week of improvements

After a failed attempt in participating in Murph this past Memorial Day, I wasn't looking forward to doing any WODs this week. Tuesday called for a Snatch Complex of sorts and I was dreading it all day. My wrist was not so pleased with me Monday, how would it be a day later. Well, I have learned to always try at the very least, so I did. I managed to do an entire complex with just the 35# bar, but next could I add more weight? I threw on some 10# plates and went for it. My first attempt was a failure. My hand grip felt weak and I didn't feel like I had much control of the movement, BUT my wrist wasn't what stopped me. So I took a moment and rested before attempting again. Well guess what? I did it, not once, or twice, three times, but four times. Holy shit guys!! Do you know what this means?!?! Shit is getting better, that's what! Now granted it was only 55# but still, only a week or so prior I couldn't even do just the bar. Any sort of Cleans is still a bit iffy, I can't fully extend my wrist in a front rack position so I have to keep with the light weights.

I woke up this morning expecting my wrist to be sore or inflamed but it was not. So there was no way that I'd miss todays WOD either, which was going to push me to my limits I was sure. And it did. I honestly wasn't sure if I would be able to complete the WOD in its entirety or even without modifying the movement. It called for 5 rounds of 27 Double Unders, 20 Hang Cleans, and 15 Shoulder to Overhead. First of all, this sort of WOD taxes your grip, so going all out is a no-no. Secondly, Cleans are still an issue for me and to do that many, could I? I didn't ask Joon for any modifications because I didn't want something to bail to. I wanted to give me all and if I couldn't complete it, well than at least I tried. My grip definitely felt it, I had to break the Hang Cleans in sets of 4, and I did Push Presses and those were no easy feat. Again, I kept the weight light at 55# (prescribed was 65#) and paid close attention to my form. Being ever so careful on my wrist movements. About 3 rounds in I realized I was doing just fine and that I can FINISH this WOD as is. I looked at the time and decided to hustle it and get a time under 16 minutes. And I did!

Tonight I am feeling slightly sore in my upper body, but I feel great. I am delighted to know that after so many months of pain and setbacks, I am improving! It is such a great feeling!!!! I will keep you posted with future successes, hopefully a LOT more will come. Goodnight.

murph

Today most Americans will be BBQing and spending time with family, or our shopping in the various sales that are happening. I'm not here to condemn anyone for doing that, it's a day to spend with those you love. But I ask that everyone remember what today really is about. Whether you agree or disagree with any kind of war, we owe the men and women who put their lives on the line for us to have all the things that we have. Let's not be selfish and complacent.

This morning I had the opportunity to watch the movie Lone Survivor for the first time. It is a movie that is inspired by a book written by the only survivor of an operation in Afghanistan. Sometimes we need a smack in a face about what is happening in other parts of the world. This movie made an impact on me, there are not enough Thank You's I could ever say or give to those men who died and the one who made it out.

I participated today with many of my box mates to do a traditional Memorial Day WOD that was named after one of the men who died in that operation, Michael P. Murphy. This WOD was one of his favorite WOD's, and he would perform it while wearing a 20lb vest. So today I did "Murph" for the first time, and I'm not going to lie, it sucked! Many of my gym mates wore weighted vests as well and gave their all. Instead of the one-mile running I did a 2000m row.

"Murph"
1 mile run
100 pull-ups
200 push-ups
300 squats
1 mile run

I finished in 52:02, it is the lease I could do. Thank you to all the men and women who have died and who continue to put their lives in the line.