Thursday, March 31, 2011

Do certain shoes make you move better?

Moonboots

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WOD

"CGO 11.2"

as many rounds as possible in 15 minutes:
9 deadlifts, 70/45kg
12 pushups (with hand release)
15 box jumps, 24/20"

Watch the video description here.

Post results to comments!

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We're big shoe fiends here at FCF and believe there's a proper shoe for certains movements. Chucks, Inov-8s, Tigers, Sambas, Evos, Five Fingers, Frees, Gloves, and skate shoes all have their places in the gym.

What's your favorite?

In Search Next CrossFit Shoe - Fit Bomb

Vivo Barefoot Evo II

Nike Free

New Balance Minimus

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

"Have you done Nicole?"

"No, but other people have..."


OOOOOOOOOOOOH!

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WOD

"NICOLE"

as many rounds as possible in 20 minutes:
400m run
max pullups

Score equals the number of rounds completed and number of total pullups.

compare to 04MAY2010.

Post results to comments!

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The Dirty Dash 10k is coming to Kent, WA this July 9th. "Go solo or with some of your dirtiest, filthiest, & uncouth friends." We'll have a Trainer Team running the event, but we have plenty of other athletes prepping for the run.

Here's a picture of the course:


I heard that drinking a pint of beer was the secret obstacle one time. Now I have one question for you: Are you in?

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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

CGO

The C(rossFit)G(ames)O(pen) 11.2 was just released! Games athletes take note of your next WOD:

as many rounds as possible in 15 minutes:
9 deadlifts, 70/45kg
12 pushups (hand release)
15 box jumps, 24/20"

We'll be performing the workout Thursday at 7am, 11am and 6:30pm, as well as Saturday at noon.

Ryan H, Mark B, Colin and EJ just did the WOD after it was released. What beasts.


current top 10 worldwide

Unfortunately for us, Ryan is moving to New York tomorrow. He was a badass athlete who went after each and every workout. He came in for each workout with a quiet fortitude, and we saw impressive gains working with him over the past 11 months. We hope you find a good CrossFit gym in NYC to continue beasting it up!


Have an great time on Wall Street dude!

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WOD

10 rounds for best form:
30-second handstand
30-second rest

compare to 30DEC2010 or 23NOV2010.

Post experience to comments!

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I'm sitting in a comfortable chair, in a tastefully lit, cheerfully decorated drug den, watching a steady line of people approach their dealer. After scoring, they shuffle off to their tables to quietly indulge in what for some could become (if it hasn't already) an addiction that screws up their lives. It's likely you have friends and family members who are suffering from this dependence—and you may be on the same path yourself. But this addiction is not usually apparent to the casual observer. It has no use for the drama and the carnage you associate with cocaine and alcohol. It's slower to show its hand, more socially acceptable—and way more insidious. 
... 
The answer is that fast-burning carbohydrates—just like cocaine—give you a rush. As with blow, this rush can lead to cravings in your brain and intrusive thoughts when you go too long without a fix. But unlike cocaine, this stuff does more than rewire your neurological system. It will short-circuit your body. Your metabolism normally stockpiles energy so you can use it as fuel later. A diet flush with carbohydrates will reprogram your metabolism, locking your food away as unburnable fat. When you get hungry again you won't crave anything but more of the same food that started you down the path to dependency. Think of this stuff as more than a drug—it's like a metabolic parasite, taking over your body and feeding itself.
Read the rest of the article here.

Another reason we suggest looking into the Paleo/primal/low carb nutritional stances.

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Monday, March 28, 2011

Into the Mix

Another month done, another Foundations group graduated!

"I <3 Cindy"

Say hello and introduce yourself to the newest collection of amazing athletes.

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5 rounds for max reps:
front squat, 60/40kg
knees-to-elbows

Your score is the total squats over the total k2e.

compare to 11JAN2010 or 17NOV2009.

Post results and experience to comments!

