Sunday, November 26, 2006

WoDout

Jackie
For Time:
1000m row
50 thrusters, 45lbs
30 pullups

It took around 20 minutes. I expected it to be about that, but was trying to get a little quicker, say around 15. Just the row was 3:56, it was the pull-ups that killed me. I didn't push too hard on the thrusters because the workout on Friday had a lot of interval-type leg work. Afterwards I played around in the pool a bit.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Friday, November 24, 2006

Workout

Sure can't call it a bloody WoD! Apparently being ill has effected me more than I thought!

Kelly
X5 Rounds for time:
400m run
30 box jump
30 wall-ball, 20lbs

I did four rounds in 35 minutes with a 12lb ball. Craaaapola. The box jumps were fine, and the intervals weren't bad considering it was on a treadmill. (Bleh).
After that I did some swimming intervals...nothing heavy or too intense, almost like playing in the water as much as anything else.

Lord, please give me one whole month that work, illness, injury, or life in general does not interfere with getting back into shape...please? Just one?

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Mugshots

When GeoCities decides that I've no longer exceeded my data transfer limit, here are some pics of squadron PT. There's also a picture of my handsome face (gag) since a few of ya'll have been asking to see me for a while. (Hey...you got what you asked for.... :P).








Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Values? Questions?

Yesterday I was whining about my life to a friend and she pretty much stopped me cold with "Dude, put away the streamers and stop your pity party." Hahahah...that's precisely what I needed to hear. Thanks! There's also a song on another friend's myspace profile that is haunting...it asks all the questions that I'm to afraid to face on a daily basis, and is challenging every time I hear it.

Since the song and the conversation (and honestly, on and off now for a while), I've been thinking about what my values are. Where does my heart lay? Where are my thoughts centered? Where is my focus? What ARE my desires, anyway?

There are four things that are at the top of the list. I can't really say that one is higher than another since they cycle in and out a lot. Oh, and I'm not whining this time...ha...just wondering, thinking out loud if you will. After three days I've managed to keep down a bagel, and I feel way to good to whine. Much. :P

God. I guess this question is obvious. Every believer is going to think it. Recently (as in, recent memory, past few months) most of my thoughts have been on judgement. I catch myself feeling like crap for not being able to either not sin, or not integrate myself into a church, or whatever. There has been very little consideration of grace and peace the past few months. I've also noticed that somewhere I stopped obeying out of joy and started obeying out of a sense of obligation, and grudgingly.

People. How can I better serve the people around me? It's easy when you're involved with a church 'ministry' of some sort, but I'm not, and it doesn't appear likely that I will be soon. How can I treat people with grace and humility, and not the arrogance that has come out lately? Hmmm. How do I trust? When do I trust? Who do I trust?

Passions. Where are my true desires? Which ones do I pursue first? For about seven years my burning passion was to serve in a church...and honestly, it's more like an ember now. I've discovered an honest and just as intense desire for other things as well. Fitness (primarily helping other people achieve it), writing, and if I cross-train I'm sure my new job would compete, at least for a while. Doing justice for evil and protecting the innocent are in here, too...but there is a trap in that, and that trap is desire to do violence.

Women. Ha. I've ranted enough here that there isn't anything else I need to say, I think.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Divine Intervention?

Earlier today I was looking for some Scripture to read. I still don't have a devotional guide or anything...I've been constantly disappointed in those recently.

So, I prayed and asked the Lord to give me something simple - something that won't hurt my head with heavy theologies but would still bring me closer to him. I'm struggling a little bit with reading right now, and not just the Bible...I've got a headahce, my stomach hurts, and I'm tired, but not nearly tired enough to go to sleep.

The first thing I clicked on was this:

The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out.

-Prov 30:1

Ha. Imagine that. I read the rest of it, too. Thank you, Father!

Ewwww....

Wow, the past couple of days have really been crappy!

