Why does life around the holidays always sneak up on you? I was bound and determined not to let that happen this year, but it did. This week has been rough trying to get settled in the house, getting drivers license, waiting for movers, waiting for more movers, trips to the Targets of Schweinfurt. Then Chip decided to almost pass out several times on Tuesday morning--he was dizzy, feelings of vertigo, body not cooperating. He had been complaining of a headache the night before, but didn't really think anything of it.
Off to the E.R. we go. Not the one on the Army base....oh no. We don't have one of those here. Bis die Krankenhaus. The German hospital. He had fallen several times skiing and links this injury to a fall last Thursday while skiing on the glacier and what he thought was a bruise on his neck from his helmet. After an MRI, ultrasounds of his neck, etc he was admitted and will be there a total of two days. Poor guy. He's probably the healthiest guy in the place, but socialized medicine is a different ball game and I won't even go into that discussion. Regardless, he is getting excellent care, and they are making sure all the blood that is supposed to go to his brain is getting there properly.
Needless to say, getting to the gym has not been a priority. But, since I still read all the CFOT blogs, I felt lazy and fat after reading about all the hard work being done. Christine's blog talked about a Christmas day WOD. I did it in the hotel room.
5 RFT
30 Abmats (yes, the abmat is with us)
20 squats
10 pushups
Time: 7:30
Had a few wardrobe malfunctions that slowed me down. I don't suggest doing WOD's in flannel pj pants and a long sleeve tshirt.... The abs were tough since I seem to have a new appendage around my waist--3 weeks of beer, schnitzel, wurst, bread, cheese, bread, more bread. Sigh.
Then, I wanted to do something else....I looked around the room and spied the bathroom. The toilet and the shower were spaced perfectly to so some L-sit holds. I did 5 rounds of 15 sec, with a 15 sec rest in between.
Next week it will HOPEFULLY stop raining so I can hit the new trails by the house, and will definitely hit some killer CF workouts. I will have a kitchen too so I will get back on track with the eating.
I am not going to get down on myself, I'm going to accept the fact I've done the best I can under the circumstances and all is not lost. It is just time to move forward and challenge myself to see how mentally Crossfit I am, which takes way more effort than the physical part.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Schi Fahren in Garmisch
The Christmas holiday was a time for Chip and I to relax and finally "get away". But, as most of you know, our vacations are never without an adventure. This adventure took us to Germany's most popular skiing destination Garmisch-Partenkirchen, home of the 1936 Winter Olympics and the 2011 World Cup Skiing Championships.
We got up bright and early on the 24th and drove 3.5 hours to the slopes. We decided to ski the Zugspitze glacier that day, Germany's highest mountain. It took an hour to get up the mountain--hauled our gear on this train and up we went. I always forget how heavy ski gear is, only this year it WAS NOT HEAVY! Yea for crossfit. Don't get me wrong 10lb of boots another 15 or so of skis and poles, plus all the extra layers, ski pants etc...its at least the equivalent of a 20lb weight vest. Plus, you inevitably have to farmers walk this stuff somewhere. I'm always sweating before I even clip my boots to the bindings.
Chip is a beginner skier so we started on the bunny hills. I like to say I'm advanced, but after all my knee surgeries I have to settle for intermediate. No more crazy out of bounds madness for me! We had a great day skiing for about 5 hours and took naps on the ride back down the mountain.
Christmas day brought rain, so we opted for breakfast, a beautiful pastoral mass at St. Martin's (for Christine and Tamara and other catholics...do you know what a pastoral mass is? I didn't, but do now...amazing!) naps, and a big german dinner with my godmother and her husband who joined us for the 24th/25th.
We had a full day - 6 hours - of skiing the Garmisch "classic" on the 26th. I love skiing and all, but this is the craziest resort. All these "wegs" that you basically had to crosscountry ski for what seemed like miles to get to other parts of the resorts. Also, lots of t-bars, instead of chair lifts since the place is so old. My arms were fried at the end of the day, not to mention my legs. But, the next day I wasn't even sore. We did a half day more on the 27th because we just couldn't get enough.
The snow wasn't fabulous, but it was still a fantastic trip. On those icy patches and sleep slopes I had to dig in hard, find my core, my balance, etc and every time I was thanking all of CFOT for making me totally CROSSFIT. Any doctor would say I'm absolutely nuts for continuing to ski after 3 knee surgeries and minimal cartilage left, but you know what? It doesn't hurt. My knees did not hurt once, during or after. Granted, I go to extreme efforts not to fall, but that too requires extreme fitness (and some skill probably).
