Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Funny Parts.



The whole "funny parts" business started this evening when Vin kept asking me to fast forward a DVR'd video of the Looney Toons to "the funny part with Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny".WAIT!!! Before you inevitably click on the oh-so-awesome link I have so kindly provided you with (you're welcome), I beg of you, do me one favor: Watch the entire clip with a straight face and try, juuuuuust try to not crack even the slightest smile. If you can do this, my friend, then you were apparently born lacking a funny bone or possibly even an entire funny skeleton. You best get your sense-of-humorless self to the doctor ASAP. I digress. Seriously, I love watching old Looney Toons re-runs almost as much as I love PRing on hang snatch...



ebedi-ebede-ebedu-eba-that's-all-folk's!


Monday, August 29, 2011

Me Is Not An Animal

Last week I tackled the somewhat infamous CrossFit WOD "King Kong". I knew going into it that the 250lb squat clean x3 reps/rd would be the limiting factor for me. It went better than expected (6:19) but on the 3rd round I missed the s.clean twice before finally making the lift on the third attempt. It's a frustrating place to be: At the very end of a workout- Just a few reps from the finish line and miles away from finishing because your either gassed or at muscle failure or both. Today I decided to force myself into the same training scenario with the hope of raising my "I'm tired but I've gotta lift it again" game. After doing a strength WOD of Squat Clean 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 (155-185-205-225-245-265-275), I did 7 rounds of: 21 Ring Push Ups & 3 Squat Cleans @ 225lb. I'm pretty sure my time wasn't anything spectacular- the noon CFS WOD was on the clock so I didn't use one. But I do know that it was a tough one and was exactly what I needed.

In other news, Jenny started back at work today after being on maternity leave for the past 8 weeks. I picked the kids up today from their school/daycare. Actually, it's Emille's daycare and more a court-ordered daycage for Vin (aka "Animal"). Anyways, after expecting to struggle to keep both munkeys entertained, I was pleasantly surprised to get home and have Animal ask me if he could give Emille drum lessons...


Sunday, August 28, 2011

What Goes Up....






















The bigger and taller the object, the harder it falls. In life just as with gravity, the harder we work to build up relationships, businesses, ideals, our status, our careers, etc...the more there is at stake when we suddenly see them come toppling down. Sometimes before we act, before we speak, or before we respond, perhaps it would do us some good to search our hearts and ask whether the loss of our integrity and character is also worth losing all we have worked so very hard to create. Just a thought. This way when life brings that unexpected storm, and your walls come crashing in on you, you'll be able to smile and say, "I still have my honor. It is well with my soul."

Proverbs 18

12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 24

3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

What's Been Goin' Down In Mhiretown

Well weeks have gone by and I've slacked tremendously on keeping my Proximal Strength site up to speed so I figure I'll try to re-hash this last month as best I can and hopefully bring ya up to speed on what's been shakin' in Mhiretown. Deal? Well screw you then. Listen anyways...I got two chirrens now. I'm sorry, maybe you don't speak worn-down daddy talk. I repeat: I gots two chirrens now. Seriously, everyone tries to brief you on just how big of a change it is when you go from 1 to 2 kids. Guess I was just naive to think that it wouldn't change the family dynamic like it has. The biggest change is the lack of personal time your able to take for yourself. There is, of course, now two more life-forms for whom you must actively engage and wipe feces from their butts. The old, "You've gone from zone to man-to-man defense" line could never be more true. I've always said that this whole blogging thing is more for me than for anyone else. When done consistently, it's a fulfilling opportunity to reflect and get inside of my own headspace. Hopefully I'll be able to get back to it more often in the coming months.

All things considered, time marches onward. My beautiful children, Vincent and Emille are blossoming into vibrant and brilliant little characters in our own Mhire house-hold reality TV show. Vin, the wild and rambunctious wannabe rockstar crossfitter and Emille, the adorable baby girl who will sometimes catch you off-gaurd with her rocket propelled flatulence. I must admit, it's been the most rewarding accomplishment in my life: To now have this wonderful family to love and care for. Emille's addition to our family has helped me and Jenny to be more intentional in our quest to work together as a team. I think we're doing quite well.

Summer is drawing to a close and we've made some sweet memories: A trip to Joplin to assist in relief efforts, a week long stay in Joplin with Jenny's family where we were able to relax and let the kids bond with Grandma and Papa, CFS's journey to LA to compete in the spectacle that was the 2011 CrossFit Games, lounging by the pool at the Wistrom casa, and a couple of awesome weekend trips to the lake.

It certainly has been a HOT summer. As far as my training is concerned, I've been enjoying myself a lot since my Games Season concluded at Regionals. I've not had much structure to anything I've been doing but I've still had a few highlights over the past couple of months (PRs on Fran: 2:24, Deadlift: 525lb, Overhead Squat: 290lb, FGB 403, Clean: 290lb, Front Racked Split Jerk: 285lb, King Kong: 6:19, and the CrossFit Total: BS 340/SP 190/DL 525). This Games off-season, my goals are to increase my maximal strength and to gain more capacity with the HSPU; my only real nemesis at Regionals.

Other than my own personal athletic pursuits, I'm eager to keep the ball rolling towards the Heart of America CrossFit Team Competition which CFS will host this November. I'm praying for this event to be well planned, well organized, and well received by all who participate! I can say this: THE WODS WILL BE AWESOME. I've completed the programming for HOA III and I honestly think this is the best I've ever done at creating events that will accurately reflect which teams should finish on the podium. We'll see....

CrossFit Springfield continues to grow in many areas: members, inspiration, toughness, and very soon, equipment! Over the next few weeks, we'll be providing our members with tons more toys! Can't wait to dish'em out!!!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Bend...Don't Break.



I know, I know...bad form this, poor technique that...but I was locked in a death match wrastlin' with that rusty ole' 525lb barbell. I was tryin' to pick him up again. Guess what that rusty ole' 525lb barbell was trying to do? Stay on the ground. Guess who won?