Helen

I did Helen tonight. Don’t get too excited, my lesbians; that’s just the name of one of the CrossFit benchmark WODs. Helen is:

Three rounds of

  • run 400 meters
  • 21 kettlebell swings (35 lbs for women)
  • 12 pull-ups

Last time I did this WOD (December 3 of last year), I used a 20-lb kettlebell and green-plus-skinny-purple bands for the pull-ups. I finished in 14:30. Tonight, I was using a 30-lb kettlebell and the blue band. And it took me 14:42.

So it took me twelve seconds longer than it did nine months ago. Fantastic.

I mean, I know I was doing more work this time with the equipment change, but goddamn.

A few weeks ago after a workout, my buddy Jack said, “Good job, Scott.” And I said, “No. It was not. I have a Bad Attitude about my performance today.” And we laughed.

Sometimes I can do that. Laugh about how bad I am. Other days I boo-hoo into my sleeve. Occasionally, I spew vitriol at myself. Today, I just feel like, goddamn.

 

 

8 thoughts on “Helen”

  1. That’s bad ass what you did today!

    I ate three onion covered tostadas and watched a re-run of some show on Hulu called “16 and pregnant”.

    Reply

  2. no, you weren’t just “doing more work” – you were doing A LOT more work. with the increase to the 30# kb, you moved 630# more than you did last time. the pullups are a little harder to quantify (b/c the blue band is apparently 25-80# of resistance and the green band is 50-120# – what’s with the massive range? no idea… here’s where i found the info: http://www.roguefitness.com/iron-woody-bands.php) but let’s be conservative and say you were doing 20# more work on each pullup (it was probably more) – that’s 720# more weight than you moved last time.

    so you moved a total of 1350# more than you did last time – and it ONLY took you 0:12 seconds longer. that’s pretty freakin’ awesome if you ask me.

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  3. Really? Seriously? You’re pissed about your performance? Amy, come freaking on. Do you actually recognize the difference between where you were in December and where you are now? That stupid time clock is so annoying. So what that you were 12 seconds slower. You’re a whole heck of a lot stronger now. 12 seconds is the difference in a 4 second delay 3 different times. Maybe you paused on top of the hill. Maybe you took too long getting from the KB to the pull-up bar. Maybe you’re KB was on the far side of the gym and the extra 4 seconds came from the walk at the door to your KB. Girl, don’t make me get upset with you. Recognize your progress. Quit hating on yourself so much.

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