Thank you again Crossfit for allowing me to do all the things I love to do.
We got up bright and early on the 24th and drove 3.5 hours to the slopes. We decided to ski the Zugspitze glacier that day, Germany's highest mountain. It took an hour to get up the mountain--hauled our gear on this train and up we went. I always forget how heavy ski gear is, only this year it WAS NOT HEAVY! Yea for crossfit. Don't get me wrong 10lb of boots another 15 or so of skis and poles, plus all the extra layers, ski pants etc...its at least the equivalent of a 20lb weight vest. Plus, you inevitably have to farmers walk this stuff somewhere. I'm always sweating before I even clip my boots to the bindings.
Chip is a beginner skier so we started on the bunny hills. I like to say I'm advanced, but after all my knee surgeries I have to settle for intermediate. No more crazy out of bounds madness for me! We had a great day skiing for about 5 hours and took naps on the ride back down the mountain.
Christmas day brought rain, so we opted for breakfast, a beautiful pastoral mass at St. Martin's (for Christine and Tamara and other catholics...do you know what a pastoral mass is? I didn't, but do now...amazing!) naps, and a big german dinner with my godmother and her husband who joined us for the 24th/25th.
We had a full day - 6 hours - of skiing the Garmisch "classic" on the 26th. I love skiing and all, but this is the craziest resort. All these "wegs" that you basically had to crosscountry ski for what seemed like miles to get to other parts of the resorts. Also, lots of t-bars, instead of chair lifts since the place is so old. My arms were fried at the end of the day, not to mention my legs. But, the next day I wasn't even sore. We did a half day more on the 27th because we just couldn't get enough.
The snow wasn't fabulous, but it was still a fantastic trip. On those icy patches and sleep slopes I had to dig in hard, find my core, my balance, etc and every time I was thanking all of CFOT for making me totally CROSSFIT. Any doctor would say I'm absolutely nuts for continuing to ski after 3 knee surgeries and minimal cartilage left, but you know what? It doesn't hurt. My knees did not hurt once, during or after. Granted, I go to extreme efforts not to fall, but that too requires extreme fitness (and some skill probably).
Thank you again Crossfit for allowing me to do all the things I love to do.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
SNATCH Intervals
WOD:
a.) Snatch Intervals
Heavy Snatch 1-3 reps, every minute on the minute for 10 minutes
b.) 250 Row, 18 pushup, 10 dips
3 rounds, rest 90sec after each round
Worked out with Chip, Dominic, and Logan last night. We weren't sure what we wanted to work---I had Jerry's WOD in my back pocket and it is what we ended up doing. Chip and I took them through the Burgner warmup, then I gave some coaching tips on a proper snatch. I am so not qualified to do so, but I was the only one of the group who had ever had real coaching on it. We worked on snatch grips, jump to land form, snatch vs. squat snatch, and the concept of moving the bar in a straight line. By the end of the WOD the four of us had some pretty snatchy snatches going on. We all needed to be quicker under the bar, but I know that is what I need to work on. And for the rookies, well, I told them it will come and we will just have to watch some more video. Both Logan and Dom rocked this for a first real snatch workout.
We ended up doing hang snatches because the weights here are so small (height wise) its almost like pulling an empty bar from the floor which just totally screws with the form.
I used only 55lbs. I was disappointed in this weight since my max snatch in 75, but using a 45lb bar as the base and not being able to drop ANYTHING just makes everything seem so much heavier. I just don't get it. Well, it is what it is and I'm getting the WOD's in and the body will adjust to the new stuff. I did feel pretty strong and my form was solid all the way through if I do say so myself. There are, of course, mirrors there--I now get walk around, flex and admire my CF muscles! :) Haha, yea right. I had some weird tracking on my right knee today that boldly reminded me that I don't have any cartilage left. Getting old is rough.
Interval work-
The boys did Jerry's WOD as RX'd. Logan and I didn't have anywhere to really work kips (the boys did strict pullups) so we subbed bodyweight dips and chose the short option to work speed on the row and form on the pushups. I don't have an unassisted dip on the rings but on a dip bar I do! yea! Unfortunately I quickly figured out those are super hard after a row and pushups so Chip held my feet for a little assistance. It wasn't pretty but I got it done.
Two days of rest now for skiing--I CANNOT be tired on the slopes or I will risk more knee injuries.
