Deth

It’s been quite a while since I have used 135 pounds for front squats in a WOD setting. If I had to give an estimate it would have to be around two years since I’ve done so since.

It wasn’t uncommon for me to use it in at the old gym depending on the WOD and what else the WOD would entail. I had gotten to the point that I might go lighter to go faster or of my wrist was acting up. A couple of years ago I snapped my thumb back and there’s been a lump on that side of my wrist ever since then. For a good year it bothered me quite a bit depending on how my wrist was being used. No I didn’t do that in the gym. I was even more stupid. I was carrying groceries into the house when the wind caught the front door as one of the bag handles was caught on the door handle.

That lump is still there but it’s been pain free for a long time now. I just have been favoring lighter weight or the sandbag in the garage due to the somewhat tight space and I’d prefer to avoid dropping heavy weight in there as much as possible. I don’t want to purposely damage the floor for one and the other reason is I don’t want to be that asshole neighbor since we’re attached.

Yesterday’s, well technically it was Tuesday’s WOD involved running 100 meters and 9 front squats. Molly took her sandbag out in the back yard and I brought my barbell with 135 pounds and gave it a try. It felt good so I went with it. It is still a unique yet awesome feeling working out outside in the sunshine but for the most part I enjoy it. I get hotter for sure but I’ll adapt in time.

I came in just short of street parking’s goal for the WOD of 8 rounds but well ahead of what I expected. I was expecting to complete 4 and thought if everything went perfectly I’d get six or so. I got 7. Had I not forgotten to bring my towel down near where I had my bar set up I think I made the 8. I was pouring sweat and needed to wipe my face but needed to go find my towel. The other thing that slowed me down is one of the rounds I ended up trying to front squat with a small stone under my foot so bailed. It’s not perfect to lift on the slightly uneven grass in a backyard but it’s what we have and it’s refreshing to WOD outside for a change.

The run did slow me down a decent amount. It was only one hundred meters but the sun’s glaring on my eyes slowed me down for safety reasons. It wasn’t long enough to get used to the change in light. It didn’t help matters any that I was basically facing the sun while doing the front squats .

All in all I am more than happy with my performance in this WOD. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone even if it meant going a little slower than I typically would and in the end I did just that while only going slightly slower early on so I didn’t crash and burn. Turns out I probably didn’t need to do that. I will have to admit that the whole time from the second round or so on my quads were on fire.

After the WOD and some water and recovery I decided to try a thruster with the 135 pounds. It’s been a long time. It was surprisingly easy to do that thruster even from a paused front squat.