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Do you guys ever look back at the archives? Seeing the progression of athletes and the gym is a huge inspiration.


Become stronger and mentally tougher everyday- push hard, make progress and set up your future for success.

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Friday, March 25, 2011

Preparing for battle


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WOD

"DT"

5 rounds for time:
12 deadlifts, 55/30kg
9 hang power cleans, 55/30kg
6 push jerk, 55/30kg

Post results to comments!

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While training with the Russian master George Balanchine, probably the most significant figure in 20th century ballet, Jennifer Homans learned to be always here, now.
“Balanchine had this uncompromising emphasis on now, not holding back, giving it your all now. As a dancer, it was really a kind of concentration. It’s much harder than it sounds, to focus your energy now, and not be thinking about what I am going to do in five minutes, or in five hours… To just put everything aside, focus on this movement here now. And really…throw your whole self into it…is quite a discipline.”
There is a common saying in athletic endeavor and sports about “playing up” or “rising to the occasion”. This means that one plays at a higher level than they usually would, or can. Certainly this is possible and it definitely happens, but it is not nearly as common as playing down to your training. This last part means that you will revert back to your training in times of exhaustion or stress.

If you fight, compete, whatever, at the level of your training, then it can’t be too big of a jump to realize that you want to make your training as good as possible. Movement becomes ingrained as habits starting with the simplest of movements. If you only attempt to do a perfect squat when you are going for a PR, then that squat will fail the moment you stop actively thinking about it. As you train your squat for efficiency, safety, and efficacy, starting with the most basic air squat, those mechanics will become effortless and, most importantly, thoughtless. Proper tension in the legs, alignment of the feet and knees on every little movement, for example, will serve you well on the playing field or in the ring and any other place where action outpaces thought.

However, there is another, perhaps greater reason for perfect practice. Awareness of the little things, the little movements, your own body and its position in space, in the world, leads to the kind of now-ness that Homans writes about above. She writes,“When you work very hard and you achieve a kind of coordination and skill in the body, there is a way in which it sets you free.”

This idea on now-ness, of immediatecy, is endemic to so many disciplines, in so many cultures. Japanese martial arts abound with this concept, expressed usually as mushin. It is one of the cornerstones behind the Western and Eastern institute of the religious monastery.

Constant awareness is the beginnings of excellence, of virtuosity. Constant mindfulness of movement is the first step to constant mindfulness of action, which in turn leads to constant mindfulness of thought. And therein lies the path to mastery.

Mindfulness of the Movement and The Now - CrossFit West

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Thursday, March 24, 2011

2011 CF Games Open Athletes

A huge congratulations to all of our athletes who decided to participate in this year's festivities. You guys are the reason the CrossFit community is so strong- regardless of your level you push on to become better than yesterday.

registered athletes may or may not be receiving goodies from FCF...

If you need to register you have until this Sunday.

If you need to be judged for a workout, speak to us directly to setup a time or check out judging appointments here.

What do you think the next workout will be?

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WOD

"THE TRIPLET"

as many rounds as possible in 10 minutes:
6 squat cleans, 55/30kg
12 pullups
24 double unders

compare to 20JUL2010.

Post your results to comments!

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After this Saturday's FOUNDATIONS class ('round 1:30pm) we will be running a quick "Gymnastics Total":



Who's in?!

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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Fountain of Youth...


... or Fountain of Bacon?

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WOD

for time:
2k row

then

for time:
100 box jumps for time, 24/18"

compare to 15NOV2010.

Post results to comments!

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'Unrealistic' Athletic Goals: Why and How to Pursue Them - 4-Hour Work Week

“It’s lonely at the top. Ninety-nine percent of people in the world are convinced they are incapable of achieving great things, so they aim for mediocre. The level of competition is thus fiercest for ‘realistic’ goals, paradoxically making them the most time- and energy-consuming… The fishing is best where the fewest go, and the collective insecurity of the world makes it easy for people to hit home runs while everyone else is aiming for base hits. There is just less competition for bigger goals.”

