 3-3-3

 

Ended up with 135. 

 

 

B. Deadlift 1×5

275


C. “Rhiannon”
Max Double-Unders in 10 minutes

300.  Not my best.

"Pheezy" ain't easy

“Pheezy”

Three rounds for time of:
5 Front squats – 165/115lb
18 Pull-ups
5 Deadlifts – 225/155lb
18 Toes-to-bar
5 Push jerks – 165/115lb
18 Hand-release push-ups

19:24 rx'd.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love toes-to-bar? I haven't?

There's a reason.

Hearing D3 pound out the deadlifts like they were nothing was somewhat demoralizing. He's more animal than man!




Overheard at the Gym

Christian: "Are you updating the Nobody-Gives-a-Shit Blog?" .

Lunchtime hypocrisy: Front squats and "Every Rep Counts"

Overheard at the Gym

"You should post that rule."
-Dude from Saskatoon, good-naturedly complaining about the 10-burpees-for-swearing rule after saying "Fuck you, OPT" during the course of the OPT metcon.

"Hey, it's not written anywhere that you're not supposed to pee on the floor, but we don't want you to do that, either."
-Tyler the Hypocrite, who actually inspired the burpee punishment for profanity.

A. Front Squat 3-3-3
*Start at 85% of 1RM and increase

I did 205 and 225, then failed at 250. Well, I got one at 250, so I can claim that as my new one-rep max, I guess. It's five pounds more than my current one-rep PR. See, if I had realized that, I would have gone for only 235 for the three-rep PR, but I convinced myself that my three-rep PR was not properly recorded on the sidebar.

It's alright. It's good to fail sometimes. If you never fail, you're probably not challenging yourself enough. I think I am sometimes guilty of that. I have a fragile ego and CrossFit is one of the ways I am able to convince myself that I am utterly awesome despite, yknow, everything else I do.


B. “Every Reps Counts” 2009 Qualifier WOD
As many rounds in 20 minutes of
10 Wall Ball 20/14lb
10 Box Jumps 20″
10 Deadlift 205/145lb
10 Speed Burpees

My score was 221, which equates to 5 rounds, plus 10 WB, 10 BJ, and 1 deadlift. No matter what, I was gonna get that one fucking deadlift.

Holy shit, though, I thought the deadlifts were awful on this. I am weak. WEAK!

Muscle-Ups & CLOC #5

A. Skill: Muscle-up + 2 second L-sit x10 reps (not for time)
If you can’t do MU, do transition + 2 second L-sit x 15 reps

Yup. Still can't do a muscle-up.

B. CF Ladies of Canada #5
As many rounds as possible in 10 minutes of
10 Deadlift – 165/115lb (Maintain good form)
15 Anchored Situps – shoulders all the way back, touch front of DBs
5 Pull-ups (use bands as needed)

I counted 6 rounds plus 10 DL and 3 sit-ups. Jacob thinks I got one more round than that. Then again, he's a relentless optimist.

BONUS

I convinced Jacob to join me in doing the Competition Team EXTRA, which was...

Three minutes of sandbag shouldering (90lbs). Basically, fill a duffel bag with two 45lb sandbags, and transfer it from shoulder to shoulder, pressing it out each time.

I got 24 reps in three minutes, but I was only in "75% serious / 25% fucking around" mode.

C. Mobility = share your favorite with the group

Back Squats, Deadlifts, L-sits, Row Strokes

A. Strength = Back Squats 80%x4x5 (4 reps, 5 sets)
Deadlift 1 set of 5 (+5-10lb from last time 111027)


Used 225 on the squats and 275 on the DL.

B. Skill = Accumulate 30 seconds of L-sit hanging from Pull-up bar

Sets of 15, 10 and 5 seconds, with Christian threatening to tickle me on the first and Nolan trying to make me laugh on the second. Dicks.

C. Metcon = 50 strokes on C2 Rower for distance, damper set at 7
*No more than 5 seconds between strokes

736, which is not that great. I was rushing my strokes too much at the start.

Hangover WOD

Hangover WOD – share the work equally with a partner:
5 rounds for time of:
20 Deadlifts – 135/95lb (sub for Tire Flips)
2o Kettlebell Swings – 55/35lb, Int 35/25lb
30 Russian Twists – 35/25lb dumbbell
150m Row each

I partnered with Darren. We did this in 18:53.

Front Squats and "Christine"

A. Strength = Front Squats heavy single 3-2-1-1-1,
Then 90%x2, 85%x3x3


I did 165x3, 195x2 then singles of 215, 225, 235, and 245(PR)I thought that my previous PR was 225, so I thought I had a 20lb PR there for a little while, then discovered that I actually did 235 for a single in the past. Still, it's always good to get a PR, even if it is *only* 10lbs.

B. Metcon = “Christine” for time
3 rounds of
500m Row,
12 Bodyweight Deadlift (modify to 3/4 or 1/2 bodyweight as needed),
21 Box Jumps – 20”

I used 185 for the deadlifts, though I'm probably around 180. It's what I've used on this in the past.

The deadlifts probably slowed me down the most. I tried not to kill the row so I'd have some energy for the lifts and the jumps.

13:57

About 16 seconds slower than the previous time I've done it as rx'd.

