Race Day Spectating 101: How to Cheer Like a Champ
The semester is over and I am BACK! Very much looking forward to reconnecting with all of you here on Dine, Dash and Deadlift as well as catching up on all the latest happenings on YOUR blogs!
Rememeber way back when I announced I would be running the Blue Ridge Marathon (aka – “America’s Toughest Road Marathon”) this year? I was asked to be an Official Blogger for the race, and thus given free registration for myself and a free registration to give out via a giveaway here on DDD. Well, that race was held this past Saturday last month and sadly a nasty, recurring case of bursitis in my hip has been plauging me since January, forcing me to be sidelined for the race. I was still on hand to cheer on my friends who were running though. Having learned a lot in the process and taking in to account my thoughts about spectators as a runner, I figured why not share six important lessons I learned in spectating with all of you!
Rule 1: Make Your Sign(s) EARLY!
We all know it is important to get shut eye before running a marathon. Well let me tell you, it is also important to get enough sleep before spectating a marathon. I stayed up very late making my signs and was feeling very tired and zombie-ish the next day. In order to give your all cheering and being enthusiastic, get some rest. Also, your friends who just finished running 26.2 grueling miles don’t want to hear YOU whining about being so tired from all that poster holding, yelling, and fast walking to find them at multiple points on the course.
Another reason to make signs during normal hours: you will have company. By the end of the night I was left in the living room by myself and even the dogs wouldn’t stay awake and help me out.
Rule 2: Personalize Signs for YOUR Runners
While it is great to have general signs for all of the runners to enjoy, if you are there supporting specific runners, take the time to make something special just for them. For one of my friends I made a sign that read “Cowboy Up Colton. Get ‘Er Done!”. This is fitting because we are college friends from the best school there is – the University of Wyoming. “Cowboy Up” and “Get ‘Er Done” are common Wyoming sayings and mindsets. Very fitting for a marathon!
For another it read: “Getting Here Was the Hardest Part. Go Morgan!”. Coming all the way from Colorado {while it is still winter there} for this race proved to be a bit a crazy. They ended up going off the road en route to the airport (luckily they were totally fine) and getting in a day later than scheduled!
Rule 3: Get CREATIVE With Your Signs for All Runners
No offense, but some race day signs are just overused and not so exciting. Examples: ”You’re Feet Hurt Cause You’re Kicking So Much Asphalt“; “Worst Parade Ever“; “Staying Up All Night Making This Sign Was Hard Too“. Anyone who has run at least 1 race in their life is no longer amused by these signs – or maybe that’s just me…. So start brainstorming now and be a bit more creative. I took inspiration from my life as a Registered Dietitian and found a way to work calories in to one of my signs: “Run 26.2 Burn the Calories in 30 Beers“. Several runners stopped and asked me, “is that true?” and then went off talking to their friends about all the beers they would have after the race, so I think it was appreciated!
*Note, this isn’t an exact, concrete fact. The amount of calories you will burn running a marathon depends upon your weight, your pace, the temperature, the course, etc. But for our purposes on a sign, this works out as a good estimate of how many calories worth of a standard Light Beer you will burn running 26.2 miles.
Rule 4: Make Multiple Signs
If you will be specating from multiple points in a race, make several signs so that way runners are seeing something new and fresh each time they pass you. If you are only watching from 1 point, make a few so that you can stay fresh by switching up the sign you are holding and have extra to hand out to young children to hold who are bored with watching. The other signs I made:
“Push for Turbo Boost” , complete with a giant red “Turbo Boost button” which proved to be a great way to engage runners. Several did come over and push it.
“If Britney Spears Can Get Thorugh 2007, You Can Get Through This” which had several folks laughing.
“Free High Fives…(tips appreciated)”
Rule 5: Dress In Layers
It was COLD in the morning. So cold in fact that poor little Oakley was shivering. Fortunately, thanks to some throw away gear from the runners we was styling with this oversized Patagonia sweater.
Later on though, things warmed up and I was able to encourage runners with my shirt as well as my signs thanks to this Boston Marathon shirt which stated “Run Wicked Fast”. We use the word “wicked” in a totally different manner than the rest of the country back in Massachusetts!
