The 2018 CrossFit Open: 18.4 - The Standard Strikes Back
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| Ace Ventura making a second appearance in this years Open. |
18.4 - This Standard Gives Zero F*&@!
18.4 - For Time, 9 Minute Time Cap
21-15-9
Deadlifts (225 lb.)
Handstand Push-Ups
-Then-
21-15-9
Deadlifts (315 lb.)
50-ft. Handstand Walk
Initial Thoughts
The last time I did Diane was three years ago. I did it scaled and finished in four minutes. With the weights being heavier and the handstand push-up standard being a little harder, this is going to be interesting and I'm shooting to at least finished Diane under time cap. I'm not even looking at the 315 lb. deadlift or handstand walk. If I make it to the second deadlift, it will be icing on the cake.
Game Plan
After watching a bunch of tips on Youtube and Instagram, I decided I was going to try to keep a steady pace and try not to go hard out of the gate. I'm going to break up the deadlifts and handstand push ups into a few sets enough to not go to failure on either movement. The new handstand push-up standard is going to be an adjustment and I'm not sure how that's going to go.
The Workout
I warmed up with the deadlifts and was very comfortable with 225 lb. I tried out the new standard for the handstand push up and realized how hard it was going to be. My upper body was going to be tired before the end of the first round. During the first round, the deadlifts were easy. I broke it up into sets of five and finished at 1:12. The next seven minutes were a struggle. I started strong and finished disappointed. A few friends recommended that I break up the handstand push-ups into sets of three. The first six reps were good but I could feel my shoulders and triceps start to fatigue. A few reasons were I was trying to make sure my feet were above the line at the top of the rep and when I finished. I would hold this handstand position for about three to five seconds each rep which takes a toll.
As I completed more reps, my form started to suffer. I would arch my back and I wouldn't be able to press out to my fullest. That's when the no reps started to come in. After my first no rep I was about half an inch below the line. I tried my best to get my heels up but I was holding a handstand for about 10 seconds by this time and my arms gave out. A few more reps and no reps and the time cap hits. I was only able to finish 17 handstand push-ups.
Final Thoughts
Without a judge, I would have did great in this workout. However, it's this kind of thinking that is holding me back. Instead, I should be trying to "hold the standard" as Logan from Deuce Gym would say. A lot of people were able to get through the first half of this workout and with a lot of work, I will be able to get through it as well. I wasn't defeated by the standard, I was defeated by myself. At least their is a way forward and with some time, I'll be able to complete these handstand push-ups without a problem.
What's Next
We have four movements that have not been used in a workout but has been featured in every Open: chest-to-bar pull ups, barbell snatch, thruster and wall ball. We also haven't seen a repeat workout yet but I can't see any workout that has all four in it. The movement that is definitely going to be there is the thrusters and not sure what else, probably wall balls. This last workout is going to be fun and it's probably going to hurt.
Lift Heavy and Level Up!
21-15-9
Deadlifts (225 lb.)
Handstand Push-Ups
-Then-
21-15-9
Deadlifts (315 lb.)
50-ft. Handstand Walk
Initial Thoughts
The last time I did Diane was three years ago. I did it scaled and finished in four minutes. With the weights being heavier and the handstand push-up standard being a little harder, this is going to be interesting and I'm shooting to at least finished Diane under time cap. I'm not even looking at the 315 lb. deadlift or handstand walk. If I make it to the second deadlift, it will be icing on the cake.
Game Plan
After watching a bunch of tips on Youtube and Instagram, I decided I was going to try to keep a steady pace and try not to go hard out of the gate. I'm going to break up the deadlifts and handstand push ups into a few sets enough to not go to failure on either movement. The new handstand push-up standard is going to be an adjustment and I'm not sure how that's going to go.
The Workout
I warmed up with the deadlifts and was very comfortable with 225 lb. I tried out the new standard for the handstand push up and realized how hard it was going to be. My upper body was going to be tired before the end of the first round. During the first round, the deadlifts were easy. I broke it up into sets of five and finished at 1:12. The next seven minutes were a struggle. I started strong and finished disappointed. A few friends recommended that I break up the handstand push-ups into sets of three. The first six reps were good but I could feel my shoulders and triceps start to fatigue. A few reasons were I was trying to make sure my feet were above the line at the top of the rep and when I finished. I would hold this handstand position for about three to five seconds each rep which takes a toll.
As I completed more reps, my form started to suffer. I would arch my back and I wouldn't be able to press out to my fullest. That's when the no reps started to come in. After my first no rep I was about half an inch below the line. I tried my best to get my heels up but I was holding a handstand for about 10 seconds by this time and my arms gave out. A few more reps and no reps and the time cap hits. I was only able to finish 17 handstand push-ups.
Final Thoughts
Without a judge, I would have did great in this workout. However, it's this kind of thinking that is holding me back. Instead, I should be trying to "hold the standard" as Logan from Deuce Gym would say. A lot of people were able to get through the first half of this workout and with a lot of work, I will be able to get through it as well. I wasn't defeated by the standard, I was defeated by myself. At least their is a way forward and with some time, I'll be able to complete these handstand push-ups without a problem.
What's Next
We have four movements that have not been used in a workout but has been featured in every Open: chest-to-bar pull ups, barbell snatch, thruster and wall ball. We also haven't seen a repeat workout yet but I can't see any workout that has all four in it. The movement that is definitely going to be there is the thrusters and not sure what else, probably wall balls. This last workout is going to be fun and it's probably going to hurt.
Lift Heavy and Level Up!
ABOUTME
Hello, my name is Nick and I'm from Guam. I'm an avid gamer and functional fitness exerciser. I'm not great at either but I do my best. I would describe myself as a huge nerd since I love most things you would find in typical nerd culture. I started doing CrossFit at CrossFit Gof Metgot in 2013 as a way to get my weight under control. I decided to change my exercise habits to lose that excess weight and be more fit. Hopefully my story inspires people to try out CrossFit.
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