Here is one Race Training workout I have done.
My nickname in Crossfit is Slow and Steady. While it is not the most flattering nickname, it works for me. I tend to be able to chip away at workouts with the same speed the entire time – never picking up speed or slowing down. Lucky for me, most people get tired and I end up passing them. This is how I have been Crossfitting for six years. With six years of “keep moving” under my belt, I am now challenging myself to move as fast as possible. Why change something that works? Well, because I want to do the National Pro Grid League.
The National Pro Grid League piqued my interest back in May when they held the Boston Combine. I signed up for the tryout with really no idea what I was getting myself into. I ended my weekend totally in love with a new sport! While NPGL uses Crossfit style movements, it challenges men and women to work together to finish races. Since it is a race against another team, each individual is moving as fast as humanly possible. Substitutions can be made on the fly, for example when cycle time starts to slow down. But the cool part is the team dynamic. I played college volleyball, not because I was necessarily in love with the sport, but because I really enjoyed having my friends there, them having my back, and being able to enjoy my experiences with them. I felt the same thing while on the grid at both combines I participated in (Boston and Vegas).
Aside from the playing on a team, the NPGL requires me to shift my training a bit. As seen above, there is a lot of fast movement followed by breaks. This is structured the same way as a NPGL race to prepare an athlete for the amount of work and rest ratio they may see in a full match. This type of training is kicking my butt. After the workout above, I was shaking and attempting to keep my lunch down. I honestly thought I was going to show Jack what the color of blended chicken, onions and peppers would look like on the floor. But here is the sick part…I love it. I love it because it is a new challenge. I love it because it pushes me to work harder for what I want to achieve. I love it because it makes me feel like I was beaten for an hour with a PVC. I love it because it is exciting and new. I fully accept that I have plenty of room to improve and I cannot wait to start each workout. I look at the NPGL training as a fresh new approach to continuing my fitness. New things are not always easy, but hard work can pay off.
This Thursday, the NPGL is holding their first draft. I am eligible for the draft. Fingers crossed that I will be picked up as an athlete and will be able to continue my training with a world class bunch of athletes and coaches.
THURSDAY
PARTNER WOD
25m AMRAP
100 KB Swings 53/35
Run 400m (one partner carries KB)
50 Push-Ups