Rule 6: Set Up In a Location Where You Can Spot Your Runner From a Distance:
Because the Blue Ridge Marathon is a smaller race, they don’t have a set up system to get text alerts when your runners cross certain check points on the course. Therefore, having a general idea of their expected arrival time at different locations is key. However, it is not enough. Make sure you set up in a place where you can see them coming from afar so you can get your camera/phone out at ready for a photo op. Otherwise, you just end up getting their backside! Ooops!
There you have it. Follow these 6 Race Day Spectating Rules and you will be on your way to cheering like a CHAMP!
Are you an experienced spectator? What tips can you share? Are you an experienced racer? What do you wish spectators would do to help you out a bit more?
-Tanya
Train Like a Wrestler: Part 2 – Lifeproof Workouts
I just realized I have only had 5 posts here at DDD since the start of 2013. My apologies. Things have just been busier than before. Sadly, this meant having to stop writing a monthly column over at the iRunnerBlog too. Bear with me another month and a half until the semester is over, and there will be much more here on the blog! 
Anyways, we are back again with Gene of Z-Fanatical Fitness for Part 2 in the “Train Like a Wrestler” series. This time to learn about LIFEPROOF workouts and go through the Killer QuadZ LIFEPROOF, No Excuse Workout. What, you missed Part 1?? Don’t fret. Just go catch up here. Then come on back and get ready for a killer workout! Turning it over to Gene in 3…2…1!
I was torn between calling Z-Fanatical the “No-Excuse workout” and “LIFEPROOF Workout.” I still use these terms interchangeably. No matter how you slice it, Z-Fanatical cuts through all the nonsense and leaves you starring in the mirror. These workouts can be performed anywhere, anytime, by anyone!
Let’s face it, people are busy. You may have an hour commute to work, stay at home with a newborn child, travel often, etc. etc. Whatever your situation may be, the number one excuse people give to not working out is, you guessed it, TIME. There’s simply not enough of it in a day. If only we had more time in a day… To improve physically, your exercise must be improved in at least one of the three domains: Intensity (how hard you exercise), Frequency (how often you exercise), or Duration (how long you exercise). In the success equation, frequency is the truest constant. In other words, you must exercise often to see success. So what are we left with? Duration and Intensity. You have two options: (1) exercise at an easy intensity for a long period of time OR (2) exercise hard for a short period of time.
Back to your time dilemma. If there is not enough time (duration) in the day, then the only variable we are left with is Intensity. By default, you are left with option 2: exercise hard for a short period of time.
You still have one major excuse left in your bag of excuses - you don’t have equipment. Maybe the gym is out of the way, or you don’t belong to one. Your neighbors may have equipment, but you don’t own any. Bottom line- you don’t need gadgets or time to exercise- you need Z-Fanatical Fitness: 10-minute isolation circuits that require absolutely no equipment whatsoever. All you need to bring is your courage. This is why I like “No Excuse Workout’- lazy people cannot say a word.
But, maybe you’re not an excuse maker. Maybe you exercise frequently, but today you truly are hard pressed for time and you cannot make it to the gym. Z-Fanatical Fitness is your back pocket workout since it is indeed “LIFEPROOF.” Ahhh, that’s why I like using this term. No matter what circumstance life throws at you, you never have to miss your legs day again. (Sorry for that…well, not really). Z-Fanatical Fitness has eleven 10-minute workouts isolating different muscle groups including Abs, Arms, Legs, Butt, Cardio, and Plyometrics. Each workout isolates a muscle group while enhancing your cardiovascular endurance.
Here’s an example of how you would use it: You would own the “The Z-Factor: The Missing Link Between You and the Body of Your Dreams” or the streaming videos on www.zfanatical.com and then use them on a day (or everyday) you are pressed with time. Maybe it is a Wednesday and you don’t have time to do your leg workout at the gym, but you know you need to. Now, you whip out your Killer QuadZ workout and knock that all out in under 10 minutes. Problem solved!
And, here is that very Killer QuadZ LIFEPROOF, No Excuse Workout. There are 4 exercises: Squats, Jumping Lunges, Side to Side Squats, and Stars. You will go through this series of exercises for a total of 5 sets, with a 10 second rest in between sets. Your reps depend on your level. If you are on the Amateur Level, you will perform 3 reps of each exercise, Bronze is 5 reps, Silver is 7, Gold is 10, and Fanatical is 10 with an additional 6th set. I would recommend you begin at the Bronze level, or 5 reps for each exercise. In time you will Jump Levels as you burn fat, get stronger, and build endurance. I demonstrate the regular workouts, while Z-Coach Amy demonstrates the modifications. A description of each workout is attached. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the workout. You will soon realize that simple is not the same thing as easy…enjoy:
1. Squats- Ready position. Sit back on your heels. Squat as deep as possible (this is how low you will squat each time). Return to ready position and repeat to the number of prescribed reps. Figure 1.a, 1.b modified.
