G's Log

[George Mounce]

BP6-12 hour fast

Early week.

SN 85, 90, 95
CJ 145, 150, 155
PU 17, 22, 17

[George Mounce]

BP7-No fast

FS 180x3x5
CLDL 205x2x2
SNPP 75x5x5

[George Mounce]

Metcon Day-12 hour fast

AF PFT

1.5 mile run
Max push-ups 1 min
Max sit-ups 1 min
Waist measurement

Score = 100 out of 100 points

[George Mounce]

Concept 2 arrived yesterday, got it put together today, the real fun begins!

[George Mounce]

Random thoughts today:

Last year I did the AF PFT - got a 100. Since then I haven't done CrossFit even close to as much as I did last year. In fact this last year has been more strength training including Gant's Hybrid program and now the beginner program as outlined in Olympic Weightlifting by Greg.

Last year I weighed 171, and got a 100. This year I weighed 181, and got a 100.

Last year I did the WOD's verbatim for the most part. This year I didn't, hardly ran except a few times, and was only 6 seconds slower than last year without running much (honestly the only big running things I've done have been in the last 2 weeks, last time I took over a month to prepare for the test).

What this has led me to believe is that the strength base is much more important overall for functionality than the metcon base, and that strength and power are more important factors overall for completing high intensity training than cardiovascular endurance as far as fitness goes. I know plenty of people that can run as fast as I can, but I don't know even close to as many who can lift like I can (granted I've dropped my weights down to make sure my form is correct for the Oly lifts lately, but I can do more).

Also - I've kept nutrition over the last year pretty much constant using the IF protocol, rather than the Zone. I've finding more and more, the Zone is pretty weak on science and is more of a method to portion food and measure things. With the adaptability of the body during varying amounts of calorie intake, it is entirely possible and plausible to see the results that have occurred - having 10 pounds more muscle, a lot more strength yet the metcon result is nearly the same (last year I sprinted the last 100m, this year I didn't knowing I had already gotten a 100 score).

With the basic program I've chosen two days a week to do CrossFit WODs. I believe this is more than enough along with my current Oly lifting program to keep my fitness level pretty high, and with the strength and power gains move me into higher levels. I have come to believe that the current CrossFit program lacks any "introduction" methodology for people starting out, and I like many others just jumped into a potentially dangerous situation which makes many very prone to injury, or worst case rhabdomyolisis. The warnings are there sure, but the preventative measures are completely lacking. A warning isn't good enough. A strong, thought-out and tailored introductory and scaling program is necessary that is logical in nature, and much more than just diving into scaled WODs. Something to the effect of progress checks should be implemented in the training of people new to CrossFit (i.e. a kipped pull-up, good form on an air squat, running form, gymnastic ability) and training to build these skills would go a long way.

Don't get me wrong, the theory is sound pertaining to CrossFit. But is the amount of training people do necessary? I think not if functional living is their goal. I also believe CrossFit has become too much of a sport, and a production of revenue - corporate sponsorship and trademark frenzy have led to some breaking away from CrossFit due to the pack mentality of the leadership and affiliates.

In my own life, I am still trying to find a reason outside of CrossFit to do a thruster. To date (since March 2007) I have not done one outside of CrossFit. The CrossFit games have become an event of who can do CrossFit movements better. I have seen they are going to change the format of the 2009 CrossFit games. I believe the more completely random, and the more life-pertaining the events become, the ability to judge who really is the fittest CrossFitter becomes easier. The goal of a sub 2 min Fran is commendable, but the goal of being able to accomplish any task, no matter how completely random it is with not only technical skill, but power, strength, and efficiency is much more important in day-to-day life. This is the real test of a CrossFitter, not the times or weights in their logs.

Enough of my random thoughts.

[Allen Yeh]

Good food for thought.

[sarena kopciel]

Here, here!!

[Kevin Perry]

Bravo

[George Mounce]

BP8-No fast (going for weight gain now )

CJ 160,160,165
SN 95ML,95,100 - finally felt the third pull, big day for me, light came on
PU 28,22,13

Off to go fish for 3 days, back Sunday!

[Garrett Smith]

George, those are anything but random thoughts...well put.