My First Girl Workout (Almost)

by - Tuesday, January 15, 2013

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.

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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.

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4 comments

  1. Liska5:24 AM

    I have been following your crossfit adventures with interest, but I have a question. I honestly don't think I could do one pull-up right now. Did you actually do 9 real pullups? Or do they modify them in some way if you can't do them (can you use your feet to help yourself up or whatever)? I'm considering signing up for crossfit, but I'm afraid I'd either be humiliated (as the only person there who can't do a pullup) or hurt myself, LOL!

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  2. Oh that's a great question and one I will probably address in a future post!

    But I definitely do modified pull ups. We loop a resistance band around the pull up bar, and then I put one foot in it. The band supports some of my weight and gives me a little bit of spring so that I can pull myself up. I can't even do one pull up without the band. I'm hoping to work up to it though!

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  3. That doesn't sound so tough.... but I bet it's enough to leave you flat. i'm afraid.

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  4. And this is why we have coaches! Good for you though, still sounds like a killer workout!

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