I'm so confused. Please help!

Matt Thomas · 02-26-2006, 05:53 PM

Have any of you ever been in-between workout programs and you're not sure how best to accomplish you're goals so you feel just flooded with information and you're not possitive what to do? Well that's me right now.

The last program I was on was Stew Smith's 12 weeks to BUD/s workout. It used all calesthenics(sp) because the main idea was to improve push-up, sit up and pull up numbers for PFT scores and for better muscular endurance, i guess. There was also a lot of cardio thrown in, always either swimming or running. The running was sometimes longer (4-6 miles) and sometimes it was interval speed work, so it was varied. On this program my push, pull, sit numbers imroved a lot, but the best part was my running. I was able to run a quarter mile in right around one minute and also being able to run 6 miles with ease. I even made it through the disney half marathon, although not very fast (2:09:00). However my strength suffered because the program used no weights. My max squat fell from somewhere around 330lbs to in the higher 200s (i never really tested it).

I came across crossfit on another website and decided to give it a shot because i liked the sound of it. I've been on it for about a month now and so far i like it. However, the opposite seems to be happening to me. My strength is improving, my squat is now 330 for a double(don't know 1RM), but my runs have REALLY fallen off. Running just feels bad now. Last time i tested my 2 mile time it hadn't fallen off too bad, about 15 seconds, but my quarter mile time is now around 1:30 and it feels like there's NO WAY i could go much faster, and i cringe to think what trying to run 6 miles at any kind of pace would feel like now. My push up and sit up numbers (in 2 minutes) have also fallen off a little.

My goals are this - 1) To be able to run relatively fast, but also far. 2 miles in under 12 minutes, 6 miles in around 45 and be able to at least complete a half marathon. 2) To have a good amount of muscular endurance, especially as it pertains to the APFT. 100 push ups in 2 minutes, 100 sit ups in 2 minutes and 20 pull ups. Someone has already suggested greasing the groove with push ups, so i'm trying that to see how it works. 3) To continue to improve in strength.

Am i just not giving crossfit enough time? Will it eventually get me to my goals if i keep at it? I want to stick with crossfit, but honestly it doesn't feel like crossfit alone will do it, especially with the running. Which brings me to my confusion. If i need to add more how do i do it so i'm not overworking myself. I can't do both Stew Smith's workouts and Crossfit together each day because there just isn't enough hours in the day. I was thinking maybe a hybrid between the two. Follow his workouts, but add a CF benchmark or two each week? I also work with a coach on Tuesday's and Friday's on olympic lifting so i have that to contend with as well (would lifting only 2 times per week be enough to continue improving strength wise?). I'm just so lost.

Any advice would really be appreciated.

Sorry for the really long post, but thank you for reading.

Rafael Mattei · 02-26-2006, 07:31 PM

I'd Suggest to do a running Workout on the rest days, the O lifting will help you a lot, but with regards to teh WODs. are you doing them "for time"? meaning are you going all out on them? that should take care and improve your "cardio"

just my .02c

im sure others will chime in

Kevin Burns · 02-26-2006, 07:38 PM

I can't speak for running since I haven't been doing it much lately but....

My medium distance swimming has greatly improved since i started crossfit.

i think its the lactic acid tolerance i have built up.

Larry Lindenman · 02-27-2006, 05:40 AM

Crossfit will make you a much better athlete, at the cost of highly specific specialization. You may want to reexamine your goals...why is the 1/4 mile important and is it important enough to sacrifice, power, strength, and strength endurance? My bench was bigger prior to Crossfit, it went down slightly. What did I get for this 5k, 10k runs, DL, O-lifts, metcon, pull ups, bodyfat, everything else improved. I don't give a crap about the bench #, but how it translates to real life. Being a better athlete translates more to the "field" than a bigger bench number. Keep up the WODs, don't run on your days off (for now, you'll burn out). Give this 6 months and revisit your goals. I think they will change.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Confused and need help	Jeff Dawson	Starting	7	06-21-2007 05:35 AM
Confused about fat 3x, 4x, etc	Frank Menendez	Nutrition	13	04-25-2006 05:54 AM
Confused about MSG!!!	Peter Queen	Nutrition	0	03-02-2006 10:33 AM
A little confused	Josh Brehm	Equipment	1	09-15-2005 02:12 PM
Really confused	Brent Hammond	Nutrition	8	03-25-2005 07:50 AM