- Tim Ferriss

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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Yummy = Veggies + Protein + FAT

A classic meat + veggies + fat recipe.  Never fails!


Easy Lamb Curry

Ingredients:

1 pound ground lamb
1 head broccoli, chopped
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 handful of basil, sliced into strips
1 cup coconut milk
1-2 tsp of red thai curry paste (to taste)
1 tsp sage
1 tsp coconut oil (or cooking oil of choice)
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced

Directions:
  • Brown the meat (you can use any ground meat), drain excess fat if desired.  Toss in the sage and simmer about a minute or two to let the flavors meld.  Set aside.  
  • Cook garlic (and 1/2 an onion - optional) in coconut oil on medium for 1-2 minutes. Add broccoli and pepper and saute for an additional 2-3 minutes on medium-high. 
  • In a bowl, combine coconut milk and curry paste.
  • Add meat, basil and coconut milk to the veggies and simmer on medium low for about 5 minutes to let the sauce thicken and flavors mesh.
A quickie, healthy meal, done before you know it.
    From the archives... other meat/veggie/fat combos:


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    WOD

    for max load:
    5RM pushup

    then

    FlashWOD


    Keep your body as ONE unit. Peeling off of the ground, losing your abs, breaking at the hips or knees is frowned up. Don't make Tony sad.

    Did our reasoning behind the FlashWOD make sense? Are you (physically) prepared for an emergency?

    Post results to comments!

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    The 9 Best Places to Have a Coffee In the World - Huffington Post

    Rome, Italy

    Of course Seattle is here, featuring none other than my favorite roaster. (Sorry Barry!)

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    Monday, March 21, 2011

    Weekend Wrap Up

    A big congratulations to Blair (aka BCS), Ana and Jenelle (hi!) for becoming Level 1 Certified this weekend at CrossFit Bellevue.


    This Friday we did the first CrossFit Games Open workout. A bunch of athletes joined our official team, and a few still need to register. Luckily the deadline has been extended and you'll be able to join until this coming Sunday!

    We also had some great times at The Garage where we celebrated AW's 30th with pool, beer and bowling. One of the results of the night:

    TL-DS-SC-AW-AB

    For the morning classes this Saturday we ran a fun 3-in-1 partner workout involving bear crawls, sprints and dolphin burpees!


    In the afternoon we had 12 athletes go through the CrossFit Total. HUGE PR's were set and broken- all in all an exciting time had.

    big lifts

    A bunch of folk learned more about their mechanics... and another bunch learned their limits.

    On Sunday our group for The Big Climb for Leukemia ran up Columbia Tower for time. Patrick ran all 69 flights in just over 10 minutes! Great job to Max, Todd, Patrick, Jake A, Steve W, Moonboots, Joni, Annie, Josh, Leah and more.

    some of our athletes

    An awesome, awesome weekend.

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    WOD

    Establish a 1RM push jerk

    Post loads to comments!

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    Last but not least!

    If you have left something at the gym like a water bottle w/o your name, t-shirt or other item of clothing, or shoes you haven't worn in a long time, you had better claim or pick it up by Wednesday.

    any of these yours?

    Otherwise find it at the Value Village!

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    Friday, March 18, 2011

    Rockstar Adonis x FCF

    A Craig Nisperos original



    Big thanks to Craig, JR Celski, and Christian "DJ Reminiss" Zabala for such an awesome production.

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    WOD

    as many rounds as possible in 10 minutes:
    30 double unders
    15 ground-to-overhead, 35/25kg

    Post results to comments!

    See you how stack up to the rest of the CrossFit world here.

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    CrossFit Lisbeth says "Do It Badly":

    Do it badly, then do it better.

    Stop obsessing that your form is not perfect all the time. Do it badly, then do it better.

