This morning was snatch and high pulls with some front squats to finish.
Normally I fear the full squat snatch, as I know it means I will invariably land on my arse. Today was different. I listened and moved my weight back, loosened my arms and snapped my hips. I kept the weight low and only added 2.5kg increments when I nailed 3 at the lighter weight. On several occasions the weight just flipped straight over head – kind of weightless on my wrists.
Zara had come down, ostensibly to wait for her mum, but enjoyed her own spot of practice thanks to Rudds.
I asked her if I looked awesome or even awesome(ish). She said I looked sweaty. She was right but I still felt awesome(ish).
I have to confess that I was slightly disappointed last month when it was announced that the gym wouldn’t be moving around the corner to bigger premises. However, it was with great excitement that we all awaited the ‘new rig’.
So was it worth the wait? I think the answer is a definite, yes!
The pull up bars are certainly smoother and I even managed to traverse the monkey bars – which I could never do as a child.
This morning I watched my daughter hang on the starting bar and struggle to reach onto the second. I almost walked across and told her to use the side bars, with the younger kids but I didn’t. She attacked the WoD with her usual determination and queued for the monkey bar traversal. I was worried she might fall but one by one she worked her way across, jumping off the far end with a beaming, sweaty smile. It is a moment I will never forget.
Frazer too is loving the teens’ sessions. Rachel caught him checking out his biceps in the mirror the other day.
The rig is worth every penny. You can’t put a price on building self esteem and confidence.
The Crossfit HG3 Kids are awesome – not surprising though, as they are being made in Yorkshire.
So where to start? I ache all over after Thursday. Might watch the dvds first!
Last night I attempted max effort Power Snatch and topped out at 65Kg, same as before.
The tabata of pullups, pressups, situps and air squats was better. I managed 45, 54, 82 and 122.
A total of 303 which was respectable, especially given my age and bodyweight.
I have the basic strength but am struggling with the techniques.
Strict pressing, GTOH, burpees, rowing and air squats just require basic strength and some lung power.
I have these and am okay at these activities.
The Olympic lifts are challenging and although I have improved, I still rely on my basic strength.
It was the same when I did Ju Jitsu at Uni. I was ok but threw people by picking them up.
I guess that it does that longer to learn new tricks when you are an older dog.
I need to swallow my pride, drop the weights right down and nail the techniques before adding disks.
I was pleased that I did 12 consecutive pullups but my right hand is raw today.
Looking forward to a smoother bar next week.
Last night I went to open gym and did a maximum effort overhead squat of 70kg.
I could have been disappointed but it was 10kg more than my last effort.
To put it in context I took 11 stones from the rack, push pressed it overhead in a very wide hand grip. I then pushed my hips back, squatting down until my hips were in line with my knees before pushing it back up into a full standing position. The bar path didn’t deviate laterally by more than an inch or two and my weight stayed on my heels.
I might still be as supple as an old warthog but there is potential to improve.
Trigger Point gear and Supple Leopard book both on order. No pain, no gain.
A mixed month of 18 sessions.
High point had to be a 90kg Clean and Jerk.
Also good were some handstand press ups, toes to bar and 100 unbroken KB swings.
Not so good were push jerks and push pressing. Also the Manchester qualifiers exposed my weakness in double unders (lack of) and plyometrics.
I need to focus on technique and stretching.
There was a time when I came back from every session on a high. Then I had some ‘off’ days. With hindsight I was ill or maybe setting a high expectation which I didn’t achieve.
Setting high expectations can be good.
Last night I felt dizzy when snatching. I also couldn’t string more than a couple of DUs together. Realistically this means I won’t be qualifying for Manchester.
I started Crossfit to be leaner, fitter, stronger and feel better about myself.
I am leaner and fitter. I am stronger, and most of the time I feel better about myself.
A year ago I couldn’t do a single skip. I couldn’t do a handstand, let alone a handstand pressup.
Having high expectations is good but only if you can reflect and still feel good about yourself when you don’t meet those expectations.