Figure 1.a Figure 1.b
2.Lunges- Ready position. Jump into a lunge with one knee coming an inch from the ground (2.1a). Repeat movement to the other side (2.2a). *Modified*- Lunge forward and bend the knee as much as possible without pain (2.1b & 2.2b). Perform the prescribed number of reps.
3. Side to side Squats- Ready position. Hands over your head. Squat to right side with right elbow pointing straight (3.1). The right knee should fall between both elbows. Squat as low as possible (this is how low you will squat each time. Repeat to the other side (3.2). Perform prescribed reps.
4. Stars- Ready Position. Bend knees and squat down as your heels raise up (4.1a). Bend as low as you can go (this will be where you will jump from each time). Touch the ground with both hands at your side [if you can bend that low, if not, let your hands just fall to your side]. Jump up from your toes into the air with your hands raising up (4.2b). Perform prescribed reps. *Modified* Jump as high as you can (4.1b & 4.2b).
If you are looking for more of these workouts that can be performed anywhere, anytime, by anyone- the videos can be found at www.zfanatical.com
Lastly, I realize that I can serve this solution to time and equipment to most people on a silver platter…and they still will not use it. (Here is where we go back to the starring yourself in the mirror) You are left with one conclusion- your own laziness, lack of motivation, or lack of discipline. Call it whatever you like. But it is no longer time, equipment, or the gym- it’s you! With no excuses left, we have effectively boiled it all down to your mindset. You cannot expect to see results if your mindset is not working with you. You will be like a racecar driver with the emergency brake on. Z-Fanatical Fitness will provide you next time with the 2nd Secret from Wrestling: Mindset Training. Stay tuned..Stay FANATICAL!
Tanya here: Thanks Gene, you rock! Until next time everyone, your homework is to do this workout! In your home, your office, while waiting in line at the post office (seriously, those lines get LOOOONG)…whenever, whereever…get it in!
Chobani: New Product Alert
In case you have not noticed the addition of some new Chobani products in the yogurt section of your local grocer, let me give you a run down on what’s new for the famed yogurt company this year. If you didn’t happen to see them for yourself, you are not alone. I tend to be in “focus” mode at the supermarket. Get in, get what is on the list, and get out. Luckily Chobani reached out to me at the end of last year to see if I was interested in trying out some of their new products. Obviously I said YES! Every career has its perks, and sampling food products is the main one us RDs get. Big thanks up front to Chobani for sending their yogurt my way!
I came home on February 14th (aka-Valentine’s Day) in a crabby mood. I had gotten ~2 hours of sleep, spent ~$1,000 in car repair bills, and suffered through an Immunology test all before noon and then was working until 9pm. It was a rough day. Luckily, some love from Chobani was waiting at my doorstep to cheer me up!
{Big Box Just For Me!}
{Chobani Stocked Fridge}
{A Chobani spoon – so cool – and info packet}
NEW FLAVORS:
Joining the standard Greek Yogurt line-up are Pear (Non-fat) and Banana (Low-fat). After trying out the pear flavor all I could think was “Why don’t I eat pears more often? They are delicious!”. Both flavors were wonderful, but I think Black Cherry is still my all-time favorite Chobani flavor!
CHOBANI BITES:
These small (3.5 oz) yogurts come in at 100 calories each. Perfect for a small snack and sweet enough for dessert. Currently available in 4 flavors (Raspberry with Dark Chocolate Chips, Coffee with Dark Chocolate Chips, Fig with Orange Zest, and Caramel with Pineapple Chunks). I was sent the Raspberry and Coffee varieties, which were both great. I may try to stick the last Coffee yogurt in the freezer and see if it would be an appropriate substitute for coffee ice cream!
CHOBANI FLIPS:
A few months ago I posted about some of my recent favorite foods. On the list was the Muller Corner Yogurts, so I was excited to see Chobani Flips in my box full of Yogurt. I was able to try out the Almond Coco Loco and the Honey Bee Nana flavors. I didn’t think the Almond Coco Loco would be good since I am not much of a coconut person, but mixing almonds and chocolate in to coconut yogurt is actually pretty amazing! They have some other interesting, out-of-the-box yogurt flavors, such as Key Lime Crumble, that I am going to track down and try next!
