Rest Day.........sort of

I said it, "I hate rest days." I am sitting at my desk and checking the CFOT website to see how everyone did on Elizabeth today. I have been making Fridays my one rest day of the week since I wake up and volunteer at Miriam's kitchen versus going to workout at CFOT. I wish I did the workout, well sort of..

I had mixed emotions when Jerry sent out an email that the workout for Friday was Elizabeth. I have to admit I am a little intimidated by some of the Benchmark workouts. Elizabeth is a workout for time:
21 Hang Squat Cleans (135#) - 21 Ring Dips
15 Hang Squat Cleans (135#) - 15 Ring Dips
9 Hang Squat Cleans (135#) - 9 Ring Dips

My Hang Squat Cleans are not where I want them to be. I need to work on my transition from the shrug/jump to rotating my elbows forward quickly and falling under the bar into a front squat position. The last workout we did Hang Squat Cleans I used 115# and that was not easy. I know I could have powered through the workout but was worried about the sort of time I would throw up. I have an expectation for myself that I am sometimes afraid I won't live up to, and may avoid trying something to avoid the disappointment. I know this is ridiculous and I really need to do all these workouts and measure my progress instead of waiting til I feel that I am ready to put up a good time. It basically goes back to a theory that I use for other things in life which is, it is easier and better to make short term goals instead of just working for one big goal because you are more likely to become frustrated and give up without the satisfaction of knowing gains. It is that simple, after all GO HARD or GO HOME!

If these benchmarks keep coming on Fridays I am going to make a point to find time to make them up. I have to start somewhere and can continue to work on form and make small gains. Eventually I will be at an optimal level and getting a sub 7 min Elizabeth time.

As for my rest day, it never is a complete rest day. Planning on going for a run and breaking in my X2 Weight Vest!