Feeding The Good Dog
A Native American elder was asked how he handled his own inner struggles about his abilities and achieving his intentions for himself and his people. He replied: “Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is unhappy, insecure and full of doubt. He is harsh and negative and quick with criticism. The other dog is joyful and confident. He is supportive and inviting to play. The doubtful dog fights the confident dog all the time.”
When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied,
“The one I feed the most.”
Crossfit Sectionals: Part II
11-1PM
Following great advice from Luan on proper post WOD nutrition, Shyla gets ready for the Deadlift and Wallball WOD. Of course, she holds strong and finishes in 5th place. She left me wondering why she wasn’t running between sets; I would find out soon enough. Forrest and I continue to hydrate and eat. We also treat ourselves to a quick message to loosen up our legs. I eat way too much and start to feel real sluggish/sick. The food eventually digests and I feel good. We slowly begin to warmup and mentally prepare for the next WOD.
2PM
It’s about that time. I’m about to do the one WOD I don’t want to do. Of course they had to go and build this crazy wooden apparatus to support, of all things, wallballs. If anyone knows me you know how much I hate this exercise. I even created a group on the website regarding my disdain for this sadistic exercise. Wallballs are not pleasant to short guys. Name anything and I would rather do that. Following the warmup, Forrest and I take our position at the deadlift station. We’re off. The deadlifts are no problem. I think I’m gonna run to the wallball station but for some reason I can’t move my legs fast. I decide to take note of what Shyla did and walk. Everyone is crammed at the wallball station. Not only does the target seem like it’s 75 ft. in the air, but I’m literally touching the guy next to me. This is a great example of Crossfit, expect the unexpected! This was the most difficult wallball WOD I have experienced. I don’t know if it was the lack of space between competitors or the lack of leg strength I had accrued through the previous movements. I was literally performing a jumping squat to hit the target. Once again, Forrest is done and I’m wondering how in the world did he finish ahead of me so fast. I rap things up with my final 10 wallballs and have never been happier to finish a WOD. Forrest dominates this WOD with a 4th place finish. Once again, I finish in 33rd place.
4PM
Shyla is up for her last WOD. 5 rounds of running and pullups. This turns into a great one to watch. Shyla and another woman are close the entire time. I get close to Shyla and tell here to catch the runner if front of her and she seems somewhat aggravated, saying “I’m trying!” People observing got a good laugh out of her response. Looking back, I probably wouldn’t have been that nice to someone telling me that. Shyla finishes once again in 5th place.
7PM
The temperature has dropped. Forrest and I are finally on deck to finish the final WOD. Forrest has pretty good wheels, so my goal is to stay with him. This is the last WOD of the day and I”ve got to finish strong if I want a shot at regionals. 3,2,1, Go! We’re off. I’m sucking wind trying to keep up with Forrest. I’m desperately wanting the pullup station. I know once I get there I can take a quick breather. We make it there and I get into my butterfly rhythm and knock out 25 reps. I start running again. I get around the 200 meter mark and realize Forrest isn’t anywhere close to me. I first chuckle and think how effective my force field has been on this WOD against Forrest (Forrest believes when I root against him he does poorly). I then realize something has definitely gone wrong with him. Round 4 hits and my arms are going numb. I hit the run on round 5 just in time for some good Guns N’ Roses on the iPOD and a Marine Staff Sergeant to start pushing me telling me to go. Finally done. I get myself back in contention taking 3rd place in the WOD known as “The Corps.” Despite severe muscle cramping, Forrest takes 12th place. Not a bad day for Irontribe. Two athletes sitting in the top 5 and one staring down the top 15.
8PM
Matt Cambell, Luan, Forrest, and myself finally go eat. We get word of what we thought was the final WOD on Sunday. Wallballs. Great. We first try a Japanese Steakhouse. Forrest steps out of Luan’s car and immediately falls back inside screaming in pain. Not knowing what is happening, I rush over and find Forrest grasping his quads. The cramping had intensified since the run/pullup WOD. We set him on the hood of the car so Luan could stretch him out. After a few pictures and laughs we try to eat. The steakhouse is to crowded so we try something else. We all then agree on Chilli’s. I crush the fajitas and wash it down with a tasty Sam Adams Seasonal (good call Matt).
10PM
We finally make it to the room. I’m beat down like a clown. Once I get scolded by the insane heat of the shower, I find my way to the bed.
Another Fantastic Journal!
This one comes from Craig Niedenthal from the 7:15 am 101 class. Craig is off to a fantastic start! Check out his last two days of nutrition.
Day 1
#1. 1/2 Banana / Protein shake with strawberries and
#2. 2 slices beef jerky and a Lara bar
#3. Salad – Grilled chicken / lettuce / tomato / carrots / vinaigrette
#4. 3 slices of deli chicken / 3 small carrots / handful of almonds
#5. Stuffed pepper with ground beef / salad with vinaigrette
#6. Mango and trail mix
Day 2
#1. 1/2 banana and slice of beef jerky (pre workout)
#2. 3 Paleo Cakes / glass of unsweetened choc almond milk
#3. 2 slices of beef jerky and a Lara bar
#4. Spinach salad / chicken / 1 egg / broccoli / tomato / vinaigrette / green tea
#5. Shrimp / spaghetti squash / olive oil / tomatoes / onions / chicken broth
Great job Craig! Who said Paleo nutrition can’t be delicious as well as incredibly nutritious?
Taking the good with the bad
This week has been pretty good, with the exception of Wenesday. I was slammed at work, and did not get enough to eat or enough water for the day. I missed my 5:15 class, but I did make it to the 6:45. It was probably the worst performance I have had since my second week. I was mad at myself for being weak and tired. It was a very disappointing, but tiring workout.
After I got home, I thought about it a little more. I did not perform as well as I wanted, but the fact that I was pissed about it speaks volumes to how far I have come mentally. 6 weeks ago, I would not have cared. Now I vow to kick that WOD’s ass when it comes up again.
And to top it all off, I got into a pair of pants I have not fit in for a year and a half this morning. So all in all, it has been a good week after all. Joel and I are doing Ernie this afternoon, and I am hoping for better results. Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Walden and Nguyen Adventures
Forrest walking through the side entrance of CF Central. Its a beautiful day for a seminar and an outside WOD.
A few of their members waiting around for the next WOD. Forrest and I jumped in with the 12:15pm class. Seminar attendees brought the class size to 22. Forrest finished first in the WODS. Second place for me! Yes!!
Had a great dinner at a Tex-Mex restaurant. Salad with vinaigrette dressing, salsa and guacamole (which is one of my most favorite fat sources) accompanied our dish of….
Chile Relleno. These were pablano peppers stuffed with chicken and raisins. We opted for the veggies instead of the normal beans and rice that came with it. There was some dairy in this dish by way of cheese and whatever that white sauce is on top but all in all, still 90% paleo. Water to drink. I would definitely order this dish again!
If you ever hear the coaches say we “crushed” a meal….this is what it means!