    Women, especially: Quit your bitching and obsessing and worrying about what your girlfriends are doing in this WOD. Put more weight on that bar and fail. Pick up the heavier kettlebell and f*** up that swing. Show me the shi****** pull-ups on the face of this CrossFit earth. Push yourself hard enough that things start to look like crap. Then, focus and get your form right. Grow stronger. Then, push again. Then, get it right again.

    See, a lot of women have this issue: “I want to make sure I’m doing it right” turns into “I don’t want to go heavier/faster because I’m afraid I’ll do it wrong then.” And this limits their progress. How many women have you watched fail at a lift and then turn around and say, “Sorry.” Sorry? For what? You just tried and failed? I’m PROUD of you!

    Men? Most of them just plow ahead. That’s what I love about guys. They’ll toss 50 more pounds on the bar when they should add 10. They’ll pull up until their hands bleed and break their noses on the push jerk and smash a foot through the sheetrock with an aggressive running handstand. Total train wrecks sometimes and yet just pure awesome energy and confidence.

    Women, catch that energy and that attitude. Please. Be a train wreck sometimes.
    You could do so much more if you would just get your own head out of the way.
    Just like in the press: Get your head out of the way. Doing it badly first is okay. At least you’re doing it. Then make it better.

    Go put a foot through the wall today. Drop the barbell. Mess something up. It’ll be okay. In fact, it will be fun.

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    Thursday, March 17, 2011

    Did you wear green today?


    If not, 10 burpees OR 10 min in the paleo chair! If you did, 3 min chair stretch per side!

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    WOD

    deadlift 5rm

    then

    for time:
    50 burpee box jumps, 30/24"

    30" = 20" box + (1) 10kg bumper + (1) 15kg bumper + (1) 20kg bumper
    30" = 24" box + (1) 10kg bumper + (1) 20kg bumper
    30" = (7) 25kg bumpers + (3) .5kg

    Post load and time to comments!

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    Check out this awesome commercial Cody and the crew at CrossFit Advantage did for St. Patty's!



    I think we might have another video up our sleeves too...

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    What I was mentioning today:

    Banya 5:

    "Banya 5 is an urban spa and health facility offering a unique blend of old world wellness rituals in a friendly, contemporary environment. A series of relaxing dry and wet heat experiences coupled with exhilarating pool plunges produce a vivid circulatory experience with numerous mental and physical benefits..."

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    Wednesday, March 16, 2011

    Do work


    Work means moving a a large load, a long distance as efficiently as possible.

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    WOD

    "OVER THE HILL"

    as many hills as possible in 20 minutes carrying odd-objects.
    • Chuck Norris 120/90 lbs
    • HULK 80/60 lbs
    • Juggernaut 60/40 lbs
    • Wolverine 40/30 lbs
    • Spider(wo)man 30/20 lbs
    Stay within a weight group the entire time!

    Post results to comments!

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    CrossFit Games History:



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    Tuesday, March 15, 2011

    Presses and K2E

    Tomorrow is AW's birthday!



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    WOD

    for time:
    75 presses, 45/25kg

    You will perform 10 knees-to-elbows every time the bar leaves the overhead or rack position.

    Post results to comments!

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    Excited for the announcement of the first CrossFit Games Open? It was supposed to be announced at 5pm, but apparently they've been experiencing technical difficulties for hours.



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    Monday, March 14, 2011

    Ch-ch-ch-ch-chia!

    "The Mighty Seed"

    A lot of you have shown interest in chia seeds after we posted up the iskiate recipe. Now Sarah C is putting together a bulk order of organic chia seeds! Twenty pounds of seeds will be ordered! If you're interested, here is the breakdown:

    1 lbs = $6
    2 lbs = $12

    We'll divide everything up at the gym and you guys can pay there!

    To pre-order indicate if you'd like a 1 or 2 lbs order by
    The order goes in tomorrow night so notify her posthaste!

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    WOD

    "TABATA THIS!"
    tabata intervals (20 seconds of continuous work followed by 10 seconds of rest) of:

    pullups
    pushups
    squats
    situps
    row (for calories)

    compare to 19NOV2010 or 10MAY2010.