CHAMPION TUBES:
I don’t know why, but yogurt from a tube has always freaked me out a bit. While my classmates were downing Go-Gurt back in the day, I did not. That has stuck with my since childhood, so I passed the Tubes off to my advisor’s children to enjoy! Most kids seem to like eating yogurt from a tube, and since no spoon is involved it is probably great to pack in to lunch boxes, so check those out if your child is a fan!
If you find yourself face-to-face with any of these new products, I recommend trying them out. To make it easier to afford, coupons are available on the Chobani site!
Have you seen the new Chobani flavors? Which ones have you tried out and like the best?
-Tanya
Disclaimer: Samples were provided to me for free by Chobani. I was not expected to post a review, nor am I am compensated for doing so. My opinions are honest and my own.
Train Like a Wrestler: Part 1
Hello, hello. I am back with a Guest Post for you today from Gene Zannetti of Z-Fanatical Fitness. Z-Fanatical Fitness is run by Gene and his brother Jeff who are former NCAA Division I and Ivy League wrestlers (aka – they are athletic and smart…what more could you want?). Their experience as wrestlers meant a lot of time traveling and anyone who has tried to stay in shape on the road knows how challenging that can be. The chances of your hotel gym (if it even has one) containing more than an old treadmill and stationary bike are slim to none. Having to adapt to that challenge as collegiate athletes has since resulted in the birth of Z-Fannatical Fitness which develops short, high-intensity workouts that don’t require equipment. They teach classes in gyms local to them in New Jersey, but also have videos available for purchase on their website.
When Gene first contacted me about posting information here in Dine, Dash, and Deadlift I was a bit apprehensive. I mean, don’t wrestlers basically starve themselves and then run around covered in trash bags in a sauna to make weight? At least that is what I remember seeing wrestlers at my college doing before meets. [Kidding, kind of] Obviously that is not the case, and so Gene is going to be here for a few posts to tell us about how to use wrestling-based training to get in GREAT shape before summer rolls around. So with that, I am passing it over to Gene so he can give you some background info on wrestling and his company.
{Gene showing off what wrestling has done for him!}
My brothers and I were fortunate enough to participate in the oldest and arguably toughest sport in the world- wrestling. We began in 1st grade and progressed into Nationally Ranked and All-Ivy League college athletes at the Division 1 level. Wrestling, now an Olympic sport (although, it may be getting cut from the 2020 Games), originated as a necessity for a man to defend his land and his woman. It is considered the holiest sport because it is the only one to be mentioned in the Bible, Torah, and Koran. Wrestling is described in the Epic of Gilgamesh, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and stories about Henry VIII and Abraham Lincoln. Socrates once swore, “upon Zeus that the elite runner could not equal the average wrestler.” Wrestling is the foundation of one of the fastest growing sports: MMA. Many champions and former champions have a strong base in wrestling: Jon Jones, Frank Edgar, Brock Lesnar, Matt Hughes, Randy Couture, Dan Henderson, etc. What is so special about this sport, and what does this have to do with you?
Wrestling requires a unique balance of all fitness attributes. Figure 8 illustrates the unique fitness demands of a wrestler compared to a distance athlete and weight lifter. Notice the combination of fitness requirements (strength, speed, and endurance) compared to other sports.
{Bomba, T. O. (1999). Periodization training for sports: Programs For Peak Strength 35 Sports. Human Kinetics. Champaign, IL.}
Wrestlers are also in a unique situation that requires them to compete within a weight class. A very low body fat percentage is more of a necessity than it is desire for a wrestler. A wrestler must also strive to get stronger and build endurance. A wrestler’s physique seems like a paradox- be as strong and small as possible. Are these not America’s mainstream fitness goals- burn fat, get stronger, build endurance? Aren’t these your goals?
Anyone can train like a wrestler. Z-Fanatical Fitness has a Progression System that can take anyone from whiner to winner, victim into victor, worrier into warrior, chump into champ, you get the picture. You must first be willing to learn and apply wrestling’s 2 Fanatical secrets. (1) Mindset Training and (2) LIFEPROOF workouts. These philosophies are the backbone of Z-Fanatical Fitness. Over the next few weeks you will learn how the body of your dreams begins with your mindset- fitness is never just physical. You will also learn workouts that can be performed anywhere, by anyone, in only 10 minutes. Mindset training combined with LIFEPROOF workouts will soon give you the body of your dreams.
