What is it about men and bench pressing?
I had a great day at CFZ, including a squat clean PR and a solid metcon. Here goes…
I arrived @ 9:15 and had the box to myself until 10:30 when Michael Kelley and Tom arrived.
I warmed up by practicing snatch form, and then moved to full squat cleans. I lifted reps of 75, 95, 105, & 115, and then singles of 125, 135, 145, 155 & 165 — a new PR by 5#. I had three failed attempts at 170# and then called it a day. I kept telling myself, “Drop under the bar,” but to no avail. Next time, perhaps.
I did record all of the single lifts, and I can’t believe how deeply I’m squatting. What a difference from a year ago!
I next practiced 15’ rope climbs, and am starting to get the feel of things. It did dawn on me (when I was 15’ in the air) that perhaps I shouldn’t practice rope climbs when I was the only one in the box.
Michael Kelley and Tom set up benches for folks to sit upon as Michael Kelley explained the Westside Barbell programming that we begin tomorrow. I set up my yoga mat and a slam ball to rest my body and head upon, respectively. Michael Kelley did a much better job presenting than I thought he would, perhaps because my expectations were so very low. Ha! Someone asked far too many questions, and Michael Kelley could’ve perhaps said, “I’ll discuss this with you later.” Or that individual could’ve stopped asking so many damn questions.
I fell asleep once, but only for a brief moment.
Conditioning
AFAAFAP (As Fast And As Fabulous As Possible)
30 burpee muscle-ups
My goal was to not have any failed attempts; thus, I paced myself to ensure that all muscle-ups were successful. There were quite a few people doing various activities around me, so I tried to be as unassuming and as quiet as possible. While exhausting and challenging, I also rather enjoyed this metcon, and completed in 6:56.
For whatever reason, straight men often feel comfortable asking me any number of odd questions. Luca, formerly known as Newbie, asked, “Would I be considered a bear?” Luca is a big, somewhat burly man. I asked, “Do you mean would you be considered a bear by gays?” He sarcastically replied, “No, by straights.” I said, “You’d be considered ugly by straights, and very ugly by gays.” I then explained that yes, he’d likely be considered a bear. “What about Michael Kelley?” Luca asked. “He’s a cub,” I replied.
Michael Kelley was then kind enough to provide some coaching for butterfly pull-ups. Thank you, Michael Kelley! I’m finding it hard to hate you. Sometimes I’m just finding it hard.