    Post results to comments!

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    Here's a great discussion on the official CrossFit boards about the rationale behind "Tabata This". Both sides of the argument make sense, but I'm biased towards the good old version of it. How would the stimilus go if done like the following?
    :20 pullups
    :10 rest
    :20 squats
    :10 rest
    :20 pushups
    :10 rest
    :20 situps
    :10 rest 
    Repeat for 8 cycles (24:00).
    I don't know yet, but you can guarantee that this makes me want to put y'all through it!


    .

    Friday, March 11, 2011

    Snatch Face

    I wanted to post about what full extension looks like, but these snatch faces were way better...

    Let's vote: who's got the best one?

    Emma

    Amber

    Jake P

    Sameer

    Sandi

    Sarah M

    S. Savage

    Tim B

    What say you?!

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    "ISABEL"

    for time:
    30 snatches, 61/45kg

    Snatches can be full squat snatches or power snatches, but every rep must start on the ground.

    compare to 03DEC2010 or 26NOV2010.

    Post results to comments!

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    Are you signed up for the 2011 CrossFit Open yet?

    Brandon, Joey, Mark B, AB, AW, Tony, and Paolo are all signed up.

    When are you going to?

    Thursday, March 10, 2011

    Bacon & Jerky

    Individually, great. Combined... amazing.


    Thanks Tita!
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    WOD

    for time:
    500m row

    Best of 3 attempts. Use the "40-stroke warm-up" prior to rowing workouts!

    Post best attempt to comments.

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    The 2011 CrossFit Games site is live. You can register to compete in the Open and it's only $5. We have a handful of athletes signed up.

    Wednesday, March 9, 2011

    Tasty Wednesday

    Iskiate. Also known as Chia Fresca. The Tarahumara, a super athlete tribe in Mexico who run 100-milers for fun, make this all-natural energy drink to sustain them for their long distance races.


    Featured in Born to Run by Chris McDougall, I've altered the recipe slightly. Bullet time!

    Ingredients
    • 16.9oz Water
    • 2 tbsp Chia seeds
    • 4 tbsp Lime juice (freshly-squeezed preferred)
    • Agave nectar/raw honey to taste (optional)
    Method
    • Drink a small bit of water to create some room in the bottle
    • Add chia seeds to water
    • Add lime juice and (optional) agave
    • Shake and let sit for a minimum of 10 minutes
    • DRINK AND ENJOY!

    Benefits
    • Water = hydration!
    • Chia seeds are an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids.
    • Lime juice provides a dose of Vitamin C
    • Agave nectar/raw honey provides quick glucose and replenishes blood sugars

    There are some cautions, however.

    If planning on having Iskiate on an extended run or workout session, add another 8 to 10 oz. of water to the chia gel. Since the chia seeds are so absorbent, they could potentially dehydrate you if not accompanied by an ample of water.

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    WOD

    "Gymnastics Gone Bad"

    3 rounds for max quality.
    1-min stations of:
    • chest-to-deck hollow
    • back bridge
    • upper arm support
    • handstand
    • top-of-pullup
    There is no score element to this workout. Max quality means max effort. Holding these isometric positions will still kick your butts.

    Chest-to-deck-hollow body

    Elliot's superb back bridge

    three amigos y upper arm support

    awesome body line handstands

    pulled up on the rock rings

    Anyone sweat up a storm doing this? Post results to comments.


    Tuesday, March 8, 2011

    Cheering

    Today every single athlete did an amazing job of encouraging their partners to go harder, push further and rep more quality with each movement. Keeping your peers motivated is tough to do. We say the same things repeatedly, but that doesn't mean that the athlete doesn't appreciate it.

    Just knowing someone is holding you accountable does wonders.


    "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily." - Zig Ziglar

    At the end of the night we all lost our voices because of today's excitement. We're really proud to have a community like ours and ecstatic to see what tomorrow brings.

