Holding my own

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Cindy

Cindy holds in the ring pullup position So… I was out back watering the plants tonight when I glanced up at the rings hanging from that brand spankin’ new pullup bar. There was nothing around to give me a boost to the bar, so I figured I would do a couple of jumping pullups on the rings.

I jumped, and I held it. And held it. And held it.

OMG! I ran in the house to tell Andy, because that is seriously the first time I’ve been able to do that. I dragged him out after Luke was in bed to take a picture — just to document the moment. It’s hard to tell from the picture that my feet really ARE off the ground or that I held it for at least 10 seconds.

Of course, I know it’s not the same as doing that on a bar, because my arms are in a different position with the rings.

By the way, those are homemade rings that Andy rigged up a while ago. PVC pipe covers part of the chain. Not as nice as real rings, but a heckuva lot cheaper.

There’s not much to report from Kung Fu today. We did some Push hands and I was asked to teach the new black belts Pa Qua section 2. I felt pretty uncomfortable doing this, as I don’t feel I’m qualified to be teaching any of the internal arts, but I did the best I could. I didn’t screw it up too much. I had to leave early anyway because of work.

My pullup goal

Posted on August 25, 2009 by Cindy

My kipping pullup goal On the advice of my coach, I set a firm goal for doing a kipping pullup, wrote down my goal, and put it in a place I would see often.

In my case, it’s taped to a computer monitor in my office.

Doing a pullup has long been a goal of mine. I set it as a new year’s resolution in 2008, but even though I tried, I did not meet my goal.

This year is different. I’m feeling real results. And now that I’m using a band, I feel closer to being able to do a pullup than ever.

A kipping pullup is not the same as a strict pullup, but that doesn’t diminish it as a movement. And I want to be able to do one.

At first, I set my goal for March 1 — my one year Crossfit anniversary. “What?! You can do it WAY before then!” Zach said when I told him.

“December 1, then.”

“Hell, yeah! You can do it…”

So tonight I wrote it down and taped it up.

Now, it’s up to me.

Success! Pullup bar is finished

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Cindy

Andy does a half muscle up on the bar

I love this photo. Andy tried out our new pullup bar this evening after taking the ropes off and making sure the concrete had set. Next step — boxes. I know Andy plans on making at least 1 at 21″, but I wouldn’t object to a second at 24″.

Today was Kung Fu day, and even though I had to leave early because of work, I was glad for the time on the mat. We worked on Pa Qua — a review I desperately needed. It’s been weeks since I have had an opportunity to practice all 8 sections.

It was a very easy day for me. I’ve spent nearly a week resting, and I needed it. The last week has been emotionally challenging for me. Usually I turn to exercise to help channel my energies into a positive place, but this time, my body needed rest.

Tomorrow is Crossfit day, and I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things.

Building a pullup bar

Posted on August 23, 2009 by Cindy

The pullup bar

My boys spent the bulk of the day putting up a pullup bar in the backyard. We’ve had the materials for what seems like ages, but it was only today that there was enough time for Andy to dig the holes, put up the posts and the bar, and mix the concrete.We set the bar about 8 feet off the ground.

We’re planning to build a
box so that I’ll be able to reach the bar and put up a band. Andy can
jump to the height of the bar.

I need a stool to reach the bar, but it’s what I want. I don’t want either of us to worry about hitting our feet on the ground. That’s one of the problems with the bar we have set in the doorway to our room — there’s no way to hang from the bar and let our feet dangle. It’s worse for Andy, since he’s half a foot taller than I am.

This is a photo of the assembled bar, waiting to have concrete poured around the post holes.

The neighbors love us.

I think it will make a nice entrance into the backyard — don’t you?

So anyway, I took some photos of the “quickcrete” process. Andy had a helper during this phase. It was very hot this afternoon by the time they got to the concrete.

Andy mixes the concrete