Week 9 - Flag, March 30 to April 4

Still recovering from a respiratory infection. Mainly dealing with leftover congestion and drainage. Abs are pretty ripped from coughing last week. Energy levels are low. Took a week off from 5/3/1 cycles. Did the second CF Games wod and a couple other metcons at CF Flagstaff.

3/31 - AMRAP 15 minutes:
9 Deadlifts (155#)
12 Pushups
15 Box Jumps (24")
8 rounds + DL + 6 PU = 303 reps

4/2 - Team Odd Object Chipper at CF Flag - 24:58
800m Med Ball Run, 60m Sled Drag, 60m Sled Push, 100 Air Squats,
200m Skip, 100 Jumping Pullups, 100 Situps, 100 Push Press (45#),
20' Rope Climb

4/3 - AMRAP 5 min: 8 Thrusters(65#), 5 Pullups - 6
5 min rest
AMRAP 5 min: 15 Double-Unders, 10 Situps - 5
5 min rest
AMRAP 5 min: 60' Sprint, 8 KB Swings(53#), 5 Pullups - 6+Run+1KBS

Week 8 - Smote with Illness

I was struck down by a mighty virus. Sitting around in bed, I had plenty of time to reflect on how I should have gotten more consistent sleep when I was lifting. Aslo, I reflected on the plight of Biorn, a fellow bearded man:

The Saga Of Biorn from The Animation Workshop on Vimeo.

Week 7 - Irish Car Bomb PR

I had my first-ever Irish car bomb. The beverage, that is. Thanks to everyone who came to our Saint Patrick's Day party, it was a fun group. I finished my first full 5/3/1 cycle.

Day 1 - CrossFit Sectionals WOD:

10 min AMRAP (30 Double-Unders, 15 Power Santches)

4 rounds + 22 Double-Unders = 202 reps

Saint Patrick's Day Bacon & Guinness binge

PR: Consumed First Irish Car Bomb

Day 2 - 5/3/1 Phase 2b

C&J: 47kg x 3, 54kg x 3, 60kg x 5

SQT: 66kg x 3, 76kg x 3, 86kg x 10

Day 3 - Hike @ S. Rim

Day 4 - Hike @ Sedona & 5/3/1 Phase 2b

Deadlift: 100kg x 3, 115kg x 3, 130kg x 7

Floor Press: 50kg x 3, 60kg x 3, 70kg x 10

Day 5 - 5/3/1 Phase 3

On The Minute x 10: 2 Cleans(50kg), 1 Seated Box Jump(24")

C&J: 50kg x 5, 57kg x 3, 64kg x 4

SQT: 72kg x 5, 82kg x 3, 92kg x 7

Day 6 - 5/3/1 Phase 3

Deadlift: 107kg x 5, 122kg x 3, 137kg x 6

Floor Press: 56kg x 5, 66kg x 3, 76kg x 7

Week 6 - The Big IG

Hanging out at Indian Garden. I had access to a pullup bar and a couch. Did the first two Mobility WODs: 10 minute squat and hip flexor couch party! Had two days of frequency method pullups (1 to 3 every time I went through the doorway). Played with some handstand pushups. And cheered for my nimble wife, who accomplished a pretty cool gymnastic goal this week - doing a backwards roll into a handstand.

I think she's ready to scissor-kick some bad guys as a member of Charlie's Angels!

Week 5 - A New Take on 5/3/1

Frankly, my previous attempt to program six days of heavy lifting at home was too ambitious. My back injury two weeks ago was a big, flashing neon sign warning me to re-think my plan. In order to give myself rest days during my home weeks and still do some heavy lifting, I've decided to use a modification of Wendler's 5/3/1 program. Each day of lifting is 3 sets at increasing percentages of 1RM, two exercises per day, and I'm still squishing 2 weeks of the heavy lifting cycles into six days. As long as I get the heavy lifts in, I'm not going to worry about conditioning workouts or supplemental exercises - I'll only add those if I'm feeling good.

Day 1 - 3 sets of 5+ reps

Clean & Jerk: 44kg x5, 52kg x 5, 59kg x 5

Squat: 62kg x 5, 72kg x 5, 82kg x 5

Day2 - 3 sets of 5+ reps

Deadlift: 94kg x 5, 107kg x 5, 122kg x 6

Floor Press: 50kg x 5, 52kg x 5, 57kg x 11

CF Flag WOD: Team Runny Cindy (w/ Mark) - 19 rounds +5 pullups, 2 pushups

Day 3 - Rest

Day 4 - 3 sets of 3+ reps

Clean & Jerk: 46kg x 3, 54kg x 3, 60kg x 4

Squat: 66kg x 3, 76kg x3, 86kg x 6

Day 5 - 3 sets of 3+ reps

Deadlift: 100kg x 3, 115kg x 3, 130kg x 6

Floor Press: 50kg x 3, 54 kg x 3, 60kg x 15 reps

Assistance work: Ring Dip Bottoms, TGUs, False Grip Ring Rows

I may need to increase the weights on the floor press, now that I'm taking it off a pseudo-rack instead of starting from the floor.

Day 6 - Celebratory 1st Anniversary workout with my wife at CrossFit Flagstaff!

AMRAP in 15 minutes of : 15 chest-to-bar pullups, 30 seconds of L-sitting (5 rounds)

5/3/1 Thoughts:

I like the flexibility that the final set (of as many reps as possible) introduces to the program. It means I don't have to walk as thin a line between making progress and overtraining. It also gives me a way to see if my 1RM estimates are way off.

Week 4 - River Recovery

I spent the week on a trip down the Colorado River. I got to eat large quantities of food and sleep about 9 hours per night. The boatmen let me row a few times, and on the windy days it was a workout. North Canyon Rapid was the first rapid I ran, and I did not manage to flip the boat. It was a grand time: meeting new people, killing some exotic plant species, and seeing the Canyon from a new vantage point. As a bonus, my back feels good enough for some serious lifting.

Week 3 - Flag: Injury Strikes!

The first two days back in Flagstaff were busy enough that I delayed working out. So, naturally, on day three I attmpted to do to much. After five heavy (70kg) clean & jerks and fifteen light (40kg) snatches, I tried to find my 1RM thruster. 60kg was no problem; 64kg stopped in front of my nose. I guess I fought it too long, since my back siezed up a couple hours later and didn't stop yelling at me for a couple days.

I rested, hit my back with contrast showers, and rested some more. By day six I got it to the point where I could enjoy some neighborhood cross-country skiing with my lady.