02-26-2006, 05:53 PM	#1
Matt Thomas Member Profile: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 809	Have any of you ever been in-between workout programs and you're not sure how best to accomplish you're goals so you feel just flooded with information and you're not possitive what to do? Well that's me right now. The last program I was on was Stew Smith's 12 weeks to BUD/s workout. It used all calesthenics(sp) because the main idea was to improve push-up, sit up and pull up numbers for PFT scores and for better muscular endurance, i guess. There was also a lot of cardio thrown in, always either swimming or running. The running was sometimes longer (4-6 miles) and sometimes it was interval speed work, so it was varied. On this program my push, pull, sit numbers imroved a lot, but the best part was my running. I was able to run a quarter mile in right around one minute and also being able to run 6 miles with ease. I even made it through the disney half marathon, although not very fast (2:09:00). However my strength suffered because the program used no weights. My max squat fell from somewhere around 330lbs to in the higher 200s (i never really tested it). I came across crossfit on another website and decided to give it a shot because i liked the sound of it. I've been on it for about a month now and so far i like it. However, the opposite seems to be happening to me. My strength is improving, my squat is now 330 for a double(don't know 1RM), but my runs have REALLY fallen off. Running just feels bad now. Last time i tested my 2 mile time it hadn't fallen off too bad, about 15 seconds, but my quarter mile time is now around 1:30 and it feels like there's NO WAY i could go much faster, and i cringe to think what trying to run 6 miles at any kind of pace would feel like now. My push up and sit up numbers (in 2 minutes) have also fallen off a little. My goals are this - 1) To be able to run relatively fast, but also far. 2 miles in under 12 minutes, 6 miles in around 45 and be able to at least complete a half marathon. 2) To have a good amount of muscular endurance, especially as it pertains to the APFT. 100 push ups in 2 minutes, 100 sit ups in 2 minutes and 20 pull ups. Someone has already suggested greasing the groove with push ups, so i'm trying that to see how it works. 3) To continue to improve in strength. Am i just not giving crossfit enough time? Will it eventually get me to my goals if i keep at it? I want to stick with crossfit, but honestly it doesn't feel like crossfit alone will do it, especially with the running. Which brings me to my confusion. If i need to add more how do i do it so i'm not overworking myself. I can't do both Stew Smith's workouts and Crossfit together each day because there just isn't enough hours in the day. I was thinking maybe a hybrid between the two. Follow his workouts, but add a CF benchmark or two each week? I also work with a coach on Tuesday's and Friday's on olympic lifting so i have that to contend with as well (would lifting only 2 times per week be enough to continue improving strength wise?). I'm just so lost. Any advice would really be appreciated. Sorry for the really long post, but thank you for reading.

02-26-2006, 07:31 PM	#2
Rafael Mattei Member Profile: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: san juan PR Posts: 87	I'd Suggest to do a running Workout on the rest days, the O lifting will help you a lot, but with regards to teh WODs. are you doing them "for time"? meaning are you going all out on them? that should take care and improve your "cardio" just my .02c im sure others will chime in

02-26-2006, 07:38 PM	#3
Kevin Burns Member Profile: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Greenwood Village CO Posts: 430	I can't speak for running since I haven't been doing it much lately but.... My medium distance swimming has greatly improved since i started crossfit. i think its the lactic acid tolerance i have built up.

02-27-2006, 05:40 AM	#4
Larry Lindenman Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 2,769	Crossfit will make you a much better athlete, at the cost of highly specific specialization. You may want to reexamine your goals...why is the 1/4 mile important and is it important enough to sacrifice, power, strength, and strength endurance? My bench was bigger prior to Crossfit, it went down slightly. What did I get for this 5k, 10k runs, DL, O-lifts, metcon, pull ups, bodyfat, everything else improved. I don't give a crap about the bench #, but how it translates to real life. Being a better athlete translates more to the "field" than a bigger bench number. Keep up the WODs, don't run on your days off (for now, you'll burn out). Give this 6 months and revisit your goals. I think they will change.