At around 10 o'clock Sunday I night I started a four-hour bout with vomiting and diarrhea. Eww. Near the end I was retching so hard I couldn't support myself afterwards. At about two or so I called Katie and asked her to take me to the hospital, and she did. I certainly wasn't about to try and drive myself there, that's for sure.

When we got there, the waiting room was almost empty. They got me a room shortly after arriving. The nurse showed up, did the initial exam, and I waited around to vomit again...afterwards she hooked me up to the IV and I sat there to wait for the doc. As she was going through this she apologized for nearly every time she had to touch me. I thought it was kinda funny, but was also grateful for her consideration. Normally I would have been a little...uh...agitated...because I don't normally like to be touched unless it's someone I trust. By that point I was to far gone to care.

Then the doc showed up. She was cuuuute! Hahah. I had complained about severe abdominal pain (mostly from the retching), so she had to lift up my shirt and poke my belly and back a few times to make sure it wasn't appendicitis or kidney stones or anything of that sort. She didn't apologize for it either...which is probably a good thing, since I nearly told her she could poke me all she wanted. Ha! After that I was shot up full of drugs and didn't remember the next few hours. Poor Katie was there the WHOLE time...trying to sleep in a freezing cold lobby. Why are lobbies always so stinkin' cold?

So, after a while I woke up and the doc came back to give me the results. Which, in short, were no results. They couldn't identify what it was other than a possible food poisoning or infection. Why do I always get the unnamed, unidentified illnesses, anyway?

After she left the nurse came back and shot me full of Loritab and some antibiotics. She told me I needed to start changing again pretty soon because it would knock me out pretty quick. Hahaha!!! I should have changed first. When she left, I started changing in the room...and the door was open!! I heard somebody walk by and realized what the heck I was doing. It was HILARIOUS!!! :P

After that the nurse wheeled me out to the guardian angel on duty and she drove me home. I remember rambling something about Gatorade and 7-Eleven, and maybe a few other things, but that's about it. As soon as I hit the sack I was OUT.

Well, that's my adventure for the weekend. How was yours?

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Some thoughts....

I very nearly fell asleep in church today! Ru-roh...perhaps it would have been better to go to the late service, I don't know. Sometime during the course of the sermon I thought I heard Psalm 4 mentioned, but it's not the same Psalm 4 I remember hearing about. So. I figured, eh, what the heck, I need to get in the Word a bit and since this Psalm is short (and I currently have the attention span of a three-year old), maybe this will do! All notes are from various commentaries and maybe a few thoughts that occured to me while studying.

Psa 4:1-8
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah. But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD. There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!" You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.


Psalm 4:1-8
(1) To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
One commentary suggested that this Psalm was written in conjunction with Absalom's rebellion, but the other did not.
David addresses himself to God. Answer ("Hear" in KJV) = anaw in Hebrew, by implication means "respond." Righteousness = tsedeq, means right (naturally, morally or legally), also equity or prosperity if taken abstractly or figureatively. (I'm not quite sure how to take Hebrew in an abstract sense...so take that with a grain of salt!)
Something interesting to note...if you read carefully, you'll see that David acknowledges that God answers prayers out of his mercy (Be gracious) and not our merits (God of my righteousness).

(2) O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah.
Wow...I feel your pain, buddy. This reminds me of work.
In the KJV, 'honor' is rendered 'glory.' Glory, at least in this case, is written 'kabod kabod'in Hebrew. I don't know why kabod is repeated twice, but that's how it's written, so that's how I'm going to write it. Kabod kabod is "properly" defined as 'weight,' and when in a good sense, can be figurately taken as 'splendor' or copiousness.' The opposite is 'kelimmah': disgrace, confusion, dishonor, shame. Love is rendered 'ahab aheb': to have affection for, sexually or otherwise. This fascinates me...was a word to describe physical affection used to describe the love these men had for vanity and lies? It was that strong? Or am I taking this out of context? Also, 'vain words'is rendered as 'vanity,'and is defined as emptiness. Huh. They love emptiness and deceit that much? Well I guess so. In the KJV 'seek after lies' is rendered 'seek after leasing.' In this case 'seek after' means specifically in worship or prayer. Of course leasing means falsehood and untruth. So, they were worshipping idols, or perhaps they just have such a strong love of deceit and vanity that it became a form of self worship?

