31 December 2009

Friday 01JAN10

Warm-up: yoga toes; foam roller; and tennis ball on foot

Long distance run: 5 miles

Route turned out to be more like six miles. Ran from apartment, down Tilden Street, onto Rock Creek Park trail, to the stop sign before the exercise trail, and back. Took slightly over 45.00. Legs felt great considering it was first run over 5K in a few months. All in all, it was three good runs this week.

30 December 2009

Thursday 31DEC09

Warm-up: foam roller; shoulder/hip mobility

WOD: "Angie"
For time:

100 pull-ups
100 push-ups
100 sit-ups
100 squats

35.29

Great workout to end the year. Kept it steady on pull-ups to prevent hands from ripping. Push-ups were difficult, as usual. Still having trouble with flexibility on squats; should probably stop wearing blue shoes for working out. Squats seem easier when wearing New Balances. Goal for next time will be sub-30.00.

Wednesday 30DEC09

WOD: Press 3-3-3

115-120(pr)-120

Awesome effort today; felt strong. Max one rep press during last CFT was 125#; thus, it was surprising to get 120# for three. Looking forward to a new max, possibly 135# . . .

Post-WOD: for time:

Row 1K
45# push press, 50 reps
30 pull-ups

07.20

Was supposed to be thrusters instead of push press, by KF screwed it up. In any event, it was a great WOD and I finally beat him in something. Enjoying workout out at CrossFit Bolling and not looking forward to returning to the Navy Yard next week.

Middle distance run: 3K (1.86 miles)

Performed on treadmill at 1.0 incline and 8.5 speed. Body was pretty tired after working out already in the afternoon. Felt difficult even though I've done 5K at that speed recently.

29 December 2009

Tuesday 29DEC09

WOD: Snatch 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 reps

65-95-95-105-105-115-115

Really shouldn't count last two reps -- wasn't able to fully lock out overhead. Need to devote time to snatch/OHS/push jerk.

Post-WOD: 5 rounds for time of:

5 KTE
10 one-armed dumbbell snatch w/ 45#
15 push-ups

10.04

Lost to KR (08.30) for second straight day. Plus, he snatched 135# w/out much of a problem. Absolutely hit a wall on push-ups; haven't done them in a few weeks. All in all, a good day.

27 December 2009

Monday 28DEC09

Warm-up: pull-up practice

WOD: Row 5K


20.25

Worked out with KF at CrossFit Bolling. Lined up two C2s right next to each other and got after it. Gave this WOD maximum effort, but still lost by two seconds. In any event, it was lots of fun and a great workout. Looking forward to going over there the next two days, plus hitting a 3K run on Wednesday.

Sunday 27DEC09

Warm-up: form running

Track workout: 4 x 400 meters, with five minutes of rest between efforts

01.24
01.25
01.24
01.24

Used track at Cathedral. It was very muddy and had some puddles, which slowed me down quite a bit. Body felt tired due to poor eating/sleeping/exercise habits over the past four days. In any event, it's good to be starting the half-marathon training program.

23 December 2009

Thursday 24DEC09 to Saturday 26DEC09

Rest cycle.

Traveling to Atlanta to visit MC's family. Plan is to give the body some rest before half-marathon training begins on Sunday 27DEC09. It will be last substantial rest period until after the race in late-March. Diet will, understandably, suffer.

Wednesday 23DEC09

Rest day (planned on doing front squat WOD, but Navy Yard gym was closed at 1300 -- ridiculous).

21 December 2009

Tuesday 22DEC09

WOD: "Dianne"
21-15-9 reps of:

225# Deadlift
HSPU

28.00

Started out like a house-of-fire, but HSPU began to wear me out. Deadlifts were manageable, especially with touch-and-go method. Have been wanting to do this WOD for over a year now, and finally had my opportunity. Too bad my shoulders are so weak.

20 December 2009

Monday 21DEC09

Warm-up: shoulder mobility

WOD: Three rounds for time of:

15 Towel pull-ups
21 Dips
50 Squats

38 minutes

Towel pull-ups were tough on hands. Also, dips were surprisingly difficult. Could feel hips tight on squats; need to continue working on flexibility.

Sunday 20DEC09

WOD: Five rounds for time of:

Burpee-clean-thrusters w/ 20# dumbbell, 15 reps
Run 400 meters

42.10

Not sure whether this WOD was difficult or if I was just sluggish. Haven't done many METCONs lately, and it showed. Had to sub 50 mountain-climbers for runs on two rounds b/c treadmills were occupied. Did this WOD in apartment "gym," which was a tight squeeze. Looking forward to starting half-marathon training a week from today.

18 December 2009

Saturday 19DEC09

Yoga/flexibility work.

17 December 2009

Friday 18DEC09

Warm-up: jump rope practice; foam roller

WOD: clean 1-1-1-1-1-1-1

135-140-145-150-150-155-155

Post-WOD: Complete 21-15-9 reps of:

Dead-hang pull-ups
HSPU

Still have trouble cleaning from ground. Didn't feel explosive once weight became heavier. HSPUs felt great today, which was surprising. Also did some hamstring flexibility work afterward.

