REPEAT AFTER ME....

THE GOAL IS TO KEEP THE GOAL THE GOAL...Dan John.

I have this on a carousel in my brain 24/7.  It is so easy for me to want to step outside my training program.  I want to do get ups, swings and even carries.  Even though I was given the okay, I've come to believe it is not the smartest thing for me to do.  Upper body is holding up during this training but the lower body not so much.  The IT is flaring for one.  It was flaring so much I decided to go to the YMCA instead of Skill of Strength to work it out...I did but....

And then along comes this one week before the certification...

Advanced Skills Kettlebell Workshop at Iron Body Studios.  I can't get it out of my head. 

 



http://www.ironbodystudios.com/

 

I can do double KB Presses but not a double KB jerk, Windmill, bent press or double KB snatch.  I can't not even tell you how much I want to learn those skills.  They are challenging and difficult but one week before the Barbell Certification?  Am I crazy?

 

Not only that...Artemis is a fantastic coach and such a strong woman.  There is no one better to teach these skills. 

 

 

There goes the ping pong in my head.  Yes, I want to do the workshop.  It is only a half a day.  I will go easy.  Ya...me go easy learning a double KB snatch. 

 

 

And on the other side...you are training with a specific program for a specific goal.  What is wrong with you even thinking about this?  What if you get injured?  Then what?

 

 

Ping pong in my brain.

 

 

On to today's training session:

 

Week 3: Day 3:

 

I did some significant foam rolling, stretching and mobility work today.  The IT band needed some work.  It feels better.  Here are the stats:

 

SQUAT:  Max weight was 60 pounds which is an increase of 5 pounds from last week.  Squats were low and pain free.  Slow and steady to 115 pounds.

 

PAUSE BENCH PRESS - 2 SECOND PAUSE AT THE BOTTOM:  Max weight was 55 pounds which is a 5 pound increase from last week.  The pause at the bottom makes this more difficult. 

 

MILITARY PRESS, LIGHT WEIGHT, WORKING ON FORM....

 

The a circuit of high rep goblet squats using 12KG kettlebell and leg lowers. 

 

Happy that I got it done...

 



LOGGING IN

I previously said that I would log my workouts.  This may not be of interest to everyone but it does help me.  Some of you may want to follow my progress.

Why does it help me to log them here?  Because I am a hot mess when I am responsible for keeping a written log.  The paper gets lost only to be found years later.  Just how it goes.  I can't change it.

So I give you Week 2; Day 3 (Monday March 21, 2016)

I did my warm up which included Turkish Get Ups and Swings although I had to cut the TGUs short.  I was at the Y and for some reason I ended up surrounded by people.  TGUs and people nearby is an opportunity for injury....there's not mine. 

Here is Artemis of Iron Body Studios doing a TGU...Just so you know what I am talking about.  She is one incredibly strong woman. 



Squats:  Last week my max was 50 pounds; this week 55.  I always considered myself a master squatter.  (YIKES)  My legs have felt torched and they have felt tender.  In the end, it all worked out though.

Bench Press with two second pause at the bottom:  Last week, I started out at a higher weight thinking, "Hey, I am benching.  No big deal."  Turns out that 2 second pause at the bottom is a big deal.  I only used 50 pounds which felt too light but stuck with it.  I could "feel the bern."  (Little shout out to Bernie.)

Light day Military Press:  Went light.  Groove felt good. 

Then a rotation of high rep goblet squats (I used a 20 pound kettlebell) and leg lowers.  Let me just say....we are seriously talking a lot of goblet squats.



One thing Mike Perry insists on with this program is that you don't miss a rep so when the weight felt heavy I could hear him in my ear saying don't miss a rep especially while doing a gazillion goblet squats. 

It all felt really good.  I do feel that maybe I should have challenged myself a little more. 

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

StrongFirst certification...StrongFirst certification...StrongFrist certification....StrongFirst certification

Those words seem to be my common refrain for these past few months.  I am so on a fence here.  The problem is I have always believed in my ability to conquer these challenges.  I have always feel strong enough to approach a challenge with the expectation of being successful.  I believe deep in my heart that I am mentally and physically strong.

Until now...This week I received an email from StrongFirst letting me know there are only 8 spots left for the Boston (Somerville actually) Level 1 certification. 

I am trying to figure out if it is my body holding me back or my mind (and the thought of spending all that money if my body isn't operational does make me crazy).

Artemis at Iron Body Studios wrote the perfect motivation blog post this week.  It is worth a read.  It speaks to commitment, dedication, and focusing on a goal.

Artemis - Iron Maiden Challenge

http://ironbodybyartemis.com/2015/05/12/the-cycle-of-training/

and I thought, "I've got this!"  "I can do this." 

But what if it really feels like my body isn't cooperating.  For example, I have always been proud of my ability to squat.  Ass to the grass baby.  I could barbell squat 75 pounds and easily squat two 12 pound KB.  Not so much this week.  Okay, not just this week but recently.  It just isn't feeling right.  That is just one example.

Then I think, for me, it isn't always about the end result.  I enjoy the process.  The process of training and the process of participating in the program.

Or maybe I am just waiting for the class to fill up so I can say to all of you and myself, "Ya, I was going to do the certification but the class filled up before I could sign up." 

I feel like a yoyo here.

My question to you is...What would you do?

If you are really interested in what this is all about, check out this article...

http://www.strongfirst.com/student-of-strength/