Well, I don’t quite look at it that way.
Instead, I am switching gears.
For years, I’ve pursued the Beast Snatch Test, where I aimed to do 100 snatches in 10 minutes with a 48kg or 106 lb. kettlebell.
I’m setting aside this goal…for now.
I don’t see this as a failure, just something I haven’t done yet (just like other training goals such as bending the red nail or doing a one arm chin that are lifetime goals.)
My personal best is 91 reps as can be seen here:
That’s still pretty damn good, if I may say so myself.
I remember early on with my kettlebell training, after I had first attended the RKC. One of my goals was to snatch the beast. As in successfully accomplish one rep.
So, my strength has come pretty far and I can be content with that progress. (On that note, check out this article about 8 years of kettlebells…from over 4 years ago.)
It’s just been difficult to maintain a peak, and keep going with running two businesses, traveling, and the other stresses of life. Sure; I know it could be accomplished, but it has proven difficult when trying to balance all aspects of life. It would take even more dedicated focus. That’s my excuse anyway.
Again, I don’t see this as a failure. Instead, I look at what I have gained from it. I learned a lot during the training of this including the value of always having the basics. The value of gaining mass and doing so sustainably. The value of breathwork in aiding endurance.
In the end, I could keep pushing for it…
But I am choosing to switch gears.
Another reason is my upcoming baby, that I announced yesterday. I figure this will likely alter my routines to some degree 😉
Plus, there are other pursuits that I would rather spend my time on now.
Some strongman training. Grip stuff. And back to bodyweight exercise. (You’ll see an article about that tomorrow.)
In reflecting on the year, it simply became more important to switch things up, pursue new aims, than to continue to push for this single thing.
Others might have said nothing and moved on. But if you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I’ve talked a lot about this. So, I felt I owed you an explanation if nothing else.