I can't do burpees! ๐Ÿ˜ข: I don't know if anyone... - Couch to 5K

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I can't do burpees! ๐Ÿ˜ข

Razouski profile image
Razouski
โ€ข35 Replies

I don't know if anyone else is doing Rignold 's lent challenge. I was feeling great having managed the first 6 days quite well, but today I came a cropper.

I can't do burpees!

My arms just don't hold me in the push up position and my legs just collapse on the floor followed rapidly by my chest. And now my wrists and arms ache too. I'm beginning to think skwaats aren't so bad after all.

How did you get on Hidden ?

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Razouski profile image
Razouski
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35 Replies
โ€ข
Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

Oh I haven't done today's challenge yet ๐Ÿ˜ฉ *shuffles off looking worried*

Razouski profile image
Razouskiโ€ข in reply toIrishprincess

I expect you're fitter than me. My arms are just rather weedy. ๐Ÿ˜ž

Rignold profile image
Rignold

Well, I'll let you in on a little secret used by the pros and everyone competing in the Crossfit open: The whole' drop to the pushup postion then lower yourself to the floor' is not judged for time, so usually it is just 'throw yourself on the floor'. A long as chest and thighs make contact with the deck, you're good.

Razouski profile image
Razouskiโ€ข in reply toRignold

My chest and thighs completely connected with the floor in a state of collapse! I tried my hardest and did 3 sets of 5 and then another set of 2 and a half before giving up. And I didn't dare video myself as I knew I looked nothing like the main the helpful video you posted. Woe is me...

Rignold profile image
Rignoldโ€ข in reply toRazouski

No, that is absolutely fine. I don't know if I am not making it explicit enough in the workout descriptions: it does not matter what your starting baseline is. 1 rep, reps, 2 reps... the object of the exercise (no pun intended)is to improve from where you started, not to be a Games class athlete. The purpose of videoing yourself is to identify where your movement is going wrong so you can correct it if necessary.

Rignold profile image
Rignoldโ€ข in reply toRignold

Could you run when you started C25k?

Razouski profile image
Razouskiโ€ข in reply toRignold

No you're right, I couldn't run when I started C25K. I just took your EMOM for 5 minutes to heart as a baseline, and I thought all my work in the gym and at kettlebell class would have given me a bit more strength. (And still frustrated that after two years my left arm and chest are still suffering the after-effects of a mastectomy. )

I will look forward to tomorrow's challenge with more positivity, I promise. :-)

Rignold profile image
Rignoldโ€ข in reply toRazouski

I am sorry if I came across as hectoring. It is difficult pitching the daily routines to keep it inclusive of all ability levels while encouraging everyone to give it their best shot. I guess I need to work on this aspect more.

Razouski profile image
Razouskiโ€ข in reply toRignold

No you didn't come across as hectoring, just encouraging. You're challenge is great, and in the previous days I've taken on board that I was establishing a baseline. Today was just me being meh. No worries. Keep up the good work. :-)

Jeani profile image
JeaniGraduateโ€ข in reply toRazouski

I burst out laughing reading this as you just described my attempt exactly. Oh dear !

Razouski profile image
Razouskiโ€ข in reply toJeani

Good to know it's not just me. :-)

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate

I'm pretty much failing on all of them! I can't get my mind round one thing today, another tomorrow! Or do I keep doing one of everything? SO confused I have read them all and *whisper it* haven't actually done any :O Except hanging. I managed to hang for 6 whole seconds today. So not burping either :D

Razouski profile image
Razouskiโ€ข in reply toAnniemurph

I haven't even attempted hanging as I would have to do this rather publicly in the gym. I'm a pusher upper rather than a puller upper, or I hope I will be by Easter. :-)

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduateโ€ข in reply toRazouski

Must try push ups. Probably starting on a handy wall...

Razouski profile image
Razouskiโ€ข in reply toAnniemurph

I have done wall push ups in one of my gym routines so I'm now doing mine against the breakfast bar in my kitchen (but only when everyone has gone out).

