The Crossfit Open – 14.2
Every 3 minutes for as long as possible complete:
From 0:00-3:00
2 rounds of:
10 overhead squats @ 30 kgs
10 chest-to-bar pull-ups
From 3:00-6:00
2 rounds of:
12 overhead squats @ 30 kgs
12 chest-to-bar pull-ups
Etc., following same pattern until you fail to complete both rounds
As I somewhat “over dramatically” stated yesterday 14.2 is not the WOD I was hoping for.
Overhead squats scare the shite out of me and as such, I avoid them (yeah it’s that cherry picking thing, shoot me). Most of the girls I spoke to were fine with the OHS weight as it was included in the last HPU Playoffs, however I don’t compete so I’m far from comfortable squatting with that weight above my head (and as an “added bonus” I’ve never snatched that weight before either).
Last night J, I and Issy had an impromptu squat session (which people passing by found intriguing) and afterwards my demeanor was much more buoyant. Even though I wasn’t sure I could do the 10 overhead squats unbroken, I knew that the movement itself was achievable.
I was also “put in my place” after watching J battle to get low enough on his squats with a weight WELL outside his comfort zone. He really is my rock and when I’m in a fluster and get slightly derailed he provides perspective and pops me back on the track.
My 14.2 “strategy” was to go into the box early and spend time under the bar to get my confidence up. I needed to get to the point where I felt safe while holding the bar over my head, because 3 minutes isn’t enough time to constantly hesitate on each and every squat.
J and I turned up an hour early (it takes some time to warm up a semi antique(ish) body) and by the time the first heat was called I was comfortable enough to think of volunteering, but I prefer a pull up bar that is taped and the two on the girls side of the room were taken, so instead I judged my friend Suz, so that I could nab her station for heat 2.
When it was my turn, I went for a nervous pee (as you do) and as I stood behind my bar my heart was pounding 3-2-1 .. no backing out now!
Incidentally those are my first three squats not bad right? I had 3 other girls in my heat and (surprise surprise) I was the last to finish the squats BUT although my chest to bar “pull ups” are somewhat unconventional I can keep doing them that way and be sure I’ll hit the bar each and every time, unlike when I kip them so I went with unconventional.
Unconventional worked because I got back to the bar first .. booyah! I’m pretty sure I got overtaken on the squats but getting there first is a win in my books (albiet a teeny tiny one).
I wanted to finish the 2 rounds of 10 within the 3 minutes but I fell short at 27 reps. Looking back I don’t think I did anything soooo badly that I could tidy something up and get through another 13 reps. I did see some girls get away with jumping pullups (eg NONE of their pull ups started with their arms in extension on the bar as per the standards outlined) which allowed them to get through more reps but:
- I once tried to demonstrate a jumping pull up for Kat at a gymnastics class and I don’t seem to be able to jump up without going directly into the extended arm starting position and
- what would I be gaining other than a bigger rep number on paper?
At this stage I’m tossing up whether to go back on Monday night to the next testing class at CrossfitHPU to see if I can finish the two rounds, but I’m not sure I care enough to bother just to get a few extra reps especially since all I was worried about yesterday was getting a single squat to enable me to post a score.
I should just be grateful and move on ..
Till next time
PS Below is the WOD in it’s entirety should you wish to watch. You may have some pointers (other than don’t query your judge, it wastes time) that would get me through another 13 reps