(3) But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
VERY interesting verse...hmmmmm.....
Know = 'yada', properly, to ascertain by seeing. There appear to be about a zillion other uses for this word, too. LORD = An indication of the Name of God, given to Moses by God himself. Rendered here as all capitals to denote a difference between LORD and Adonai (which is as much title as name). Set apart = palah: Distinguish, (literally or figuratively), also put a difference, show marvellous, seperate, set apart, sever, make wonderfully. Godly = chasiyd, or pious. Hear = shama: hear intellgently. (Listens?) So, the LORD sets apart the Godly for himself, hears their prayers, and it is obvious to those who see it.

(4) Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah.
Angry = ragaz; literally, to quiver (with any violent emotion). Ponder in your own hearts is 'commune with your heart' in the KJV. Commune is 'amar'. Amar is say, as in say to your heart.

Got to go for now, I'll finish later if possible.


Saturday, November 18, 2006

Uncle Rhabdo

Okay, so instead of EDITING the last post, I got lazy and decided I'd rather just make a new one. :)

Total time 3:40:00

Half Marathon Row: 2:00:22

JT + Cals:
40 mins (ish)
I actually got eight handstand pushups. :) Not nearly as many as I used to be able to do but better than none. After I couldn't do those anymore I used 135, 105 and 95 lb barbells to do a one rep push-press or military press (whichever one felt the safest at the time). All dips were assisted.

Total
Swim 500 yards (not meters, my mistake): About 15 minutes or so. I did it in 100 and then 150 yard intervals.
Longest distance: 35ish yards
Two assisted (walls of pool) mask recovery cycles.

As I was transitioning to the underwater portion, I met a new friend. He's about eight years old and had a ball trying to race me down the pool as I did the underwater portion. I'll admit that I had fun, too. :) I thought about ignoring him and pressing on (since it was going to hurt my time), but eh, what the heck, people are more important anyway.

I did have another chance to review the idea that I am really wanting a family of my own. Up until now I've never actually thought about it, to be honest - finding a girl that would put up with me seemed challenging enough. Over the past few months God has revealed to me that women are his business, not mine, and that I'm better off just waiting for His will. As hard as that seems to be, I'm trying, and now the whole "family" idea has to be added to the list, too. That's not as hard though, at least not yet.

I just pray that He gives me the faith and patience to wait on Him and not do something eternally foolish. Adios!

Goals for today.....

SOOO....here are my WoD goals today. I'll edit the post with a time to completion for each and for the total when they are completed.

Half-marathon distance row (21000 or so meters, I'll post it when I figure it out!)

JT
For Time:
21-15-9
Handstand Push-Ups
Ring Dips (no rings, so just dips)
Push-Ups

Five rounds to completion:
10 Flutter Kicks, four count
10 Scullies

Fin Swim, 500m

Underwater distance, four times, longest distance

Two complete mask recovery cycles (recover, don, replace, no assistance from side of pools if possible)

REST!!!!

Prayers.... :)

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

WoDerful

Today:

Run, about .70 miles

60 pullups
60 dips
One jumping muscle-up

I didn't even bother trying the entire 120 pull-ups and dips. Ha. Nope. Not at this stage. I did almost learn how to kip, though, and had a few other "cheater" versions of both pull-ups and dips.

The run was more to test the waters than anything else. I realized last week that my legs are completely deconditioned to running anything longer that 400m. Funny - I can run multiple 1:30 400's with dumbbell snatches in between, but not three miles nonstop at any speed. Huh.

