got the message

Being injured, even as minor as it is, is very frustrating! Monday and Tuesday has really pushed some buttons that forces me to make some realizations. Hurting my wrist I feel is a blessing in disguise, but the timing is just awful. I haven't done a WOD in quite some time and now that I can't do most lifts, my weightlifting program is on hold and I am rejoining the class. Well Monday's WOD proved to me that I really need to keep doing WOD's as my endurance sucked. And Tuesday's WOD reminded me of how much I miss working with some of the greatest friends I have. It also made me highly jealous that I couldn't do half the WOD with everyone because of my restriction and that was not fun. So once I am back in working condition, I need to figure out a balance to keep me moving forward and not doing the two steps forward three steps back dance anymore. The Universe has a funny way of making you realize things, I got the message!

As for 15.1 in the Open, I managed to get 25 reps. Once the snatches came up I could not move my wrist in order to do it so I stopped. At least I got to log something in and try, I am happy with that. On Saturday I was able to judge my fellow box mates and that was a fun experience. I am so proud of everyone. Now to prepare for 15.2 and see if it is something I can be a part of or not. :)

crossfit open 2015 & injury

Last year I competed in my very first CrossFit Open, and in the very first WOD (14.1) I scored a big fat zero. It was 7 minutes of doubleunders and even though I managed to get three of them the night before, I could not get at least one when it was go time. I continued to compete the next four weeks even though I could no longer log in my scores. I had no illusions of going to Regionals but I gave my very best. Well CrossFit Open 2015 is here and the very first WOD (15.1) is this Saturday and I will not be able to fully participate even though I am registered. I will fight to get one rep in so that I can log something in, but I unfortunately hurt my right wrist last Tuesday. It has gradually been getting better but my grip is nowhere near what it was and there is so much swelling that any deep bending causes so much pain.

My boss/doc says I have a sprain/strain and that I just need to give it some time to heal. For once in my life, I am going to listen to him and not push myself into a potentially serious injury. I am frustrated that I got myself into a situation that affects my level of participation in the CrossFit Open. I am however certified to be a judge now and look forward to helping my great gym out.

I wish everyone at Stumptown the very best luck!

was down with the sickness

So I have been absent here, in CrossFit, and in parts of my social life with a nasty cold. Last night was my first day back in the gym in 13 days, yea 13! Thankfully the training program I am on is having a light week, great way to ease myself back into it. Though I am feeling a million times better, I am not 100% yet and that was evident last night when I felt like I ran a marathon after only an hour of light lifts. Over the weekend I purchased my very first pair of Oly shoes and so I had a chance to try them out last night. At first they were a bit awkward to walk around in, but after a while I forgot about it and noticed a difference in some of my lifts. These things actually make a difference, who knew! I am looking forward to feeling 100% again and I hope that is by the end of the week. I did sign up for the CrossFit Open which starts at the end of this month. Hopefully I don't die, ok well that won't happen but I really don't feel prepared for it. I'm just gonna go and do my best and have fun with it.

That is it for now, I will keep you updated with my sessions with Joon (they will start up again next week) and updates on my progresses- wall walks are almost complete! Take care everyone and stay healthy!

day 10, 11, 13/30: resting squats & realizations

My resting squat is definitely getting better, though from time to time my knees (specifically the right one) decides to be bothersome. I think the change in weather right now is not helping either. On day 11 I managed to get a flat-footed squat for a moment. This is a huge achievement and means my ankle mobility is getting better.

Day 10 after a sweaty WOD

Day 11, felt good in my squat & got some stretching in.

Day 13 after the CrossFit Open 14.3 WOD.

The day before participating in the CrossFit Open 14.3 with my gym mates I practiced my box jumps. I haven't been able to actually jump the 20 inch box. For the actual WOD step-ups are legal, so I knew I would be fine but at some point I need to get over the mental hurdle that stops me from jumping onto a box. So I practiced with a box up against a lifting platform, it makes the box about 16 inches. I then placed a 25# bumper plate on the floor and jumped onto the box that way, that make it about 18 inches. When I got comfortable with that, I changed the 25# plate with a 10# one. This made me a little nervous, but after a couple of failed attempts I got the hang of it. The next step was to remove the plate all together and just jump up from the ground. And on my first try I nailed it! I did it a few more times and nailed it each time! I FINALLY got box jumps! Now at the Open I didn't do box jumps and did step-ups as I was informed these would be more efficient.

And, today I got my new jump rope in the mail today. We sized it to fit my height and I will give it a go this week. Maybe I will finally get double unders! I will keep you posted on my progress (or lack thereof).

*There was no day 12 in resting squat due to knee issues.

day 6 & 7/30: resting squat challenge & pr's

Last night my knees were pretty sore from all the pounding it's taken this past week. While at a sports bar checking out the Portland Timbers game, I finally had to stand up from my stool and just stand. I didn't get a lot of resting squat in yesterday but working on more of it today. The knees aren't as sore today either.

Yesterday while at the CF Open 14.2

At home after an Olympic Weightlifting class & Tabata Sit-ups

Every Sunday I attend an Olympic Weightlifting class at my box to fine tune the movements. We work on Snatches, Cleans, and Jerks. Today I managed to PR on my Clean & Jerk. My snatches are getting better too! And on Friday, while doing the CF Open 14.2, I PR on the OHS. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it!

crossfit open wod 14.1

That statement couldn't be more truer for me then at this very moment. I registered to participate in the CrossFit Open this year. I have no delusions of making my way to the regionals, but this is certainly a great way to see where I am strong and what I need to work on. The Open is broken up into five weeks, one WOD a week. The WOD this week (week 1) was AMRAP in 10 minutes of 30 Doubleunders and 15 Power Snatches (75# for men & 55# for women). Now I expected to run into WODs that would be difficult but having the very first WOD start with something that I have NEVER been able to achieve was frustrating. I am not a fan of Doubleunders, mainly because I can't do them. I have only been trying for maybe the past 3 or so months, I avoided them when I first started CrossFit due to getting shin splints all the time. Last night I practiced my doubleunders, Joon and various other box mates gave me tips on what worked for them. I appreciated everyones input, but part of me wanted to just scream at the top of my lungs from being frustrated. I managed to squeeze out two doubleunders (my first ones) in a matter of an hour. 

Then came the day of truth, my very first competition, and I had already resolved to not making it very far. I accepted that this was not my day and that I would do the best that I could. Thought of it as a practice session, 10 minutes of doubleunders. I squeezed out…. absolutely nothing. I fought for it, tried and tried and tried, but it just wasn't clicking. Part of me is disappointed that I didn't get at least one but I also know that I am better for trying. I did my best and I could've very easily not signed up due to fear of not being able to accomplish anything. It is what it is. I am grateful for the experience and look forward to the next 4 weeks. 

My hand after 10 minutes of Doubleunder attempts.