- PR Fitness co-owner, Jeff Porter, improved his "Helen" (CrossFit WOD) time by 90 seconds last week. In addition, he did it with a heavier kettlebell. Last time around, he used a 35# kettlebell, this time around, the 50#. That is a huge improvement, especially considering the 15# increase on the KB. Good job, Jeff!
- Yours truly had 2 PR's last week. On Monday I improved my Deadlift 1 RM 5#, then on Saturday, had a PR for 10K run. I would like to claim a PR on my 15K time (which was my fastest 15K), however, I can't say it was legit as Joe and I (who I was running with), stopped at the 10K mark to regroup with the rest of our Indy Mini training team. While we were clipping along at a pretty good pace, I had no intentions of setting a PR, which is often how it happens - just putting in a good effort without concern for time. This allows you to relax and flow, rather than getting tense and stressed about going faster or claiming a PR. What I find interesting, from an Exercise Physiologist/Coach perspective, is that these improvements took place at two opposite ends of the physiological spectrum - 1RM and endurance (and at a body weight that is 5# less than last time I did 1RM deadlifts, which typically hurts your 1RM lifts). Generally, it is accepted that in order to gain strength, you sacrifice endurance and vice-versa. To a point, this is true, especially for specialist athletes. However, for the well rounded athlete, who consistently trains all metabolic pathways, you can continue to excel without such sacrifices. If I wanted to be a running specialist or power lifting specialist, then sure, I would have to forfeit certain components of fitness, however, this is the the very reason I've chosen to train in an integrated fashion over the last 13 years, rather than become another "fringe athlete".
Be Well,
Chris
