The birthday gift that keeps on giving. (I hope.)
I bought myself an early birthday present. One that I’ve been debating on for months. August 27-29 (my birthday weekend), I will be going to San Diego to have my azz handed to me for the RKC certification. The RKC is known for being an extremely grueling certification. From everything I’ve read and heard it’s supposed to be tough. Really tough.
Yet rewarding.
Upon arriving at the certification the first order of business will be to pass the snatch test. To pass a woman must snatch a 12k (26lbs) or 16k (35lbs) 100 times in 5 minutes. A woman must weight 123.5 or less to test with the 12k. I do not weigh less than 123.5 and, as of now, I cannot snatch the 16k safely for even 5 reps. It’s possibly but unlikely that I will be able to safely pass test by August using the 16K. That leaves me with one option. Shed a few pounds. While, the snatch test is only the part of the challenge, the weight issue is a real issue that must be addressed, preferable sooner than later for strength’s sake.
So why did I decided to register for something that may leave my palms looking like I just played patty cake with Freddy Krueger? Two reasons. One is simply I’m passionate about kettlebells and their unique benefits. Two, I love a good old fashioned challenge. I’ve pushed myself in my workouts before but never have I worked out for 10 hours a day 3 days straight under the critical eye of an instructor. It should be fun in a twisted sort of way.
I’m nervous. Really nervous. There’s is 20%-30% failure rate. I really don’t want to be in that percentage. Since I’ve already passed the HKC certification and I am training under Doug Nepodal,a senior RKC, I know I have a strong foundation but is it strong enough? There is that small voice inside my head that doubts my endurance. That doubts my strength (mental and physical). That doubts myself. But I’m also excited. I’m excited to take my training to another level. I’m excited to learn. I’m excited to share what I learn. I’m excited to grow and we all know challenges are like fertilizers. When I told Doug I had registered he said, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re ready for the toughest weekend of your life (and one of the most rewarding at the same time, so good for you for signing up)”
I hope he’s right.
I also hope my experience is nothing short of one of my favorite blogger’s, Josh Hanagarne from The World’s Strongest Librarian, RKC experience.
Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn
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This is my (almost) sane quest for insane health. Let's 
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I have no doubt you can do this!
Aug 27 – 29th is MY birthday weekend too!!!!! GO Virgo!
Wow! You are amazing! And yes, you can do it!
wow that sounds so intenese girl!!! I know though you will do it, you are so tough and strong willed!!!!!!
Have a safe trip to Arizona and have a beautiful easter with your family!!! So cool you are going to met up with AVERIE!!!!!!!!!! I love her!!! I hope to meet her one day, she is one of the sweetest blogges ever and always has something yummy she is making!!!
Love u girl!!! xoxo
you’re going to rock your test! and there is a woman in san diego i knew how was REALLY into kettlebells and i dont know her name but she was on a holistic parenting list w/ me, anyway, not helpful info for you i realize, just babbling
your shirt…i love it!!!!! i love anything asian, not cookie cutter, with some flair, and that’s a winner!
Wow that sounds hardcore!!! But it definitely sounds like something you are passionate about. I bet you will be able to do it. How exciting!
Oooh I am SO EXCITED for you! And so excited to read all about it! You are going to do great – not that I know anything but you sound really well prepared to me.
And I must add: I’m a wee bit jealous. And entire weekend of whole-day barf-a-thon workouts is my dream. I’m weird.
wow. this is awesome, jenn! you are so ambitious and i admire you!
I believe in you and am rootin’ for you friend! (and you are rockin’ lots of dense muscle to weigh 123+ and look like the teeny tiny thing you are!)
Love the early b-day gift idea! Mine started last month and will probably continue all summer with athletic event reg fees LOL
Wow, sounds like an amazing challenge! I’ve never worked with kettlebells before, but I’ve heard about the great benefits.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for your sweet comment! It totally made my day. I’m loving your blog so far, and I can’t wait to keep reading. Yea for a new bloggie friend!
I totally know what you mean about Rockstar Diaries. I’ve always loved her blog…so inspiring!
Can’t wait to hear about your progress.
As always, totally impressed.
“So why did I decided to register for something that may leave my palms looking like I just played patty cake with Freddy Krueger?”<—-YOU crack me up!
I agree- I'd totally shoot to lose weight to get into 12K category.
Great birthday gift!
I know you can do it!! I’m excited to hear all about it!
Sound like it’ll be right up there with childbirth
20-30%! wow this is tough! You can do it though, I think you pretty much are superwomen so you can do it!
So impressive! You will give 100% and that is all anyone can do. With your determination you’ll succeed and pass, too!
I can tell you that I could NEVER pass. I just bought baby bells: at 15 and 20 pound and I am too scuuuurrrred to even attempt one snatch with that 20 pounder- for fear of wrecking my shoulder even though I think my form is good.
As I said to you- unless we have some out of town commitments, I’d love to go and support you and be your “victim”.
PS. My right thigh weighs 123.5 so I’d be out for the lighter weight category anyway, sigh.
Ohwow, that sounds SO tough! And kinda fun 😉 I have yet to play around with kettlebells, but I’d love to try out a class. You’ve got the heart and determination, which is all you really need to succeed!
Wow–good for you!!! Snatches absolutely kill me so that’s one of the kettlebell exercised I need to work on. I look forward to reading about your progress!
marshall bought a kettlebell. 26 pounder. so now i am looking at all your past posts. i want to use it but dont want to do it wrong! do you have links to videos that demonstrate the right way to do different mooooves? love you.
Sent you an email but for other readers who might have the same question I thought I should answer here. Your best bet is look for an RKC instructor in your area at dragondoor.com. It’s really easy to think you are doing a move correctly and then to find out you aren’t. (I did that with one arm cleans and now I’m having a heck of a time fixing them b/c of muscle memory.) If that’s not possible look for videos or books by people who are RKC certified. Youtube does have some great videos and one of the better channels is Iron Core’s channel. Hope this helps.
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