October 30, 2009
091031 Saturday
DCF Professional Vehicle Movers (aka: Sarah's 10AM Class). THANK YOU!! Click comments for more action pics.
Workout: For time.
Run 800m
21 ring dips
Run 400m
15 ring dips
Run 200
9 ring dips
Record time.
First, back (1). Then, forward (2). Up the street (3), and up that damn driveway (4)!
To its final resting place. And, all that time the truck was parked in front of DCF, I never really noticed the creepy guy in the bee costume. What the hell is up with that?
Posted by Jeremy Jones at 7:59 PM | Comments (14)
October 29, 2009
091030 Friday
+++ Oly Class Canceled On Saturday, Oct 31 +++
Clara makes the 32" box. . . And as you can tell by the picture, that box is pretty close to 2/3rds her height.
Workout:
6 rounds for time of:
5 Weighted Pull-up 45 lbs (25lb women)
5 Shoulder Press 95 lbs (65lb women)
200m Run
Record total time.
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Looking for a decent ice cream substitute?
Try this: Coconut milk Ice Cream (dairy, soy and gluten free). It tastes phenomenal and they got the texture of dairy ice cream as well! I found it at Whole Foods. It isn't cheap ($5 a pint), but I think it might be worth it.
Anybody have good homemade ice cream substitutes or recipes for coconut milk ice cream?
Post them comments.
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Tomorrow is the last day you can try out for the October "Challenge of the Month" Farmer Carries! If you haven't tried at all yet, give it a go! If you have, try again and see what you can get!
Posted by Jeremy Jones at 8:30 PM | Comments (17)
October 19, 2009
091020 Tuesday "400m Repeats" and "Congratulations Nancy and Alan!"
Kettlebells are Ringing! Congratulations Nancy and Alan! (and stay away from Napa unless you're looking for kids right away). Click "Continue Reading" below for a few more pictures!
Workout: "400m Repeats"
Four rounds,
Run 400m
Rest 2 minutes
Record time for each 400m.
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Next Skills Clinic: "Craig Coaches the Clean"
Wed, Oct. 21 at 7:00 PM
Sign up now by clicking here! (you'll have to sign into your Mind Body account).
Topics to be covered:
Proper Start position
The 2nd pull
The scoop
The catch
Drills to improve technique
The number of athletes who can attend is limited so make sure you sign up right away to reserve your spot! You can purchase 10 packs for specialty clinics by clicking here.
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". . . investigated the effects of a typical American diet, which is high in fat and sugar, compared to an Atkins-type diet, which is high in animal and vegetable fat but low in sugar, on the physiology and behavior of rats. Lesson learned: choosing between the so-called American diet and the Atkins diet can make a difference in managing weight and one’s response to stress. They found that rats fed the American diet exhibited greater anxiety and gained more weight than rats which were fed either the Atkins diet or a control diet, which was low in both fat and sugar. . ."
Click here for complete article.
The Bride showing off her hard earned CrossFit frame.
At the altar (I bet Alan tried to do pull ups on the arch - or at least thought about it).
Jimmy, Jordan, The Groom, and Matt (pre drinks I am told).
Marnie, The Bride, and Michelle
Thanks to Michelle and Matt for the Pictures!
Alan and Nancy - We miss you guys - Can't wait to have you back, but there is no rush!
Posted by Jeremy Jones at 7:26 PM | Comments (36)
August 12, 2009
090812 WEDNESDAY "400m Repeats"
The class goes over the hang power snatch.
Olympic Weightlifting Warm Up: 30 medicine ball squat cleans. Thighs must go below parallel. Use a few sets and rest as much as you want. Advanced athletes can use a bar and go heavier.
Workout: 4 rounds.
Run 400m
Rest 2 minutes
Record times for each round.
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Video: ESPN's "Outside the Lines: Carry On"
The story of two best friends and their power to overcome the "challenges" of their lives to excel in sport and in life. Warning - this video is a tear jerker.
Click here to watch the video.
