I started CrossFit just over 4 months ago with one of the hardest workouts in a laundry list of hard workouts. I was attracted to CrossFit because of its focus on functional, wide-ranging exercises as well as the emphasis on self-reliance and responsibility. I also like that it averages about 20 minutes per day, much less than many regimens but with better results. It’s a pretty brutal approach to fitness but it’s extremely effective. When I started CrossFit, I thought I was in reasonable shape, nothing spectacular but at least decent. I had no idea what I was getting into.
The workout I did on that first day is called Murph. CrossFit uses a lot of bodyweight exercises and this is an example of that. The workout as prescribed is a 1 mile run, 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 squats (broken up anyway you have to) and then another 1 mile run, all for time. It’s just as hard as it sounds. When I did it back in August, I had no trouble with the miles but I could only muster 6 sets of 3 pullups, 10 pushups and 15 squats. Plus it took me 35 minutes to do just that. I realized quickly that I wasn’t in very good shape after all.
Today, I did Murph again after 4 months of working out regularly with only the workout of the day. I couldn’t quite manage to complete it but my performance was greatly improved. I did both miles plus 8 sets of 10 pullups, 20 pushups and 30 squats in 45:26. I’m still way off from the performance of even average Crossfit athletes who can do Murph in under 35 minutes, some with a weighted vest, but I’m getting stronger faster which I love.
Crossfit is intense but it produces results. I’m looking forward to another 4 months of progress to see what I can accomplish.