“Studies indicate that the one quality all successful people have is persistence.  They’re willing to spend more time accomplishing a task and to persevere in the face of many difficult odds.”- Dr. Joyce Brothers

A note on soreness ….

We’ve all been there: you head into the gym for another workout that stirs the butterflies in your stomach because you know this one’s going to be tough.  You throw your heart and soul into the workout and finish with a time that you’re super excited with.  You know the pain is coming, but when? 

It seems that it’s the fast moving, multi-joint movements that involve a larger range of motion (think: thrusters) that really cause this “delayed onset muscle soreness”.  You’ll usually experience mild soreness as early as 8 hours after the workout and having the discomfort peak within 24-48 hours.  Yep, you’ve damaged your muscle fibers and the pain is the proof.  You’ve temporarily lost a little a muscle function and strength.

Is this what you should feel like after a CrossFit workout?  To a degree, yes.  Early on while your body is getting used to incorporating constantly varied, fast, multi-joint, full range of motion movements, it is continually adapting (i.e. getting stronger).  The broad, general, and inclusive nature of CrossFit will test this adaptational response more than any fitness program out there – preparing you better for anything, including recovery. 

So what do I do to reduce severe delayed onset muscle soreness?  Avoid it!  Take your time and apply intensity gradually over time.  Soon, your body will be ready for the greater demand having faced these challenges before.  After experiencing this soreness once, you’ll take my advice in the future – it’s no fun struggling to get out of bed.

WOD
200 Jump Rope
10 Military Press
20 Push ups
200 Jump Rope
10 Push Press
20 Push Ups
30 Squats
200 Jump Rope
10 S.D.H.P.
20 Push Ups
30 Squats
40 Sit Ups
200 Jump Rope
10 Thrusters
20 Push Ups
30 Squats
40 Sit  Ups
50 Kettle Bell Swings
For Time