2014

Getting Older Sucks! My recovery just ain't what it used to be

Getting Older Sucks! My recovery just ain't what it used to be
[dropcap]G[/dropcap]etting older sucks!  Yes, I'm 37 years "young" and still thinking I've got the body of a 25-year-old. Well, that's just plain wishful thinking I'm realizing as I just don't seem to heal up the way I used to. I remember the days when I could smash a tough workout, hike for an hour, take in a spin class and then go play 9-holes of golf and still feel like I could go another round. Those days still happen every once in a while, but I'm paying for it over the 3 days to follow.

 

[caption id="attachment_14629" align="aligncenter" width="400"]Paleo Way of Getting older?Paleo Way of Getting older?[/caption]

 

I was extremely skeptical when I was approached by X 2 PERFORMANCE to trial their product. Let's be real for a minute; a product that claims to increase energy, improve endurance and speed recovery - sounds too good to be true ( especially if it is legal and NSF certified )! After doing some independent research on the product, reviewing the 3rd party research and of course testimonials, I realized I had nothing to lose so sign me up !

Mentally I think I can handle the workouts and volume, but physically, my body is telling my brain to shut the front door behind it.



Whether you've connected with me on Twitter or Facebook, it's pretty clear I'm registered for a global competition called the CrossFit Open.  It's my fourth year participating in this event which takes place over a 5-week period and top athletes by region will qualify for semi-finals where they'll have an opportunity to compete for a spot at the CrossFit Games. It's a tense time for me. Mentally I think I can handle the workouts and volume, but physically, my body is telling my brain to shut the front door behind it.

I completed the first of the 5 workouts, CrossFit Open workout 14.1 , while still recovering from the flu. It was the tail end but my lungs just couldn't keep up with what my brain said I could do. It's discouraging, but along with my age has come to some wisdom - I'm in for the fun of it all! I've realized that if I'm not having a great time doing the workouts, then there's no point. It's the fun, community, and camaraderie that makes CrossFit fun for me - if I lose that, then there's no point in continuing.

[caption id="attachment_14631" align="alignright" width="280"]Sometimes recovery is slowed... just like carrying a load! #MooseisLooseSometimes recovery is slowed... just like carrying a load! #MooseisLoose[/caption]

It wasn't until CrossFit Open workouts 14.2 and 14.3, that the trial of X 2 PERFORMANCE began for me. As I mentioned before, skepticism filled me. I am a proponent for supplements as an add-in to "supplement" or "augment" one's nutrition, but shouldn't ever be interpreted as a "replacement" for whole food and a balanced nutrition plan. X 2  sounded too good to be true - and in my experience with supplements over the past 20 years has led me to believe that many of the claims in the marketplace are unfounded, unproven, and for the most part, a load of B.S. Moment of truth arrived and it was testing day. I was 45 minutes out of attempting WOD 14.2, so I took the prescribed 2 vials of X ( I'm over 215 pounds, hence the double-dose ).

Continuing through my usual warm-up routine: 5 km row, dynamic stretching drills followed by some band work, I realized one thing - I was starting to feel a bit of a pump but without the jitters. From experience in trialing pre-workout supplements, I've always found them to be overbearing, almost to the point of feeling uncomfortable - but this was different. The first noteworthy indicator was with my row - after finishing my pre-workout routine I realized that I was feeling really, REALLY good! I think I could have gone another 10 km and would have still felt awesome. I was liking this very much. I was ready to attack WOD 14.2... (note the videos below) - this type of workout is challenging for me even on the best of days, but today was exceptional, I didn't fatigue like I normally do.

Again, being a skeptic, I had to try again a week later for workout 14.3 - and I noticed 3 things in particular...

3 Positive Things I Noticed Using X Performance for my workouts



  1. Sustained energy and delayed fatigue: I actually felt really good post-workout

  2. Faster Recovery and reduced DOMS: normally after workouts - especially intense, high volume workouts - I find that I get crazy Delayed On-set Muscle Soreness , but a day or two after the open WODs I found myself waiting for it, but it never came. Hell YES!

  3. Awesomeness: I don't think this is listed as one of the benefits of using this supplement, but it should be! Heck, how often can you find yourself in a state of "awesomeness"? #GetAfterIt


In closing, I recommend giving X Performance a try to see if you get similar results. The free trial has been extended, so give it a go and let me know how it goes. Even though I'm 37, I'm pretty excited to know that there are some options that can help give new life to my workouts. Wish me luck with WOD 14.4 and 14.5![/three_fifth][two_fifth_last]
Sustained energy and delayed fatigue: I actually felt really good post-workout

CrossFit Open Workout Videos 14.2 and 14.3


[embed]https://vimeo.com/89366054[/embed]

 




you are awesome - really “Just so you know, I have been compensated to share my ideas on this topic. Sometimes it is in the form of products, or services or even money… But here’s the thing; I won’t  share anything with you that I don’t fully support. It doesn't matter what it is, or how much they are willing to give me, if I don’t believe in it, It won’t be on my site. Seriously. You’ll just have to trust me on this.”   ~ Moose




 
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