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduateโ€ข in reply toRazouski

Yes - great temptation to close the curtains and turn all the lights off to do all my exercises in the dark :D

Rignold profile image
Rignoldโ€ข in reply toAnniemurph

There is no fail. I will try harder to make the instructions more explicit.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduateโ€ข in reply toAnniemurph

Ooh Annie ๐Ÿ˜ฉ that's impressive ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช My bar comes tomorrow and I'm so excited. I tried out the one in the gym and couldn't actually get up to it and had to stand on a stool to reach ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚ thank god there was nobody else there. But blimey it hurt my hands! At least in the comfort of home I can have a go whenever. Haven't told hubby yet about the bar thing. Guess I should in case he walks into it ๐Ÿ˜ฎ

Razouski profile image
Razouskiโ€ข in reply toIrishprincess

I have visions of Mr IP walking round with a bar shaped dent in his head like a character in an old Hanna-Barbera cartoon. ๐Ÿ˜‚

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduateโ€ข in reply toRazouski

๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduateโ€ข in reply toIrishprincess

It took me about half an hour to assemble the thing, IP :D I am spatially challenged at the best of times and do not do well with pictures of instructions. However, I managed, but then had to find a suitable doorway. Oddly, I don't have many in my house! I am still terrified in case the whole doorframe comes away from the wall. I hope yours comes tomorrow as planned and you can get started :)

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduateโ€ข in reply toAnniemurph

It came! Put it together ok but the safety wedge has flummoxed me. The instructions say to fit it in the moulding until secure. I can't get mine to fit, it wobbles all over the place. I've gone round the whole house and all the frames are the same ๐Ÿ˜• Should it click into place or does it just sit there? I can't imagine it would be very stable if it just sits there. How was yours Anniemurph ? Rignold any advice?

Apologies Razouski for going a bit off piste with this on your post.

Rignold profile image
Rignoldโ€ข in reply toIrishprincess

what do you mean by safety wedge?

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduateโ€ข in reply toRignold

It's supposed to fit behind the door frame moulding and "is designed to help prevent the bar from unexpectedly falling off the door frame". The bottom edge of the bar goes into the safety wedge. Maybe I don't need it ๐Ÿ˜ฎ

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduateโ€ข in reply toIrishprincess

Oo-er. Mine just jammed into the top of the frame with the pointy bit down and sat there. Once the bar fits in behind it it seems fine. It didn't click in any way. I would add a photo but of course I can't in comments. Would it help if I started another post with a photo?

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduateโ€ข in reply toAnniemurph

Mine doesn't even jam but just wobbles โ˜น๏ธ My husband has just asked if he needs to increase the house insurance ๐Ÿ˜‚

Rignold profile image
Rignoldโ€ข in reply toIrishprincess

Oh the little metal hook type thing? Yes mine is wobbly too. It is just to stop the bar falling off when not in use. When in use yur bodyweight holds the bar steady.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduateโ€ข in reply toRignold

All sorted. Thanks Rig, I love your optimism ๐Ÿ™‚

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduateโ€ข in reply toIrishprincess

Posted a photo. Cheeky beggar! I did wonder, though, about the (in)stability of my doorframes. I also wondered if I had assembled the thing correctly :O

Razouski profile image
Razouskiโ€ข in reply toIrishprincess

My pleasure.

I have a crocked left shoulder, so utterly failed at even the wrist exercises! how embarrassing is that? How come I can't get my hands pointing backwards to my knees? Mr JCR came home and found my arse sticking up and me swearing at my hands - I try to do these challenges in the privacy of my own home , when I hope no-one is around...:) I have failed now on two occasions with Mr JCR asking me why I am nose kissing a wall.

And then burpees - burping hell, I canโ€™t do those and our apartment has cardboard walls so thereโ€™s no hope in hell of a pull up bar.

I suppose I could do the hanging thing on the tube? Iโ€™ve changed my views on skwaats _ I think theyโ€™re marvellous now, having tried all Rigโ€™s other tortures...

This is how I felt earlier this week...

jancanrun.com/2018/02/20/20...

Razouski profile image
Razouskiโ€ข in reply to

Oh Hidden I feel your pain...

Actually , no, I feel my own pain!

Great blog, made me laugh, but not too much as trying not to put to much pressure on my core. ;-)

โ€ข in reply toRazouski

I truly think my body is different to everyone elseโ€™s - this bendy stuff sucks! - And the nose kissing has another element to the story which will not be publicised here... but a PCT at Fix may persuade me to dish the dirt...

Oh and my core... still hurting and tomorrow Iโ€™m supposed to be running at least 9k and followed up by Rigโ€™s Torture Chamber. This Lent thing - why oh why did I think it was a good idea?

Do you think Rig will allow 1/2 a burpee to count as a baseline?

Razouski profile image
Razouskiโ€ข in reply to

๐Ÿ˜‚ ๐Ÿ˜‚ ๐Ÿ˜‚ ๐Ÿ˜‚

It depends which half.

(Next week is really busy - I'm doing a couple of days work at the beginning of the week and then going to Prague for Mr Razouski's birthday treat on Thursday. Back on Monday so could maybe do Post Core Torture session on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon.)

โ€ข in reply toRazouski

Okay youโ€™re on - weโ€™ll coordinate closer to the time, when you know more about timing...

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