You know that feeling your body gives you when it’s firing the right way? Burning through calories at every turn, the dull ache that reminds you that you about the free weights, noticeable flexibility when picking up anything – the list is long.
I’m happy to report that I’ve found that feeling once again.
A couple months back I came to the realization that I have about seven hours a week to devote to training. Specifically, I was looking at saddle time – how much can I ride my bike? (This doesn’t include hockey, which happens at night after the kids sleep).
But it was the start of the off-season for a cyclocross racer and the start of the long mountain bike season, so I decided to try something new, Crossfit. If you’re not familiar, Crossfit combines weightlifting, sprinting, and body weight exercises that include some basic agility movements. And it’s tough. Stacey has been at it for a good half year, and I should have realized how demanding the training is through her voracious need for sleep, healthy food and the occasional groans from muscle ache.
You know, that feeling?
My class meets three times a week at 6:15am at CrossFit Central, just down the block. We’ve got 45 minutes to get in a workout that includes a warm-up of multiple (3+) rounds of fast footwork, pushups, squats, stretches, a 400m run and (as of late) 15-25 burpees. Once that’s done, we’ll complete the WOD (workout of the day) that is anything from a 2000m row combined with 75, 20-pound medicine ball tosses to 800m running sprints (x 4 rounds) or 135lb squat cleans combined with kettle bells and pull ups. It’s intentionally varied, which makes the classes exciting.
Some workouts have nasty names, like Fight Gone Bad. But others seem friendly enough, until you realize that Jackie is really a bitch. My coaches thus far (Big Mike and Mike and Crystal) have been wonderfully accommodating and genuinely concerned that you workout with proper technique.
Many people at the gym compete in “fittest” competitions that are nationwide and global, too. While that’s not my goal, I’m really anxious to see how I feel on the bike once training and competition starts again for me. I think the benefits will be easy to see – already in hockey I feel faster and can reach more pucks with extended flexibility. Plus the weigh is starting to shed and my whole body seems to be moving about.
I’m starting to dig that feeling, and hope to make it last.
I think you’ll find you’re stronger, which gives you a better base from which to work. I’m only 6 weeks into this season and b/c of winter storms have been hiking instead of riding — great base building and a lot more full-body. My specific cycling workouts are coming in ahead of “schedule,” and I’ve got many of the same sensations as you … pretty cool for mid-February!
I’ll say. I like using the whole body – it’s so much different than cycling or hockey.
Good luck this season. Still endurance racing this year? Any team? Siren/WBR?
I think I mentioned before, but my friend Andrew Stackhouse is a promoter out in your area. I’m sure you guys will run into one another.
That sounds like a mean workout. Keep it up! Found this that might be useful:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&om=0&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=105686335140763812709.0004457fba6f58ff21d39&ll=40.780541,-96.503906&spn=33.92973,95.625&z=4
Hey Pat!
Thanks for saying so. every MWF I have a hard time grasping what’s ahead for a 6am workout, but after I am always glad I went.
I can’t see that link. What is it?
Joe!
I didn’t know you did all these things man. I wish I could say I was
as actively involved with other things!
It is good to have you around the gym man!
Thanks Big Mike. Tis a varied life I lead, and I’m glad that CrossFit is a part of it now.
See you tomorrow, bright and early.