16 December 2009

Thursday 17DEC09

Warmup: shoulder mobility work

WOD: Back squat 3-3-3-3-3

Post-WOD: sit-ups and back extensions

Back squats done at 225. Really having flexibility issues on squats. Lower back, hips, and hamstrings all seem to be extra tight these day. Need to make effort to fix problem.

15 December 2009

Wednesday 16DEC09

3-on-3 basketball tournament at MSC

Planned on doing Back squat WOD in the afternoon, but legs were shot after playing four games. Will double-up tomorrow, instead.


14 December 2009

13 December 2009

Monday 14DEC09

Warm-up: sit-ups and back extensions

WOD: Complete AMRAP in 20 minutes of:

50 SDHPs, 50#
10 Turkish get-ups with a 10 pound dumbbell

3 rounds. TGUs were great; looking forward to incorporating them into more workouts.

12 December 2009

Sunday 13DEC09

Warm-up: Row 500 meters; shoulder/hip mobility work

WOD: "CrossFit Total"

Back squat, 1 rep
Shoulder press, 1 rep
Deadlift, 1 rep

245 + 125 + 315 = 685

Pretty solid effort. Back squat is definitely an issue. Haven't done it in a while, and it showed. Tied pr on Shoulder press. Deadlift was respectable, considering legs were tired from Back squat. Goal for next time is to reach 700.

Saturday 12DEC09

Warm-up: Row 500 meters; lots of hamstring/lower back stretching

WOD: Complete five rounds of:

L pull-ups, 7 reps
Ring push-ups, 15 reps

Need to dedicate some serious time toward L pull-ups. Still unable to get in L position; instead, had to simply ball-up and perform reps. Definitely a lower back/hamstring flexibility issue. Same issue hinders pistols and OHS. Ring push-ups were manageable. Much easier than ring dips.

10 December 2009

09 December 2009

Thursday 10DEC09

WOD: Run 5K

Post-WOD: 3-on-3 basketball at WNYD

Done on treadmill at 1.0 incline and 8.5 speed. Took approx. 22 minutes. First long run in over a month, but it felt alright. Should have good foundation when commencing half-marathon training at end of month.

08 December 2009

Wednesday 09DEC09

Rest day (N00L Holiday Party)

Tuesday 08DEC09

Warm-up: shoulder mobility work; jerk practice

WOD: Split jerk 1-1-1-1-1-1-1

150-155-160-165-170-175-180(pr)

Post-WOD: For time:

Run 800 meters
30 Back extensions
30 Incline sit-ups
30 Back extensions
30 Knees-to-elbows
30 Back extensions
30 Ab-mat situps

16.38

Pretty happy with this effort. Split jerk is much easier for me than regular push jerk. Now that I have idea of max, next time can shoot for more weight by not doing so many sets leading up to it. Had to do tomorrow's WOD because of office Christmas party. Need to continue hitting back extensions hard.

06 December 2009

Monday 07DEC09

Rest day

Sunday 06DEC09

Warm-up: practice all movements

WOD: "Lumberjack 20"

20 Deadlifts (225#)
Run 400 meters
20 KBS (2 poods)
Run 400 meters
20 OHS (22# bar)
Run 400 meters
20 Burpees
Run 400 meters
20 Chest-to-bar pull-ups
Run 400 meters
20 Box jumps
Run 400 meters
20 Medicine ball cleans
Run 400 meters

38.13

All runs done on treadmill at 1.0 incline and 10.5 speed -- they were difficult today. Had to scale back from as rx'd WOD on deadlifts, OHS, and dumbbell cleans. Still need work on OHS and cleans, but they are improving. Burpees and pull-ups felt great today. Looking forward to some rest tomorrow.

04 December 2009

Saturday 05DEC09

Warm-up: Row 500 meters

WOD: Row 1000 meters
Then three rounds of 21-15-9 reps of:

Ab-mat sit-ups
Back extensions

07.38

Post-WOD: OHS practice

Quick workout. Difficult to push at full-speed for 1000 meters; very similar to 800 meters on track. Good warm-up for tomorrow "Lumberjack" workout.

03 December 2009

Friday 04DEC09

Warm-up: Clean practice

WOD: Complete three rounds for time of:

Run 800 meters
135# Power cleans, 21 reps

34.46

Great effort today. Big improvement on cleaning from the ground. Remember to keep back arched, pull to mid-thigh, big shrug, and quick elbows. Runs were done at 1.0 incline and 10.0 speed.

02 December 2009

Thursday 03DEC09

Warm-up: full mobility work

WOD: 3 rounds, 15-12-9 reps of:

Thrusters, right arm only, 60# dumbbell
Thursters, left arm only, 60# dumbbell
One-hand pull-up, right arm
One-hand pull-up, left arm

25.10

Awesome effort today. Weight was very heavy on thrusters, and all pull-ups were done as singles. It was difficult to hold onto my wrists when my arms became sweaty. Good to be back on track.

