{CrossFit}: First Time Fran.

by Katelyn Block on August 10, 2012 · 19 comments

I’m mad. I’m pissed. I’m a little bit more than angry at myself.

Today we did Fran.

Having never attempted Fran before, I was excited to see it on the board for today’s WOD. We warmed up with PVC-pipe stretches and drills, then practiced snatches: 3 snatches EMOM for 8 minutes. I had never really done snatches before, so I loved practicing these, but was frustrated with the low weight I was using (about 35 pounds). I got my technique down, and was happy with that improvement.

When we got to Fran, I was excited and ready to smash the workout. The first few thrusters were okay, but then I realized that I had probably added on too much weight. I was thrusting 45 pounds, which on a normal day, would work wonderfully, but today is unseasonably humid. You could probably drink water right out of the air. The fog is unreal. Whether that played a factor, I don’t know, but I’m not about to make excuses.

After the first 13 thrusters, I had started shaking and let go of the bar. I got back under it within 15 seconds, but I had to drop the bar again before I finished the first 21. The pull-ups were a struggle; I was shaking the whole time. By the end of the second set of thrusters (15), I was shaking and had to take multiple stops. My coach thought I was on the third set. At this point, I was angry and got through the third set of thrusters no problem, but when I got to the pull-up bar for the very last pull-ups (9), I was on the verge of tears. I was so mad at myself. Why was I shaking, and why couldn’t I just get this done like I usually do? I wasn’t at Rx weight, and I certainly hadn’t gotten my kipping pull-up down yet, so it seemed silly to me that I was struggling.

I finished Fran at 8:25 and immediately plopped down on the floor to wipe myself off and breathe, as well as chug some water. My coach came up to me and asked me how I was feeling. “Not happy,” I said. “I did not do well.”

What I learned today is that you’re not always going to have optimal conditions, not always going to break records, but as long as you push yourself to the ultimate and do your best, you’ll always be better the next time. I’m not giving up and I’m certainly not going to let myself be dragged down by a lousy time. I’m going to stretch, regroup, and be better next time.

Good, better, best, always kick your own ass.

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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

Ashley @ Sweat for Sweets August 10, 2012 at 10:22 AM

Hey, girl, don’t be so hard on yourself! CrossFit is INTENSE (I’ve never done it, but it seems intimidatingly scary). You showed up, you did your best .. there’s nothing else you could have done! You’ll be stronger next time :)

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Courtney August 10, 2012 at 10:22 AM

Fran is cruel like that. Always humbling us. I did Fran last week with RX weight, but had to use bands for the pull ups. It was grueling. 12:25 was my time, so I’d say you did great. Don’t let it keep you down, let it inspire you to push harder!

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Shannon Colavecchio August 10, 2012 at 10:22 AM

Way to push through and you will keep getting stronger! Fist BUMP:)

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carlyn August 10, 2012 at 10:26 AM

I’ve had those moments during an intense workout. YOU GOT THROUGH IT and YOU WILL IMPROVE. Don’t “sweat” the small stuff. You’re doing a lot more then most! xo

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Danielle @ Clean Food Creative Fitness August 10, 2012 at 10:26 AM

Fran is a beast! Do not be too hard on yourself! I don’t know anyone who had an awesome first experience with Fran! The weight will come, the pull ups will come, but you already have the most important factor and that’s the mental strength to finish the workout!!!

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jenna August 10, 2012 at 10:27 AM

whew!! good for you lady! that looks totally killer! you got through it though and that’s all that matters! way to goooo!!!! :o D SPA love!

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Madeline @ Food Fit and Fam August 10, 2012 at 11:05 AM

FRAN is a straight-up B**** so be PROUD of what you did! You rock!

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Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin August 10, 2012 at 11:06 AM

That sounds like a TOUGH workout – kudos for getting through it! It’ll just keep on getting easier from now on! :)

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Mindy August 10, 2012 at 11:07 AM

Ugh I’ve been on the verge of tears about pull-ups, too. It was either Grace or Helen… I can’t remember. Fran is a tough one but you made it through and now you have plenty of room to improve! For some odd reason, I love thrusters! Pull-ups, though…………………….

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Meghan @ TheMeghaMix August 10, 2012 at 11:09 AM

Girl – WAY TO GO. Keep in mind that all the “girl” WODs are designed to be killer, even if you aren’t RXing! Fran is no exception, and you should be proud that you finished. The fun thing is that now you have your first Fran time, and so next time around you’ll blow that out of the water! Hang in there and don’t be too hard on yourself. :)

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Sam @ Better With Sprinkles August 10, 2012 at 11:20 AM

That’s a good lesson – everyone has the occasional off day. You just gotta keep going. :-)

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clare @ fittingitallin August 10, 2012 at 1:01 PM

girl give yourself a break! 1. snatches are one of the hardest movements and I have been working on them a while, still with really low wait.

2. Fran is a BITCH and I’ve never done thrusters with 45#!!!

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Lauren August 10, 2012 at 3:17 PM

I love pull ups with the band but they are killer! I’m wiped after doing sets of 10. Goodness this looks intense.

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Lisa August 10, 2012 at 3:30 PM

Give yourself a little credit, girl!
Some days aren’t as great as others, but you did it. You finished that workout, and that is not bad at all.
It definitely sounds like it was a tough workout. Its the tough workouts that make us stronger though, if we never faced challenged we would never grow stronger. It was your first time with this particular workout and remember that so when you look back you’ll see big improvements!

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Laura is Undeterrable August 10, 2012 at 4:03 PM

Fran is HARD. It’s gross but you have seen the videos of super hardcore crossfitters puking after Fran? (I was killing time on youtube looking at crossfit videos and there was a tribute to Fran and suddenly PUKE EVERYWHERE). I’m not saying go look it up, but it showed me that these elite superfit people also struggle with it.

I’ve Franned twice and both times I’ve had to lay down afterwards and try not to cry.

Do NOT get discouraged! I’m proud of you for sticking it out!

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Miranda @ Biting Life August 10, 2012 at 4:18 PM

That sounds so hard!! Don’t get too down on yourself, it was your first time! I’m sure that you’ll kick ass next time. I bet the humidity had a lot to do with it. Hopefully you’ll perform better next time if the weather isn’t so crappy.

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Emily August 10, 2012 at 4:45 PM

Really appreciate the honesty of this post and the setbacks you had to overcome. I start CrossFit next week and am nervous/anxious about this kinda stuff! I always want to be the best, and push myself really hard.. but we have to understand that intense workouts like CrossFit take a lot of time and dedication to build up strength and consistency. Keep at it.. I’ll be right there with you!!

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Katie August 11, 2012 at 1:57 PM

“What I learned today is that you’re not always going to have optimal conditions, not always going to break records, but as long as you push yourself to the ultimate and do your best, you’ll always be better the next time.”

YES YES YES! It sounds like you had a rough go at it, but you finished and you did your best. Just keep doing that, and you’ll be better every time!

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