Call Me Crazy

So after completing the Insanity program last Wednesday, I figured I'd take it easy for a little while and then do an eclectic mix of workouts and exercises to keep it interesting.

I've taken a hip hop cardio class (which I loved!), a Zumba class (which really confused me), a few yoga sessions (which is a really nice change of pace), and some traditional gym sessions (which were good, but I felt they lacked some intensity after doing Insanity).

And then the day before Memorial Day, a friend of mine posted a seemingly innocent-sounding status on facebook: "Have you ever wanted to try CrossFit?! Tomorrow is your chance! 10 am HERO workout at CrossFit 140- open to all!"

So I think to myself, "Yeah, I actually have wanted to try it! Why not?"

Little did I know a HERO workout meant it was in honor of a fallen serviceman (police officer, fireman, military, etc.) and is also one of the hardest workouts CrossFit has to offer.

I arrived all smiles and rainbows, oblivious to the torture I was about to inflict upon my body.

We were doing the "Murph" and as prescribed it is as follows:

1 mile run
100 pull ups
200 push ups
300 squats
1 mile run

Thank goodness I was new because the owner David allowed me to scale down the workout to half (although I still did the mile run before and after).

I completed it in 48 minutes plus (not sure of the exact time). I was exhausted and sweaty, and my arms felt like noodles.

I LOVED IT.

It provided the intensity I felt I was lacking at the gym along with the camaraderie and group atmosphere I felt was lacking with Insanity.

So I signed up and am now a member of a CrossFit gym. The only reason I hadn't done it before was because of the cost. I couldn't see the justification of such a high price for things I figured I could do on my own. That first session sold me. It's basically like paying for an unlimited personal trainer and joining a sports team at the same time. You get the personalized instruction along with the support of others going through the same hell you are.

I'm terrified, intimidated, nervous, excited, elated, and already hooked.

Tuesday's workout I completed the baseline test (basically the same idea as the fit test), practiced some lifting forms, and then did the WOD (scaled down for me to 3 sets instead of 5).

10 Power Cleans
Row 250 M

Needless to say, after all of that my arms felt awful (but in a strangely good way--like they're finally being worked!). I woke up this morning hoping to the god of fitness that today's workout would be minimal in the arm's department.

Apparently the god of fitness doesn't like me very much.

21 Kettle Ball Swings (35 lbs.)
15 Ring Dips (I ended up having to do these as a negative, with my toe touching the ground; I had absolutely no arm strength left)
9 Man Makers* (15 lbs.)

15 KBS
9 Ring Dips
6 Man Makers

9 KBS
6 Ring Dips
3 Man Makers

I have no idea what my time was, but this workout took me forever. I know it was mostly my lack of strength, but a good amount of it I believe was mental. I need to work on pushing through that. Coach D (the owner of the gym) and Coach Lee were a tremendous help and support. Even though I hate the workout while I'm doing it, I feel enormously accomplished once I finish--a feeling that makes it entirely worth all the sweat and cursing.

I still plan on taking the hip hop cardio classes when I can find the time, because they are more fun than anything else. And I have been keeping up with the running (1-2 mile quick runs a few times a week and the 3.1 mile run on Sundays). This Saturday I'm doing the Virginia Highlands Summerfest 5k. The registration is closed because it sold out, but let me know if you're registered or will be there, and I'll keep an eye out for you!

I'm thrilled to see what the next few months bring in terms of strength and aesthetic change in my body (let's not kid ourselves that this isn't the main reason I--along with most people--work out). Hopefully this next step up will blast through my recent plateau and get me excited about fitness again.

*These are awfully intricate and ridiculously long moves that really shouldn't be considered one thing. Ha! Although they also seem like they're going to be awfully effective and ridiculously crucial. You place two dumbbells about shoulder-length apart on the floor in front of you. With your hands on the dumbbells, basically do a burpee, shooting you legs out behind you. Go down into a pushup, come up, and pull your right arm up at a 90 degree angle (rowing movement). Put it back down, do another pushup, and repeat with your left arm. Jump your feet back up into the starting position, immediately lifting the dumbbells and doing a power clean, except you drop down into a low squat. From there shoot upwards with your legs while simultaneously shooting your arms up over your heads.

That's one.

Seriously, only one.

Although I will say that these were much easier than the Ring Dips!