GIVEAWAY:
Want to get yourself a copy of Gene’s E-Book, “The Z-Factor: The Missing Link Between You and Your Dreams”? Well just leave a comment on this post telling us what you think about the IOC’s recommendation to cut wrestling from the Olympics.
Winner announced next Monday!
Until next time!
CROSSFIT: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
I have a confession to share with you all: Last summer, I had a membership at a CrossFit gym. [Note: I obviously hesitated several times before actually getting up the nerve to hit 'Publish' on this post and thus the time-lapse between when I was actively "doing CrossFit" and when this went live].
Why the hesitation? It seems people get very heated one way or the other about CrossFit so I wanted to avoid the likely hate mail. I had a change of heart because this is my blog and if I can’t share my experience and voice my opinion here, where can I?
First Impressions:
Curious about what this CrossFit thing was all about I contacted my local CrossFit gym to see about membership and pricing options. I found them (and all CrossFit gym websites I have looked at) to be secretive about their cost. No information publicly available and very little information given to me upon request. I was given a response of: “come in and try it out once for FREE and then we’ll tell you the cost per month is more than you make in a year membership options”. I found this annoying, but because I would have to pay for access to the campus gym over the summer anyway and was looking to switch up my workout, I decided to commit for 3 months. Below I go through the “Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” – in my opinion. Feel free to voice YOUR opinion(s) in the comments section.
The Good:
1. OLYMPIC LIFTING - Few things in this world make me feel more badass than the Olympic Lifts. “Back in the day” – aka when I was a D1 athlete, we frequently performed these lifts because we had a great set up of platforms and bumper plates. [See picture below.] Most standard gyms – including my current gym - do not allow Olympic lifting because they don’t have the proper equipment and/or they don’t deem it safe. I certainly agree with their reasoning, but I still miss the “RAWR” feeling of “yes, I DID just make this bar go from the floor to above my head in the blink of the eye“.
{University of Wyoming-Athletic Department-Weight Room}
2. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT – It is hard to keep up a level of intensity while working out alone all of the time. Having a set workout where you can compete against others is AWESOME! Maybe it is the former athlete in me, but I loved trying to keep up with the men during 400 repeats or attempting to put up the same weight as some of the stronger women. It was a great motivator that I certainly miss now.
{Burpees}
3. FUN/CHALLENGING WORKOUTS: The WODs are difficult (see this previous post). No doubt about it. If it was easy, you didn’t lift enough weight or go fast enough. Plain and simple. The nudge to get out of my comfort zone was there and each day I had the choice to answer back with a confident “I CAN and I WILL”.
4. SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY: The owners and coaches at CrossFit gyms (at least the one I went to and the impression I get from hearing about others) really focus on creating a community not just running a gym. They want members to know each other, cheer each other on, push each other, and ultimately help to hold each other accountable. Standard gyms generally don’t seem to have a great system for creating a sense of community or membership. Through small classes were you directly work with and against other members, to “fun”-themed workouts (dress up for Halloween), competitions, and member potlucks it was easy to get to know others, make friends, and want to go back day after day.
{Drilling Snatch and Overhead Squat Form}
The Bad:
1. LACK OF ACCESS / INCONVENIENT CLASS SCHEDULE: You can only go to CrossFit gyms when classes are held. This was annoying since often times my plans would be to go to a specific class and then something would happen to delay me which could mean totally missing out for the day or my work schedule was just so long that I literally did not have a chance to get to a class. When my schedule changes at the last-minute or I have a long day while a member at a more traditional gym I simply arrive x minutes later than planned and carry on with my workout. The scarce class availability at CrossFit just didn’t fit my schedule. {FYI: during the summer – which is when I went- the schedule is not as filled out. I was told the academic year has more classes available}.
2. “NUTRITION” – One of the “pillars” of Crossfit is that they pride themselves on having a solid nutrition base. What that means is: “We are going to convince you that Paleo is the ONLY way you should eat and you are WRONG if you don’t think like this.” Give me a break. I don’t need people with zero to limited nutrition background to tell me – a Registered Dietitian and PhD Student in Nutritional Sciences – that I am “unhealthy” because I choose to eat peanuts and to not eat chicken.