Monday, November 13, 2006

WoDaholic

Today:

Thruster, 3-2-2-2-1-1-1-1-1

95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 155

Maxed out at 165, I did the squat for 175 and couldn't get the bar above my head. Considering this is the first time I've lifted anything more than about 45lbs (or body weight) I was mostly pleased. Certainly not the best I've done, but much better than what I expected to be able to do.

After that I decided to 1RM on back squats. Got up to 265 and literally could not get back out of the squat position...hahaha...I'm lucky nothing broke. I fell forward inside the squat cage and the safety rack caught the bar. I'm pretty sure that I've never been so thankful for being short in my life!! Being a little taller would have snapped my spine and rolled it up like a window shade.

After that was form practice for cleans, overhead squat and standing military press (45lb bar).

I noticed the all-knowing hooligans at the gym replaced the perfectly functional squat-rack with this HUGE monstrosity made by Hammer Strength. How stupid!! Sheesh. This thing is literally NINE FEET tall and looks like it could withstand being hit by a Mack truck. It's not adjustable either...you need tools to lower or raise the bar rack that you lift from. The friggin pull-up station (can't call it a bar) has more handles than Isaac Asimov's imagination and is completely useless because it is nine feet off the ground. Even the super-sized steps that are supposed to assist leave at least two-three feet for me to jump before I can use the bars.
I mean seriously, who is going to need a device like this? I've seen ONE, as in UNO, guy that literally squatted 700lb+ for REPS...but who in this area is going to need something that looks like it can withstand 2,000lbs or more? We don't even have barbells that are rated for that kind of weight!
Personally, I think it's the "little man" syndrome on a convoluted scale. No matter how big you are, when you step inside this cage, you automatically see that everything is over sized and huge. Way to play your customer's psyche, Hammer Strength. Sheesh.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Strong - Sad

Today's WoD was modified from The Seal Quest, which was modified from...you guessed it...Crossfit!

Three rounds for time:
800m run
10 pull-ups
20-push-ups
30 squats

After the WoD I did some swimming. Nothing serious, just playing around more than anything. I ended up doing underwater fin swims for endurance (37 yards total) and one mask recovery cycle (everything on the bottom, packed up - retrieved it, put it on, put it back on the bottom).

I saw a family in the pool, too - husband, wife and son. The son was cute as a button, he couldn't have been more than five or six and was just learning to swim. I watched a little bit and realized that I very much want a son to raise. I almost dove headlong into the pool of depression but realized that if I was supposed to have a family, there would be one...right now God has called me elsewhere. My prayer is that I desire the things He desires, and that I reject the things He rejects, and that He forms me to be in the likeness of His will.

Adios.

Friday, November 10, 2006

MechWoD

Today I realized just how much I'm out of friggin shape. OMW...got to get pushing. At the bottom of the pool today I decided I'd do a type of "triathalon" type thing.

500 yard swim
3 miles run
2000m row

It took me nearly 60 bloody minutes. During the run I had to stop to walk at least four times. Not because my circulatory system was overtaxed, but because my legs were stiff. Like, rock-stinkin-hard stiff. Near-injury stiff. Poop! I can run multiple 1:30 intervals but I can't run three miles straight? Sheesh.
I'm not TOO worried about it though...in a month of steady running (like, one or two miles a day) I'll be able to go on for a good long while. Just gotta get those legs used to the pounding.

On a better note, I saw something VERY encouraging today. As I finished my harvest grain and nut pancakes (YUM! And without syrup, thank you KT!), I saw an elderly guy with his daughter leaving. Coming through the door was another elderly lady using a walker. The guy actually held the door for her! And waited until she got through it! I haven't seen that for ages. Way to go!

Thursday, November 09, 2006

WoDaholic

Today's WoD was the same that I gave to the squadron for PT.

