Snowshoe Ski Trip 2008

The kids and I just returned from Snowshoe. If you like to ski, Snowshoe is definitely the place to go on the East Coast. The resort beats the hell out of Wintergreen (VA), Massanutten (VA), or Gatlinburg (TN).

This morning, a snow storm blew in. We woke to wind and a heavy down pour of snow flakes. It was awesome but we almost got stranded. The roads closed for a couple hours and we were stuck in the cabin until 1PM. We were supposed to check out at 11AM. It was cool... I guess it happens from time to time.

I was quite amazed and very, very proud. My son picked up snowboarding quickly and my daughter conquered skiing. My son tried skiing after he figured out snowboarding but didn't like it. He stuck with snowboarding. Snowshoe has some killer hills, double and single black diamond, which my son and daughter conquered nicely. I thought my daughter was going to kill someone for a minute but she pulled through. They both did extremely well for their first time. I'm so proud of them!!!!!

Oh... I survived after not having skied in 17 plus years. I'm a little sore but CrossFit definitely helped me. I tried snowboarding and almost killed myself. Snowboarding is definitely for the young. After realizing I wasn't made to snowboard, I found myself between a rock and a hard place (i.e., the mountain). There was no way I was going to make it to the bottom of the hill, so I had to walk up half the mountain to return the snowboard and retrieve some skis. Let me tell you... When Survivor Man says you need to keep your clothing dry in the Arctic, listen! I was drenched in sweat when I got to the top and I about froze later when I returned to the slopes. Needless to say, I stopped at one of the reststops and dried myself off before continuing. Great cardio and leg workout though. ;-)

All-in-all... an outstanding trip!

Evil "Eva"

WOD: For time, complete five rounds of:

Run 800 meters
30 Kettlebell swings, 2 pood
30 Pull-ups

OMg! (aka: Oh My Goodness...) that WOD rocked my endurance factor. I completed the WOD in 1:07:54. Yes, I said, "One hour, seven minutes, and fifty-four seconds."

For the record, I substituted a 70# dumbbell for a 2 pood kettlebell. I did jumping pull-ups for kippers on the last two rounds of 30 pull-ups. I also used a treadmill instead of the track. I started off at a 7.1 speed (about 8:27 min. mile) and ended with a 6.6 (about a 9:05 min. mile).

Right now, I'm recovering nicely at home. My hands hurt and my right wrist is a little sore but I'll survive.

I'm taking the next ten days off. I know... that's quite a bit of time but my kids are going to be here. Plus, we're going skiing, so I suspect I'll be getting some good leg workouts those days.

To all my friends, family, and others: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! If you don't believe in Christmas, I wish you all the best in your faith and joy in your life. God bless you and yours...

Cindy

WOD: In 20 minutes complete as many of:

5 Pull-ups
10 Push-ups
15 Squats

I completed 12 rounds. I completed 10 rounds on 22 Nov 08, so I guess I got a new PR. My goal is 15 round next time.

Filthy Fifties

Today's WOD:

For time, complete:

50 Box jumps, 24" box
50 Jumping pull-ups
50 Kettlebell swings, 1 pood
50 Walking lunge steps
50 Knees to elbows
50 Push press, 45#
50 Back extensions
50 Wall ball shots, 20# ball
50 Burpees
50 Double unders

I completed the WOD in 55:37; however, I had to maneuver around some people in the gym and I stopped to talk with a person for a minute or two, so not to be rude. Therefore, I'm giving myself a 5 min break for 50:37. That's still slow as all get out, so I've definitely got to beat that time the next time the WOD comes around.

I also substituted a 35# dumbbell for the 1 pood kettlebell. I know 1 pood equals about 36.11 pounds, but they don't make dumbbells that weight. I got a chance to use my new wall ball - yay! It rocks. I actually liked doing the 50 wall ball shots today. Usually, that kicks my ass but I can tell my leg strength has gotten a lot better. Plus, my flexibility in my squats.

They don't have a true GHD machine at any gym on post. They've got some kind of machine that's angled, so your feet are below your hips. I'm sure the original GHD machine makes back extensions and GHD sit ups harder to do than this machine, but that's all I got. I priced a GHD machine at about $210.00. I'm not ready to make that investment. Plus, it would be awkward carrying the darn thing into the gym with me, I think.

When I win the lottery, I'm building my own CrossFit garage/gym and I'll let some certified instructor use the gym for his or her own business, just as long as he or she allows me to do my "stuff". Of course, I'd prefer a female instructor but I am an equal opportunity kind of guy. LOL

New License Plate

I know... What a freak! Oh, well.

Intro to L-Pull Ups. Yeah, Baby!

WOD: As many rounds in 20 minutes of:

Run 400 meters
15 L-Pull ups
15 Hip Extensions

I completed four rounds using a tread mill. I started at a 9.5 setting (6:39 min mile) for the first two rounds. I had to decrease the speed a little to 9.0 (6:58?) on the third, and then 8.5 (7:39?) on the fourth. That WOD was a good, hard cardio burn. Of course, I scaled down the L-Pull ups. I did 7 instead of 15. I just couldn't lift my fat ass tonight. I know... pitiful. Oh, well - bite me. LOL

Tabata Squats & Push ups

I'm at Fort Hood for a couple days. Boy, this is a large installation. Pretty cool... I did Tabata squats and push ups, after completing my CFWU.

Tabata Squats: 15, 15, 14, 12, 12, 11, 10, 10 = 99

Tabata Push ups: 12, 12, 12, 9, 6, 5, 5, 5 = 66

I got a real good, quick cardio and muscle burn from doing one right after the other.