As is my custom, during the CrossFit Open Season, I like to predict my score, or at least my strategy prior to the event.
Then after I have been given a dose of reality, I follow-up with a Post-Mortem.
Should I go Rx or Scaled? This event was a no brainer for me, I cannot do a Handstand Pushup to save my life. Actually, I refrain from doing them, to save my life. So I went Scaled.
For Scaled, the movements were simple. Set up a barbell for performing 10 Push Presses, and a slightly heavier one for 10 Cleans.
As Mens Master 60+, my weights were the same as the younger women, so I shared a station with my pal Julia. She went first, and I judged her, and then in the next heat, we switched roles.
Observing Julia gave me an opportunity to study her strategy and determine, on the fly, whether I should alter mine. One thing I learned from her was that breaking each movement into two sets of 5 reps would help hold fatigue at bay. Do five lifts, drop the bar, shake off the arms for a few seconds and get back on the bar.
This method helped Julia secure a score of 101.
Having observed Julia’s strong performance, I felt confident that my prediction of 80 reps was not unreasonable. So I approached the barbell and watched the timer countdown.
3-2-1 Go!
I knocked off 10 Push Presses. Only Julia yelled at me, because I did them as Strict Presses. I am so accustomed to doing Jerks, in suppressing my inclination to Jerk, I also suppressed pushing.
So I began the first round by toasting my shoulders a bit more than I had to, and I did 10 straight because I felt so fresh.
Then I moved to the cleans. Light Weight! Light Weight!
Things were going very well. Then the second round was done and the barbells began to get heavier as my arms seemed to get a “jello infusion”. As I began the third round of Push Presses, I noticed my hands were feeling a little raw in the web between my thumb and forefinger. Oh yeah! I meant to chalk up, but I forgot.
By the fourth round, this strength WOD was turning into a MetCon as I was beginning to get gassed. It was about this time, I realized I had forgotten to take a couple blasts on my inhaler prior to the event. But I was done four rounds, I had already met my forecast.
I got back on the bar with about 40 seconds left and I was able to lock out the last ten Push Presses to get a final score of 90. Ten reps over my forecast. I had a blast.
The workout and the friends are the highlight of the Opens for me. The Leaderboard is simply icing on the cake. And as we all know, you have to wait for your dessert. In this case, we don’t get to see the results until Tuesday morning.
The weeks are flying by. How did you do this weekend? Did you meet or exceed your goal?
At 60+ there were no hspu just pp and cleans
At 60+ Scaled , I was very happy with my 100 rep.!!!!!!!
I was able to get 78 rx (for women's 55-59) after having been sick for ten days. I do not feel badly about the result. Could I have done better on a different day? Most likely, but one and done is usually how I do it.
I was able to get 78 rx (for women's 55-59) after having been sick for ten days. I do not feel badly about the result. Could I have done better on a different day? Most likely, but one and done is usually how I do it.
Great blog Chuck! I managed 85 (men's 60+ scaled) – it's a bit of a blur. Think I did the first two rounds unbroken… But it gets a bit fuzzy after that!
Omg , Your 15.4 went almost exactly as mine! I started out with Strict push press,,,because I forgot , but remembered after 5. Then half way through the wod, I realized I needed my inhaler , but I wasn't going to stop at that point . I didn't even think about this being a cardio work out ,until I was into it . I ended at 95. Was hoping to get to 115. :/