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- The floors need to be mopped.
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- Who the hell is Mike Kelley?
Last night as Jeff was watching “So You Think You Can Dance” he asked, “When did you and Michael Kelley become such good friends?” I didn’t have an answer, as there was no one defining moment or turning point when we transitioned from friends to very good friends. (I might say best friends, but I’m not sure if Michael Kelley would reply in kind.)
I can say that one thing that contributes to my liking of Michael Kelley is that I am thoroughly enjoying the programming at CFZ. I like routine, but I get bored easily. (I know, right?) What makes the programming so effective is the routine, e.g., bench press every Wednesday, combined with variety, e.g., different grips, kettle bells, chains. I remain challenged, I continue to grow stronger, and, perhaps most importantly, I am seldom bored.
I also admire Michael Kelley’s form and technique when it comes to lifting, particularly Olympic lifting. In other words, he’s a pretty good coach. He’s certainly gotten better! He knows when to leave me the hell alone and when to provide coaching. He’s also discovered the type of coaching that works best for me, specifically clear and concise direction, e.g., “extend your hips,” “keep your back flat,” “chin over the bar”.
He also knows that I do not like being cheered for.
Perhaps most importantly, he doesn’t make me share, he doesn’t make me participate in partner or group WODS, and he often trusts me to – and lets me do – my own thing. Thanks, Michael Kelley; you’re my very best one of my best in the running for one of my best a very good friend.
The Back Lever Club has been infiltrated. Damn you and your passive-aggressiveness, Thomas.
Lauren, Thomas, and I (sans Michael Kelley) worked on vertical holds, back lever progressions, and deck squats.
I chose deck squats because they are a weakness of mine. Again, I have weaknesses, and I’ll be the first to point them out, bitches. (I made sure to not end that last sentence with a preposition.) It appears that I have little flexibility in my spine. If this is indeed the case, why do I then have a tendency to arch my back when doing overhead squats and handstand walks? Anyhow, I struggled with completing even one successful deck squat, as I stepped back with my right foot prior to standing upright on both feet.
Thomas provided unneeded – and unsolicited – coaching. Don’t do that, Thomas. His coaching began with “Let me tell you what your problem is”. Ha! Tread lightly, Thomas, or you will likely be kicked out of the club.
Nice job with 1-minute vertical hold, Lauren. A very good job with headstands, Tim. Do be sure to extend your hips. Thomas, let me tell you what your problem is with vertical holds: you’re a pussy. Don’t worry about falling on your head, as your ass will most likely break the fall. Hugs!
Next up for me was building skills. I completed 10 rounds of 10 wall balls using the 30# slam ball and 10’ target & 1, 5m (est.) handstand wall walk. As today’s focus was on form, I didn’t keep track of time to complete or keep track of rest time between rounds. I also didn’t count unsuccessful reps, and I had quite a few.
In fact, I couldn’t get it up. The slam ball, fools. Perhaps I wasn’t warmed up enough, but I was unable to reach the 10’ target until the 5th attempt of the first round. I also threw quite a few air balls. Again, no reps were counted.
I was bound and determined to conquer the deck squat, and I did just that. I completed 5 rounds of 10 reps, again only counting successful attempts. I was exceedingly pleased that I completed 10 unbroken reps the last round – and even jumped for the final rep.
