No, that’s not a half-marathon — it’s the first WOD for the CrossFit Games of 2013.
Last night the official first workout was announced, and it’s a serious challenge.
Complete as many reps as possible (AMRAP) in 17 minutes. The round is detailed below. I expect to get a decent number of reps, but I doubt I’ll handle the prescribed snatch weight. I can’t imagine snatching 75 lb right now.
Part of me is relieved the first workout is so demanding. It validates my main reason for not registering, even though I’m in my third year of CrossFit.
I’m fiercely competitive with myself to the point that I’ll risk injury.
Case in point: this week’s workouts (Mon–Wed).
(I ran instead of rowing because my arms were very sore.)
I had three tough days in a row and I knew I should have rested on Wednesday, but the workout looked great and I wanted in. After two days of rowing and pull-ups, my arms needed a break. Now it’s Thursday and I’m doing everything I can to avoid rhabdomyolysis in my left arm. The warning signs are there.
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I’m losing muscle function in that arm.
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It’s slightly swollen.
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It’s extremely sore.
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My left leg is also showing muscle weakness.
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It’s swollen, very sore, and hot to the touch.
I’m drinking plenty of water because the second day after intense exercise is critical — that’s when the body either recovers or progresses toward rhabdo. Friday will be the day to watch closely.
I know my weaknesses in CrossFit — there are many. I probably wouldn’t have made it past a 35 lb snatch, and I wish I could be okay with that. But I’m hesitant to enter competitions unless I’m reasonably sure I can finish, barring sudden illness or injury. I tend to ignore the cautionary voice and push myself to the point of injury to get as close as possible. I’ve done this before. I wish I could have entered and given my best effort on 13.1 and called it a solid attempt, but I’m not built that way.
I accept I’ll likely never achieve the scores required to reach the Games, and that’s fine. I won’t enter until I feel confident I can complete the prescribed movements. The same goes for running: I won’t sign up for a race unless I can finish the distance without risking long-term injury. I don’t have a reliable “off switch” to help me quit at the right time and recover instead of forcing myself across the line into months of therapy.
Despite not officially competing in the CrossFit Games, the announcement has motivated me. I want an unassisted pull-up, to drop my fear of the box, to add more weight, and to master double-unders. As I’ve lost weight, even handstand push-ups start to feel within reach.
So, although I’m not registered, I plan to attempt this workout on Sunday. The burpees and thrusters don’t tax the same muscles the way repeated pull-ups or rowing do, so if my arm improves by Friday afternoon, I should manage the workout during the weekend open gym. I’m curious to see how much I can snatch overhead. 