"Eva"

I did "Eva" once before and it took me a long time, it was real sloppy and I regretted it after.

I think Coach Glassman thought of this workout one day when he was pissed off. There is no reason this should be more than three rounds and it wouldn't be unrealistic for it only to be one round. But no, it is five grueling rounds of pain and anguish. Last time I did this workout, probably in May, the running was a real factor in decreasing my endurance. I hope that since my running has improved, I will be able to use that time as a bit of a recovery from the swings and the pull ups.

"Eva"
5 rounds
800m run
30 kettlebell swings, 2 pood (70lbs)
30 pull ups

44:00 (PR)

I am A) glad it is over and B) very satisfied with my time! I PR'd by 6 min and 34 seconds (last time was 50:34). I was shooting for sub 45 and I accomplished my goal. This is one of those workouts that it is really hard to stay focused in rounds 1-3. Knowing that there is so much left really puts doubt into your head. I just kept a steady pace. The run was not nearly as bad as it was in the past. The route I took was around the gym (800m and change) and is pretty hilly. There are two long gradual down hills, one gradual uphill and one 50yd steep uphill around the 600m mark (not to mention all of the oblivious people taking up the whole sidewalk, staring at me with a look of either confusion as to whether or not I am coming towards them or confusion as to whether or not I am going to run in the grass. MOVE THE FUCK OVER! SHIT SON!). Sorry, but I just don't get the inconsideration of society. I feel like pulling a Josh Everett and just running through them. ANYWAYS, the swings scared me the most, 70 lbs is a lot to swing over your head. These will make or break your time. They are taxing on the legs, grip, mind and core. I split the first three rounds up 15-15, the fourth 18-12 and the fifth 22-8. Pull ups are usually a non-issue but I knew they would give me fits today. I could really notice the fatigue in my core after the swings, plus, my grip was struggling. I paced these out as well, for the first three rounds I did 10-10-10, the fourth 12-10-8 and the final round 15-6-9. To be honest it wasn't as bad as I remember, this is obviously due to the fact that I am in better shape. Don't get me wrong, it was awful, but I felt worse during the Filthy Fifty. It really requires a lot out of you mentally. Thinking about how much more you have left can drive you insane. Focusing on the task at hand is key.

I have to give a shout out to my main man Ben, all 145 lbs of him. When I walked into the gym before starting "Eva," I sat down with the CFDC crew who had just finished class and chatted for a minute. I jokingly asked them "who wants to do "Eva" with me?" I damn near got slapped by Maiko #2, and then, from over in the corner, Ben racks his bar that he had just finished using for back squats, and says "I'll do it with you." I was shocked. I have a lot of respect for Ben, he has good form and skills. My respect rose after he decided to join me (FYI a 70 lb kettelbell is about half of his body weight). Ben had never done "Eva" before and it was a real struggle for him but he finished in a little over an hour. Mad props to that man. It took me 3 days to get my cunning up enough for this WOD, it took him 3 seconds. Thrive on brother.