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[/caption] So today I decided to take a run at Elizabeth, and realistically today would have been the first time as RX’d. The last time I did it, many of the ring dips should have been discounted for not being locked out at the top, and some of them were jumping dips. Today that was not the case. I didn’t really have a strategy for attacking this WOD other than to simply to do it as fast as possible–under 20 minutes? Mike and I knew going in the ring dips would hold me up and I could crush the cleans, and that was exactly what happened. The first set of 21 cleans was fast, and I only broke once to re-grip the bar after losing my hook grip. After my first 3 ring dips I knew it was going to be slow, and I looked at Mike and said, “I can’t do this”. He was encouraging but firm when he told me to bag the attitude and get back on the rings even if it was only for doubles and singles. And I did. My resolve returned and I finished in 19 minutes. The cleans went well: the sets of 15 and 9 were fast and unbroken (a pause to re-grip in the 15s). The ring dips were slow and steady. If I tried to get back on any faster than my body was ready for, I would fail and miss a rep. And these missed reps mentally and physically worked me over. I was stuck standing staring at rings, willing my triceps to do the work my mind was telling them to. It was infuriating that I simply could not get the work done any faster. When all was said and done, I gave it everything I was capable of, and I walked away with a new RX’d WOD under my belt. Afterward I worked on pistols and kipping toes-to-bar. There was a time when these movements completely eluded me, so it truly excites when I bounce up from a pistol. I still need to use an 8-lb. weight on my left leg, but I’m giving myself until the new year to get that done.The workout finished with weighted GHD sit-ups, 3 x 12 with 15 lb. Tonight I am heading out to a wedding social for some fellow Functional Fitness [204] athletes. I hesitate a lot when it comes to “going out” because I’m always worrying about the next day and how it will affect my training. Having a bit of fun in moderation can only make me stronger. Besides, I can use the ice cubes at the bar to cool down the burning rash of missing skin on my arms from the ring dips. Goood times!