Next post will be after Christmas with a report on skiing and snow fun in Garmsich-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze!
a.) Snatch Intervals
Heavy Snatch 1-3 reps, every minute on the minute for 10 minutes
b.) 250 Row, 18 pushup, 10 dips
3 rounds, rest 90sec after each round
Worked out with Chip, Dominic, and Logan last night. We weren't sure what we wanted to work---I had Jerry's WOD in my back pocket and it is what we ended up doing. Chip and I took them through the Burgner warmup, then I gave some coaching tips on a proper snatch. I am so not qualified to do so, but I was the only one of the group who had ever had real coaching on it. We worked on snatch grips, jump to land form, snatch vs. squat snatch, and the concept of moving the bar in a straight line. By the end of the WOD the four of us had some pretty snatchy snatches going on. We all needed to be quicker under the bar, but I know that is what I need to work on. And for the rookies, well, I told them it will come and we will just have to watch some more video. Both Logan and Dom rocked this for a first real snatch workout.
We ended up doing hang snatches because the weights here are so small (height wise) its almost like pulling an empty bar from the floor which just totally screws with the form.
I used only 55lbs. I was disappointed in this weight since my max snatch in 75, but using a 45lb bar as the base and not being able to drop ANYTHING just makes everything seem so much heavier. I just don't get it. Well, it is what it is and I'm getting the WOD's in and the body will adjust to the new stuff. I did feel pretty strong and my form was solid all the way through if I do say so myself. There are, of course, mirrors there--I now get walk around, flex and admire my CF muscles! :) Haha, yea right. I had some weird tracking on my right knee today that boldly reminded me that I don't have any cartilage left. Getting old is rough.
Interval work-
The boys did Jerry's WOD as RX'd. Logan and I didn't have anywhere to really work kips (the boys did strict pullups) so we subbed bodyweight dips and chose the short option to work speed on the row and form on the pushups. I don't have an unassisted dip on the rings but on a dip bar I do! yea! Unfortunately I quickly figured out those are super hard after a row and pushups so Chip held my feet for a little assistance. It wasn't pretty but I got it done.
Two days of rest now for skiing--I CANNOT be tired on the slopes or I will risk more knee injuries.
Next post will be after Christmas with a report on skiing and snow fun in Garmsich-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Filthy 50
"Filthy 50" Classic Version
50 Box Jumps
50 jumping pullups
50 kettelbell swings (used 35lb dumbbell)
50 walking lunges
50 knees to elbows
50 back extensions
50 push press (35lbs)
50 wall balls (used 15lb dumbbell, simulated WB motion)
50 burpees
50 double unders (subbed 150 singleunders)
Time: 34:36
Chip originally had some handstand pushup/pullup workout planned that I was not too excited about. Luckily, within minutes of arriving Dave and Tim (two of Chip's colleagues) showed up to do their own WOD. Tim had chosen this one...I said screw handstands, lets do this!
While no Filthy 50 is fun, this one wasn't horrible. Some solid "funishment" and we got creative with the substitutions for wallballs, kb swings, etc. The worst move was the knees to elbows---my abs will feel that tomorrow! The bar we used was one with wide grip handles--really, really worked the lats.
Also heard some rumors that Operation Phoenix might be coming here for a project with some equipment/Cert training.... I sure hope so!! There is clearly a presence here and would love to be a part of making something great happen here in Schweinfurt.
I have another CF date with Logan tomorrow! Yea!
50 Box Jumps
50 jumping pullups
50 kettelbell swings (used 35lb dumbbell)
50 walking lunges
50 knees to elbows
50 back extensions
50 push press (35lbs)
50 wall balls (used 15lb dumbbell, simulated WB motion)
50 burpees
50 double unders (subbed 150 singleunders)
Time: 34:36
Chip originally had some handstand pushup/pullup workout planned that I was not too excited about. Luckily, within minutes of arriving Dave and Tim (two of Chip's colleagues) showed up to do their own WOD. Tim had chosen this one...I said screw handstands, lets do this!
While no Filthy 50 is fun, this one wasn't horrible. Some solid "funishment" and we got creative with the substitutions for wallballs, kb swings, etc. The worst move was the knees to elbows---my abs will feel that tomorrow! The bar we used was one with wide grip handles--really, really worked the lats.
Also heard some rumors that Operation Phoenix might be coming here for a project with some equipment/Cert training.... I sure hope so!! There is clearly a presence here and would love to be a part of making something great happen here in Schweinfurt.
I have another CF date with Logan tomorrow! Yea!
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