10 Jumping Jacks (four count)
10 Dive Bomber Push-ups
10 Jumping Jacks
10 Dive Bombers
10 Jumping Jacks
5 Rotating Pushups (eight count)
10 Jumping Jacks
5 Rotating Pushups

Superman, two sets, 5? and 10? seconds respectively

Butt Kicks, 30 sec
Squat Jumps, 30 sec
Butt Kicks, 30 sec
Squat Jumps, 30 sec
High Knees, 30 sec
Calf Walk, 10 steps (about 15-20 second before everybody was done)
High Knees, 30 sec
Calf Walk, 10 steps (ditto)

Plank, 30 seconds

Scullies X5
Flutter Kicks X10, four count
Crunches, 20 sec
Scullies X3
Flutter Kicks X10, four count
Crunches, 20 sec

Burpees, 3 mins for reps

Overhead squat (without weight, just the movement), holding the pose for 10/15/20 seconds.

Somebody told me today that I'd probably be nominated for PT Leader of the Quarter Award. I was suprised by that. It almost made me angry...I've been a PT leader for a total of THREE PT sessions and I'm that great? Yeah. I'm sure. I can think of at least one other person that deserves that award infinitley more than I do, but because I'm the one that everybody sees during PT, it's me that is thought about. That is POOP I tell you, POOP. If I have a choice, I'm turning it down. Being nominated for doing my job three times??? Uh, no. Give it to somebody that deserves it.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

Or lack thereof.

Whew, I really need a break. Not because I've been working so hard (even though the past three weeks have been pretty busy at work), I'm just spent.
This semester of school started back in August, and I ended up having to drop or withdrawl from both classes. I've been 'out-of-pocket' four times since then, not to mention the every other day schedule of other duties. Earlier this week I'd decided enough was enough and gave up the ghost on schooling for this semester.

The past couple of weeks have also been one emotional roller coaster after another. The new-found volunteer work left me sick and weeping the first night, but after that, eager to see the tasks ahead completed. I hope to enjoy the fruits of this labor soon, but it won't be soon enough, no matter how quickly that time arrives. Work has been suprisingly easy despite the crap that normally happens...God has given me an extra measure of grace, I suppose. (Thanks for your prayers!! :})

Devotionals and quiet times are sucking right now, big time. I bought a Bible study guide...uh...last week I think. The second lesson mentioned "the eons necessary for the Creation to take effect" and I slammed it shut in disgust. Haven't had the inclination to search for another one.

Church attendance sucks, too. There are still a few issues I'm dealing with that threaten to wreck my faith, and this is one of them. Sitting through a sermon has hardly ever interested me when I'm perfectly capable of buying (and using) the same commentaries the pastor uses. I've struggled with that ever since being a Christian, now that I think about it. There's just a little bit of pride there, I'm sure, and frustration, too. The thing I miss is the "church" of fellowship. A friend invited me over to her house a couple of weeks ago and it was a great time - practically the first time in months that I'd been able to do something like that.

That's pretty much it for now. I've been up since 0330 and I'm pooped. Out.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

WoDish

Today:

Five rounds for time:
500m row
30 thrusters, 45lbs
10 GHD sit-ups
5 pull-ups

Yesterday was rest.

I have no bloody idea what I did before that but there were at least two days of workouts. Ha.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Man Rules

G'day!

I've noticed a serious trend the past couple of days. Males I'm around seem to not be following the established man-rules for society, so I'm going to post them for a review.

Man-Space:
At least one seat seperation required in all circumstances when males are involved. If no seperation is possible, complain about it or wiggle defensively like a hen trying to settle down on her nest. No references to hens allowed while complaining. If females are involved, more than one seat away is a no-no.

Urinals:
Okay buddy...look up or down, that's it. There are FIFTEEN bloody urinals in here and just TWO of us...what the crap?!?

Observe the man-space...no middle-man ops, either.