I just have to ask - what's your excuse for not training or missing your last workout? -jj
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Article: Optimism Appears To Lower Women's Risk Of Death, Heart Disease
". . .Race also appears to modify the relationship between optimism and death, with a stronger association seen in African-American women as compared to white women. Among African-American women, optimists (vs. pessimists) had a 33 percent lower risk of death across eight years of follow-up. Among white women, optimists (vs. pessimists) had a 13 percent lower risk of death. Researchers also found that optimists (as compared to pessimists) were more likely to be younger (especially in blacks); live in the Western United States; report higher education and income; be employed and have health insurance; and attend religious services at least once a week.
Optimists were less likely to have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or depressive symptoms, smoke, be sedentary or have a high body mass index. However, the relationship between optimism and heart disease and death persisted even after considering all of these factors. . ."
Click here for complete article.
Posted by Jeremy Jones at 12:34 AM | Comments (35)
August 9, 2009
090810 MONDAY "Happy Birthday Vickie!"
They aren't kickball champions, but they can make a mean human pyramid.
Workout: Back Squats
3, 3, 3, 3, 3
Post loads to comments.
Bonus Mini Metcon: (in honor of Vickie's 47th birthday)
4 rounds of
1 rope climb
7 box jumps (24" box)
17 double unders
Post time to comments.
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Video: Here is a Latvian named Konstantinovs squatting 727lbs "raw" (without aid of a 'suit' that assists in squatting).
Coincidentally, he "totals" (squat + bench press + deadlifts) 2,217 lbs. Just for reference here he is doing 55 consecutive pull ups:
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Did I mention he weighs 308 lbs?
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Article: People get happier as they age.
"Most people get happier as they grow older, studies on people aged up to their mid-90s suggest.
Despite worries about ill health, income, changes in social status and bereavements, later life tends to be a golden age, according to psychologists.
They found older adults generally make the best of the time they have left and have learned to avoid situations that make them feel sad or stressed. . ."
Click here for complete article.
My question is. . . Is it that people that live until their 90's have become 'happier' or is it that people have to learn to be 'happy' if they want to live until their 90's? -jj
Post thoughts to comments.
Posted by Jeremy Jones at 10:02 PM | Comments (43)
July 22, 2009
090722 WEDNESDAY
Running with the medicine ball looks like a ball of fun for all involved.
Olympic Weightlifting Warm Up: Strict press 5 reps. Push press 5 reps. Push Jerk 5 reps. Split jerk 5 reps. Start with the PVC or empty bar. Use the same weight for all sets. Try again with more weight if you feel comfortable with the movement.
Workout:
10 rounds for time.
10 pull ups
10 ring dips
Scale this workout down by doing less reps and using a harder band than you'd normally use (i.e. use a smaller band and do 10 sets of 5). This is a MUCH better way to scale for pull ups and ring dips than using more assistance and doing all 100 repetitions. Also, if you can do 10 - 15 repetitions in a row (without the bands for example), don't even think about using a band for this workout.
Post time to comments.
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Article: Stressed out parents may up asthma risk
". . . As expected, children exposed to more air pollution had a higher risk of asthma, but this risk was further increased if their parents were stressed and described their lives as "unpredictable", "uncontrollable" or "overwhelming". . . "
Click here for complete article.
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Make sure you email jeremy@diablocrossfit.com if you would like to go to the Concept 2 Rowing seminar this weekend at DCF. Space is limited, so reserve your spot right away! Go to our "Upcoming Events" page for more details.
Posted by Jeremy Jones at 12:14 AM | Comments (21)
July 20, 2009
090721 Tuesday
Sarah's shirt "Big Snatch" - "But I'm Still a Lady"
Olympic Weightlifting Warm Up: Power Snatch + Overhead Squat 15 reps (complete 1 power snatch to get the weight overhead, then perform one overhead squat. Set the weight down and start again). Use a light to moderate weight. Take your time.
Workout: 6 rounds.
Run 200m
Rest 1 minute
Post times to comments. (Compare to 400m repeat times. . . Check your 400m repeat times and try and maintain the same or better pace for these efforts -the 200s should take half the time as the 400s- There is less total distance here, but there is also less rest after each effort. Sprint hard, and try and maintain consistent numbers for each effort.)
