Eagleanchors’s BodyBlog

Today’s Workout of the Day (WOD) was what’s known as the Crossfit Total (CFT).  It is a measuring tool that uses a 1 Rep Max lift in Back Squat, Press, and Deadlift to combine into a "total" score.  This total can then be used to compare an overall strength level that takes into account the lifters bodyweight.  I was pleasantly suprised by my Back Squat max (295) and Deadlift Max (385).  I was, however, woefully disappointed at my press…..a measly 135!  In reflecting on the scores it would appear that my lower body is dramatically stronger than my upper, and that I have a potentially unhealthy imbalance.  Anyone have any thoughts on what an acceptable ratio of these lifts would be to be "balanced"?  Would appreciate any input!

So I’ve fully embraced Crossfit as my training method of choice!  Full body functional strength workouts are AWESOME!  It’s really been an exciting challenge, and has me reinvigorated my training.  It’s also taught me something……apparently I am VERY competitive!  One of the tenents of Crossfit is maximum properly executed form over minimum time.  For instance, today’s workout was a series of three exercises done for as many properly performed reps as possible in a 20 minute time period (Thrusters, Hanging Power Cleans, and Sumo Deadlift Highpulls).  By about the 17 minute mark, I was WHIPPED…..forearms trembling, sweating like a big dog, and sucking wind….no way I could get another set in under three minutes…….22 seconds later, I had a revelation….that clock wasn’t going to stop ticking….ever…and it damm sure wasn’t going to beat me….not this time….I pumped out one last set in 2:26!  Of course I collapsed to the floor gently sobbing when I finished…..but the clock didn’t laugh….cause I’d beaten it today!  He’ll be there tomorrow, I know…..but today I had his number! 

 Good training to all……and remember that clock is ticking!

So I’d hit a plateau, and really felt like I needed a change.  Stumbled across Crossfit, and after some study, thought I’d give it a try…..and am LOVING it!  It’s an awesome full body workout, and I love the feeling of complete fitness it gives.  It’s been a long time (think High School Football daily doubles!) since a workout left me crushed, shaking, and feeling like I was going to hurl…….hurts so good!  Olympic lifts are AWESOME! 

So here are some random thoughts on the self shot progress pics I took today:

#1- OUCH!  Sometimes it’s easier to just go with the mental picture.  The mirror doesn’t lie….nor does she exaggerate.  There’s only brutal honesty in her.  I really thought I was farther along then the pictures would say.  Just means I need to focus and put emphasis on my areas of weakness.

#2- Better Going, Then Coming! - So my Back is considerably better shaped than my Chest…and my calves are much sharper than my quads.  Totally unintentional, but something I definitely need to focus on.  Think it’s too late to just learn to walk backwards?

#3- It’s All In the Show! - Posing is hard!  And I know nothing about it!  Looks like it’s time to add a skill set!  Ditto with actually taking a picture of yourself.  Should be simple with a decent camera and a timer, but I usually end up looking constipated, or slightly afflicted!

#4- It’s All Out There, Baby! - Putting yourself out there is hard!  And scary!  I THINK I’m ready for honest critisicm.  But all in all, it’d be a whole lot easier to just stay in the little fantasy world I’ve created where my flaws are a lot more minor than in reality!  I have a new found respect for those of you out there who have posted frequently and freely!  Thanks, and I’m going to be paying a whole lot more attention! 

So in desperate need of taking some new update pics, and have been both impressed and inspired by many of yours out there.  Anyone have any recommendations on the tactful way to ask folks in the Gym to take some shots of me without sounding either (a) overly conceited or (b)weird!  Any advice from those of you out there without a workout partner or resident photographer? 

Have been absent from here for a while, but glad to be back!  Have arrived, and settled in my new "home" in Afghanistan, and am pleasently surprised by the Gym.  Not only does it have all the equipment I need, but for reasons I can’t quite put my finger on, it has a feel like the "Old School" Gym in Rocky II!  Great extra motivation!  Hope to post some new pics soon, and excited I just ordered some new supps from BB.Com (Nitrix, Axis-HT, and Creakic!)  Planning on hitting it hard, and using my "vacation" here to get HUGE!!

