Helen

3 rounds for time of:
Run 400 meters
1.5-pood kettlebell swings, 21 reps
12 pull-ups

Helen is part of the yearly benchmark series. Log your score! Did you do Helen the last time it was programmed for the benchmark series? How does your time compare? Post to comments.

CrossFitRoots_DavidAllen — David Allen during the 12 Days of CrossFit Roots workout.

Why I Did the Open – David Allen

Today is the first of a series of blog posts titled ‘Why I Did the Open.’ In each post, we’ll hear from an athlete at Roots who competed in the Open last year and what their experience was like. We also encourage you to post questions to Comments that you have for the athlete regarding their experience.

First up – David Allen!

Age: 36

Occupation: Data Scientist at Simple Energy

Family: Father of Remy & a still baking baby boy. Husband of Tiffany. Human of Nikita & Lola our huskies.

WODs Per Week: 3 or a I get cranky, but I try to get 4.

1. How many years have you been CrossFitting?

A little over a year ago. I came to support Tiffany checking out this CrossFit thing. I keep coming back.

2. How many years have you done the Open?

I decided to do the open last year at the last minute. To be honest, I was a little afraid.

3. Why did you choose to compete in the Open?

Last year it was mostly social because I was very unsure of myself. I wanted to help the shop’s enrollment number, to be a part of what was happening, and I had friends in other parts of the country that would be doing the same workouts.

4. Were you able to do all the workouts?

Almost! I wasn’t able to do the workout that had Overhead Squats. This movement is my weakest with my shoulder injury and I couldn’t even do close to RX weight for a single rep.

5. What is your favorite part about the Open?

I came for the social, but stayed for the gains! Having a personal cheering squad (judge) and knowing that it was “the Open” made me push harder than I had before in normal WODs.

6. Are you doing to compete again this year?

Hell Yes. And you, dear reader, should join me!

7. Anything else you want to mention?

Yes, this.