Challenged CrossFit “Athletes” to Competition

The Challenger wrote:

Yes, I’m a show off. Already knew that.

I’m 100% sure CrossFit women can beat me, and no doubt pro CrossFit guys are “yoked” and probably doped.

Now, I believe my fitness regime is superior for my age-related goals of prolonged heath and fitness. I also want to work on my flexibility and posture. I’d rather get down to 150 pounds than up to 170. I’d rather get back to racing the mile than injuring myself doing CrossFit, a sport unsuitable for over 55 year olds due to the high risk of injury.

I also believe, with limited preparation, I can beat most guys my age at most health and fitness activities. When promoted to switch my regime, I threw down the challenge.

No doubt your lifestyle and routine may be healthier than any of the Crossfit folks. Nevertheless, your routine does not prepare you for a Crossfit challenge. I honestly don't see how it would be any different than if you entered a decathlon in your running prime.

For sure on my prime is get smoked by decathletes.

But, this is me versus 55 year old dudes at the local CrossFit. Very different match up.

The Challenger wrote:

The stuff older guys need to do to stay in shape is what I’m already doing:

Light weights

Yoga

Pilates

Easy 3 mile runs

Stay away from drugs/medicine

Some of you guys don’t understand the 55 year old body if you think squats, deadlifts, cleans etc are in your wheelhouse still.

I'm 55 and do squats, deadlifts and cleans every Friday, and have for years.

You need to be spending the time you're on here posting getting ready for this big competition. You're doing more talking than lifting.

Just be quite and let us know the results.

Yes, and you’re probably a former track athlete, use proper form, workout on your own terms working around your injuries and sore spots, don’t do these exercises to a state of exhaustion respecting form over speed, and you’re probably a stud outlier like me. I’m not anticipating the local CrossFit gym will have a guy like you on their roster.

I’ll be quiet when you learn to spell it.

The Challenger wrote:

Rowing, just did:

500m easy

500m 2:09

500m easy

500m 2:11

500m easy

500m 2:11

500m easy

Felt like it would be easy to go longer but difficult to faster.

Off work today, have pre-colonoscopy (Friday) consultation that I’ve been putting off for the last 6 years. Interesting side note: I used to date the doctor who’s doing it.

The Challenger

That's pretty good for a starting point. My best tip is to adjust the shoe clip so it's high on your foot instead of closer to the toes. I wear size 9.5 and I set it on 2. If you set the number too high and toward your toes, you won't be able to pull the seat back as fast. You don't want to do this too hard with a super flexy running shoe. You can hurt your foot. Wear a stiffer soled crosstraining shoe. You'll also need to learn to lean back a bit at the top of the pull to get a little more distance with each pull. Experiment with it.

I don't know the winning time for M55, but two years ago at the Nashville FitGames, the M60 winner for 500m row was 1:26. I was 3rd at 1:35.5. That was a water rower. On the Concept 2 rower, my previous best time was 1:43. I'm short and lightweight and those are big disadvantages on the rower.

Don't worry about the time yet. Take a longer break doing nothing and do three sets. You'll be under 2:00 in a couple of weeks if you're new to rowing.

Wow. Fast times! Good tips too. Thanks!

Today was my first ever time on the rower, so I should be able to get under 2 minutes pretty quickly. I feel like I can go reasonably fast on stroke rate, and feel I can keep up a reasonable pace for a long time, but I’m lacking power. I guess that goes with the territory of being suited to middle distance running.

The Challenger