Add it to The List...

The List of Things That Should Never Be Done Again. I arrived at the gym with a bounce in my step. I left limping, with hands that won't work, and a little uncertain as to what day it is. What the hell just happened?

WOD: "Eva"
5 rounds for time
800m run
30 kettle bell swings (70lbs)
30 pull ups
1 hour 9 minutes-ish rx'd

Checking the box.

Yesterday was a long day and I didn't make it home until 10:00 p.m. Yes, yes, I know -- I should have hit the gym at 6 a.m. But I didn't, so that's enough of that.

I needed to do something, and preferably a variety of something that would fool me into thinking that I was preparing for the Steeplechase (for which I am currently woefully unprepared.) I stole this little gem from Crossfit Endurance.

WOD: 10:20 x 16 -- Run 10 seconds on 20 seconds off for 16 rounds
All out effort

Turns out, that little torture chamber has the potential to be an excellent way to revisit your last meal. Not wanting to meet the brisket I had for dinner --again -- I backed off on the last six intervals. Weak. At least I checked the box.

Escalante: A Teaser.

This weekend's southern getaway was fantastic. I don't have time to do the trip justice right now, but I will soon. Until then, here's a teaser:

Slot Canyons are trippy.

Brimstone Gulch. Had to go through sandy hell to get here, but...

Thunder Mountain. My Lord...

This trail will require a post of its own.

The Wee One, ripping.

Headed South...

I switched cold-killing strategies last night, moving from grease and alcohol to Mediterranean basics: olive oil, pasta, shrimp, and chocolate. While dinner was delicious, I didn't sleep any better, and the funk that I'm fighting is threatening to settle in my chest. I need to rest, but I also need to keep moving, 'cuz the Steeplechase is looming. It's a delicate balance, and right now I feel like those little rhinovirus bastards have their thumbs on the scale.

This weekend's trip to Escalante should be just what the doctor ordered. Here's a preview:

The house we're borrowing. There is a little Smoky Joe stashed there somewhere, and the driveway should serve as the perfect venue for charring some therapeutic protein.

This is rumored to be the view from the front porch at sunset.

And this slice of heaven is Thunder Mountain. Fourteen miles of this should cure what ails me.

Keeping the little bastards guessing...

The cold I picked up over the weekend is slowly getting better. Too slowly. Usually, when I'm under the weather, I hunker down and try to "take care of myself." Eat right, exercise moderately, avoid alcohol. And it never works. This time, I'm throwing those little rhinovirus bastards a head fake.

Pizza and Coca Cola for lunch. Burgers and brats for dinner. Beer? You bet your ass. I may exercise, or I may not. Hard to say. I may drown myself in NyQuil, or I may not. Hard to say. The point is, if you're an RNA-based "organism" living in my body, watch your back. You won't know when or how, but I'm coming for you.

Mid-Day Update:
I broke down, went to the gym, and got deeee-stroyed. I knew something was up when I couldn't catch my breath --- during the warmup.

WOD: 5 rounds for time of:
200m run
10 pullups
10 pushups
10 back squats @ 135lbs
10 kettlebell swings @ 53lbs
14:15 (I quit after three rounds)

The score so far: Rhinovirus, 1. The ULG, 0.

Air Travel = The Suck

I spent the last 27 hours flying to Nashville, attending a hearing, and flying back. I was gone for about a day, but it feels like a week. I'm disoriented, exhausted, and I picked up a cold along the way. Somebody call me a wambulance. Forgot the number? It's nine wah wah.

I need to cram five days of work and training into 2.5 days, 'cuz The Wee One and I are headed south this weekend. It will be a welcome break -- three days of hiking, riding, and charring beef. Must stay focused...

Earning the right to gorge.

Rather than skiing whatever yesterday's cake frosting had turned into, I decided to work today. I headed to the gym in the evening and made up for lost time.

WOD: Heavy Amber
Squat Cleans @ 135 lbs 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
Box Jumps @ 30" 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
Alternate reps for time
17:05

I am my own harshest critic, and even I am happy with that effort. I didn't drop any of the cleans, and I didn't rest during the box jumps. Not bad.

Now it's off to The Wild Grape for some protein and vino. Ahhhhh, weekends.