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    WOD

    "KINDA FGB" aka WA State Sectionals 2010 #3

    for max reps:
    3 rounds of 1-minute stations:
    • wall ball shots, 20/14#
    • power snatch, 35/25kg
    • box jump, 20/18"
    • row (calories)
    • rest
    compare to 07JUN2010. Post results to comments or else you'll owe Adam 10 dolphin burpees randomly in your next class.

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    The Primal Grind - Toronto Life

    There's a cafe located within a CrossFit gym?!

    How awesome.


    Monday, March 7, 2011

    Mobilization Monday!

    Check it out. Practice it. Love it.



    Be supple, my friends.

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    WOD

    25-15-10 reps for time:
    sumo deadlift, 60/45kg

    Run 4 hills after every round. Get to stretching pre and post-WOD!

    Post results to comments!

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    You've all been hitting it hard recently and it shows! You guys are complete beasts, but even beasts need to  simmer down every once in a while. Dallas says "the primary fault lies within inadequate or improper recovery from exercise, not the type or intensity of exercise". That may be the reason some of you are here at the gym more often than others.

    Think about it for a second- when's the last time you practiced some mobilization on your own? Didn't you feel better afterward? Were there meals you should have avoided and didn't, then paid for lack of energy come CrossFit? What about the dreaded dehydration symptoms like cotton-mouth, aches and pains, headaches or general sh!ttiness?



    Whole 9 has a great article about 9 Things to Do When You're All Banged Up. I suggest you go read to understand why

    • Taking extra rest days can actually improve performance
    • Myofascial release (professional massage or self) is the key to releasing tightness and inflammation
    • Hot compresses & Cold packs can prevent or further delay injury
    • Sleeping is (again!) another important factor is becoming more like Jason Khalipa
    • You should leave the ibuprofen and NSAIDs alone

    Are all helpful and beneficial in making you a better athlete. This read is essential!

    What are you doing regularly to recover?

    Friday, March 4, 2011

    Time to mark your calendars

    The Journaling Challenge ended last week, but we urge you to continue to use the website as long as you need to.

    Here's a list of really dope upcoming events this year:
    • St. Patrick's Day Dash - Seattle Center
      • Sunday, March 13th @ 8:30am
      • ~ 4mile run/walk/jog.
      • $35 for the event + shirt
    • CrossFit Total (members only)
    • Big Climb for Leukemia
      • Sunday, March 20th
      • 69 flights of stairs. 788' of vertical elevation.
      • Our team leader is Max. Contact him for details.
    • Donkey Kong Rodizio - Harbor Steps (downtown)
      • a Saturday TBD in April @ 10:30am
      • Ipanema for lunch after
      • Gym will have special hours
    • Beat the Bridge
      • May 15th @ 8am
    • (Untitled) Paleo Challenge
      • TBD Late Spring 2011
      • The Look Good Naked Challenge comes back, fresh with a new name.
    • The 2011 CrossFit Games Open - Everywhere
      • March 15th, 2011 then ongoing
      • $5 for ANYONE to participate in the first round of the CF Games
      • Must videotape yourself or perform the WODs at a registered affiliate (Local's Gym!)
    • CrossFit Marysville NW Throwdown
      • Saturday, May 7th from 8:30am to 5:00pm
      • A local CrossFit competition
      • $35 for registration + t-shirt
    • Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon - Seattle, WA
      • June 25th
      • 26.2 miles (or 13.1) with a live band every mile!
      • Boston Qualifier
    • The Dirty Dash - Pacific GP Motorsports Park, Kent, WA.
      • Saturday, July 9th
      • 10k trail/obstacle run
      • "Must run in teams"
      • Total fun run. Flyers at the gym!
    • Warrior Dash - North Bend, WA
      • Saturday, July 16th @ 1pm
      • ~5k mud/trail run
      • Free beer ticket!
      • Giganto turkey legs post-run
    • GoRuck Challenge - TBD, Seattle area, WA
      • August 12th @ 6pm OR August 13th @ 1am, 6pm.
      • An obscure running event through the city with a weighted backpack that lasts 7 to 10 hours long
      • Not a race, but a team training event.
    We'll have Foundation CrossFit athletes and teams at each event. Did I miss anything?

