Big Horn WOD Bash

Y’all, I don’t even know where to begin with this one. I had such a great time on Saturday!

As I mentioned last week, Big Horn was doing a small competition at our box and for some crazy reason, I decided to participate. (And yes, I purposely chose the word participate instead of compete!) I’m always down for a new challenge and I knew three WODs in a single morning would leave me smoked. After all, I’ve only been doing this Crossfit thing for two months, and I usually do three WODs in an entire week!

Knowing that I was going to be hurtin’ later, I headed to Big Horn bright and early on Saturday morning. I went into the day just wanting to have fun, get a great workout in, and enjoy the morning. Simple enough!

The guys, mid-row!

The setup for the day was simple: men and women would be competing separately, beginning with the women. There were six female competitors, so we were divided into two heats. I was in the second heat along with Jess and Lisa, so I had a little bit of time to hang out and watch the first group of gals.

WOD #1: 8 minutes to establish a 1RM (one rep max) clean (power or squat).

I had learned how to do a power clean back during my second week at Big Horn, but hadn’t done them since. I knew the technique behind the skill, but hadn’t been allowed to do more than 45# at the time because I was just learning. In short, I went into this WOD with an open mind, figuring that it was going to be a PR no matter how well I did! I set a personal goal for myself that I wanted to break 100# so I was content with my final weight of 105# (although I know I can do better next time!) I loved watching Jess on this WOD because that girl is strong! She was working towards a PR of 150# and I found her so impressive!

Jess, cranking out her million-pound power clean
And me. Wearing my Reebok Bahiam Printed Top, Chase Capris, and Nano 2.0

The 105# power clean placed me in third place for the first WOD, behind Lisa and Jess. This meant the three of us would be together again for WOD #2!

WOD #2:ย 
(15 minute time limit)

Five rounds for time of:
Run 200 meters
10 Thrusters @ 55#

Again, I had minimal experience with thrusters so this WOD kinda freaked me out! I had done them before with Julie Foucher at Crossfit One, but we had only used 15# dumbbells. I wasn’t sure how I felt about 55#, but decided to give it a shot. I was allowed to scale down the weight, but that would mean that I wasn’t allowed to place overall since it would be modifying the WOD. Not so surprisingly, I am very competitive with myself, and I decided to use my favorite mantra and suck it up, buttercup!

Marilyn, cranking out some thrusters!

As expected, the running portion of this WOD wasn’t that awful for me but sure as shit, the thrusters annihilated me! Y’all aren’t joking– those suckers are hard! I don’t remember my final time, but I think it was somewhere around 12 minutes. Once I again, I placed third for the second WOD.

WOD #3:ย 
(22 minutes time limit)

For time:
50 Air Squats
40 Ring Rows
30 Sit-ups
20 Hand-Release Push-Ups
10 Burpee Box Jumps @ 20″
Row 1000 meters
10 Burpee Box Jumps @ 20″
20 Hand-Release Push-Ups
30 Sit-Ups
40 Ring Rows
50 Air Squats

Like how I look like I’m just standing there while everyone else around me works their asses off?!

Of the three WODs, this one was my favorite! I am still learning a lot of the weight lifting skills so I am most comfortable when the workout involves lots of cardio and body weight stuff. I told myself that I just wanted to finish within the allotted time, so I knew that it would come down to pacing myself appropriately. On its own, I definitely could’ve chipped my way through this WOD a lot quicker, but after the prior two workouts, my arms were shot! This became crazy evident when I reached the last 40 ring rows. Near as I could tell, my entire upper body was ON FIRE!

This is why Lisa got first: look at her cranking out box jumps…and look at me suffering behind herย 

I ended up placing second in the final WOD, behind Lisa who is truly awesome. I loved having her ahead of me (for all three WODs!) because it was like my own personal challenge. I even told her that she was my “rabbit” like they have for dogs at a race track: I just tried to keep on chasin’ her down!

So how did I do?

That’s right! Third place overall for the ladies. I was quite content with that, especially because I had zero expectations of myself.

Tom (2nd), Jason (1st), and JR (3rd)
Mary, Marilyn and Feliz

Jess (2nd), Lisa (1st), and Me (3rd)

More importantly, the day was seriously a blast y’all. I got to know quite a few people that workout in the evening when I’m not there, so that was nice to see some new faces. Everyone was so supportive and encouraging that it made me excited for Big Horn’s next WOD bash!

********************
Have you ever done a competition like this?
It was SO different from any half marathons or triathlons that I’ve done in the past. Even with dance competitions, the spectators and judges are far away from you so that you don’t really see or acknowledge them until later. This was different because we each had a personal judge that ensured each rep was executed properly…..although my judge came in handy during the last WOD when I was far too tired to count my own reps!

19 Comments

  • Reply Ali Mc at

    Heather!!!! this is AMAZING! I really want to be there with you = that barbell pic of you is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I have never done any big weight workouts….I’d love to try!

    • Reply Colorado Gal at

      You should give it a shot! I never had till 8 weeks ago and there is a different type of satisfaction that comes out of when compared to running a longer distance, etc.

  • Reply Courtney @ Journey of a Dreamer at

    This is SO great! I love that you jumped right in to a competition…. and 105# after only doing cleans once? Wowsa! You’re one strong mama! I’ve been crossfitting for 6 months now and just getting up to 95-100 area. So proud of you!

  • Reply Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers at

    Way to go! You rocked it. ๐Ÿ™‚ I haven’t tried “real” crossfit, but I enjoy doing occasional WODs in the comfort of my regular gym.

  • Reply Kovas Palubinskas at

    I just started, so I’m a long way from competing, but it is really cool that you jumped in and then rocked it!

  • Reply Christi at

    Woo hoo!

  • Reply Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb at

    You are amazing. Don’t you love when you go into something open-minded and come out a winner?

  • Reply Ed at

    Wow you are looking pretty hardcore in those photos! Keep it up!

  • Reply Kayla Carruth @ kpLoving It at

    I bet the other girls were jealous that you just waltzed in there and took a medal, being the newby and all!!

    One of my crossfit girlfriends who is a total boss in the gym just got Rhabdomyolosis last week from working out too hard……so be careful pushing yourself out there!!!

  • Reply Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog at

    Awesome job and you looked great in your outfit. i would love crossfit, i just wish i lived closer to town to get to do it easily, maybe when both kids are in school next year.. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Reply Neon Blonde Runner at

    Congrats!!! You are amazing….you just starting and you accomplished so freakin’ much!

  • Reply lynnb1984 at

    Way to go! So impressive!

  • Reply Bean at

    Way to go! I like reading about all your crossfit adventures.

  • Reply Suz and Allan at

    Great job Heather! It sounds like you have really found something that works for you with Crossfit and you always sound so excited about the WODs even when they are brutal. I honestly think you are probably the most well-rounded person I know when it comes to different areas of fitness. You never cease to amaze me girl!

  • Reply lgsmash.com at

    i love that the weights match your shoes! congrats on your finish – you didn’t just participate – you competed!

  • Reply Crystal Rhyno at

    Congratulations! Sounds like you had a blast!

  • Reply Alyssa at

    Third place is amazing! You really outdid yourself! Nice work!

  • Reply Big Horn’s Bring-a-Friend CrossFit Competition - Just a Colorado Gal at

    […] Horn puts together two in-house competitions each year: the Big Horn WOD Bash in December and this Bring-A-Friend competition in May. In essence, ten teams are allowed to […]

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