BCBD #1,2,3

Sled Drags with Dowels
A. 5 minutes to find max of
Deadlift+Hang Clean+Jerk (1+1+1)

I got up to 195.


5 minute total time but no time limit for the set.
rest 60 seconds, then

B. Row 90 seconds for max distance

I got 453m, which is a bit better than when I did this yesterday. (I was less exhausted.)

Rest 10-15 minutes, then

C. Sled Drag with Dowel for time
100M + return
M-75lb, W-55lb

Took me 1:33

Overhead Squats and DL/T2B: That'll teach me to open my big mouth

Yesterday, I ranted a bit about cherrypicking WODs, and not skipping the gym if you see one you don't like.

It's like the CrossFit gods (or Robin and Aaron) read what I wrote and wanted to test my resolve by including a WOD that is tailor-made for me to ditch.

Hey, what if it included both deadlifts for time AND toes to bar?


A. Overhead Squats 3-3-3

135-155-175(PR)

Barely got the third rep on the 175 and strained my right shoulder a bit in trying to hang on. Nothing serious.

B. Dot Com 2
5 rounds for time:
15 Deadlifts – 185/135lb
15 Toes to Bar

19:58 Just barely got in sub-20. That's about three minutes slower than I would have liked.

I took WAY too many breaks on this, but I found it really tough. Fortunately, I did not tear my sissy hands, though there might be a couple of new blisters in development. Whatever, callouses are manly and sexy.


C. SASKATOON COMPETITORS' BONUS - A 400m run with a medicine ball. Not timed.
I did it, but it was mostly a walk with a few half-hearted jogging spurts. The rain, my sweat and the leftover chalk got things nice and pasty, and the ball was hard to carry.


In a vaguely related matter, the squiggly veins on either side of my forehead are especially pronounced these days after a workout. I realize it's probably nothing, but part of me wonders if I should be concerned. If it gets any more noticeable, I'll be looking like the dude from the Green Lantern movie.

"Kettle Balls"

A. Push Press
5-5-5 (start at about 75% of max overhead, push press or jerk)

135-155-165

B. Deadlift
1×5

It had been forever since I deadlifted. I only did 225. The official reason is that I didn't want to go heavy and hurt my back before Sunday's Frisbee playoffs. The unofficial reason is that I'm a giant pussy.

C. ‘Kettle Balls’

50 Wallballs
15 Kettlebell Swings
35 Wallballs
30 Kettlebell Swings
20 Wallballs
45 Kettlebell Swings

Took me 15:02. It was not fun and I took too many breaks.

HSPU / DL / Pistols

A. 10 minutes of Handstand Push-ups
3 at start of minute and try to maintain the 3 per minute for whole 10 minutes.

I did this, and even managed to do it without kipping.


B. Bodyweight Deadlift for 5 minutes – 2 lifts every 30 seconds, perfect form

I used 190lbs, and did this. Not sure if my form was "perfect" but I didn't have any back issues afterward, so that's cool. Maybe the next time we do this, I could use a bit heavier weight, and hopefully not because I've gotten fatter.

C. Roll on tennis ball with each glute for 2 minutes/side

This was unpleasant.

D. 5 minutes of Leg Pistol practice

I sure needed this. Getting there.

"Little Diane / 1km run

"Little Diane"

15-12-9 of:
225 DL (rx'd was 275, I had to scale)
Handstand pushups
200m run after each round.

Took me 10:23


Next up was a 1km run. I ran right behind the fastest girl for three-quarters of the way, and I passed her on the home stretch to finish in 4:01, which is a new PR. Without her setting the pace, I would have been way slower.

Strength - Workout B

Back squats - Three sets of 5 x 235 lbs

The first two sets were tougher than I'd like. The third set, I focused more and went at it a little more agressively, and it felt a bit better.


Bench press - Three sets of 5 x 155 lbs. (4,4,3)

I failed on the fifth rep on the first two sets and the fourth on the last one. This was not unexpected, since 150 was tough for me.


Deadlift - One set of 5 x 255 lbs.

I feel like my technique degraded on or just after the second rep. But I'm still walking upright, so it couldn't have been too bad.

Strength - Workout B

Back squats - Three sets of 5 x 225 lbs

Bench press - Three sets of 5 x 150 lbs (PR!)

Came very close to failing, but didn't.

Deadlift - One set of 1 x 245 lbs


Overheard at the Gym:

RHM: "Suck it, haters."

Strength - Workout A

Back Squats - Three sets of 5 x 220 lbs.
Still heavier than they should be. Perhaps it's time to start drinking milk again. But I just got some semblence of ABZZZ back! Dilemmma!


Shoulder press - Three sets of 5 x 120 lbs.

On the last rep of the second set, I had to walk forward a bit. I think that would have disqualified me in competition. Not that I'm planning on completing, because I'm pretty sure there are 12-year-old girls who can press more than me. On the last rep of the third set, I also took a step forward, but I had already locked out.


Deadlift - One set of 5 x 235 lbs

Felt good, even with no DL warm-up. Jeff even complimented me on my technique, and he knows a thing or two about deadlifts. Of course, it's easy to look good when the weight isn't heavy. Talk to me 40 lbs from now.


Deadhand pull-ups (unweighted) - Three max sets

9, 7, 7. These have fallen off a bit, probably because I haven't been doing them. I will start adding weight next time and going for three sets of 5-8.