Feeling chipper?

This morning I attempted my first chipper.

What's a chipper? One online definition explained it as this: A brutal combination of movements at high volume that will seriously test your toughness.

Yep, that's a chipper.

The morning started with learning new skills and weighted work. I enjoyed learning KB snatches. I only made a hash of a couple then I felt like Jack looked doing them (although I know that really I'm not quite THERE yet). 

It was the AMRAP [chipper] that was tough in a different way. Mentally I'd already made the burpees my wall before I even started. I'd done the KB swings and squats with a medicine ball. But half way through the burpees over the bar I couldn't breathe. GAME OVER was flashing on the inside of my eyelids. And that's what I was seeing more and more of. I even said sorry. Then Jack's encouraging voice got through and I got back to it and finished them. The deadlifts improved as my breathing calmed as did my thrusters and even I was happy with my technique at the end.

The remaining time was supposed to be a row for calories. But the rowers were in use just at the wrong moment (for me anyway) as even though I wasn't looking forward to rowing I would have preferred it to the extra burpees Jack gave me instead.

I understand why he gave me them though. So that they can become my friend rather than enemy.

Then I enjoyed having a moment to myself lying on the floor. This was payment for getting through. It's weird huh but it's a great feeling training to exhaustion. Obviously I'm aiming to improve my threshold but I can't imagine it ever feeling easy. I know how much Jack pushes himself and I want the same. I'll need the same to see the results I'm aiming for.

I'm not sure why I'm being so open and honest in this blog. But I just want to log this journey I'm on because it feels like the one that can really take me to achieving those goals I still want to reach in my sport.

So, Donna Norman, I have to thank you again. For this introduction to Jack Fleckney and for always being a solid and positive support to me and my aims. And more importantly for your brilliant sports massage and rehab help!

I think it's time to get you both on a motorbike now!