I’ve taken an unintended break, mainly because I was so angry about my body.
Not necessarily how it looks (although I’m not happy with it).
More I’m angry at having been injured all year long. So I couldn’t stand to write about CrossFit because I was so angry.
The 2020 CrossFit Open came and went. I actually did quite well, considering I was injured. To be truthful, I hated every moment of every workout.
However, I couldn’t take it anymore, so I finally went back to my doctor, who gave me the all clear again to begin working out.
CrossFit Goals
So, I’m back.
A heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I’m ready to begin again. Next week, I’ll start a new program to reach my CrossFit goals for the year:
Ring muscle up in the next six months
Bar muscle ups fixed in the six months after that
Get stronger in back squat
Get stronger in deadlift
Perfect handstand walks
These are my main CrossFit goals. I have others, but these are first. In essence, I don’t want another CrossFit Open to roll my way without having these skills in my wheelhouse.
Yesterday, I had a CrossFit Competition in Fort Collins at the Madwire building. Project UpLift 5.0 benefits Kids at Heart, a non-profit that supports foster and adoptive families. This was my third year in a row participating and the first time I actually got a team together since usually I don’t have a team and end up as a fill-in with people I don’t know.
This one was fun, but I had reinjured my thumb the night beforehand doing snatches for another online competition I’m doing (The Turkey Challenge qualifier) that was just irksome and troublesome. My thumb hurt for most of the competition, but luckily there was no heavy lifting involved.
Overall, it was fun. It was a different vibe this year than the previous years. Normally, it was held at Whole Foods parking lot, but I think it has gotten too big for that. They had kids’ activities and a bouncy house, but my kids didn’t have as much fun as in previous years.
Overall, an okay day. I gotta get my injury healed…
Today I had my first CrossFit competition of the season. It was at O.F.W CrossFit in Windsor. Last year, my partner and I came in fourth. We were looking for redemption this year — and fell short.
We did well in this CrossFit competition, but the competition was stiff, and we were just plain beat.
It was fun though and ended up being a gorgeous day in Northern Colorado for a CrossFit competition. We’ll get ’em next year!
I can’t believe it’s been three years doing CrossFit. It seems like such a long time when spoken out loud, but in my mind, it doesn’t seem that long at all.
I had no expectations going in. I began CrossFit because, honestly, I was at a level of fitness that wasn’t progressing doing the typical “gym routine” of exercise classes, cardio, and circuit training machines. My personal trainer suggested I try CrossFit — which I did — and I was immediately hooked.
CrossFit has grown into a lifestyle for me. I can’t imagine life without it, honestly. My life beforehand seems dull without it.
After three years of CrossFit, I’m happy with where I’m at except for one thing: I don’t have my ring muscle ups. It’s a bit depressing really.
So what did I get from 3 years doing CrossFit?
CrossFit Competitions Floater
What 3 Years of CrossFit has done for me:
Given me an amazing sense of accomplishment. I’ll never forget the first time I climbed a rope or got my first pull up. Feats of strength most women only dream of — and I did them.
Given me a body I never dreamed I’d have, didn’t think I ever wanted, but now that I have it, I can’t imagine not having it.
Given me a self-confidence that intimidates others (so I’m told). I know what I want, and I either go do it or go get it. There’s nothing in-between.
Given me a focus that allows me to accomplish an amazing amount of work in a short time period.
Opened up possibilities of what is possible. I’ve learned everything is possible if you can overcome your mental barriers.
Honed my competitive skills. I love to compete, and I think I’m better at competing since starting CrossFit.
Made me different. We’re all unique in our own ways, but there’s something about those who CrossFit that is different than others. I not only look different; I am different.
Given me a determination that translates to all areas of my life. When I set my mind to do something, it gets done.
CrossFit is a Lifestyle
CrossFit is definitely a lifestyle. A lifestyle 3 years ago I never would have imagined or thought I needed.
Now, I need it like the moon needs the sun to shine. I’m smarter about it. Don’t go so hard. Try to minimize the tweaks and such. Because I want to still be CrossFitting in 15 years.
Yesterday, I did a workout that was 5 minutes of work with 5 minutes of rest for three rounds. It involved a 400 m run, pull ups, and a bike. It was a great workout and I really pushed myself.
Today, I just finished a workout of 30 power snatches, 1 mile run and then 30-20-10 reps of kettlebell swings and thrusters.
Both were great workouts. But the first one I pushed myself, went really fast, but had rest. The last one I concentrated on doing the reps of the snatches, a run, and then directly into the other reps with no break except to change weight on the bar.
Both felt great but I got different benefits from them.
BENEFITS OF MODALITIES IN CROSSFIT
Mental conditioning. Knowing a rest was coming allows you to push yourself more because you know you get a break. Knowing you don’t have any rest is more of a marathon/pace workout where you don’t want to run out of steam too quickly.
Physical conditioning. You need to work all your metabolic pathways (Short distance training- anaerobic training and Long distance training- aerobic training), which makes you better at both.
Constantly-varied, high-intensity workouts. The reason CrossFit is so successful is it is constantly-varied and you get an amazing workout. You constantly keep your body guessing as to what it will be working and you never get bored, so you’ll be more likely to stick to your exercise routine.
Pushing yourself is important if you want to progress. Equally important is finding your pace and sticking it when you need to–so you can push your long-distance (aerobic training). You need both in constantly-varied movements to accomplish your fitness goals. Happy Training!
individual CrossFit competition. I did this one last year and had a blast, so I signed up for it again.
This CrossFit competition did not disappoint. The day began with Fran (thrusters and pull ups), which normally I’m really good at, but for some reason I was a whole minute slower on Fran. The 8 am-10 am workout times are hard for me.
Then I had the floater which was a bike and snatches. This took place outside, and the weather was gorgeous, sunny and warm.
I won the second event of burpee box jump overs, toes to bar, and dumbbell deadlifts.
The third event had a lot of dumbbells, heavy cleans, and a row. The row slowed me down. It was fine.
I ended up second place overall in this CrossFit competition. CrossFit Sanitas is a great host. Great people. Awesome workouts and great Crossfit programming. Good day for competing!
My Journey to the CrossFit Games 