Brob's #36

It has been more than five years since CrossFit found me. I say that it "found" me, and not the other way around, because I honestly had no idea what I was looking for with regard to a legitimate fitness program. I am just thankful that it did find me (via my buddy, Wade Adams). But this blog post is not about me; it is about the close bonds and friendships that I have made throughout my CrossFit journey.

All of those who were a part of CrossFit Ramstein know what I am talking about. And even though our affiliate had to be discontinued, the flame still burns at Ramstein. Many thanks goes out to those who are still hangin' around the North Side Fitness Center: JB, Jay, Vanessa, Tina, Tim, and Dustin. A special thanks goes out to JB for stoking that flame even more--just recently he has been posting weekly WODs on the Functional Fitness Freaks Ramstein Facebook page.

Even though I am unable to physically be there with my friends, and gut through the WOD with them, they are still in my heart while I do the exact same workout thousands of miles away. For this week's challenge, Rob and I decided to do JB's programming again. We kind of screwed it up though...not resting where we were supposed to! Anyway, here's what we did:

Five rounds for time of:

Run 400 meters

25 Kettlebell swings, 1.5 pood

My time: 13:12 Rx'd

Brob's 35 or Balls To The Walls

Running with your balls to the wall
For Time
Run 1 Mile=1.6Km
30 Wallballs 20/16
Run 800 Meters
20 Wallballs 20/16
Run 400 Meters
10 Wallballs 20/16

I too would like to thank JB for the challenge! As Brian mentioned, these are two exercises that just know how to make you feel bad fast. Who ever says that there's nothing to running, obviously does not know what they are talking about. Running as fast as you can, especially 400 meters, if done hard is just pure pukie time! Putting in the wall-balls was effective. You cannot really rest between sprints while doing them. They expose you to the "suck factor" pretty quick.

Thanks Brian, Jean and as I read today, the Ramstein Crew for participating. JB Knows his stuff!

My time: After bench and squats was 14:55. Did morrison the day before. Wallballs are my best friends now!

BTW, JB, Lauren and I will be competing at Fit As Fu*k as 'Team Rambachis'.

Hey, why I do CrossFit? Clothes get cheaper! No more XXL!

Brob's #35

This week's challenge was programmed by our great friend and CrossFitter, JB. He was able to combine two exercises that I hate the most: running and wall-ball shots. Thanks JB. However, I must digress--it's CrossFit baby!

After I finish a WOD that involves running, I always feel that I could have gone faster. It's funny, because I think that I can run faster every time before a WOD too. But, of course, 400 meters into the run and the "suck factor" kicks in. As CrossFitters, we understand and embrace the "suck factor"--and in Rob's case, he is getting prepared to embrace it like he has never done before. The CrossFit Games are a few short weeks away.

The bottom line: Rob is ready. Awhile ago, Rob asked me to help him program WODs to better prepare him for the Games. I gave him about four weeks of programming...targeting his weaknesses. I refrained from going any further with the programming. Why you ask? Because both of us have identified his weakness...we have worked on them, and he continues to work on them. To offer any supplemental programming at this point would be, in my opinion, counterproductive to his training. Every athlete peaks at different times--it is up to the individual to find out when that time is. For me, three weeks leading up the to the 2009 CrossFit Games, I found that decreasing volume (and a little bit of intensity) is for me; however, for Rob, that may be different. Go get it, my friend!

Brob's 34

What Brob's Challenge is:
It is something that makes me think of all the companions I have met along the way. The simple fact is I have met more kick ass people in the last couple of years than I have in my whole life.

I used to be a very pessimistic person. I really didn't think back then that I was. I always tried to be a happy luck go person. But in fact, down inside I didn't expect too much good for myself.

CrossFit (YES CrossFit!)has given me a new set of eyes. How I see the world now is just amazing. There is always one new amazing person to meet, people to help and wild ass experiences to experience. CrossFit Games and the Fit As Fu*k challenge for example.

Now one of those amazing people I met happens to live across the pond (Atlantic Ocean). How do you keep in touch with people that are so far away? You make the effort! The Brob's Challenge helps us do that!

Let's do it!

Brob's 34 was done with a young brother of mine Jean. Without him things woulds have been really difficult. He knows what I am talking about!

People listen! The Games are coming! If you see shitty form, say fu*king something! Thanks in advance!