Iceland’s Annie Thorisdottir could also be a CrossFit Video games champion, twice over, however her hearth for competing remains to be raging simply as exhausting as ever.
The 32-year-old missed the 2020 video games to welcome her daughter Freyja into the world and returned the very subsequent 12 months to position an awe-inspiring third place. It marked the quickest ever comeback after giving delivery in CrossFit history.
This previous October, on the Rogue Invitational in Austin, TX, “Iceland Annie” completed as an in depth runner-up, making a dramatic assertion that confirmed the two-time fittest ladies on Earth remains to be on nice kind.
“Thor’s Daughter” talks about her famously intense coaching classes, how being a mom has affected her training, how she approaches health and diet, and the way her newest problem; coming into the 2022 CrossFit Video games by main workforce CrossFit Reykjavík, is making her extra motivated than ever.
You’ve got a background in gymnastics and athletics, do you assume this was a bonus with taking over CrossFit?
I consider the benefit is having physique consciousness and already being comfy with a good quantity of coaching quantity, in addition to primary gymnastics abilities. Nonetheless, going into CrossFit, I needed to learn to transfer exterior objects. Lifting weights wasn’t one thing that I used to be used to, in addition to making an attempt to get my operating easy. In the event you watch a gymnast run, it’s fairly stiff.
Do you assume that folks focus an excessive amount of on weight over kind?
I consider it was a bit of extra like that however now individuals hear extra, or possibly coaches are only a bit extra educated or used to working with individuals, for the reason that sport has grown. It’s a matter of being affected person and believing within the course of. One of the frequent items of recommendation I give individuals is to be taught to maneuver effectively first, after which you are able to do high intensity with lighter weights after which the weights will catch up.
You lately posted a significantly difficult 20-minute EMOM (Each Minute on the Minute) exercise. How typically do you do these, and are you a fan of EMOMs?
We’ve been doing 40-minute EMOMs as soon as per week for just a few weeks now too. This 20-minute exercise was form of to finish that cycle. It was a REAL one for certain. I actually take pleasure in them as a result of you realize you’ll be able to end the work when you may have performed it for 20min already so, after all, you are able to do 5 extra minutes after which one other 5, however your head tells you that there’s an excessive amount of left to go. That’s the place it is advisable develop and persuade your self that you are able to do this. It’s these moments of inside battle that make you stronger.
In terms of monitoring your pressure and restoration, what are a few of the most necessary forms of data that you just take a look at in your Whoop?
I actually like utilizing it for monitoring my sleep, it retains me accountable and helps me get to mattress earlier, which I actually need. I monitor the pressure and restoration, however I don’t let it have an effect on my coaching on the day, except the studying may be very low into the pink. I’ll additionally see how I really feel as a result of (being very low into the pink) is normally an indicator that I get sick. In any other case, (if the studying reveals I’ve the flexibility to tackle extra pressure) I simply modify my coaching in order that I really feel a bit of extra throughout that session… after which be sure a relaxation day is coming. The Whoop is a good way to see if I’m overreaching. The menstrual cycle tracking can also be very useful because it helps me to watch how I have to be fuelling, particularly throughout my interval.
How do you strategy diet on a day-to-day foundation?
I be sure to have sufficient carbs throughout coaching after which eat protein proper after every exercise. The week earlier than my interval, I add in additional aminos throughout coaching and the carbs are additionally much more necessary throughout that point as a result of we are able to’t retailer the carbs the identical as we do at different instances in our cycle. In any other case, my consumption stays the identical more often than not after which I’m simply much more strict after I get nearer to competitors season. I observe one thing referred to as RP strength to trace my diet and the dietary supplements I exploit are all from Transparent Labs however I believe it’s essential to ensure that your meals is all the time effectively sourced and clear.
How do you construct restoration time into your week?
I do one “energetic” restoration day every week, the place I do Zone 2 coronary heart price work for about an hour, together with mobility work and a sauna. Then I do one “full” relaxation day per week, and on that day, I play rather a lot with my child!
For restoration on coaching days, sleep and fuelling is on prime of the checklist. Aside from that, I do mobility or scraping with muscle scrapers. I use sidekick each night after which I take CBD MD, cbd comfortable gels 50mg twice every day.
Do you assume that everybody ought to contemplate constructing CrossFit fashion routines into their exercises?
I believe everybody ought to be lifting weights and I consider Excessive Depth Interval Coaching is likely one of the finest methods of coaching.
It’s clear that you just love group exercises! What are a few of the benefits of coaching alongside different individuals?
You get the push and the drive. I like having others round me. I take pleasure in myself on the gymnasium, coaching with different like-minded individuals. We will have enjoyable after which push and make one another higher when it’s GO time.
You’ve stated that you just really feel extra motivated than you may have in years. Why do you assume that is?
I really feel like I discovered a unique motivation and drive than I had earlier than. After giving delivery to my daughter, I simply needed to see if I’d have the ability to get again to feeling myself after which I needed to compete. No “want” or strain, simply me desirous to let myself compete and hopefully exhibiting different mothers that it’s their resolution relating to what they wish to do post-birth. Now, I’m additionally doing it for my household, and I wish to be function mannequin for my daughter. It’s additionally new to me to be on a workforce for this season. I’ve much more individuals relying on me, and on the similar time extra nice coaching companions.
I felt superb popping out of this previous 12 months, lastly feeling like I used to be getting management of my physique absolutely once more. After competing on the Rogue invitationals in October, I knew that I needed to proceed going. I had been eager about competing as a Group for years however by no means made it occur, so I made a decision this 12 months that I’d go for it and attempt to make it work out. It did and it’s positively making me develop much more as an individual and as an athlete. I’m stepping a bit of exterior of my consolation zone once more, and I consider after this 12 months, I’ll have discovered and grown a lot to turn into the perfect athlete that I’ve ever been.
