“Some birds are not meant to be caged, that’s all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild. So you let them go, or when you open the cage to feed them they somehow fly out past you. And the part of you that knows it was wrong to imprison them in the first place rejoices, but still, the place where you live is that much more drab and empty for their departure.” — Stephen King, Shawshank Redemption

I. Strength:

5 x 2 Power Clean (3 Second Pause Below The Knees) + 1 Push Jerk

* Rest 60 Seconds

** As Heavy As Possible While Maintaining Perfect Technique.

*** The Push Jerk Is Only Performed After The Second Power Clean.

Completed: 65lbs., 75lbs., 85lbs., 95lbs., 100lbs.

II. Conditioning:

7 minute AMRAP of:

8 Push Jerks (155/105)
10 Toes 2 Bar
40 Double-Unders

– Then (No Rest)

1 Minute AMRAP of:

Unbroken Hang Power Cleans (155/105)

* If You Drop The Bar Your 1 Minute AMRAP Is Finished.

Completed: lost count on the 7 Minute AMRAP. Finished somewhere around 10 reps on the 1 Minute AMRAP HPC at 85lbs.

After yesterday’s WOD and then Strongman, one after the other in the same evening, my shoulders were toast. Of course I didn’t realize this until it was 3, 2, 1 … Go! and I reached Push Jerk no. 5 in only the first go round of the AMRAP and I knew it was not going to end well. I just didn’t have it in me. The spaghetti arms appeared and I floundered and lost my footing, side to side, front and back, trying to steady myself under the weight overhead. I simply pooped out. The arms pooped out.

Today is Valentine’s Day. Along with making my Valentine some scrambled eggs, I bought him a few gifts to commemorate; a squeaky toy and some milk bones. Oliver loves scrambled eggs. On Sunday he’ll get some bacon. We both will.

I’d like to think I’m above or removed or indifferent to the Valentine buzz that seems to permeate throughout today. The flowers being delivered to the office, little Valentine forget-me-nots left on chairs and in the keyboards of fellow coworkers. It reminds me of third grade and the tiny colorful valentine cards handed out during class.

In reality, I’m really not so removed from the Valentine Day hum. In truth I wish I could dive into what I like to believe it is really all about; connecting with that one person that is the most important in the world to you. That one person with which you share a trust and knowing that you accept and love one another for exactly as each of you are. And you laugh a shit-ton together too.

For a moment it is fun to imagine I have a secret admirer. Someone who has seen me from across the triple-wide and thinks, look at that pretty tall girl. She works so hard. She doesn’t even sweat, she glistens! And her smile, I don’t know why but it warms my heart unlike any other. I should go up and talk to her.

I would love it if that person did just that. Come up to me and say hello. What if they left a note on my windshield; Hello Pretty Girl, seeing you makes me happy. It’s as simple as that. Yeah, I’m definitely longing for that type of mystery, that kind of true spark, fueled by genuine kindness, warmth and tenderness. Seems like there’s so much abrasion recently, so much he said she said too cool for school let me tag you on Facebook. It all feels so removed, so indifferent, impersonal, lacking complete trust and true intimacy.

But tomorrow is another day. And thankfully we have friends, really great friends. Like my BFF Carmen, who tonight after Part I of the WOD and my last Clean and Jerk at 100lbs. said to me; Mary, remember when all you wanted was to get 100lbs. over head? It was your goal for the longest time. Now it seems like nothing to you!

I had completely forgotten. And in that moment she reminded me of all my hard work, and how it had paid off with little or no notice up until that moment when a great friend pointed it out to me.

Thank you, Carmen. Thank you for that. Happy Valentine’s Day my dear friend.