Big Sky: Women's Handstand Push-Up/Hill Run Event

Watch Michelle Kinney, Alessandra Pichelli, Stacie Tovar and Gretchen Kittelberger compete in the Handstand Push-Up/Hill Run Event in Big Sky, Montana.

[maggot]

I haven't been strength training in a while because my primary sport is distance running so probably none. Hopefully by next summer I'll be able to do 3-4 though but it doesn't really matter. These people are certainly strong enough to do them.

[rhythmnsmoke]

That may be the case, however because you would have to focus more so on the balance rather than the work, I imagine the intensity of the workout would go down. Which CF is about maintaining a high level of intensity through compounded movements and a good set of reps. No wall would be at a slower pace, kinda like doing a workout in a regular gym as opposed to a CF style workout.

[dge]

Initial thing you said is that you can run a sub 5 mile. So running a 15-16 5k is dead on. 19 minute 5k is good though. Most people who i work with run that.

[rhythmnsmoke]

Because Stacey has an injured shoulder. She still wanted to participate and it's all in good fun.

[lovefram]

While you are definitely right and doing a handstand unassisted by a wall is extremely important for strength and balance training, in this particular event it is unnecessary. Now, if you look at The Cinco 1 from this year's Games, competitors were required to do an 80 ft. handstand walk. Some of the competitors were unable to complete the handstand walk because of a lack of training in the area. So, in that instance I would say a proper amount of handstand training is important and crucial.

[dge]

5k is 3.1 miles. so if i said 15-16 minute than 5x3=15 and add on the extra. So its about a 15-16 minute 5k. So you don't run a 5 minute mile then? No, when someone says they run a 5 minute pace means they run an average of 5 minutes for however long.

[btdean]

CrossFitters are learning freestanding HSPU's. They were used in a local competition at CrossFit New England. Give it a few years to develop and I guarantee you see it as a scored, skilled event at the Games. Take handstand walking for example...in the beginning years of the sport, I don't think many top tier athletes could do it. Fast forward a couple years and it was used as a scored event in 2011 (or '12?) Games.

[MarkEWallace]

Call Crossfit headquarters and share your opinion. Let us know how it goes.

[rhythmnsmoke]

Are they doing things like a hill run right after? Like what else are they doing with the HSPU's?

[MarkEWallace]

And I'm sure they have all the reason in the world to do that, based on your ultra-intelligent discussion of the issue.

[rhythmnsmoke]

It's high reps. How many no-wall handstands do you do?

[maggot]

I dunno, check out Hit Richards or Adam Raw on youtube. They go just as fast as these people. Hannibal can do 5 planche pushups in like 10 sec.

[OscarSchneegans]

Provide one quote that demonstrates that I "assume that you don't work out".

[maggot]

No, it really isn't. I am not currently strength training but I like to watch crossfit games. Can I not criticize something I can't do? I suck at singing, am I forced to enjoy every singer because I can't do it or am I aloud to say they are bad? That logic is flawed.

[maggot]

That was after you threw the first punch by assuming that I didn't work out because "not currently strength training" isn't a good excuse. Then When I got pissed you insulted me again by saying that I have a shriveled mind.

[OscarSchneegans]

Profanity. The hallmark of a shriveled mind full of poorly-thought-out arguments. Keep going. You're doing great.

[OscarSchneegans]

These ladies did an 80 ft handstand walk as part of "The Cinco 1" event in the 2013 CrossFit Games, so yes, they're certainly strong enough to do it, but there's no reason to do unsupported handstand push-ups exclusively. And supported handstand push-ups at a deficit are far from "lame".

Criticizing others for doing something you can't, when they can do far more than you can, however, is lame.

[Danifootwings]

why is it theres a tagteam there? againts individuals???

[btdean]

Tovar has a shoulder injury and couldn't do HSPU's. Kittleberger helped to share the load. It was all in good fun.

[maggot]

No, a 15 minute 5k would mean that you can run a 405-415 mile. an 18 minute 5k means you can run a 450-5 minute mile. If my mile time is 455, there is no way I can run a 5k in 15 minutes. That is a faster pace then the 1 mile pace.