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Article: The Fitness Spotlight gives a great article on goal setting.
"One of the biggest problems I see with people and their workouts is that they don’t actually have a tangible goal. They want to workout X number of times per week for Y number of minutes. But what does that mean? Does that mean walking on a treadmill? Or doing an hour of various weightlifting exercises (and which ones at what intensity)? Cardio-kickboxing? Beating on a punching bag? Running 15 miles?
Or they have goals like running a half-marathon in under 2 hours or squatting their bodyweight. But they have no plan to get there. Their efforts are haphazard and completely random. Unfortunately, without a set of goals and a plan to reach those goals, you never know where you’re going to end up. You’ll likely float from one thing to the next, never making any major progress because you never planned.
It’s time to set some goals and create a plan to reach them. . ."
Click here for complete article.
Posted by Jeremy Jones at 9:03 PM | Comments (32)
May 24, 2009
090525 MONDAY "Memorial Day"
+++7am workout and breakfast afterward. 11am - 2pm open gym and Barbecue (feel free to stop by and see the gym!)+++
Diablo CrossFit's Flag stands above every workout.
Workout:
Pick your favorite Hero WOD from CrossFit's FAQs.
Click here for a complete list.
Post workout and results to comments.
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Article:
Study - By nature people are naturally optimistic.
". . .Eighty-nine percent of individuals worldwide expect the next five years to be as good or better than their current life, and 95 percent of individuals expected their life in five years to be as good or better than their life was five years ago.
"These results provide compelling evidence that optimism is a universal phenomenon," said Matthew Gallagher, a psychology doctoral candidate at the University of Kansas and lead researcher of the study. . . "
Click here for complete article.
Post thoughts to comments.
Posted by Jeremy Jones at 8:46 PM | Comments (17)
April 29, 2009
090430 THURSDAY "Cindy"
+++DCF CLOSED THIS WEEKEND FOR NORCAL QUALIFIERS - Everyone should head down to Aromas and Cheer on your fellow DCFers!+++
We had quite a good turnout for out "Introduction to Elite Nutrition" Seminar. You can expect more seminars like this in the future.
Workout: "Cindy"
As many rounds as possible in 20 minutes:
5 pull ups
10 push ups
15 squats
Post number of rounds completed to comments.
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Article:
Depression linked to abdominal obesity (visceral fat).
". . .The researchers found a strong correlation between depression and visceral fat, particularly among overweight and obese women. The results were the same even when the analysis adjusted for other variables that might explain the accumulation of visceral fat, such as the level of physical activity. The study found no association between depressive symptoms and subcutaneous fat. The findings were the same for both black and white women.
Powell speculated that depression triggers the accumulation of visceral fat by means of certain chemical changes in the body – like the production of cortisol and inflammatory compounds – but said that more research is needed to pinpoint the exact mechanism."
Click here for complete article.
Post thoughts to comments.
Posted by Jeremy Jones at 8:45 PM | Comments (12)
March 2, 2009
090302 TUESDAY
+++Bike rides and Trail Runs every Saturday! See below for details.+++
On Friday, Diablo CrossFit had close to 20 people do "Murph" as prescribed. With more than 5 20lb weight vests, I never expected there to be a time when there would be a line for people waiting to do "Murph" (Bryan, Jesse, Craig-wearing a weighted belt, Shannon-raising the roof, and Holly).
Workout:
30 muscle ups for time.
If you cannot do a muscle up, perform 90 "chest to bar" pull ups and 90 "shoulders touching rings" dips. Partition the reps as needed.
Post time to comments.
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Article:
Unhappy children end up Un-well in later life.
Researchers found those described as "miserable" or "unhappy" by teachers were five times more likely to be off work through ill-health in middle age.They said these children were also likely to be more prone to depression.
Click here for complete article.
Post thoughts to comments.
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Saturday Bike Rides and Trail Runs!
With the help of our resident Triathlon Guru: Jan Maynard, Diablo CrossFit is going to be helping host and organize training for Triathlons for those DCFers who are interested. It is also a fun way for us to get some additional variety in our training by doing some swimming, cycling, and running outside of the gym.