{Toes to Bar Ab Workout}
3. KIPPING: Words cannot express my disdain for kipping pull-ups. Oh wow, you can do 50 kipping pull ups but no strict, deadhang pull-ups. Not impressed. Also, no one ever gave me a good reason for doing kipping pull-ups other than “you can do more for time if you kip than if you don’t”. Umm, okay. I can also get from my Point A to Point B quicker in my car than I can on foot. That doesn’t make it ‘better’ for me to drive my car than walk.
4. MARKETING: This isn’t really a con…just an FYI/Public Service Announcement. One of the reasons CrossFit is so popular is due to a “genuis” marketing scheme (also used by every other exercise program in the history of the world from Step Aerobics to P90X), which consists of: 1) Take fit people. 2) Have them do CrossFit. 3) Voila, CrossFit is the best damn thing ever. Do some people see extraordinary results after undergoing CrossFit training? Yes, I’m sure they do. But people also undergo dramatic transformations from training to run a marathon, taking Zumba classes, using “Insanity” DVDs, calling Jenny Craig…and anything else you can think of. There are very fit people who do CrossFit - that is true. There are also very UNFIT people who do CrossFit…just like there are in any other workout program.
{Handstand Push ups}
The Ugly:
1. $$$$ – So SO So SO Expensive - Crossfit gyms are insanely pricey! Full disclosure – I had to pay $125 a MONTH to only attend 2 classes week! Full, unlimited classes cost over $200 a month I believe, and this seems pretty standard at most gyms. WAYY too much in my opinion, especially on a graduate student budget. I know some Crossfit gyms have open hours every night or a few times a week where members (regardless of how many classes they can attend a week) can come in to do what they want. This would have made the whole experience a lot better and helped to justify the cost because I would have seen it as paying for a gym membership and a group training package, rather than just group fitness classes.
CrossFitters often counter this by saying that “you get so much more” than a standard gym. Agree to disagree I guess. Does it work out to be cheaper than paying for a gym membership and personal training? Yes! Is it cheaper than full-time access to a gym + group fitness classes {which is what CrossFit essentially is}? Heck NO!
{Thrusters}
2. CULT-LIKE (Crossfit is the best and only form of physical activity) MENTALITY – Crossfit certainly seems a little bit like a cult. A fitness cult, but a cult nonetheless. This is something I am not particularly fond of. The “Crossfit is Life” attitude annoyed me to no end. I generally have a “live and let live” outlook on life and think that there is no such thing as a “bad” form of exercise/physical activity. To each their own. Yet, in “Crossfit land” there seems to be a constant bashing of all other types of exercise/athletes/competitors.
I heard comments like “Runners/Triathletes/etc are not fit” ; “Body builders are not that strong”, etc. To pull a comment directly off a recent blog post from the Crossfit gym I went to: “Who would you rather have help you move … a CrossFitter or a world-champion triathlete? I’ll take a CrossFitter any day.” I believe comments like this are 1) super rude and 2) way off base. I’ll take the world champion triathlete to help me move. They are used to working out for hours at a time and will go until the job is done, not stop when they hit the 8 minute WOD time cap. Just saying! [A snarky comment, yes - but it just gets across my frustration with the comments made to me and to the general Crossfit community on a regular basis]
I don’t think there is anything wrong about being passionate about Crossfit. I believe people should be passionate about their lives and the activities they choose to fill their time with. However, I do take issue with people being so narrow-minded that they do not think any other form of exercise is “worthy” and make out of line, inappropriate comments about them. That doesn’t make you “elite”. It makes you a jerk.
Also, just something I found humorous. For all of the bashing I have heard about triathletes from those involved with Crossfit it is strange that the opening event of the 2012 Crossfit Games was a mini triathlon. 700 m swim (with fins), 8 K bike, 11 K run. Oh and it took the winner of this event about 2 hours to complete it…aka a long time. So therefore, I would say that what the “inventor” of Crossfit has been quoted as saying in articles, “That Crossfit training would make elite endurance athletes like Ryan Hall better”, is completely wrong, as suggested by the results of the Crossfit “Tri”.
