Goals for the next 2 months

So, Jerry sent us a list of benchmarks - there are 4 levels: Healthy beginner, intermediate athlete, advanced athete, elite athlete.

The healthy beginner stage should be able to be reached in 3-12 months. I've been doing Crossfit for 3 months at this point. I'm going to list all of the benchmarks, and where I'm at on them. Some I have surpassed, some I know I have not yet reached, and some I have not tried. The ones in purple are goals I already have set for myself! The ones in orange are goals I have already surpassed, and the ones in red are benchmarks that I have not yet tested.


Exercise Benchmark Current
Squats 50 Free Squats 50 in a row!!
Push-ups 10 Pushups ? 3 standard
Static Hang 30 seconds ?
Sit-ups 30 situps ? 30 no problem
Kettleball Swings 25 KB swings 55 KB swings, 45lb, 4 minute, can probably do 25 36lb non-stop
400 Meter Run 2:04min ?
Deadlift 135lb 172lb (single) 145lbx5
Military Press 45lb 60lb (single) 50lbx5
High Pull 90lb ?
Knees to Chest 10 sitting knees to chest ?
Wallball 25 wall balls I don't know how many I can do in a row
800 Meter Run 4:20min ?
500 Meter Row 2:20min ?
Vertical Jump 10in ? Probably with box jumps
Dips 3 dips Probably cannot yet do 1, but I have not tested this
Pull-ups 3 pull ups Not quite - thin band
L-Sit 10 second ?
2000 Meter Row 9:50min ?
MB Cleans 10 can do many more
Christine 15 min ?
1 Mile Run 9 min ?

I'll be finding out my baseline 500 meter row on Friday!

As per Jerry's comment, I've edited a few of the benchmarks

I suppose I should introduce myself...

Mmmm... turkey leg...

What?

::swallows quickly::

Hi! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Cara, I'm a 25yr old Fed living in Alexandria, working in Arlington. I work full-time for the EPA, part-time for an animal shelter, and am going to grad school part time at GMU. I'm single, a Leo, my favorite color is green, and... oh - this isn't quite the type of introduction you were looking for, eh?

Let's start over. I'm Cara, and I used to be exercise-phobic. Well, more so, have exercise ADD. For my whole life I had yet to stick to regular exercise for more than a couple of months (not counting gym class!) I had tried crew, dancing, swimming, running, weight training, martial arts, and yoga - none of which I was able to commit to. I never did organized sports because I'm not very competitive or athletic, and I didn't want to disappoint a team.

On Monday, July 23rd, I decided to try out Crossfit Challenge Alexandria. And this is what I did:
Hah! Just kidding. That's what everyone else did - I did a circuit of squats, push-ups (modified), and sit-ups. I had an anxiety attack in the middle, but I finished the work-out Jerry gave to me, and I came back that Wed. And that Friday. Soon I started the Barbell Class as well and am now coming to Crossfit 5xs a week.

I'm addicted. I'm addicted to exercise. I don't think I can fully describe how this simple fact continues to amaze me.

My goal is simple: I want to be able to consider myself athletic. I have never been athletic in my life. Running a mile has always been a challenge for me. I've never done a full push-up (until now! I'm almost there!). I've always gotten winded quickly. I want to feel strong and healthy!

Of course, there are other goals that go along with being fit. Like running a mile in under 10 minutes. Doing push-ups and pull-ups un-modified. Keeping my torso up when I squat! Keeping my title as reigning female rower (which will be lasting until this Wed, I'm guessing).

So - welcome to my Crossfit blog! Currently I can Deadlift 172lbs, Press 60lbs, and Clean 80lbs. Let's see where those numbers will be in a month! (My immediate goal is to hit a 200lb deadlift by the New Year!)

Welcome to my blog!

I am so close to getting in a pull-up without any assistance. I'm on the single thin band, which I'm really excited about, but I'm also really anxious to get off that band.

Why, you ask?

Is it because I'm excited to finally reach my goal?

Is it because I want to speed up my transition from other exercises to chin-ups?

Is it because this would be my first step towards a muscle-up?

Well - those reasons are all well and good, but honestly, I want to get off of assistance because the DAMN BAND KEEPS SLIDING OFF OF MY FOOT AND WHIPPING THE BACK OF MY LEG!

Soon... soon I will be free of the sadistic band....