Bike Rides
From Jan:
"This will be a weekly ride leaving from DCF at 8:00 sharp try to be there by 7:45. All levels welcome. It will be a "no drop ride" meaning you will not ride alone. We will start with shorter rides and work are way up in mileage through out the next couple months so that everyone can become comfortable riding in a group. If there is rain in the forecast please check the DCF web page the evening before in case the ride is canceled due to torrential down poor. Be safe and wear proper bike attire (helmet).
This week we will be riding up to the turnout on Cummings Sky Way. This ride has a couple of easy to moderate climbs and once you get on to Alhambra there is very little car traffic. There is no water at the turn around so make sure that you carry enough water and nutrition to get you trough a 2 hour ride. It is 25 miles round trip from DCF. Please email Jan directly if you are interested in coming out so that he has a idea of who is coming. See you all out there."
Click here for a Google map of the route
Trail Runs
From Jan:
"We will meet at the corner of Stage dr. and Reliez Valley Rd. at 2:45 and the run will start at 3:00pm. The loop is 6 miles of very hilly running, I will be keeping the group together. This run will likely take 1:30 min to complete and is 90% on trail. There is water 3 1/2 miles into the run. I will be running rain or shine every Saturday that I am in town. Any one that can run close to 6 miles are welcome, your pace doesn't matter."
Click here to see the trail loop.
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The "Tri for Fun" is a series of Triathlons in the Pleasanton area that many beginner and intermediate Triathletes enter. Some of you might remember that Stavros entered last year and fairly well (with little to no 'Triathlon' training).
Here are the details:
Tri for fun #1 6/20/09
Tri for fun #2 7/18/09
Tri for fun #3 8/15/09 http://onyourmarkevents.com/TriForFunInfo.htm
Tri For Real 9/20/09 http://onyourmarkevents.com/TriForRealInfo.htm
Post to comments if you are interested in the weekly rides, trail runs or doing some Triathlons this year.
Posted by Jeremy Jones at 10:44 PM | Comments (23)
February 28, 2009
090301 SUNDAY
A family that rows together, grows together (The Zuckermans).
Workout:
As many rounds as possible in 20 minutes.
30 Box Jumps (24" box)
20 GHD sit ups (or sub abmat sit ups)
100' Farmer Carries (53lb kbs)
Post number of rounds plus fractions of rounds to comments.
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A great observation by Boz of CrossFit San Francisco.
Consider this from Malcom Gladwell's research:
". . .a German team of psychologists published a similar study. They had a group of subjects look at cartoons, either while holding a pen between their lips--an action that made it impossible to contract either of the two major smiling muscles, the risorius and the zygomatic major-- or while holding a pen clenched between their teeth, which had the opposite effect and forced them to smile. The people with the pen between their teeth found the cartoons much funnier. Emotion doesn't just go from the inside out. It goes from the outside in. What's more, neither the subjects "assuming the position" nor the people with pens in their teeth knew they were making expressions of emotion. In the facial-feedback system, an expression you do not even know that you have can create an emotion you did not choose to feel. . ."
So next time you are facing a tough workout either alone or with a group. Don't fret the workout, just laugh at craziness of doing it. When suffering through it, grin with delight. You might just like the workouts even more than you already do.
And even if you don't. . . others around you might.
Posted by Jeremy Jones at 10:26 PM | Comments (6)
February 8, 2009
090209 MONDAY
Miles sometimes wonders why he keeps coming back.
Workout:
Power Clean - 5, 5, 5, 5, 5
Touch and go each rep (no resting on the floor for more than a split second).
Post loads to comments.
Mini Metcon after.
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Article: Buying experiences, more than buying material things, leads to greater happiness.
The study demonstrates that experiential purchases, such as a meal out or theater tickets, result in increased well-being because they satisfy higher order needs, specifically the need for social connectedness and vitality -- a feeling of being alive. . .
Click here for complete article.
Posted by Jeremy Jones at 9:10 PM | Comments (9)