Krossfit n’ Kung-Fu

I have a pretty tough Crossfit schedule. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday. Doubling up like that is gonna hurt, I can feel it. Indeed, today it sure did!:

Three Rounds For Time:

• 50 jumping pullups
• 15 1 1/2 pood Kettlebell swings
• 9 burpees

But wait, there’s more! Sixteen Tabata rounds, alternating between:

• Full Situps (shoulderblades to floor, chest to knees)
• Russian Twist with 12lb medicine ball.

I completed the first part, which was the main WOD in 9:54. I was happy that I got a sub-10-minute time, but I do feel I could have done better.

I think one thing that threw me off was the weight of the kettlebell (I’m used to the 1-pood, or 16kg or 35lb model), as well as the fact that Crossfit utilizes a full overhead swing (I’m used to the more standard chest/forehead height). The 1.5-pood kettlebell is a harsh mistress, and I lost control of it several times. I also almost lost control of my bowels and stomach several times, but just managed to keep it together. Whew!

The second part should have been cake for me (it’s similar to some of the stuff we do in conditioning class), and yet there seemed to be a difference. Like I’ve said before, it’s a completely different experience being the person who is being pushed along by a coach/teacher/trainer than is is being the coach/teacher/trainer. Have I been shortchanging myself for that long? I did not count my reps for the second part of the workout, but I acquitted myself adequately (but again, could have done better!)

The great thing about Crossfit is that I’m able to step back and let someone else do the programming for me. It really lets me evaluate my own performance honestly, and during the workout, concentrate on surpassing my own limits, rather than wrangling students. Superb!

All of the above fun ensured that I was a complete wreck for Kung-Fu. I haven’t had to phone in katas like that in a long, long time, added to which, Master Joe decided today would be a fantastic day to do a shitload of pushups and crunches. I believe we did somewhere in the area of 300-some pushups and 200-some crunches, but I didn’t keep track. Right now I’m pretty much unable to lift my hands above head level. Ow!

I’m hoping that this is a transitionary period for me of sorts (what actually got me was a twinge in my groin muscles, as well as soreness in my calves). I don’t mind being tired, but feeling injured? That’s another story. I want to be superb in the fitness and Kung-Fu areas of my life. I suspect this is just my body ramping up for new challenges. We’ll see. So far though, I’m enjoying the ride!

Ah yes, I almost forgot to mention: Dinner! I sliced up the last of the wonderful tri-tip I grilled up a few days ago, over a mountainous pile of salad greens and spinach. It was absolutely wonderful. I also enjoyed a bowl of Kiwifruit, which are my new fruit obsession.

A few meals over the next few days will probably consist of the Pork Chili that I have in the slow cooker right now. The aroma is wafting around the house now, and it smells wonderful. Let’s see if the taste lives up to that promise…

By the way, a shout out to the indomitable Edgar Garcia for helping me get pretty permalinks working!