Snatching It Back

Okay...the song doesn't have anything to do with KB snatching but the song plays in my head when I think about the certification and the snatch test.

When I started on the road to certification I never ever thought I would be able to do 100 snatches in 5 minutes.  Doesn't it sound impossible?  No?  Well it did to me.

What I've learned the past several weeks is that it is not impossible.  I can now do 100 snatches in 5 minutes with a 12 KG kettlebell.  It is a feeling of tremendous accomplish.  Last weekend I was reminded of the fact of how overwhelmed I felt in the beginning of my training about learning to snatch properly.  I was a whiney beatch saying, "I can't do this." 

Well as a matter of fact...yes I can!

As long as I trust my training and don't let anything get inside my head, I should be able to pass this one.  Now, as an introvert, it is a little disconcerting thinking about all those people watching me while I snatch.  Physically I've got this.  Now I am working on the mental aspect.  As I've said before....

And I Quote

Some recent favorites...

 

More Progress

 



Only we are talking about the garden this time and not about me.  I love my garden.  Thanks to my boy we are able to do a look with a small space.  A garden is healthy eating at its best. 

My owl.  Protecting the blueberries.

Next, the grapevine and yes I am in love.

This is how it looked when after it first sprouted...

This is how it looked last week...

Excitement when I saw the color of this tomato...

The raspberries have been bountiful...

Here is what else is growing...

There is always experimentation with something new.  This year, I am trying artichokes and leeks.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

Artichoke - never done before but always
experimenting. 

Tomato in a pot

Peas - started way too late but they are looking good.

White Potatoes

Spaghetti Squash started from seeds of
an actual squash.

Spinach in the pot

Sweet Potatoes
Not yet looking as good as last year.

Cucumbers

And more cucumbers

 

Big Jalapenos

Not everything is glorious in the garden.  I am fighting tomato blight.  Some of the tomatoes are doing well.  Others have me concerned.  My butternut squash, spaghetti squash and pumpkins have leaves that are turning yellow.  I have left the weeding to the boy this year out of concern for my hands...good excuse anyway.

Tomato not looking so good.

Happy Gardening!!!!

 

PROGRESS

So what has been going on...with each passing week I am become more confident with my ability to pass the certification.  I am nervous about the fact that people will be staring at me and judging my technique but that is to be expected. 

But can you snatch? Yes, I do believe I can.  I have been following Iron Body Studios certification program and training with Artemis.  There was a problem with my snatch.  I was opening my hand at the top.  Once I started opening my hand another problem resulted...crazy bruising at the wrist bone.  It was very painful and it was evidence something was wrong with my form. 

I explained the painful problem to Artemis and it was solved.  Break the arc!  Now it took some work and I am still working on form but I am much improved from when I began this journey.

This week I started snatching with my test weight.  I did 9 rounds of 9 with 12 KGs on Saturday.  This is what it looked like.

There were some pictures with crazy ass faces.  Those will not make the internet. 

Listening to Artemis pays off...until I had a couple set backs.  The first one was this.

This big ugly blister on my left hand after snatching at work last week.  I don't show this as a badge of honor but an area of snatching.  Was I doing my snatching correctly?  What was going to happen when I did a gazillion snatches before the test?  How was I going to prepare before the test?  I cut off the skin but not quite enough of it.  I made the brilliant decision to attempt to pull it off.  Ouch.  It is healing and I am still able to snatch.

My second concern became...how was I ever going to be able to pass the snatch test.  I wasn't snatching enough.  I twisted my perspective.  I was thinking I was snatching 90 times in 9 minutes.  Nope....180 in 9 minutes.  I will be good.  Yesterday's work out at Iron Body Studios will Artemis increased my confidence just a bit. 

This is what the testing will look like!





and this (This is a better video.)

AND I QUOTE

One simple quote tonight.  It doesn't just apply to achieving health and fitness goals.  It applies to the challenges of everyday life.

If I pass my certification, maybe I will get this tattoo!

UPDATE

So how is my training going?  I would say remarkable well.  I feel good and I feel strong.  Artemis and Eric at Iron Body Studios developed an excellent, progressive program.  The RA feels moderately under control and the shoulder/arm has been pretty painless (knock on wood).

It doesn't feel right sharing Artemis and Eric's Kettlebell Certification Training Program...hey it costs money.  They are marketing their unique skills.  They are working hard to make a living.  That being said, let me give you a little insight into what I have been doing. 

I've taken some of my training outside.  I did part of the program yesterday in my yard and then headed to the park to do assisted pull ups and double kettlebell squat sets.  Then I finished on the basketball court doing one handed kettlebell swings.  10 rounds of swings. 

Courtside one handed swings at Gowdy Park

Me on the bars doing chin ups and the little kids on the swings with their mothers.


Today part of the work out was done at home...couldn't do the second half because I was having difficulty squatting at 5:00 am.  So at lunch time at work I did a rotation of double KB clean, double overhead press and double KB squat for 18 minutes with two 25 KBs.  12 KG is my test weight for the cert. 

 

When I was done it felt effin great.  I was toast.  I could say less toasted than when I started doing this rotation.

 

There is a 25-30 percent failure rate at the StrongFirst certification week-end.  If I fail it won't be because I wasn't prepared.  Don't worry.  No negativity.  I plan on passing because 



My grape vine...remember when it looked like this

Two weeks later it looks like this

We are getting there.

There is a downside to the garden though.  My tomatoes have early blight.  It is early.  Steps have been taken to minimize the damage.  I will be devastated I lose my toms.  I live on them come summer.  I took pictures but decided not to share.  It is too sad. 

AND I QUOTE...

As you can see, one is not a quote.  Let me ask you.  Who can resist a delectable ice cream picture?

Not a quote but good advice

Inspiration from people who are doing good works in Lynn!