My favorite motivational videos for crossfitting, marathon running and work

I might be taking a bit of a different approach than most of the motivational videos you would normally look at, if you look at them at all. I am a big fan of the YouTube channel "The journey of purpose". It gives you perspective on what really matters in life. Rather than someone shouting at you, listening to heavy metal, techno or rap while doing my workout or tackle those next 10 cold calls, i like to take ten deep breaths and think about

My first crossfit half marathon row

Usually i lean more towards running than rowing because I can do it outside and also have a change of scenery. However today there was snow and it was damn cold. Me being a sissy i decided to go to the gym and do the scheduled half marathon not by foot, but on a concept 2 rowing machine.

This event was part of the 2013 Crossfit games. Again as with my runs, if I was a woman I would be damn good. But as I am a man, I am reasonably ok. It took me 1:26:47 to sinish 21100m of rowing.

How to start with deadlifts

Hafthor Bjornsson, to you probably more known as the mountain out of Game of thrones, has a tattoo on his shin which says "There is no reason to be alive, if you can't do deadlift". There are other reasons to be alive in my book, but I agree that the deadlift is the most awesome lift you can do in the gym. I find it even more surprising that some gyms do not allow this highly effective exercise. Here is your guide on how to get started and then take it to the next level.

Can Marathoners be good crossfitters:

February 2015

 Why crosfitters need weightlifting shoes

This is a beginner question which is often asked. I've compiled some insights out of the following articles "Why a weightlifting shoe", "Weightlifting shoes, why you need a pair, what to look out for and when to wear them" and added my own experience. In a sentence, if you want to do serious lifting, get a pair as soon as possible.

How competing improves your marathon and crossfit performance

Competition is controversial and can impede and accelerate performance depending on how able you are to deal with pressure. Based on my own experience and the ideas from the articles "Coaches are key in making competition a positive or negative sport experience for athletes" and "Does competition boost performance" you will find some thoughts in this article whether to compete or not.

How to stick to your marathon plan

You have decided to go for the big thing. The marathon with its 42km of unforgiving distance. Good for you, you will be proud when you finished. Here is how i made it twice and will make it more times, as I have not achieved my personal goals for the marathon yet.

Three easy ways for marathoners to get stronger and more agile

Marathoners are mostly busy people who have to juggle different schedules and somehow fit their long runs into their week, not to mention the interval runs and the easy to be skipped recovery runs. To find time to work on agility and strength on top of that is hard. Here are three simple ways to work on your core and your arms.

What happens to my body when I run a marathon 

I've run two marathons so far and here is a summary of my experiences wrapped into the findings of 8 Things that happen to your body when you run a marathon, the physiology of Marathon running and ten unexpected truths about running a marathon. All in all running a marathon is a bit like getting pregnant. If you know about all the possible consequences, you would never do it unless you are insane. It involves pain, months of preparation and when you are finished you feel exhausted and happy. 

6 things for crossfitters to consider about a lifting belt

When you take crossfitting serious you will perform exercises like the front squat, back squat, deadlift, clean & jerk and snatch on a regular basis with increasing weight over time. These are my tips around weightlifting belts based on my personal experience, what I have read in Greg Everett's book "Olympic weightlifting" and on Mehdi's 5x5 Stronglift blog, seen on YouTube and in the gym for crossfitters thinking about a lifting belt.