I had a lot of mixed feelings about doing this WOD. I took Saturday off to give my legs a rest. I knew max out week was coming up and I was getting pretty excited to my progress. I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to go through with this Hero WOD or not. Hero WODs are always good community events and this time Prevail was hosting. I felt somewhat of an obligation to participate because everyone was coming to Prevail. On the other hand, Julie was very excited to do her first Hero WOD, which meant I was going to the gym for sure. I have a hard time being at the gym and not WODing.
We got there just after the 1st heat had started. I was teasing a buddy from another gym about stopping after 4 rounds (as he is known for his "G" scaling of WODs). Julie was signed up to go in the 3rd heat and myself in the 4th. My lack of enthusiasm to WOD and taking care of my son while mommy WODed didn't allow for the best warm up. I didn't even break a sweat, which is not my norm. I knew going in that the KB swings were gonna light me up. It's just a move that really wears my back out quickly. I didn't expect the cleans and box jumps to really be a problem. As the 3rd heat cleared out, I stepped in and started setting up my space and equipment. I took 2-3 reps at the bar and they felt awkward. In my own arrogance, instead of taking a few more reps to get used to the light weight I assumed I would fall into a groove once my body got a little warmer during the WOD. HUGE MISTAKE!! I walked around for a bit waiting to get started and trying to get mentally ready to go for broke. My goal was to be sub 16 on the WOD.
"Wittman"
7 rounds
15 KB Swings (1.5 pood)
15 Power Cleans (95#)
15 Box Jumps (24")
= 19:43
Disappointment doesn't even begin to describe my feelings for this WOD. Looking back on this disaster, I realize it could have been prevented in so many ways. A more efficient and intense warm up would have been a huge start.
I got through round 1 at 1:33. Round 2 was done by 3:22 and I was feeling okay. My back was definitely warm by now, but I wasn't in pain just slightly fatigued. My cleans were horrible to this point and throughout the entire WOD for that matter. I was early pulling and reverse curling every rep. I was beating the heck out of my knees every time the bar passed em going up and down. I tried setting my back better, but felt that was wearing it even more. I just couldn't figure it out on the run during this one. I finished round 4 in 9:20 something and still feelin' good cardio wise, but was starting to feel some serious pain in my lower back. I didn't look at the clock again the rest of the WOD. During the 5th my lower back started to spasm. I spent the rest of the time trying to find a position to take pressure of my hamstrings so my back could relax a bit, but just couldn't do it. I kept working through it as I watched Tommy and Alex pass me by. When I finally finished my back was a wreck. I went outside and rolled on the ground for a bit like a stuck pig. At some point the cold concrete felt like a giant ice pack as my wife, Harvey, and someone else tried to stretch me out, Pete I think.
The thing I appreciated most about this WOD, was the silence. My boy Charlie, who is no stranger to a lower issues, came over in the middle of the 5th round and started yelling at me to get moving, as I have done to him on many occasion. He yelled a few times until he noticed the relief I was searching. He then sat there quietly on a box and watched til I finished, while everyone else yelled at me around him. It was pleasant moment amongst the pain.
Now that I've made this post a lot longer than it ever should have been I'll start to wrap it up.
Key things to take away from this WOD:
1. The pain I felt is insignificant to the pain that the families of our fallen heroes go through everyday and the pain of our nation's wounded warriors have to live with daily. Looking back on the WOD I have a much better understanding of the purpose of these WODs and why they are created.
2. My college coach used to tell that "Deer don't stretch"...I'm no longer a deer!! I have to be more diligent in my warm up at all times.
3. Gotta focus on keeping my form during the light weight stuff, just as much as the heavy weight.
4. My 5 gallon gas tank is getting a little bigger. I still suck at pacing. The first 4 rounds was my best shot at it and I really felt pretty good up until then. I'm still improving and that feels good.
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