I met Chuck in perth a couple of weeks ago, Very Good Coach.

Judging Mikko, Part 2

Chuck Carswell was Mikko Salo's judge for the Event 6 Triplet. The workout was max rounds and reps in 8 minutes of:

4 Handstand pushups
8 KB swings (32kg)
12 GHD situps

Chuck wrote this about Mikko:
"M-I-K-K-O S-A-L-O" he said.

"Ok, here's what we have, 4 handstand pushups, head must touch the bumper plate, full lock out at the top. Keep the legs inside the hands and straight no kipping allowed. If your feet come off the wall on any rep, that's ok as long as you're still vertical when you lock the out. That's what makes a good rep," I said.

From there we move to kettlebell swings. I continue, "It's real simple, arms must touch the legs at the bottom and the KB needs to be straight up at the top.... no bent wrist with the KB out front. The bottom of the KB points to the sky for 8 reps and we're good. When you finish your 8th rep, I recommend you set the KB down as opposed to dropping it b/c you'll have to go get it, not me. Would you like to try a rep?" I ask.

He picks up the KB but I don't remember him taking a swing. From here we go to the GHD sit-up.

"Hands must touch the floor at the bottom and the pad at the top. How you get there is you're business as long as you touch in both places we're good. I only need 12 reps. You might want to hop up on the GHD and get it adjusted. Are we clear on the standards?"

Politely, Mikko says, "Yes." He fiddles with the GHD a bit.

I say, "You don't have to worry about counting the reps. I'll take care of the numbers; you take care of the work."

I'm doing way more talking than he is. He nods.

3-2-1 GO! Mikko rocks the 1st set of HSPU's. On to the KB swings. One of his reps doesn't count. The kettle bell is out in front. As the KB swings back thru his legs, I remind him of the standard loudly, "Kettlebell straight up!"

He nails it along with the rest of the swings. Now it's on to the GHD. He hops on and away he goes. As expected, 12 unbroken. He's moving well. HSPU 1,2,3,4 unbroken again. Back to the KB swings, and from here on Mikko seems to be moving effortlessly, even as he has to repeat reps here and there for missing the standards.

He's not in a rush. So, I think to myself, maybe he's injured. Whatever the case, he just looks too relaxed. As we enter round 3, Mikko shows no sign of slowing down. Then it dawns on me, I don't think he's injured. I think he's checked out.

Yup, Gone On a Trip. If you've been through the Mechanics and Consistency stage of the CrossFit journey and begun to dance with Intensity, then chances are you know the trip to which I refer. It's the one to the dark, cold but liberating place where ANYTHING other than the task at hand just doesn't matter. MIKKO is there.

While methodically adding reps to his final total, the seconds continue to fall from the clock. He might actually be enjoying this. No yelling, no screaming, or for that matter not much grimacing. He just moves about his work quietly and efficiently. Rep after rep and round after round, he ignores the pain, the heat radiating from the GHD pads, the shoes sticking to the wall as he forces the lockout, the sure frustration from missed reps.

As he starts round 5, for the first time I began to notice the fight start to surface. His face has changed slightly. His pace has slowed just a little, but it's still quick. It's obvious he wants more. Mikko continues to move through the triplet as if he programmed this WOD himself. Stop the clock and check the score.......Mikko 152 reps (tied for 2nd with Jason Khalipa).

After he catches his breath, I attempt to congratulate him and talk about the reps I took away at the KB station. He interrupts me, sticks out his hand as he smiles and says, "Thank you." He turns and walks away. Although he's walking around, I doubt he's back from his trip.

Or maybe he's back and packing for the next one.