Time for a New Year, but Why Wait?

So, as 2010 ends, it is time to start thinking about 2011 and what I want to do.  I have been disappointed with my weight loss this year and only have myself to blame.  With that being said, why wait until Jan. to begin changing my ways.  It starts with a day, and today was that day.  Not in 2 weeks.  There is no reason to procrastinate just so that I can overindulge for the holidays.  To make a life style change you need to be able to be comfortable in any situation, including the holidays.  So, I am not waiting 2 weeks.  I have begun trying to better myself in all aspects of my life as of right now.  Because if I put it off, it makes it that much easier to keep putting off.

A big goal of mine besides the weight loss, is to learn the POSE method of running.  I attended a 3 hour clinic this past Sat.  One thing that I learned is that I suck at running, but with a few tweaks and some practice, I can become efficient at it.  It is going to take some practice, but not an overwhelming amount.  I figure after these next 6 weeks, which would be around Feb. 1, I should have a grasp of it and be on my way to more efficient running.  While I have several things that I plan on working on in this upcoming year, these are my 2 biggest.  Once I am lighter, a lot of the other exercises and everyday tasks will just be easier.  So I ask you, why wait until next year when you can start right now?

The Inevitable Tear

Pretty much every crossfitter knows that some time or another you are going to rip the skin open on your hand or hands.  There are ways to try and combat that, either chalk, hand wraps, gloves, etc.  Yesterday's workout had 100 pull ups in it, so I was afraid of the dreaded tear.  The worst part about tearing your hand isn't the pain, but depending on the severity, the amount of time it takes to heal.  And since I took a month off, of course I tore my hand mid workout.

The workout was 10 rds of 10 pull ups/10 ring dips or 20 min., whichever comes first.  I had to use a band for assistance with the ring dips, but did the pull ups without a band.  A band for assistance is a giant rubberband that you stand in or for dips, string it between the rings and put a knee on it for assistance.  About round 5 is when I looked at my left hand and saw the dreaded tear, and it was a big rip.  I tried to continue with regular pull ups, but it kept ripping.  So, I changed for the next rounds to do jumping pull ups.  For me, pull ups with a band are a pain, so I decided to do jumping pull ups.  That's where I jump from the ground to over the bar while doing a pull up.  After 20 min, I got 7 full rounds and 10 pull ups.  I was a little disappointed that I didn't get all 10 rounds in, but I know next time I will.  I just need to let my hand heal up a bit before doing that many pull ups again.

No Shoes, No Problem

Today's workout consisted of squats and lunges.  First was strength work, 5 sets of front squats, 3 reps.  I got 215 lbs for my last set.  I'll take that since the last time I did it in Oct, I got to 185 lbs.  Then it was on to the actual workout, which today, was squats and lunges.  1000 m row, 100 m walking lunges, and 100 air squats.  Not too bad on paper, but sucked.  About 40 reps into my squats, I got a pain in my arch of my left foot.  So should I quit, nope, just take my shoes off.  I kicked my shoes off and finished the squats.  19 min 44 sec, done.

Now, in a globo gym, taking your shoes off mid workout would get you some strange looks.  People don't even look twice if you do that during a wod.  Whatever it takes to finish.  So no shoes, no problem, just as long as you finish the workout however you need to.

My Angel Has Returned

It has been awhile since I last posted anything.  The reason being is because I haven't done anything worth posting about, like working out.  Today I returned to the crossfit gym by my house, Coca Crossfit, for a daily wod.  I knew it was going to suck because let's face it, if you don't work out for a month, the first few workouts suck.  And today I was not disappointed.

The workout was 5 rds of 21 Sumo Deadlift High Pull (SDLHP), which is a combination of a sumo squat into an upright row, and 12 pushups.  I started out like a gator, quick right out of the gate.  Then the realization of my lack of working out kicked in.  I got through the first 2 rounds pretty quick.  And that is when I ran into the wall and slowed down.  I finished in 13 min. 44 sec.  Not great, but not terrible.  As I finished the workout, I yelled "Time" and collapsed onto the floor.  After a few minutes of catching my breath lying on the floor, I got up and there it was on the ground, my angel.  The angel I am referring to is my sweat angel.  For me it is a sign of a good workout, and today was no different.