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March 2, 2008
Relax!
***IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ***
We'll be keeping the gym open today from 1pm until 5pm for anyone who wants to come in and do today's WOD, Linda, ahead of the evening classes. If you have any flexibility in your schedule, please take advantage of these extended hours!
A much-needed break
It's been said before, but it bears repeating once more: you need to rest and recover in order to make gains in fitness and enhance your health.
Whether it's getting a good night's sleep, taking a break from workouts, or getting away from it all and taking a vacation, recovery is paramount for sustainable health and fitness.
I had the opportunity to spend some time up in Wilbur Springs this weekend, basically doing nothing but eating a lot, sleeping even more, and spending time in hot and cold natural springs (there's nothing quite like jumping from a 40-degree cold bath directly into a 105-degree hot spring to remind you you're alive).
Not only did it allow my body to recover, but it gave me some much needed perspective and the chance to think about what's really important in my life.
I'd encourage everyone to do the same!
Post to comments any strategies or methods you have for stealing away some much needed down time, whether we're talking an hour here and there throughout the week, your favorite vacation spot, or whatever you need to do to keep it all in perspective.
Posted by Mike Minium at March 2, 2008 8:19 PM
Comments
I tend to go to the gym where I pick up weights and put them down until I fell nauseous.
Posted by: TomC at March 2, 2008 8:58 PM
i quit my corporate job, packed up my truck and went rock climbing for 10 months with one of my best friends. we traveled all over the western u.s.: utah desert, colorado, squamish, yosemite, back to the desert.
one of the best experiences of my life.
Posted by: casey at March 2, 2008 9:03 PM
I like to sit in a Motel 6 room, combine a Smirnoff Ice with an eightball and watch AllisonNYC videos.
Posted by: Brandon B. at March 2, 2008 9:21 PM
> I like to sit in a Motel 6 room, combine a
> Smirnoff Ice with an eightball and watch
> AllisonNYC videos.
This was the best thing I've read in quite some time. Pure gold.
Posted by: TomC at March 2, 2008 10:43 PM
I second Tom's comment.
My strategy is to re-injure myself every few months and take a few weeks off. There's also a great quote from Boris Becker, when asked how he managed to stay competitive for so long, he said every couple of years he'd pull a hamstring and have to take 6 months off. Words of wisdom.
Posted by: Jonathan at March 2, 2008 11:29 PM
liar, I thought you said muscleworkship.com not AllisonNYC.
Posted by: steven at March 3, 2008 3:55 AM
Steven there is no reason to be up at that ridiculous hour!!!
Posted by: Tamara at March 3, 2008 6:44 AM
Glad you got to take a little break, Mike. We did that yesterday and it was really, really nice. Good timing on the post, too - everyone could use a reminder on keeping an even perspective. Playing with our dogs and being on the beach are my two favorite ways to physically and mentally recover.
Posted by: sierra at March 3, 2008 8:01 AM
Glad you got to take a little break, Mike. We did that yesterday and it was really, really nice. Good timing on the post, too - everyone could use a reminder on keeping an even perspective. For me, playing with our dogs and being on the beach are my two favorite ways to physically and mentally recover.
Posted by: sierra at March 3, 2008 8:01 AM
Mike - nice pic.
Personally, I enjoy reading. Mostly 15th century British literature and soft porn.
Posted by: Brad Gilliatt at March 3, 2008 8:11 AM
Glad you took some time off, Michael. I'm with Tom and Jonathan: cross fit is a great break for me. I often show up a little scared (like before a college midterm or something) but leave with renewed perspective, feeling better about myself and the world. Thanks for all the mini vacations!
Posted by: Michael A. at March 3, 2008 10:11 AM
Nothing relaxes me quite like a night alone with a my favorite lotion and a good internet connection.
Posted by: daniel at March 3, 2008 10:52 AM
How are we going to handle this WOD today to make sure that the 7PM folks don't start their workout at 9PM? I really appreciate your opening the gym up--I know that is your personal time or time to train folks...I think a lot of us 9-5ers can't get out that early! Is there going to be a cut off for each class?
Posted by: LB at March 3, 2008 12:37 PM
Mike, did you really go away? It looks like you were photo-shopped into that picture.
Posted by: Joe P at March 3, 2008 12:38 PM
Daniel, Ew...
Relaxation: My friend's front porch, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Yosemite, Italy and 2-3 times a week I run away from my kids to CFO...
Posted by: Robyn at March 3, 2008 12:40 PM
Thanks for the open gym!!!! See you at 2pm :)
Posted by: Tamara at March 3, 2008 12:51 PM
Tamara,
sleep deprivation raises a persons sense of awareness, because now you are willing to go harder because you are not thinking of the consequences afterward (mainly because everything is just fuzzy). Hence sleeping at 4:30 then getting up to workout at 10am is optimal training protocol for producing amazing results.
Posted by: steven at March 3, 2008 1:10 PM
Mike -
Thanks for today. I appreciate it.
Also, I'm sorry for saying those things to you. I'm not even sure a couple of them were possible.
Posted by: Brad Gilliatt at March 3, 2008 4:14 PM
This picture leads me to believe Mike wasn't really resting on his "vacation":
http://www.illusionati.com/galleries/MiniCrossfitVacation.jpg
Posted by: Alec at March 3, 2008 4:55 PM
Daniel sitting in front of computer screen with a bottle of lotion while watching Jeff Martone in a tank top juggling kettlebells?
Posted by: Brandon B. at March 3, 2008 5:11 PM
Damn, I'm bummed I missed out on Linda. Looked like a good one. Did Angie again here at Crossfit San Diego. I still haven't recovered from Saturday; my time was a lot slower: 29:52. Top three times here were 15:55, 16:14, and 17:20. One woman posted 18:58.
How I relax: being a couch potato with my wife, playing with my dog, and, of course, getting brutalized at Crossfit.
Posted by: Brad Greenlee at March 3, 2008 5:42 PM
Damn, I'm bummed I missed out on Linda. Looked like a good one. Did Angie again here at Crossfit San Diego. I still haven't recovered from Saturday; my time was a lot slower: 29:52. Top three times here were 15:55, 16:14, and 17:20. One woman posted 18:58.
How I relax: being a couch potato with my wife, playing with my dog, and, of course, getting brutalized at Crossfit.
Posted by: Brad Greenlee at March 3, 2008 5:45 PM
Gah. This comment system sucks. If you want, Mike, I'd be happy to put up and host a better site.
Posted by: Brad Greenlee at March 3, 2008 6:31 PM
Daniel-Do you get significant benefit from the hook grip outside of the WODs too?
greetings from india--will be back in the bay in mid march. trying to keep up the WOs-mostly air squats, pushups, jump rope..
Posted by: Pratik Sharma at March 3, 2008 7:08 PM
My current method of rest is studying Spanish and drinking tequila in Oaxaca. I'll see you all in two weeks.
Posted by: Sam L at March 3, 2008 7:48 PM
No, Alec, he doesn't look very relaxed, but he does look mighty special...
Posted by: Robyn at March 3, 2008 8:07 PM