Kettlebells - Time to Get Back At It

It has been a long time since I've mentioned kettlebells.  That's pretty much due to the fact that it has been a long time since I've worked with my 'bells.  After my lung function started dropping, and a steroid pulse didn't resolve the issue, I decided to lay off the exercise to see if that might help. So the last time I swung a kettlebell was back in December.

Since my last workout I've lost 18 lbs and and about 1.4 liters of lung capacity. As you can imagine, after the weight loss and the procedures I've undergone these past few months, my body is fairly de-conditioned.

When my current issues with my lungs began, I was seriously training to be competitive in this past April's Tactical Strength Challenge.  Not being able to compete was a major disappointment.  I really enjoy working with my kettlebells and was proud of the fact that I could easily one hand swing the 32 kg 'bell, and two hand swing 40 kg's.  Learning the snatch was an awesome achievement to me. I miss the workouts, the focus, and the goals.

Well... my surgical and transplant teams have both cleared me to exercise as I see fit.  So I did this today:

I have officially registered for the Fall TSC.  It is a done deal.

What's the Tactical Strength Challenge you ask?

The TSC includes three movements:

• A max powerlifting deadlift (three attempts) 
• Pull ups for max reps (palms forward, no kipping, neck must touch the bar) 
• Kettlebell snatches for max reps in a 5:00 time period.

I had very specific goals for the TSC when my lungs were doing so well.  Now my goal is just to compete and prove to myself that I can do it.

Even though I'm deconditioned, my body still knows the movements so I won't be starting from zero.

It is time to get after it.

The local TSC will be held at Crucible Krav Maga.  I've never trained at Crucible, but Mike Coffin is a Strongfirst SFG Level 2 instructor and that is all I need to know.

I'm very excited about getting reacquainted with my little friends.

More information on the Tactical Strength Challenge

Five months... wheew.  Off we go.