Challenge #40: "Santora"

Rob and I took a bit of an "unplanned" hiatus. I will not offer up an excuse because, simply put, there isn't one. Finally, after a couple of back-and-forth messages on Facebook, we decided we were WAY past due for a challenge.

We restarted the challenge in the form of a WOD called Santora. U.S Army Sergeant Jason A. Santora of Farmingville, New York, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based out of Fort Benning, Georgia, died in Logar province, Afghanistan on April 23, 2010, from wounds sustained during a firefight with insurgents. He is survived by his parents Gary and Theresa, and sister Gina (text originally from www.crossfit.com).

Hero WODs are always a bit different than the other WODs. For me, there is a significant amount of reflection about why I am doing the WOD and how I am doing the WOD. Before I tackle the workout, I read about the lost hero, I read about their sacrifice, their loved ones left behind...their lives. For once, the focus is not the timer or my score--the focus is giving 100% of myself throughout the entire WOD. It is but a humble way to honor the fallen. RIP Sergeant Santora.

Challenge #39: FGB 6

Kari and I chillin' at CF Blacksburg, VA, post-FGB

On September 17, 2011, CrossFit affiliates worldwide gathered for the sixth annual Fight Gone Bad (FGB). FGB is one of those workouts - when you see it pop up on the main page - that makes you cringe. Normally what follows is a guttural, unrecognizable, subhuman tone that originates in the bottom of your gut, and eventually passes your lips into something that vaguely resembles a sound. However, we all know that Fight Gone Bad is much more meaningful than you and me giving 17 minutes.

This year, affiliates around the globe raised well over $2 million! That is nothing short of incredible. These generous donations benefited the following causes: Special Operation Warrior Foundation, Infant Swimming Resource and CrossFit Kids, and Camp Patriot. Rob and I decided to include this year's FGB as part of our weekly challenge...and what a challenge it was! Both of us gave 100%--we had no choice, and that was alright with us.

Yes, the workout was (and always will be) a challenge; however, the reason why we all give those 17 minutes extends far beyond a workout. The CrossFit community is one of the strongest [worldwide] communities out there. I am humbled to be a part of it.

Brob's 38# /PAW version 2.0

The idea to review this again paid off. A very humbeling experience. The change of rep schemes and distances, however minute, drove home. The 200m and 100m sprints were hard to pull through. I am glad I didn't have to suffer through this by myself.

After doing 400m runs and heavy squat cleans on Saturday, I knew this was going to cause a little misery on Sunday. It's all good though. Got a chance to work on the mental side of things as well. ;-P
I do not like falling behind on our challenges. So there was no opting out this weekend anyways.


PAW revised 2.0
For time:
Run 400 meters
12 Dumbbell complexes
Run 300 meters
10 Dumbbell complexes
Run 200 meters
8 Dumbbell complexes
Run 100 meters
6 Dumbbell complexes

I used 22kg = 48.5 pounds. Jean did the wod with 50kg using a barbell.

my time. 13:34