    More importantly, which events are you attending?

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    WOD

    "RANDY"

    for time:
    75 power snatches, 35/25kg

    SupeRx = 45/35kg


    compare to 17NOV2010. Post time to comments.

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    You're never too old to do something amazing:
    Ida Keeling Breaks Sprinting Record at Age 95 - Concrete Loop

    Thursday, March 3, 2011

    Who do you know?

    Pop quiz:

    Name all of these people.


    (20-Burpee penalty for EVERYONE for not introducing yourself to someone you don't know in the first 10 minutes of class.)

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    WOD

    push jerk 3RM

    then

    tabata knees-to-elbows
    2-min max kettlebell swings, 16/12kg
    tabata ab-mat situps

    Post loads and reps to comments.

    Guess who?

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    You're never too old to do something amazing:

    Wednesday, March 2, 2011

    The Fall


    Our hill does a wonderful job of showing us if you use POSE method running.

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    WOD

    4 rounds for time:
    400m run
    50 squats

    compare to 25OCT2010 or 16JUL2010. Post results to comments!

    Did you do better same or worse? If it was your first time doing this WOD, how'd it go? We'll be outside rain or shine or hail or sleet or snow or monsoon or sun or any combination thereof.

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    We usually don't talk about supplements other than fish oil (Omega 3) or Vitamin D. Here's a great read on Vitamin D via CrossFit Nor'Easter:
    What is Vitamin D? It’s a hormone whose main job is to more or less get calcium to your bones. However, it turns out it has its “hand” in so much more!
    First off, what’s going on out there? It is estimated that anywhere from 60-90% of us are Vitamin D deficient. Which makes sense – especially in these modern times – and even more-so with the winter we have been having this year! Huh? Well, Vitamin D is naturally synthesized by our bodies – all we need is to be exposed to sunlight. Unfortunately, most of us are inside all day – fully clothed I imagine (and I am am pretty sure my computer monitor isn’t throwing off the right kind of radiation) .
    What can Vitamin D do for me? Studies have shown that, apart from that whole calcium and strong bones thing:
    • Some studies suggest that it reduces the risk of cancer.
    • It helps in regulating the immune system = you will get sick less.
    • It helps decrease the risk of many cardiovascular ailments.
    • Depression/Mood (Seasonal Affective Disorder)? Yup, get your Vitamin D levels up and chances are you will feel happier.
    • It helps prevent inflammation = you will recover faster.
    • Improved sleep.
    • It has been shown to reduce the risk of all sorts of other stuff, for example: rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, autism, along with the overall frequency and severity of asthma and its symptoms.
    What about Vitamin D’s role for athletes? Go and read this.
    You didn’t read it did you? Fine, here are the highlights:
    1.  The Germans and Russians of the 1960-70′s were rather dominant in the sports world. Turns out they were on the Vitamin D bandwagon!
    2. “The medical literature indicates that the right amount of vitamin D will make you faster, stronger, improve your balance and timing, etc.”
    3. “Both animal and human studies have found that vitamin D increases muscle mass in subjects who are vitamin D deficient.”
    4. “Neuromuscular performance improves with higher vitamin D blood levels.” Notably in older people.
    5. “Vitamin D has been found to improve both balance and reaction time.”
    6. Already mentioned above, but here we go again: Vitamin D helps prevent inflammation = you will recover faster.
    7. Jeremy Mullins even tells us it will make us jump higher
    Please notice that all of these revolve around having the appropriate levels of Vitamin D, not mega-dosing ultra high levels of Vitamin D.
    Read more here.