This week the CFES foundations class had 2 WODs that involve running, and I happened to be at both of them. The one from the other day involved 2 rounds of 200m-400m-600m runs, then a 6 round tabata of burpees, pullups, dumbbell clean and jerk, knees to bars.
One of the athletes working out that day was from the Level 1 classes. I worked out along side her. It was interesting to note that she was working quite a bit harder. I outweigh her by 40 pounds, but she outran me, did more burpees, pullups, knees to bars and used heavier dumbells (15# vs. 25#.)
I had scaled the dumbells so I could get more reps, but I didn’t get more then she did. But none of that really bothered me. What I noticed was that she was got more out of herself. She was really working.
I mentioned intensity to her, and she told me that it was often the case that she was near exhaustion and nausea during the WODs. She was rather surprised that I didn’t have that same feeling.
And there I am thinking, why can’t I get there. I’m getting about 75% of a workout, she gets 99%. Now during that workout my shoulder gave out during burpees, but that is no excuse. That particular problem only bothers me when I do burpees.
Well the next WOD I was at we did 10x 200 sprints, and double-unders in the remaining time. My sprints were good; I could feel myself willing to move faster. And somehow that is the secret: to be willing to move faster.
But the biggest thing: don’t scale and sacrifice intensity. Scale to increase the opportunity for intensity. Run faster. And next time position the jump-rope closer to the finish line.
Cheers.
