Post Road Trip Post.

Sunrise in the city of brotherly love.

Above the door at Crossfit City Center

Another Open WOD in the books, some road work and a little ink.  The long wait since the last post had more to do with time on the road and work responsibilities than anything else. Spent 2 days in Philadelphia for work, then took a couple of days for a quick NYC vacation w/ the family. A short travel WOD on Wed. in the hotel room (8 rounds of 10x-pushpups, situps, squats + a few HSPU) and not eating right on the road was tough prep for the workout on Friday. Travel is not good for strong results.

7am class at Crossfit City Center

The team in Philly!

 Ended up in a 6AM class at CrossFit City Center. Had a great workout w/ some really good trainers. Nice and friendly folk putting my nervousness at ease. Felt double nervous to not only perform well on the WOD- but as a rep for NCCF- needed to make sure I didn't embarrass myself or my home gym ;). A nice long warm up w/ lots of mobility but no beast mode on this one.

CrossFit Games Open Workout 14.3

8 minute AMRAP:
10 deadlifts, 135 / 95 lb.
15 box jumps, 24 / 20 inch
15 deadlifts, 185 / 135 lb.
15 box jumps, 24 / 20 inch
20 deadlifts, 225 / 155 lb.
15 box jumps, 24 / 20 inch
25 deadlifts, 275 / 185 lb.
15 box jumps, 24 / 20 inch
30 deadlifts, 315 / 205 lb.
15 box jumps, 24 / 20 inch
35 deadlifts, 365 / 225 lb.
15 box jumps, 24 / 20 inch

Scored a 100- not fantastic, but about all I had in me at the time. Repercussions from inadequate fueling the night before- needed steak and had only bad rice and good fish. The first round I completed in 45secs-which was super fast, then slowed way down. The box jumps felt easy- changing weights was a royal PITA, but did offer some chance to catch my breath. I made it to the #275 round but exhaustion took its toll. Definitely need to work on the dead-lifts at the higher weights, issues with opening the hips at the top. Afterwards- had a stunning walk back to the hotel as the sun rose above the city.

After PHL-Amtrak'd to NYC for the weekend.

30th street train station downtown PHL

Jaw dropping Times Square

Took Sat/Sunday/Monday completely off to spend some time with the family in NYC. However spent much time walking around pushing, pulling & carrying a 35lb toddler. Like juggling a 16kg 8 armed kettlebell w/ a mind of its own- on amphetamines. Was great to see the city through the eyes of a 2 yr old. Chasing the kiddo in the city was a workout all its own, not to mention the constant stress of the city's energy and lurking dangers. I was lucky enough to spend some time at Northstar tattoo getting started on my Japanese inspired sleeve. Superlative work by Rodrigo Melo. Very excited for my next visit.

Stage 1 Outline of the upper 1/2 and some shading.

The image is a portrait of:

Yata Gorosaemon Suketake (Part of "Portraits of Faithful Samurai of True Loyalty") by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (the history is found here:http://www.yoshitoshi.net/series/seichugishi.html) former samurai of the Lord Asano Naganori from the history of the 47 Ronin.

"An excellent and brave swordsman, Yata Goroemon Suketake had a lamp and flower vase thrown at him on the night of the attack until he shouted "Cut the foolishness, and fight as you should!" Tsuzuki Jitsuemon stepped out and as they exchanged blows it was clear he too was skilled with a sword. Eventually, Suketake landed the finishing blow and killed Tsuzuki."

The tattoo may not condition my body to anything other than pain tolerance, but like the talismans of old, its the Jungian archetype of symbolic power I wish to tap into. More on this later.  Looking forward to getting back in the groove of working out this week.