Pump and Run: The Run

After we completed the bench press portion of the Hoboken Pump and Run, we ran a 5K.  My performance on the bench press was good for me, but not stellar from a competition standpoint.  I really wanted to kick ass on the run. 

I went out hard.  At one point, I looked at my Garmin and noticed that I was running a 7:14 minute mile.  I knew I couldn't keep that up, but I really tried.  I kept my pace below 8:00 as much as I could.  About a mile in, my teammate Jared blew past me.  Jared had just celebrated the one year anniversary of his ACL reconstruction the day before, so that was pretty awesome.  I tried to keep him in sight for the rest of the race, and it wasn't easy.

When I finished, my score was posted almost immediately.  My 5K time was 23:35.  I was ecstatic - until I checked my Garmin and realized we had actually run less than 3 miles.  My average pace was 8:04.  That's still the fastest I've ever raced, so I was very happy.  

15  bench press reps times 30 seconds per rep took my time down to 16:05.  I came in 81 out of 105 competitors.  Not too shabby!

-Gym Belle-

Pump and Run: The Pump

On Sunday, I participated alongside several of my box-mates from CrossFit Metropolis in CrossFit Hoboken's Pump and Run competition to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.  There were two components, benching pressing for max reps and running a 5K.  Your score was your 5K time minus 30 seconds for each consecutive bench press rep.

The event was held outside on a pier in Hoboken.  When we arrived, there were six racks set up for the bench press, three 135 lb bars for men and three 65 lb bars for women.  The set up was intimidating, but it was a beautiful day and I was there with my crew.  We warmed up a bit and scoped out the crowd.  It turns out you really can't tell who the strongest people are just by looking, particularly when it comes to women. 

The event began.   I watched a few women go up and fail after a handful of reps.  At that point, I relaxed a bit.  I probably wouldn't be the worst lifter.  Then, I watched my friend Jen go up and knock out 21 reps like it was nothing.  That was awesome.  After Jen went, I watched the rest of the Metropolis crew PR.  On the morning of the event, I had blogged that I would be happy with anything over 10 reps, which is what I had done in practice.  I figured I could maybe do 12.  By the time I went, I was so fired up from everyone else's performance that I did 15 reps.  I wished that I had just a few more in me, but I was jazzed about my 50% PR.

Here's how it all went down for Team Metropolis (note our snazzy red shirts):

After the pumping, it was time to run.

To be continued...

-Gym Belle-

Before the Pump and Run

Good morning, everyone!  It's looking like a beautiful day to trek to Jersey.  It's sunny and while it's only 39 degrees now, it will be 48 by the time the Pump and Run gets started. 

There are two events at the Pump and Run.  First, we bench press.  Men under 40 do 135 lbs and over 40 do 115 lbs.  Women under 40 press 65lbs and women over 40 press 45 lbs.  (BTW, this makes no sense to me.  40+ women who lift tend to be way stronger than us youngins.  They've been doing it for longer!)  After the pressing, there's a 5K.  For every bench press rep you get without stopping, 30 seconds will be deducted from your race time. 

Until this week, I hadn't bench pressed in a long time and I'm willing to bet that it wasn't 65 lbs.  So, on Tuesday, my friend D and I went to Equinox and benched.  (Ladies, if you want to raise eyebrows, try this.)  I did four rounds of max reps at 65 lbs.  The most I got was 10.5.  D got 22 at 135!  I'll be psyched with anything over 10 reps today.  I'm still sore from Thursday, though, so if not, not.

I don't have a goal for the 5K.  Unfortunately, I haven't done that distance in a long time.  So...

I'll keep you posted!  Go Team Metropolis!

-Gym Belle-