Have been absent from here for a while, but glad to be back!  Have arrived, and settled in my new "home" in Afghanistan, and am pleasently surprised by the Gym.  Not only does it have all the equipment I need, but for reasons I can’t quite put my finger on, it has a feel like the "Old School" Gym in Rocky II!  Great extra motivation!  Hope to post some new pics soon, and excited I just ordered some new supps from BB.Com (Nitrix, Axis-HT, and Creakic!)  Planning on hitting it hard, and using my "vacation" here to get HUGE!!

Without attempting to get political, and with no disrespect meant to any cause, I’d like to share with you my recent motivation for pushing beyond the point where I want to stop…beyond the point where my body wants to be done.  I’ve been away from home for the last two weeks, with four more to go, training to go to a hard place, and do hard things.  As I compose myself to start each set, I take a moment to consider the man who is already waiting where I’m going…….

 My enemy woke up this morning on a dirt floor.  He ate quickly, before the sun had risen…..day old home made bread, or cold rice and beans.  He didn’t complain…..or even wish for more….he simply ate, knowing his body needed the nourishment.  He set out shortly after finishing, pushing his body up and down mountains higher than I’ve ever seen.  He moved quickly, efficently, on his own territory…a vast expanse that’s been his home for generations.  He knows I’m coming…..he’s waiting.   And he hates.  He hates what I represent….partly out of fear, partly out of dogma, partly out of pure indoctrination, he hates.  And it gives him strength.  Pushes him up mountians, in the frigid air, on little or no food, with little or no rest.  He will not rest.  He will not falter.  He will not fear.  He knows he is a hunted man, but that fact merely gives him courage of conviction.  Complaints, he knows, do nothing but waste oxygen.  He won’t stop.  He prays to his God five times a day for strength…..and each time he rises from his prayer rug, he does so refreshed in the righeousness of his mission.  His mission is to kill me, and others like me.  And he will not rest. 

 I don’t hate him.  I respect him.  He, or his Father, or his older Brother, faced down Soviet Mechanized divisions armed only with WW1 vintage rifles.  And he won.  As a professional, I have the deepest admiration for his dedication, and commitment.  Under different circumstances we would meet as colleauges, brothers in the profession of arms.  But fate would not have it that way.  So I must be strong….I must push……I must run farther, push more…..because he is waiting……and if we meet…..I will not falter either.

So first things first……noticing HUGE increases in strength (thanks to NO-Explode and some attention to core work), stamina, and starting to see some definite definition, but ZERO weight gain!  Patience is a virtue, but not one I am particularly blessed with! 

That being said, I’ve set what may seem like a silly new goal, but it helps to keep me movitated and moving forward.  For those of you unitiated into the wonders of College Football, I am a HUGE fan.  My favorite team is my alma mater, Oregon State University.  Their mascot is the mighty fighting Beaver!  Yes, a Beaver!  They have a phenom on their squad named Jacquizz Rogers. He started the 2008 season at 5′ 8" and 187 pounds, but is a terror!  Small, but lighting fast, he is not only elusive, but amazingly strong.  It so happens that I am 5′ 9", and my new weight goal is 185. Additionally, when a budding College Player works out at the NFL Combine, the measuring stick for determing strentgth is the number of times a player can lift 225 pounds in one sitting.  So although I am WAY to small and slow to ever be drafted, I am working to get draft worthy numbers!

So I am curious as to the thoughts of my fellow iron addicts…..where do you draw the line between being hurt versus being injured?  If you’ve every participated in a sport, especially a team sport, you know the difference.  If you’re hurt, you suck it up and push through.  If you’re injured, you take some time off and heal.  And even though lifting is a solo activity at the end of the day, the same principles apply.  I have been fighting some issues with my lower back…..part of getting old(er) and a long history of abusing my poor body.  Doc says I should probably take it easy……but easy doesn’t get the job done.  She confirmed that as long as I watch my form on all lifts that compress the spine (i.e. squats, overhead press, etc) I won’t cause anymore damage.  That to me says I’m hurt, not injured.  Overall it has some negative mental effect, and cuts down on some of the aerobic benefit as I have to stop and stretch between sets, but it won’t kill me. So where’s your line?