It took a little over 4 months, but I finally had my rematch with Fran. The first time I met her, I was very ill prepared. This time, I was armed to the teeth. I had weapons. I had armor. I had experience. I knew I could make it through the workout at the prescribed weight. Yes… I may have failed Fran again, but this time it was Fran Rx.
By now, you all surely have read my very first post about my very first foray into the CrossFit WOD known as Fran. I had avoided her for about 120 days, but I knew she remained – lurking, whispering, taunting. I could feel Fran’s hot breath on my shoulders every time a WOD called for thrusters. When I found out a day or two before my Monday showdown that the WOD was indeed Fran, I knew she would be front and center in my thoughts and contemplations. And she was.
For this time, I was going to load my bar up with 95 pounds and pull my body up as prescribed for the entire workout. This time, I was finishing Fran Rx style baby.
Whether it was by divine intervention or cosmic coincidence, I received a shirt from LatitudeGearRx less than 100 hours before my attempt to complete Fran Rx. The shirt fit perfectly and was soft and comfortable. The colors couldn’t have been better (orange has a special place in my heart) and having a constant reminder of #Fran with every glance in the mirror was great motivation to stay pumped.
(But really, did I need help getting psyched up for this WOD? Come on… it’s MOTHERFUCKING FRAN!!!)
The first time I met Fran, I had no CrossFit gear. I had no Nanos. I had no wrist wraps or Natural Grips. I definitely didn’t have any sweet CrossFit t-shirts. Remember – look good, feel good, do good. It’s science. Don’t even try to tell me you only wear Lulu because of how it feels and performs…
So there I was, looking good and feeling good and ready to rage hardcore on some thrusters and pull-ups. I knew from that horrid CrossFit Open 14.5 workout that I could definitely do Fran Rx this time. I just wasn’t sure how my time would be. I wanted to finish under 10 minutes.
3… 2… 1… Go!
I did 7 thrusters before setting the bar down. That’s exactly what I wanted to do. Unfortunately, that’s not the level of CrossFit that I’m at right now. Seven unbroken thrusters was too much out of the gate. I don’t recall how I broke up the remaining reps but I know I never did more than 4 at a time. Boo! So much for taking it to Fran this time.
I made it through thrusters and discovered that I had totally forgotten how to kip my pull-ups. I don’t know what happened but they were extremely wonky. I think I ended up doing the majority of them as just semi-strict pull-ups. Oh well!
By the round of 15s I was already gassed and 5 minutes into Fran. I broke my thrusters into sets of 3 and each time I had a fairly significant pause before picking the bar up again. Pull-ups were about the same with my kipping ability on hiatus. In a last ditch effort to crank the beast mode and get me through the WOD… my shirt also went missing.
Three sets of three thrusters with some pausing between them. Then I got through my pull-ups, breaking up the last few into fast singles. Finally I dropped from my 45th pull-up and glanced at the clock, stumbled a few wobbly steps over to a fan and collapsed into an ugly mess of sweat and pain.
Fran. Fran Rx. 11:28. Which, unrelated, was one second faster than my Helen time two days before.
I may not have felt wiped out the first time I did Fran, but I sure felt her in all her metabolic and muscular wretchedness this time.
You know, that LatitudeGearRx shirt still looks pretty good doesn’t it?
One thing I’ve noticed changing about my workout attire since starting CrossFit is that I don’t care as much about the big name clothing companies. I love the real people with their own brands, making a living doing what they love to do. LatitudeGearRx is exactly that.
Would you like a LatitudeGearRx shirt? You know you do! Well you’re in luck because my friend Lindsay was gracious enough to sponsor this post with my Fran shirt AND a giveaway for another shirt! That’s right, ifailedfran’s inaugural giveaway is… now!
I’m using Rafflecopter, so just complete the steps below for a chance to win! The more items you complete, the more entries you get and the better your odds are of landing a shirt. I know not everyone has an obsession with Fran like me, so rather than offering my same Fran shirt, LatitudeGearRx is going to let one lucky winner pick whatever shirt they want! How awesome is that?
