Games

Wow. So I woke up this morning from a pretty interesting dream. It was the culmination of all the work I've been putting in over these past few years of my life. Powerlifting, crossfitting, bodybuilding. not one training regime is going to make you totally perfect. Just be ready for anything and everything. I'm always up for something new. But anyways, I was actually there;at the Crossfit games, in the finals. During the last event I lost by a mere few seconds. It is that last breath, those few seconds, where you either win or lose. And I lost. If that doesn't light a fire under your ass, I don't know what does!

Got into the gym feeling great today, came in with a purpose, as always. But this time it was something different driving me; it was a been there done that kinda thing. I was there to make my dream come true. Managed a 240 rack jerk today before being scolded for making too much noise... Gotta follow the rules I suppose. Just makes it clearer to me. Break the chains that bind you. If someone/something is holding you back, who cares. We are only failing ourselves by listening to the naysayers and following suit of what is considered "normal". I say do what makes you happy; in the end, your supporters will e there for you. It is tough to find someone that will put up with all your shit and stick by your side. Friend or foe, keep em close. Push to improve and live every moment as it is your last breath, those last few seconds WILL make or break you.

-John

Wrecked

What a damn rough couple of days! Got into the gym late Wednesday evening with a fire under my ass. Felt great. Blew through 15 rounds of 1 squat at 250, 1 bench at 225, 1 power clean at 225 AFAP. That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, came to an even 10, 500 lbs total. Used weights I knew wouldn't slow me down and keep my heart rate up to get a bit of a metcon out of it. In warm-up for it I went for broke on cleans and as you can see, I failed on the 275! Slowly but surely, it will come:) Losing weight, while at the same time increasing my strength. It is indeed possible folks. Hardwork and dedication produce results, not some magic pill or needle. I couldn't bring myself to do the shit, but honestly, if you do it, good on ya. Doesn't change you in my opinion, just makes me have to work harder to keep up;) I'm no stranger to hard work though. I grew up the fat kid, the target of grade school jokes. So I know what it's like to be the underdog :p Nothing worth having ever came easy.

Did a 10-1 of Dips and 2 POOD KB swings today, each round being preceeded with a 20 yd Farmer's Carry with 2  150 lb DB's. At 185, that was 80%BW in each hand, that shit was a killer after the work that's been done this week. Oh well, anything under 150 and I can look at that as "easy" :) Thought about using the hex bar, but I figure the grip strength required to keep the DB's in line was worth it for today.  Would love a rest day tomorrow; but we'll see how that goes. Time to grub. Peace!

-John

M.I.A.

So I've been MIA for a while. Rest assured I've been putting in my work. Overcoming life's obstacles and taking time for myself. Time to reflect on where I am, and where I've been. How did I get here? It wasn't easy, and everyday is a struggle. Dragging myself out of bed somedays after the rough work of the night before. Overcome. You're capable of anything you put your mind to. I turned 22 yesterday and before my work even started, I was given my birthday gift from the gym. Squat @ BW for 50 straight reps. No half reps. ATG. I'm befuddled at those that half ass it on squats. Unless you have a serious injury, lighten the weight and drop into the hole. It's much more impressive to bottom out on 225 than to "hip-dip" with 405. You all know who you are. If you are one of those, no harm no foul. Clean it up and move on. I completed my 50, one after the next. Coming out of surgery end of July, and 2.5 years after a  blown lumbar, I'm very proud of how far I've come thus far. Much room to grow still. Finally got muscle-ups down today. Refinement work approaching in the coming months. I'm ahead of schedule for where I would like to be; not to get ahead of oneself however. Pulled 650x3 from the knee today, ripped half of my ring finger skin off in the process. Coming to grips witht the fact that I walk around bruised and battered on a daily basis is tough to swallow for most. But you'll never make anything doing it half-cocked. You really want it, you go all in. Overcome.



-John