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Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Helen

Today was my 3rd chop at the benchmark workout called 'Helen'.  Helen is:

Helen
3 Rounds for Time:
Run 400m
21 KB Swings 24kg/16kg
12 Pull Ups
 
This WOD would have to be one of my faves.  Even though I usually come in from the run feeling gassed I know that I can get through 21 swings unbroken and the pull ups seem doable.  I chose a 12 kg kettlebell for today and an orange band for my pull ups.  I feel like I'm on the cusp of going up to 16 kg for my kettlebell swings but I didn't think a benchmark workout would be the best time for me to trial it ... maybe I'll give it a go when we don't have quite so many to do.
 
The last time I did Helen my time was 13:50 with 12 kg and a green band and I would have been happy if I was around this time again.  I felt really good in the workout today despite not sleeping well last night and my back and hips took a little while to warm up.
 
As usual I was the last in from the run leg but as this is fairly normal I didn't panic and got stuck into my swings.  I was happy that I didn't have to break them down at all and got all 21 done unbroken in every round.  I was pleased with how my pull ups went as well and even though Jardan pulled me up on not getting my chin totally over the bar they felt good and I only broke a couple of times.  I really noticed a difference as soon as I corrected my form and while it was harder (obviously!), I know it will hold me in good stead for the future.
 
I was watching one of the girls as she passed me on the run leg.  She is tall and she seemed to run so effortlessly ... it felt like I was doing 3 steps to her 1.  She blitzed me on the run but I would overtake her in the box.  While in some cases it's an advantage to be taller (like for wall balls and rowing), there are many times it's a disadvantage.  Being shorter, my kettlebell swings were a lot faster as I didn't have to move the weight as far.  It can also be an advantage with my pull ups because I don't have to move my body as far.  It also helps being that little bit lighter ... although, I still need to have that base strength there.
 
As it turned out, this girl and I finished at exactly the same time of 12:20.  This is 1:30 faster than the last time I did it and I did a harder pull up option.  Another big thumbs up for progress!

3 comments:

Pip said...

Well done Michelle! Fantastic effort! We get to repeat 'Helen' on Sunday week, our final day of our '10 week Paleo Challenge'.

I lost the piece of paper I recorded my time first up, (8kg KBs and easiest jumping pullups)....but do know I've progressed since then and hope I find out my time I did it in last time.

Unknown said...

I can't wait to hear how you go Pip :-)

Pip said...

Found my bit of paper, starting day of 10 week paleo challenge, I did Helen in 13:38, with 8kg KB and easiest jumping pullups. We have to keep to these options, so hopefully I can blitz that time nicely Sunday week! :-)