Wednesday 02DEC09

Rest day

01 December 2009

Tuesday 01DEC09

Pre-WOD: tennis

WOD: Front squat 3-3-3-3-3 reps

175-175-185-195(f)-185

Post-WOD: L-pullup practice and sit-ups

29 November 2009

Monday 30NOV09

Warm-up: mobility work

WOD: "Joshie"

20# dumbbell snatch, 21 reps, right arm, left arm
21 pushups
20# dumbbell snatch, 15 reps, right arm, left arm
15 pushups

20# dumbbell snatch, 9 reps, right arm, left arm

10 minutes. Absolutely terrible effort today. Was devestated from "Linda" and 400 meter walking lunges on Thanksgiving. Need serious work on snatches from the floor. Need to step up intensity.

28 November 2009

Sunday 29NOV09

Warm-up: shoulder mobility work

WOD: "Linda"
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 reps of the triplet:

Deadlift: 225#
Bench Press: 135#
Medicine Ball Cleans

32.43

Can't imagine doing this WOD as rx'd. Back was so shredded after doing so many deadlifts. Was able to get through all sets of bench press unbroken, which was surprising. Next time, hope is to keep 225# for deadlift, increase to 145# for bench press, and add in 95# cleans.

27 November 2009

26 November 2009

Friday 27NOV09

Warm-up: jump rope practice

WOD: Complete AMRAP in 20 minutes of:

10 Double-unders
10 Sit-ups
10 Back extensions


Screwed up. WOD was supposed to be sets of 15, not ten. Anyways, completed 17 rounds plus Double-unders. Legs were still stiff from yesterday's lunges. Looking forward to day off tomorrow.



25 November 2009

Thursday 26NOV09

Warm-up: 400 meter Run

WOD: 400 meter Walking lunge

18.52

One of the most difficult WODs that I've done in a while. MC came along for the ride and actually finished just after me. Legs were locking up really bad towards the end. Now, it's time for turkey!

24 November 2009

Wednesday 25NOV09

Warm-up: Row 500 meters

WOD:
Shoulder Press 1-1-1-1-1 reps
Push Press 3-3-3-3-3 reps
Push Jerk 5-5-5-5-5 reps

110-110-110-110-110
135-135-135-135-135
135-135-115-115-115

Felt great up until the second set of Push Jerk. Shoulders were incredibly fatigued -- decided to drop weight for last three sets. Need to focus on re-dip on Push Jerk to move up in weight.

23 November 2009

Tuesday 24NOV09

Rest Day

Much needed after last three workouts. Going to spend the evening buying groceries for Thanksgiving. I've been tasked with turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. MC is in charge of cranberry sauce, corn pudding, and pumpkin pie. JAC is bringing his famous green-bean casserole and, of course, some wine.

22 November 2009

Monday 23NOV09

Warm-up: hip/shoulder mobility work

WOD: Complete as many rounds as possible ("AMRAP") in 20 minutes of:

25 Burpees
Squat w/ 45# dumbbells in hands, 15 reps

3 rounds plus 15 Burpees

Horrible effort tonight. Gym was super-crowded and wasn't able to occupy the squat rack, which was rx'd workout. Had to sub in dumbbells, which wasn't great. Burpees were killer, as always. Looking forward to day off tomorrow.

Post-WOD: sit-ups and back extensions

21 November 2009

Sunday 22NOV09

Warm-up: shoulder mobility work

WOD: For time:
21 Handstand push-ups ("HSPU")
400 meter Run
21 dead-hang pull-ups ("pu")
15 HSPU
400 meter Run
15 dead-hang pu
9 HSPU
400 meter Run
9 dead-hang pu

34.16

HSPU took much longer than expected. Runs were done on treadmill set at 10.0 with 1.0 incline. Dead-hang pu were difficult, as always. Kept switching grips to make it easier.

20 November 2009

Saturday 21NOV09

Warm-up: Row 500 meters

WOD: Deadlift 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 reps

225
245
265
275
295
315
325(pr)

Went up slowly on last rep; need to add more sit-ups and back extensions to strengthen lower back for next max-out.

Post-WOD: Overhead Squat practice w/ PVC pipe

Registration


Registered for the National Half Marathon this morning. The race will take place on 20 March 2010 in Washington, DC.

Various websites recommend a 12-week training regimen for a half marathon, which, for this race, would commence in late December. My intention is to follow the CrossFit main site WOD from now until late December. Once I enter the 12-week window, I intend to run three times per week: a track day; a middle-distance day; and a long-run day on the weekend. In addition, I'll continue following CrossFit, but will modify as necessary to prevent over training.

This blog will document my training for the race. Hope is to demonstrate that an individual can sufficiently prepare for a long-distance race by cross-training, as opposed to a strict running program. Goal, as of now, is to complete the half marathon in under 01.30.

Comments -- and encouragements -- are welcome. Also, if anyone is interested in joining in on this program, please let me know.