To enter, you need to complete at least Item 1. The contest will run for a week, ending at 11:59 PM on June 20. (Yes, this originally was for two weeks, but no need to drag it out that long. I made the executive decision to make it one week. It’s 3:30 PM on 6/13, so you still have plenty of time.) I’ll announce the winner and then we will get in touch and get your order information. Easy enough, right? Yeah!
**
I didn’t obtain my goal of a sub-ten Fran. But now I have a tangible near-term goal. I want to be sub-ten by October, which gives me another four months. Think I can do it? I do.
I’m glad to have finally finished Fran Rx. It was an important milestone for me, much like my first Fran. I know how far I have come on my CrossFit journey in four months (wow, only four months??) so I am confident I can continue to grow for the next four.
Thanks LatitudeGearRx for the awesome, comfortable, motivating shirt and for sponsoring the giveaway! Be sure to check them out. Good luck with the contest!
Click here to enter the giveaway from LatitudeGearRx and ifailedfran!
Congrats on your RX Fran Chris!!! Better than yesterday:) My fav Latitude Gear RX tank top is the women’s “If it doesn’t scare you it’s not heavy enough!”
I love the racer back tank – “if it doesn’t scare you, it’s not heavy enough” !!!
I really like your blog. I’m a regular reader although I don’t necessarily post comments. Your dedication to crossfit makes me think about trying it.
I love the “carpe diem” tank from Latitude Gear Rx. Sweet!
Thanks for the support Christie! If your curious about CrossFit, I suggest trying it! Talk with any of your friends that do and ask about coaches/community/anything where you might try it. Let me know if I can help you in any way!
Congrats on Rxing Fran. I dream of doing this one day!! And the t-shirt is bad*ss!
Great job! Happy to hear that you Rx’d this beast and will be looking forward to your next rematch with her.
I <3 Lindsay; she's awesome and soo great to work with!
While I feel like I'm cheating by entering since I have a handful of their shirts already, I like free stuff. I want the muscle-up shirt, because I'm GOING TO get a muscle-up on my birthday in a couple weeks. However, can't wait for your giveaway to end to get it, so ordering it on my own. 😉
But if I won.. I'd like the HSPU tank cause I don't have a special HSPU shirt yet!
jennifer recently posted…Flash giveaway: Savage Life Apparel Tank or Tee!
Great blog! Love your honesty. Fran is a killer WOD no matter how good you get at it.
I guess I should follow the directions and post what shirt I want lol. I like the “Because I’m Fit” shirt .
I think I’d get the MACHINE shirt… because that is who I am at all times.
🙂
I have to say I failed to get my Fran time under 10 minutes this week as well… It makes me feel better to realize that I am not the only one who struggled with the work out!
melisa Johnson recently posted…Last post about Fran
Ooohhhh another blogger writing about Fran this week? Time to check yours out!
Another great article! Ever since your “I Don’t Care If You Don’t Crossfit” article I’ve become a dedicated reader of your blog. I really like the I Heart Burpees t-shirt by LatitudeGearRX. Burpees definitely make me groan when I see them in the WOD but you bet when the countdown begins and I hear “Go!” I make them my pet! Nothing feels better than dominating one of your weaker points. (Plus enough with the “buck furpees” Burpees need love too!)
I love the “embrace the pain” racerback… its’ perfect!! lol. WTG and epic giveaway!! 🙂
anastasia hagerich recently posted…Friday Five AGAIN!! (#2? I know!!) Linking up with @marmaone1 @eatprayrunDC and @yousignedup
I like the “No Guts – No Glory” Tank. Good job on Fran.
Thanks.
Tough decision — but I’d probably go for the #fran t-shirt or I heart burpees t-shirt. Sweet giveaway!
Awesome job Chris. Simply finishing that workout Rx is an achievement. It only gets better from here. Stick with it and we all look forward to your progress!
