Beginnings

Being Smart

It's here.

The Crucible - Open Workout - 9/10/2011

Saturday, 10 September 2011
Franklin Middle School Track, Corner of "E" Avenue and 20th Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA

7:00 Set-up
7:15 Instructions - These are given only once
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM workout
9:00 AM teardown

No phee, no phrills, no phretting. Tires, sledgehammers, kettlebells and assorted gear provided. You always have your bodyweight. Bring gear to share if so inclined.

There is no child care available and this picture is not an acceptable alternative either!

The Crucible - Open Workout - 8/27/2011

Franklin Middle School Track
"E" Avenue and 20th Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA

6:30 am Join The Crucible Crew in set-up, introduce yourself to new people joining us for the first time.
6:45 am Instructions
7:00 to 8:00 am Workout on your own.

The Crucible will provide kettlebells, heavy things and light things to lift, a tire to strike and sledgehammers from The Locker.

No phee, no phrills and no phretting. All are welcome. The Crucible is a proud affilate of USAJG, the leader of The Free Fitness Movement.

"reject the awful normal © "

To Live in the USA

A friend in California sent me this picture taken of packages ready to send to soldiers they know in Afghanistan. These soldiers have 100 days left in their tour of duty.

Regardless of what side of the aisle one stands it is important to remember our soldiers as they serve either abroad or here in the USA and to remember them when they return to their homes.

That is what it means to live in the USA.

The Crucible Goes AQUA!

In the fitness industry the phrase "functional fitness" has become quite the buzzword and sales tool. Standing on a BOSU and other parlor tricks are used to convince the public they are getting "functionally fit".

Today The Crucible went to the water. We brought along a striking tire, 2 sledgehammers, 2 cinderblocks, The Bean, a 50 pound sandbag, a medicine ball and a 20pound kettlebell.

We set up a station just off the pool deck and worked through movements, alternating laps and bodyweight work, then used the kettlebell and sledgehammers in the pool.

As we worked out 2 lap swimmers asked each other during a kick set "what are they doing?". My answer is brief... If my plane goes down in the Hudson or my snowmobile goes through the ice I will be ready. All the standing on a BOSU in the world isn't going to get you ready for that.

True Functional Fitness will.

Chris prepares to go in...
Going in!
Treading water with a 20 pound kettlebell.
Retrieving the kettlebell from the bottom.
Underwater push-ups.
More underwater push-ups.
Underwater bear crawls with a kettlebell.
Coming up for air.
Treading water as a group, passing the 10 pound sledgehammer around.
Finding our crucible.

RAAM Jam!

When I am racing long I use some liquid foods and gels but feel best when I also eat real food. One of my favorite choices is a sandwich made with whole wheat bread, a little peanut butter, a couple of slices of ham and some jam to hold it together. It's easy to hold onto when I'm riding the bike and keeps my stomach settled.

As many of you know I have been actively promoting Jim Gourley's Team RAAM fundraising efforts for Team Red White and Blue. Thanks to your help each day Jim has come a little closer to his fundraising goal of $2500.

I'd like to "sweeten" the pot a bit with some RAAM Jam. As many of you know I enjoy making jams, a skill taught to me by my mother-in-law a few years back. It's kind of therapy for me, looking at what I have, measuring, cleaning jars, stirring and giving it away to my friends. I always tell people that empty jars returned are replaced with full ones.

So here's how it will work: For the individual who makes the largest contribution to Jim's ride between 12 Noon Central Time on June 16, 2011 and 12 Noon Central Time on June 18, 2011 will get 12 jars of RAAM Jam. It will be a blend of strawberries, apples and rhubarb. I'll figure out how to get it to you if you live out of town.

Here is the link to Jim's donation page, when you make your donation please add the note RAAM Jam to help me know who to send the jam to.

< http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/jim-gourley/manitude >

Thanks,

CJ