Posted by Andy Petranek : Friday, Jul 20, 2012

Tweet

I started swimming about 3 weeks ago. Why? Well I've had general and recurring shoulder pain in either/both shoulders now on and off for about 2 years. It's never been bad enough to keep me from doing anything, but it definitely effects my workouts and performance. And, it is something that is always in the back of my mind while WODding. About 18 months ago, I flew up to see infamous Dr. of Mobility himself, Kelly Starrett, who told me that although it hurts, there is nothing really wrong with it... it's what he called "CrossFitter's Shoulder" - caused by basic lack of internal rotation of the shoulder joint. His answer, mobilize, mobilize, mobilize. Shocking, I know!

I've been a mobilizing fiend since seeing then, but it's never really gone away. I have better days and then worse days, and nothing I do seems to move it consistently in the right direction... until now.

My first swim in a pool was the week of the 4th of July while I was on vacation. I've never really been a swimmer... in fact, usually, if I found myself swimming in the water, it was some sort of mistake (having fallen off my surf board, surf-ski, outrigger canoe, or kayak). Nevertheless, I went with my gut instinct - get in the pool and swim freestyle to give my shoulders a consistent, recurring, circular movement pattern to loosen them up. I swam twice that week, then twice the following at the Santa Monica College Aquatic Center - and in the middle of that second week, did "Grace" (30 squat clean & jerks at 135 lbs). It was the first time in about 2 years that I had completed a WOD with an overhead movement during which I didn't have pain. Wow!

I've kept it up since then - finished a 1 mile open ocean swim last Sunday, and another 1,400m at the pool yesterday. I'm really enjoying the "freshness" of it. It's something completely new (I got to get new clothes, gear and a bag), I'm doing it with and around different people, and I'm doing it in a completely new environment - at the pool or in the ocean. It's awesome. I can't imagine missing a week now - and it has nothing to do with my shoulder.

What are you trying that is different, fresh, new, that makes exercise fun and enjoyable? I'd love to hear about it in comments!

---

Friday's Workout (CAP)
For time:
10 Hang Squat Clean & Push Jerks (155/105)
2-min rest
10 Hang Squat Clean & Push Jerks (135/95)
2-min rest
10 Hang Squat Clean & Push Jerks (115/85)

...and coming Monday (NO CAP)
Tabata “These”
Kettlebell Goblet Squats (32/20)
1-minute rest
Dumbbell Renegade Rows (45/30)
1-minute rest
Anchored DB V-twists (45/25)
1-minute rest
Kettlebell SDHP (32/20)
1-minute rest
Box Jumps (28/24)