Go Fast, Get Gassed

Tonight I went to the gym by myself as it’s not one of Tom’s usual nights. I was a little apprehensive because my shoulders were still tired from last night and I spent all day today doing yard projects. I hoped we’d do something lower-body intensive to spare my shoulders. (But no!) Although the gym was packed with three different groups working out, just one other guy and I ended up working out with Dave. That’s always a treat because Dave seems like the most expert coach and is attentive without haranguing. The workout was: 21 thrusters 21 pull-ups Row 800 meters 15 thrusters 15 pull-ups Row 500 meters 9 thrusters 9 pull-ups Row 300 meters The point was to go fast and “get gassed”—hey, that rhymes—so I got to use 8-kg kettlebells for the thrusters instead of 12s. I did all my thrusters in unbroken sets. Pull-ups I had to break up. Dave had me use the lightest rubberband for assistance on those, hoping to keep me moving a lot faster than if I tried to do them unassisted, but he ended up spotting me anyway after my first few pull-ups in each round. I don’t like being spotted because it makes me feel semi-incompetent, though I know that’s not the real implication. Rowing was a pain, as always. The whole workout took me 15 minutes. I think the other guy finished about 20 seconds ahead of me. We were both “gassed” as intended, and sat on the floor for a while chatting with Dave and Nancy and anyone who came and stood over us.