I was so excited when I checked the CrossFit blog yesterday to see what our WOD would be and saw that it was going to be my first girl workout!

In CrossFit workouts named after girls are bench-marking workouts that are especially ass-kicking. I was so looking forward to trying to my first one.



Thanks to Ericka for sharing this picture. I looove it!

According to the blog, we were doing Helen:

• 400 meter run


• 21 kettlebell swings


• 12 pull ups

I won't lie I was super nervous about how I was going to accomplish all those pull ups. My T. Rex arms aren't known for being the strongest.

Before getting to the WOD, we tackled front squats again as our skill work. I'm happy to report, I did so much better this week than last week. My form had improved, and I was actually able to put some weight on the bar this time around without bruising my collarbone. Go me!

When we got to the WOD, I was feeling good and mentally ready to tackle the workout. Physically though, our coach didn't think I was ready to jump into a full girl workout, in part because I'm still healing from my injury and just in part because I'm new and he didn't want to risk any other injuries.

So he had a few of us do a modified version of Helen:

• 300 meter run


• 15 kettlebell swings


• 9 pull ups

I was bummed at first to not be able to do the full workout, but our coach promised I'd thank him later.

And he was right. By the time I finished the modified version (in 9:18) I was gassed. My arms were trembling from the pull ups, and I got a rude reminder of just how much running fitness I lost after six weeks in an air cast.

As much as my competitive side wanted to tackle the full workout and really push myself, the modified workout was the right choice. I'm glad my coaches are there to reign my competitive side in and make sure I'm doing workouts that push me enough, but not to the point of getting hurt.

One of these days I'll do a full girl workout and I'm sure I'll collapse on the ground gasping for air afterward. And it will be awesome.