Monday, July 7, 2008

Mike in the "Heavy Grace" Workout at the CrossFit Games

Workout of the Day

Make up Day: Make up a missed workout.  Make up your own workout.

The Games were fantastic.  The Men's final was one of the most exciting sporting events I've ever attended.  There was a staggered start according to cumulative time going into the event.  For example, Chris Spealler had a 1 minute lead on Josh Everett, who was in 3rd place, so he started the workout 1 minute before Josh, and so on down the line for the 10 men in the final.  What it meant was that the 1st to finish the workout would be the winner of the Games.  Josh Everett came from behind to take the lead and then missed his last Clean & Jerk twice, taking at least 30 seconds to get it.  While that was going on and all eyes and cameras were on Josh, Jason Khalipa, starting in 8th position, came roaring to the finish to take the crown.

Mike G. represented, finishing in 20th place.

Comments

[julie]

Just caught up on the blog and the pics from the Challenge. Was it just me or did you guys think the Challenge looked a bit...assy? Looks like Dan's got a new fetish.

Way to go, Mike, Ian, and Tommy! Congrats on the top-20 finish, Mike! Ian - way to bring the sexy with those socks.

[Jody]

Once again, congrats to ALL of you who attended the CF games, and "did us proud"!!! :)

Did "Starting Strength" today...

BS 3x5 46K..PR!! (Can't believe it since I haven't done this in 2 weeks!)

SP 3x3 22K...couldn't get the same number of reps as last time...:(

DL 1x5 70K..PR!

[Matthew Queen]

Awesome job guys! Way to show the nation was Atlanta has got!

Today I did my first CF Total since the SE Challenge.

SE Challenge--
Squat: 105k
Press: 62.5k
DL: 135k
Total: 302.5

Today CF Total:
Squat: 120k
Press: 65k
DL: 135k
Total: 320k

Overall thoughts:

Starting Strength is the real deal. I've never seen such enormous gains in such a short period of time. I really think my total today was a little short of what I could have done. I didn't sleep well last night b/c I was nervous about today's Con Law final and stress always fucks up my scores (for more evidence of this, check out my precipitous drop in CF scores this past April when I was freaking out over my 1L final exams).

That being said, I have a suspicion that my DL was inflated from the SE Challenge b/c they were allowing some shit form to count for the CF Total, whereas I was super duper strict in my form today. For example, I think I could have gotten 125k in the squat had I decided not to break parallel. But what good are you doing when you aren't using good form?

A 15k improvement over a month is pretty good. If I'd been at 100% I might've gotten another 10 kilos... But whatever. PRs are PRs and I am very satisfied with all of my growth.

I'd like to thank everyone for their encouragement since the Challenge for helping me to stay motivated and grow as much as I have. A special thanks go out to Damon, Laura, Jason B (for some excellent form help in DL), Mike, Ken, Ian, Vas and everyone else who's helped me over the past month.

Now, let's go take a Constitutional Law final!

[Dan MacDougald]

It's not a new fetish; it's an old one, but the "Booty Cam" definitely saw a lot of action on Sunday!

[BMW-CFATL]

Great job Matthew!!!

Also great job to Suzanne. She gutted out the 30 Clean & Jerks this morning. She used 40kg and did a great job despite feeling like she was going to pass out for the last 10 or so.

The whole morning crew did a great job working on their C&J form. It was the first time for a lot of people and everyone made good progress.

Love the pictures Dan! Good work.

I did the 30 C&J with 155lbs. this morning and finished in 13:55. Monday mornings are not my friend.

Congrats to Mike G. for the top 20 finish. That is awesome man!

[Damon Mosley]

Great Job Mike!! I knew you would rock it. There were some BEASTS out there and you represented very well!!

[Heidi_CFATL]

Julie! I'm surprised at you. You hadn't figured out Dan's picture taking fetish yet?
Always a good ass shot in there somewhere. That's what we love about him!

Big Congrats to Mike! Way to represent! Top 20 is HUGE! Knew you could do it!

Ian and Tommy, you guys did awesome!

[Kath]

That bootycam was funny as hale. I had to search for pix of OUR people lol... not that I wouldn't recognize their asses.

CONGRATS MikeG, Ian, & Tommy!! You were among the best of the best -- HUGE kudos for having the guts to step up!

[BMW-CFATL]

Dan...Who's the girl in the white skirt in the restaurant/bar?

I think we all need to chip in and buy Ian a new shirt!

Congrats to Ian and Tommy as well. Those were some incredibly impressive scores on your workouts! Thanks for representing us so well!

[BMW-CFATL]

Here's a video of the finals. Super cool...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyz8eEgbZ-k

[Marie]

Brent, judging from the hair it looks like allison.

[BMW-CFATL]

The hair is too long though and not really the right color. I'm thinking it is Taylor Wane.

[Marie]

It's not too long, look how long it is in this picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/crossfitatlanta/2641581638/in/set-72157606006034239/

And it is darker in the butt picture because it is in a darker room.

[BMW-CFATL]

Good point Marie. I didn't realize how long her hair was.

[Kath]

That's cuz you weren't really looking at her hair lol.

[Heidi_CFATL]

Yeah, my guess is Allison too, think Marie's right.
No one looks above Allison neck...no even me! How can you not stare at those things!

[roy]

your booty is much nicer tho heidi

anybody that wants to help with the swat tryout tomorrow is welcome.0800

[Matt S. (aka Spider) - CFNF]

Congratulations Mike - we're all proud of you!

[Todd Lynch]

Congrats Mike and Ian. Must have been a GRUELING weekend. I did the Deadlift WOD and the Heavy Grace WOD and lost both battles. That was on separate days even! Can't imagine what it was like.

[Mike Riepenhof CFAtl]

Rx'd deadlift and burpee workout
275 pounds
10:05

[Pebbles @ CFNF]

Way to go Mike and all others who went to the games from CFATL.I was checking the results all week-end. I am sure it was quite an experience. Hope to see you all at the next local challenge.

[Jonathan Horowitz CFATL]

Did the deadlift/burpee workout from sat with 235#.

7:30

I have no idea how anyone could have gotten sub 3 minutes on that workout. Great job Mike and Ian, yall never cease to amaze me and inspire me!

[Sean]

Deads and burpees: 6:24
30 C&J : 5:35
Fran (old standard): 4:01

[Sean]

Deads and burpees: 6:24
30 C&J : 5:35
Fran (old standard): 4:01

[MikeG_CFATL]

Thank you everyone for all the comments, email, and text messages. I was using my phone to read them throughout the weekend. It was awesome knowing that you guys were across the country cheering us on. It really meant a lot. I'm happy with 20th place, but I know I am capable of more. I can't wait until next year. We need to bring a whole crew of ATL crossfitters.

Jason B...thanks for all the o-lift coaching. The C&J workout moved me up seven places. Those long O-lift workouts payed off big time....THANKS!

William...thanks for helping me out with my dog. I owe you one.