Mid-Atlantic Qualifiers Day 2

Well for starters we didn't make it in the top 6, or the top 10, or the top 50. At the end of day one the leaders were so far ahead I don't think there was any possible way for us to make up the time. However I wouldn't consider it a failure by any stretch. The competition was really tough and showed some amazing fitness throughout the weekend. I was fearful that Tin Man would have to scale one of the WODs or even run out of time but thankfully that never happened. Not one of the WODs played to his strengths and yet he persevered and managed to finish every WOD without ever having to resort to scaling. We came back that night a little disappointed but I think in the end we will have some good things to work on and hopefully by next year we will be the fire-breathers giving everyone else a run for their money.

Mid-Atlantic Qualifiers Day 1

Today marks the end of the first day of the Mid-Atlantic qualifiers. The competition was no doubt tough. The day one leader has over a 3 minute lead on the rest of the competitors. At the end of the day Craig finished 73rd overall. Although the WODs really didn't cater to his strengths he still finished strong and never came close to running out of time. Craig's first WOD was the 400m Run with Overhead Squats and Box Jumps. In his heat he finished 7th and his final time was 13:20. From there we moved onto the 2k Row, which as anyone who has tried rowing a 2k can attest to is a challenge in itself. At about the 1000m mark your entire body is screaming for you to stop. One thing that was obvious from the beginning was that brute strength and endurance does not make for a faster time. Powerful methodical pulls and having long legs is what wins at the end of the day.

Finally at 2:20 that afternoon Craig moved on to the Deadlift Double-unders WOD. The most impressive time for that WOD ended up being a sub 3 minutes. We had been working on double-unders for that last 2 months but it still wasn't enough to get through the WOD in a competitive time. He still had a respectable time but it wasn't enough to close the gap.

I know that Tin Man is disappointed with today's outcome but I think that it was a positive experience. We will be going back home with a list of skills to work on and add to our arsenal. Next year when we return we will be stronger are more efficient CrossFitters.

If there is one thing I regret is that I didn't sign up for the challenge myself. I know that I didn't have a change of placing, but to be part of an event this amazing would have made it all worth it. The trainers, coaches and competitors we supportive to every athlete regardless if they scaled the workout or couldn't finish within the prescribed time. No matter what my fitness level is next year I will definitely be entering this competition.

Sunday's WOD

21-15-9

Squat Snatch @ 95lbs

Pull-ups

Games

The time has finally come for Tin Man and I to travel down to Virginia Beach. After months of training there is nothing left for us to do but compete. I will be sending updates to my Facebook account throughout the day so if you are interested in seeing how Craig is doing then contact me for a friend request. This should be a challenging weekend and if things go our way we could be traveling to California in July. Here are the workouts Craig will be facing on Saturday.

Saturday's Workouts

Workout #1

Row 2k

Workout #2

3 Rounds for time:

10 Deadlift @ 275lbs

50 Double-unders

Workout #3

For time:

400m Run

21 Overhead Squats @ 95lbs

21 Box Jumps @ 24" box

400m Run

15 Overhead Squats

15 Box Jumps

400m Run

9 Overhead Squats

9 Box Jumps

T-Shirts

I got the first couple t-shirts in yesterday and I'm really happy with the way they turned out. If anyone is interested in purchasing one of these shirts they can follow the buy now link. In the comments section please make sure you specify the size and if you need this shipped to you. Please be aware that shipping is not included in the $40 cost. These are high quality shirts not the cheap undershirts you get at K-mart. As CrossFit says, "It won't make your WOD suck less, but at least you'll look good while puking".

CrossFit Games

The qualifiers are only 8 days away. THERE WILL BE NO CLASSES ON FRIDAY 24 APRIL DUE TO THE QUALIFIERS. I will prescribing a WOD for that day so check back to find out what it is. I will also be posting updates of the events to my Facebook account if anyone is interested in hearing how Craig is doing throughout the weekend. Send me a friend request to hear all about the action. I also hope to get some video of him as well so be sure to keep an eye out for that. Hopefully if things play to our favor we will be traveling to California in July. Keep your fingers crossed.

Basic Barbell Certification

I will be traveling to New Jersey on the 1st of May for the Basic Barbell Certification. I am looking forward to meeting a legend in the CrossFit community, Mark Rippetoe. He has been in the fitness industry for over 30 years and holds a wealth of knowledge about building strength.

Last thoughts

Here is a link passed from Tin Man called "This is why you're fat". It shows some pretty crazy concoctions so consider yourself warned. I almost lost may appetite looking at this. I would also like to hear what you think about the site so post any comments you might have or let me know what kind of things you would like to see.

Havoc Fitness Creed

1. I will promise to do my best. My best will vary from day to day, from hour to hour, from minute to minute. But in that minute I will do the very best I can.
2. If I can run, I run. If I can walk, I walk. When I am forced to crawl, I crawl. And then I rest and live to fight another day.
3. I fear no man, but I fear my workout. If I don't fear my workout, it isn't hard enough.
4. I may puke. I may cry. But I will never quit. EVER!
5. I never cheat. There is no honor in cheating. What joy can there be in a victory I did not earn?

Reprinted from Lalanne Fitness