Nakedness:
Dude, seriously, if you're naked in the locker room I AM NOT going to have a conversation with you. Just forget about it. Nu-uh. If you sit next to me, expect to get hit in the face. Hard. Like with a rock or something.

Hugs:
Okay, this one is easy. Male-male hugs are ok as long as it is the man-hug - one around around, patting back; the other grasps hand in front. Anything else is out.

Women:
Dude, seriously. Hey, I KNOW I'm a hot commodity...you apparently aren't aware that she is, so if you aren't going to treat her like it then I'll be more than happy to. Comprende? Good!

Food:
If you can't pronounce the name of the dish, it's date food or you've made it yourself. No exceptions!
Chips will be served with man-dip (unless a lady is invovled), which consists of A) cheese, meat and salsa or B) peppers so hot you can't taste the cheese, meat and salsa.

Dancing:
Dancing is permissible if it is with a lady or (for a limited amount) for practice.

Cleaning:
Clean, dry, and functional, those are allowed (necessary really). Spending all Saturday afternoon scrubbing the kitchen floor while wearing yellow gloves and a hairpiece...uh, NO.

Shoes:
One for running, one for lifting, one for climbing, one for every day and one for special occasions. Duplicates are allowed as long as a testosterone analysis is completed at a registered testing facility and the results are clearly posted in the immediate vicinity of the shoes. If your shoes are hung on the closet door in a cute little space-saver, there's no need to complete the test since the results are probably erroneous (or maybe not).

Clothes:
Okay, this is a subject of much contention. Here it is in a simplified version: Fashionable clothes are allowed for the same reason that peacocks have feathers, comprende? (ref: Women) If the word 'cute' is used, you have an immediate no-go. Period.

Shopping:
You will go to the store, buy what you need, leave. In that order. Spending more than five minutes deciding on a shirt or trying on more than one pair of anything (other than shoes, see above) is considered inappropriate behavior and will be noted.

Weaponry:
You WILL own one piece of semi-lethal or lethal (preferred) weaponry as soon as legally and financially allowable. If it is a firearm, you WILL stockpile ammunition. If it is a bladed weapon, you WILL NOT play with it in the house (or around small animals). If it is a blunt object, you WILL practice bludgeoning techniques (or cutting things, if it's a blade). Though practicing on friends does provide a moving target, it is NOT recommended.

Quiet gentleness is not to be confused with docile femnicity. I can still bash your face in. Remember that. :)

WoDerful!

For time:

1000m row
40 db swings, 30lbs
30 push-press, 45lbs
20 pullups
30 push-press
40 db swings
1000m row

Friday, November 03, 2006

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Changing Perspectives

I've been blessed to lead squadron PT a couple of times now, and have noticed a few interesting things.
Of course any PT session I lead is going to be very Crossfittish...none of this "Up, one, up, two," crap. Nu-uh. I've sent out the PT plan to the squadron so nobody gets blindsided by the workouts. (I'm trying to be nice!) Apparently the first time I sent it out people were talking about it for days...thinking I'm crazy or something. In truth, our incredibly hard working and very good-looking UFPM did have to reign me in a couple of times...I can't help getting excited though!!
Some people are genuinely interested. It's totally new to them and they like being fit, so it's an eye-opening experience. Other people could care less. The truly funny, and frustrating, are the ones that see something different and immediately cry "Safety!! That's dangerous!!" Like today, doing an equivalent to box jumps...someone complained about safety. It's a stupid box jump. You jump on the platform. You jump off the platform. How hard is it? Anyway. My ramblings are done for now! Adios.
Today's WoD:
5 rounds
Swim one length, 10 sit-ups, unassisted
Swim one length, 10 push-ups

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

BEWARE.
You know who you are...you don't know me. I know what you do. I see you in your vivid imaginations, I see your perversions spilling the blood of innocents. I will wait for you...you, the predator; and now you, the prey. My prey. When you are found, you are mine; God will grant you mercy, I will not. You are warned.
BEWARE.