{Kettlbell Swings}
3. RANDOM PROGRAM LACKING BALANCE: My experience at CrossFit has been that the lifts/WODs are selected at random. There is not much structure in terms of making sure different muscle groups or movements are focused on regularly. In the 3 months I was at CrossFit I squatted with a bar on my back ONCE. And no, it is not that I just simply did not go when back squat day was happening, it is that it was hardly on the schedule. However, I could usually count on Kipping pull ups or Kettlebell swings to show up several times a week. A month went by with no dead lift on the schedule, then it was the strength session 3x in a single week. RANDOM. Not balanced. Annoying.
CrossFit – while they claim to incorporate agility and plyometric movements, do not. No to very small amounts of multi-planar/multi-directional movements occur. This makes CrossFit a poor choice as a sole training program for most athletes. As a former college soccer player and someone who still plays recreationally it is those side to side, forward-backwards, rotational type, sports movements that suffer as a result of CrossFit training.
{Getting used as a hurdle to warm up}
OVERALL: Is Crossfit a good workout? Yes. Is it the end all, be all, pinnacle of fitness? No. It has its downfalls as well as its strengths and if those in charge of it would acknowledge them and not have this “we are the best ever” attitude, I wouldn’t be so negative in response. Would I do it again? You bet. In an ideal world I would retain a normal gym membership and a CrossFit membership so that I could do the WODs in a group setting, and still maintain a traditional, progressive, structured weight training schedule. However, until costs go WAY down at CrossFit gyms or I come in to A LOT of extra $, I will stick with my regular gym. We’re pretty strong and fast over here in ‘RegularFit’ land too!
To some degree I think it is the most recent “fitness fad”…. but I don’t necessarily think that is a bad thing! Is there really such thing as a “bad” workout fad? If it gets people off the couch and being active then why not! I’m a big believer that the best form of exercise is the one that you will actually do – and continue to do….so if CrossFit does that for you, go for it! I would just ask that you refrain from building a shrine of kettlebells that you bow down and worship every night and we will get along just fine. Unless you tell me you can do a million kipping pull-ups but not one legit dead hang pull-up. Then friends off. Sorry.
Agree? Disagree? Agree to Disagree? Hate Me? Love Me? Let me here YOUR opinion and experience in terms of CrossFit.
-Tanya
*Pictures from this FB Account
Quick Update
Greetings! My apologies for such a long absence. “Real life” gets in the way of blogging – a lot lately! More original content hopefully arriving on a somewhat regular basis!
But for now let’s do a quick catch-up.
SCHOOL/WORK:
The semester is underway and between classes of my own, trying to get some research done, abstracts submitted, papers written (and ideally accepted without any revisions – HA, a girl can wish), a GTA, a GRA, and an adjunct position – I am STRUGGLING to keep my head above water!
Speaking of school – I will actually have to start ANOTHER blog for my Contemporary Pedagogy class. I know, I barely have time for my beloved Dine, Dash, and Deadlift so why in the world would I start another one? Well, for one, it is required and two, I didn’t want to use THIS site to write about my “thoughts, beliefs, experiences, etc” related to teaching strategies for the modern-day collegiate environment. It is now up and running and is called “Stuck in the Middle“. Please go check it out if you are interested in following along over there!
RUNNING:
Training for the Blue Ridge Marathon is underway. 4 weeks down and I am having some serious hip issues. Pain sets in anywhere from 11 minutes to 4 miles in to a run. For now I am grinding and getting the workouts in as best I can. If this hip issue doesn’t magically vanish, well I may need to scale back and go with the half marathon instead 
.
GOOD EATS:
Go and purchase the “Carb Conscious Vegetarian” cookbook. My roommate recently brought it home and I am hooked. Well actually I have only made one recipe so far – the “Spaghetti Squash and Snowpeas with Peanut Sauce”- but I have made it 3 weeks in a row. It is THAT good. So check it out.
See you soon!
-Tanya
Chances are you have seen your fair share of “How Keep Your New Years Resolutions” posts lately, so I will spare you another. Instead, let’s shift the thought process around a bit. It is well established that support from others is a key ingredient to achieving health-related goals. However, many times it is those who are in a position to be the most helpful who serve as the diet/exercise saboteurs (intentionally or not)! So what can you do to support the health-related resolutions/goals/whatever you want to call them of others in your life?
First and foremost I would say to not highlight the fact that it is “you helping them”. Rather I would suggest taking steps to make your typical interactions with them more ‘health-focused’ and extend invitations to activities you think would help them reach their fitness and nutrition goals. Head on over to the iRunnerBlog, where I give specific ideas in my monthly “Nutrition Nerd” column!
