Day 99 - Burpees are great

Since it is day 99 (enter huge smiley face here) and since we are now in the final stretch and the work is that much harder, I figured I'd put a post out to state all of the great things about burpees. We have had PLENTY of posts on why we hate them - but I'm going to restrict comments to this post to ONLY GOOD THINGS...here is what I like about burpees, and the effects from them that I've seen in the last 99 days that I've been doing them:

1. Muscle tone (yeah!)
2. Significant increase strength (arms, shoulders, quads)
3. The ability to walk up the numerous stairs in my subway station without becoming winded
4. Form has become crisper/easier. eg: The jump out, the jump in, the push-up and jump up all actually flow together.
5. Shoulder pain from nagging rugby injury has for the most part subsided
6. Having a consistent (and "never gets old") conversation topic amongst my group of friends
7. Completing something that on the first day, I never thought I would complete. I have this huge sense of accomplishment that I never anticipated having
8. Doing burpees everywhere and getting strange looks for it - I love the list that this group has created!!
9. Having a great wake up call in the morning. After doing 4 sets of ten as soon as I get out of bed, the level of energy I have for the day has increased significantly
10. That they are (almost) OVER!!!!!!!

What do you like/love about burpees??

So close, yet so far away

If the burpee challenge were a marathon, it'd be safe to say that we are now in the last mile.  Unfortunately for me, I hit the proverbial wall on day 97 doing deadlifts at the gym.  After way too many exercises, including 150+ burpees, I decided to ignore that tiny little voice in the back of my head and do deadlifts.  Next thing I know, I feel that lightnight bolt through my back that those who have back troubles know too well.  Dropped the weight, but alas, it was too late.

So now I'm stuck with 297 burpees left to do by friday and a back so stiff and painful I can barely walk.  I'm doing my best to ice/naproxen/muscle relax/stretch it and have made progress, but still, that's a lot of burpees to do.  To be honest, it's only 257 now because I've managed to inch worm my way through 40 since Wednesday, but considering it takes me 4 mins to do 10, I'm not looking forward to this, at all.

Good luck to all who are still in it.  The light at the end of the tunnel is in sight.  I'm making it, even if i have to crawl.

Day 98 - post break up

Dear Burpees,

As much as I hate to admit this I have been thinking about you constantly the last five days. I knew it would be hard to end things cleanly, but I did not anticipate the emptiness that your absence would create. Every day I try to go about my daily routine without you and it doesn't feel right. I mean for 92 days you were a huge part of my life - that just doesn't go away.

Little things remind me of you. People still ask about you constantly - and I have to awkwardly explain our break-up. Today I thought about getting back together, but it is just too painful right now. I wish it could be different. Maybe with some more time we can work things out. Until then I am going to take care of myself as it will be a slow healing process.

Rachel

Day 98 - Get ready to Party!

Folks, final stretch! Only 297 burpees remain (for most) between us and the end of the challenge. So, to celebrate the 100th Day, we will be gathering at Professor Thom's in the East Village in NYC for all those in the area who can make it.

PLEASE SAVE YOUR FINAL BURPEE FOR AT THE PARTY!! FINAL BURPEE WILL TAKE PLACE AROUND 8 PM


WHAT: 100 Day Burpee Challenge Finish Celebration
WHEN: Friday, April 10th, 7:30 PM
WHERE: Professor Thom's, 219 2nd Ave (between 13th & 14th)
WHY: You just completed 5050 burpees, or came close, or supported someone who did, or hate burpees and need to drink to wash away your anger, or just because its Friday!

There will also be some fellow challengers and supporters gathering at Professor Thom's for some birthday and going away festivities and then who knows where the night will take us!

For those challengers in other parts of the world - how will you celebrate?

Day 96--Burpee Fame!

Fellow Burpee-ites (and friends, and fans),

As I perused my google reader tonight before bed, a Cranky Fitness post caught my eye. I won't lie, it was partly because of the big photo of the Slanket (evil cousin of the beloved Snuggie). But imagine my surprise to learn that our challenge was featured in the post!

Check it out!

Apparently I'm an internet temptress. My parents will be so proud...

Day 93 - Not looking good

After struggling through the last few days in pain -- though getting them done -- I decided to go to the doctor this morning.

Last night I took a light run at rugby practice - not doing any contact - and it seemed okay. That I guess wasn't the smartest thing as woke up barely able to move with shooting low back pain that extended into my upper hip. Four 200mg tylenol and ice didn't even put a dent in the pain. Stretching was unproductive. Since this was the 4th day of a lot of pain I knew it was time.

I told the doctor I hurt myself doing burpees. Then asked if she knew what those were. Instead of responding she dropped and did one!

First, they discovered that my resting heart rate was 90. Crazy it is usually in the low 60s. They said that pain will raise it up. After a few basic tests they determined I couldn't leave without x-rays....

So the result is that my pelvis and low back are completely out of alignment because of muscle spasms. I have to rest and take pain killer. She said no burpees (unless I am 100% pain free). If its not better in 10 days its an MRI and orthopedic.

So with exactly a week left to finish I am pretty much out. It is incredibly disappointing considering I've been diligent the whole challenge. The most I've ever carried over was 30 burpees on a weekend where I played two days of rugby. In fact I've only carried burpees over 4 times total. The other 3 days were because I had a neck injury and couldn't get them done in a day.

So to have an injury that takes me out totally blows besides the fact that now I can't play rugby on Sunday.

I'll cheer you all on though -- hoping to be pain free before the end so maybe I can finish....but considering the fact that I can barely walk and can't sit through class without pain...I am not going to get my hopes too high!

Day 91 - low returns

I have been struggling through these last few days. I have quite a bit of low back/hip pain, which seems to be better after fully warming up and stretching out. However, that means I am doing sets of 5 fairly slowly concentrating on the push-up and jump at the end. I can't jump my feet all the way up to my hands from plank right now because of the stiffness.

It makes wonder at what point I am not getting any benefit from doing burpees. Over time I've been trying to make sure that each set is quick and dynamic to get the full benefit -- but now with so few days left and so many each day there is a lot at stake missing a day....

I also sometimes wonder that for those of you making up 100s. Does your body truly get any benefit from not building up daily?

At what point is it just to do the challenge? as opposed to fitness benefit?

right now for me I am just trying to finish and then heal...but I am beginning to wonder if the toll these high numbers are having on my body are worth it