I like the Murph shirt. Version II
I love the women’s racerback “I Heart Deadlifts”. Deadlifts have earned a special place in my heart. Also, serious props for completing Fran RX. I’ve been doing CrossFit for about a year now and still haven’t managed that feat… It’s those pull-ups. I will get them one day!
As someone who has yet to Rx ANYTHING, I would probably have to go with “I just Rx’d that nap.” Love it. Congrats on Fran!!
I learned about your blog when your “I don’t care if you don’t crossfit” entry went viral – it was all my boxmates could talk about it! So obviously you are now one of my go-to websites! CONGRATS on Rx-ing Fran – that is no easy feat – and I bet you could shave off those 2 minutes in under 4 months!
I’m digging the “machine” tank! And the I “heart” squats one is awesome also!
Keep it up man, you’re killing it!
Oh wow, that’s still so crazy to me… my post went viral. Haha. This isn’t a brag, but it’s so weird when new people show up at my box and are like “hey I know you, I read your blog”. So unreal! Thank you for reading, and for coming back for more! Tell all your box mates to read too. =)
Picked up one of the Murph shirts for my first Murph ever. Love that shirt to death.
trying this again… 🙂
I’d go for the Murph or AMRAP tank!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted…That Week I Forgot a Rest Day
It took me a few tries to get under 10 Fran Rx. Work on both strict and kipping pull-ups and shorten the break on the thrusters. I’d probably go for the muscle up shirt. It’s one of the few skills I have yet to achieve.
Since I’m a fan of burpees, I would pick the I heart burpees tank top 😛
Awesome job on Fran!!
Kasey Bishop recently posted…Getting Active with Family
I did Fran last week at the master’s RX weight (yes, I’m in the master’s age category), with my best time ever: 7:06. Proof that even in dottering old age 😉 improvement is possible!
That’s a great time, congrats!
Ha! “I just Rx’d that nap” is an incredible tank option!
I just found your blog and I’m loving it. I’m new to CrossFit (Jan 2014) and my next CF goal is to Rx a workout. 11:28 is nothing to sneeze at! You’ll kill it next time.
-B
Barb C recently posted…#30before30 – Here we are
Thanks for reading, I appreciate it! Are you close to meeting your goal?
I’m close to my NEXT goal – yes! I’m hoping for a good ol’ push-up, kettle bell, clean and jerk workout soon so I can Rx the whole thing!
(Still working on my double unders).
Keep it up!
-B
Barb C recently posted…#30before30 – Here we are
Oh I love the “I heart squats” tank… I did my first Crossfit all women’s competition this weekend after only being in Crossfit for 2 months. I placed 37 out of 48 in my newbie division and was actually proud of myself.
The I heart burpees and double unders tanks are pretty sweet. Thanks for for the heads up on this stuff.
Those shirts are all fun!!! I like the “lift something heavy” one the best. I enjoy your blog very much!
Fran never really gets easier…always the same mean girl, haha. Awesome that you did it rx though!
I love the I <3 deadlifts and lift something heavy shirts. (Also, my computer keeps correcting deadlifts to deadliest. Ugh. Learn crossfit, computer.)
Krista recently posted…Paleo f(x) 2014 (late) recap and knowledge gems
Nice job! I like the “I heart burpees” tank!
Loving reading your blog, I just did Fran today for the 2nd time too!
How’d you feel afterwards?
We did Murphy on Wednesday, so my hands are very unhappy. I need to learn some better hand care I think. Ordered myself a callous shaver…ewwwwww! The thought of it just grosses me out. But other than my sore and bandaged hands, doing really good! Maybe I need to try those natural grip things you mention?
Hey you have to do what you have to do! I like RipFix, it’s good for when you rip but also before in helping keep the callouses down to manageable levels.
Thank you, that stuff looks good! And keep blogging, please. Love reading your stories and super curious to keep up on your journey. I think I started crossfit about a month after you, so I can relate to so many of the things you are saying. Have a great day and thanks again!