The War.

Today started with about a 200 meter run.  Keep in mind this is the warm up to the warm up!  We did several different calisthenic exercises up and down the parking lot in the back of the building.  Again we are still in warm up phase!  We paired up and did high fives in pushup position rotating hands, and then 20 squats.  We did this twice. Again still warming up.  It was an unusuallly large class.  Josh and Justin, our coaches, had us line up shoulder to shoulder on the back wall of the box.  We all got in squat position against the wall and passed a 45lbs. plate down the line of 18 people and passed it back again all the while remaining squatted against the wall.  We did this 3 times down the line and back and got about a 1.5 minute break, and then we did it again!  I didn't stand up once.  A true battle of will in my mind.  My quads were and still are most sore from my new regime.  They were burning like someone had a blow torch aimed at each leg. 
And we were still warming up!

Then came the introduction to the "Helen". 

20 Kettle bell swings
12 Pull ups (I used ring pull ups to substitute.... for now!!!)
400 Meter Run ( I did a 400 meter row instead.)

OH and you repeat this.  Not twice, but three times!

The clock was set, and the time started.  These kettle bell swings may look like a peice of cake, but they are tough.  And there is no cheating in crossFit. Form is essential to make the most of your time and remain uninjured.  The pullups were not so bad on the first two rounds, but the third round had me grunting outloud.  The toughest was the rowing.  I was doing my best to keep from passing out by the last 400 meters.  I could hear others who finished before me cheering me on the background, but I swear they seemed like they were in another dimension!  Josh, the coach, could see me laboring and came right over to guide me swiftly through the last 18 rows.  Helping me keep form, and helping me finish the rowing and finish the workout.  Keeping me focused. 

15:31 was my time.  Another day down.  Another day down and I still haven't thrown up.  But I wanted to!  Leaving that building really makes the world look a little brighter.  The trees are a little more green, the sky is a little more blue, not because it was cloudy when you walked in, but because of the shear sense of accomplishment you get from finishing a workout.  Not just a workout, a WOD.  A war.  Between your mind and your body. 

 I am addicted already.