CMC Mission Done

I finished the CMC race which is all I wanted out of this beautiful Saturday run. This was probably my most challenging and amazing race yet. All athletes were in top shape and very motivated which gave the race an amazing buzz. Seems like no beginners here…
The race really starts with a tough WOD consisting of maximum thrusters, box jumps, burpees and kettle bell swings  - each for 90 seconds. Then 2 minute break and off to a 5.4-mile mountain run on Camelback mountain. This year they had over 20 military obstacles and I certainly lost count of the ladder climbs and inverted walls… Everyone will likely remember the three uphill runs in the forest and on one of Camelback’s black ski runs. The last one was very rough – many athletes climbed up on bear crawls… The finish line was in the waterpark’s lazy river pool, just for kicks. Awesome day, lots of fit people and fun all around…

Like any race, good gear did make a lot of difference. My Inov-8 F-Lite 230 shoes could handle anything from swimming, creek running and wall climbing. Very good choice. Same with the 2XU compression clothing especially on the calves. But my most fun gear was my waterproof iPod (from waterfi). That thing had the music blasting through icy waters, mud baths, creeks and all… A great find.

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Broadjumping on the Great Wall

Today is rest day before the CMC race tomorrow. And speaking of adventure running and grueling mountains I couldn’t help thinking of China… I have to admit last time I visited the Great Wall I made an error in judgement – I didn’t turn the hike into a proper WOD. (I know, I know, what was I thinking, right?…)  It needs to be corrected on the next trip.
I will pick the steepest section of the wall (Mutianyu, Simatai or Huanghuacheng) to be off for a riveting 5-miler to celebrate the occasion. My vision is outlined below:

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Preparing for the Beating of a Race

The first time my chiropractor applied kinesiology tape to reconstruct me after a particularly vicious bout of a Hero WOD, the taping industry was still more focused on running and biking than CrossFit. If you are a runner or cyclist it is relatively easy to figure out which muscles need support and protection. With CrossFit it is much harder – does Murph or Angie need leg, calf, shoulder, back support? All of it… Compound movements will require several joints and muscles protected and healed….

Cool to know that Rocktape (no affiliation) now has dedicated instructions for Crossfitters with specific recommendation of injury prevention and training support. I certainly starting taping up for my last training runs….

Race Prep – Day 4
-  5 mile run
- mobility for CMC pit movements

Posted in Competition, Gear, Mobility | 2 Comments

Orlando Without Mice

At least the tourist and convention side of Orlando seem to be resistant to any slowdown. It was pouring rain for days, humidity was extreme, the cab drivers were on strike, Disney transportation ditto – yet the town, the airplanes and restaurants were jam packed full. I’m sure city planners all around the country try to figure out how to sell bad weather this well. Muggy air, rain and humidity could be destination travel for adventure racing… The alligators would be cheering on judging from all the warning signs around my hotel during this morning’s run.

Race Week Prep – Day 3
3 mile run
then
Angie Half Asleep
- 50 pullups
- 50 pushups
- 50 situps
- 50 squats
then
1000m row

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CrossFit Life Lesson 19 – Choose Friends Who Challenge You

Over a decade ago I spent two years in Tony Robbins’ Leadership Program (which also inspired me to run marathons and change careers and run two startups). Tony used to quote Jim Rohn what I still consider the most important life lesson:

“The quality of your life is a direct reflection of the expectations of your peer group. Choose your peers wisely.”

This is actually two important lessons in one:

1) Choose friends who will challenge you to higher standards
2) Step up to those new standards

When I worked with startups noone went home at 5 o’clock or ever quit creating new, amazing things. For most in the firm it was not a “job” but a “mission”.  Interestingly, since I returned to the corporate life I ended up seeking out or creating similar high performing groups with a sense of mission and passion for making a dent in the universe (thanks Steve J. for naming the phenomenon…). People that get to work in such environments always produce results noone thinks they are capable of. Let alone themselves. Yet there they are.
CrossFit takes this to even higher standard for me. I have never found a loose federation of people so committed, passionate and determined that I find in CF athletes. Can you imagine your work colleagues staying behind cheering you on until you finish your project? And never letting you off the hook? I’ve yet to have someone tell me that ‘you can stop now, you’ve done enough pull-ups’. Yet it happens all over work in America and beyond. We allow each other lower our standards and be less that we can be.
For those of us fortunate enough to be challenged to ‘one more rep’ by our friends of the highest standards: I’m looking forward to making a new dent in the universe with you…

Posted in Life Lessons | 3 Comments