I am barely able to write this tonight after enduring what was "Murph" today. I realized after finishing that I coached myself to the edge. It felt unbelievably tough and coming in from the second run I could barely keep it together. Each workout affects us differently. However, giving 150% should not have felt so unfamiliar. That begs the question, am I not pushing myself most of the time. And yet another question, have I been unaware of this until now?!!
Awareness during the workout, all be it difficult, is critical. Most importantly, we have to be dialed in on the integrity of the movement. Spacing out and accepting questionable results is mediocrity. The same is true for the awareness of intensity. Unlike form which is objective for the most part: Did the hips go below 90 degrees and was there a lumbar curve etc., awareness of intensity is a gray area.
Ultimately, to get results, intensity is where it's at. Be aware if you are falling short of what you are truly capable of in this department. Your results will reflect this. Closing the gap on 'hard work' and 'everything you've got' is a challenge. But so is everything in CrossFit, right? Dig deep for it. Don't settle.
It is no surprise that CrossFit is a metaphor for life outside of workouts in almost every way. This is no exception. Don't go comatose in your life. Have awareness, be honest with yourself, take responsibility. Get the results you are looking for by going the extra mile...or 2.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
What we offer
Today I went to the grocery store. I ran in with two kids in tow after having just completed today's workout: a 30-minute wod that I moaned my way through. I complained about my skin rubbing against the mat with every sit-up. I sighed looking at the clock moving ever so slowly, I hoped it would all be over soon. In between the pullups, dips and situps, I shouted at my kids to 'get off those rings','scoot out of the way', and 'stop running around'. After the clock stopped, the 4 victims hopped up, congratulated each other on the solid efforts made and packed it in.
This particular trip to the grocery store left me with more to chew on than just dinner. I ran into a friend and with her was her 22-month old little girl. As all little girls are, this one was special. However, special in more ways than one - perhaps one of the most unique things I learned about her was that her one leg had been amputated recently due to a irreparable bone complication.
For the remainder of the afternoon and evening, I couldn't stop thinking. Thinking about adversity, challenge, suffering, fortitude, and perseverance. At our affiliate gathering this year, a well known young man by the name of Kyle Maynard spoke. Kyle was born with a rare condition called congenital amputation. Essentially he was born without arms and legs. Today Kyle would make our best attempts at a workout look like his warm-up. Having been on Oprah, Larry King, and an ongoing tour of speaking engagements, he said that there was something special about speaking to the CrossFit community. He felt that we were a community that could relate to what it means to overcome and push through what challenges us. It does not need to be stated that no WOD could ever begin to demonstrate the strength it takes to conquer the obstacles he has. However, walking away from that little girl today, I felt empowered that we create strong people in our 'box'.
Strength is perhaps one of the best adjectives one could hope to be described with. The physical strength never ceases to amaze me in CrossFit. Watching the progress that has presented itself in a matter of months with my clients is at times unbelievable. Seeing someone conquer a box jump for the first time, a solid pull-up that drives the chest to the bar, a deadlift that causes the onlookers to roar in excitement. It is something that everyone should have a dose of in their 'workouts' and more importantly their life.
The real progress and limitless capacity for strength is not with the body however. It is in the mind. Confidence, self assuredness, the attitude that everything is possible is a skill that many go their entire lives without. To strengthen the abilities of the mind and soul is the true goal in the CrossFit program.
But this is something many of you have heard before. The real question that boggles my mind in all of this is 'if this is what we offer, why do people settle for mediocrity?' It's not mediocrity compared to someone else, but rather with oneself. Most people are in a constant state of 'finding themselves' and figuring things out. Parents want to be great role models for our kids and teach them about integrity. Staying comfortable and in a rut is not living and a dead end workout is not making use of the incredible body that we have been handed.
I have learned so much about myself, my abilities, my life and my family by being a CrossFitter. Imagine what our community would be with more people participating in little doses of what we offer?
In this life there is no time for pettiness, for envy over someone with better abs at the gym, for one moment of taking for granted what we are capable of. I will go to bed tonight thinking of that little girl and hoping that I see her again in one of our CrossFit kids classes because I know that it will be the best gift someone could give her.
This particular trip to the grocery store left me with more to chew on than just dinner. I ran into a friend and with her was her 22-month old little girl. As all little girls are, this one was special. However, special in more ways than one - perhaps one of the most unique things I learned about her was that her one leg had been amputated recently due to a irreparable bone complication.
For the remainder of the afternoon and evening, I couldn't stop thinking. Thinking about adversity, challenge, suffering, fortitude, and perseverance. At our affiliate gathering this year, a well known young man by the name of Kyle Maynard spoke. Kyle was born with a rare condition called congenital amputation. Essentially he was born without arms and legs. Today Kyle would make our best attempts at a workout look like his warm-up. Having been on Oprah, Larry King, and an ongoing tour of speaking engagements, he said that there was something special about speaking to the CrossFit community. He felt that we were a community that could relate to what it means to overcome and push through what challenges us. It does not need to be stated that no WOD could ever begin to demonstrate the strength it takes to conquer the obstacles he has. However, walking away from that little girl today, I felt empowered that we create strong people in our 'box'.
Strength is perhaps one of the best adjectives one could hope to be described with. The physical strength never ceases to amaze me in CrossFit. Watching the progress that has presented itself in a matter of months with my clients is at times unbelievable. Seeing someone conquer a box jump for the first time, a solid pull-up that drives the chest to the bar, a deadlift that causes the onlookers to roar in excitement. It is something that everyone should have a dose of in their 'workouts' and more importantly their life.
The real progress and limitless capacity for strength is not with the body however. It is in the mind. Confidence, self assuredness, the attitude that everything is possible is a skill that many go their entire lives without. To strengthen the abilities of the mind and soul is the true goal in the CrossFit program.
But this is something many of you have heard before. The real question that boggles my mind in all of this is 'if this is what we offer, why do people settle for mediocrity?' It's not mediocrity compared to someone else, but rather with oneself. Most people are in a constant state of 'finding themselves' and figuring things out. Parents want to be great role models for our kids and teach them about integrity. Staying comfortable and in a rut is not living and a dead end workout is not making use of the incredible body that we have been handed.
I have learned so much about myself, my abilities, my life and my family by being a CrossFitter. Imagine what our community would be with more people participating in little doses of what we offer?
In this life there is no time for pettiness, for envy over someone with better abs at the gym, for one moment of taking for granted what we are capable of. I will go to bed tonight thinking of that little girl and hoping that I see her again in one of our CrossFit kids classes because I know that it will be the best gift someone could give her.
Monday, March 2, 2009
First of many
The coaches of Mpower will be starting their own blogs over the course of the next month. This surge of expression, postings and musings leads to the inevitable question, "What is with all of these blogs?"
Blogs are an open forum opportunity for expression. There is so much that surrounds the quest for fitness, health, beauty and happiness. If it was a simple equation, we would all be the leanest, fittest, content race on the planet. I will get right to the punchline, it is not that simple and we are not all content.
The thing that is even more crazy is once you think you have it figured out and down to a science, something comes out of left field to remind you that you are human. Acceptance, error and living in the moment now become the real challenge. I write about this today because I've had a weekend that began with taking some risks to veer off my usual diet. "A few of these won't hurt" led to "Well, I deserve a few more" led to "Crap! What have I done?!" This is life.
Getting 'off track' is par for the course. One could argue that it is part of training and becoming stronger. To be able to get back on the horse, brush yourself off and start with a fresh perspective takes some mental fortitude. True failure comes when someone gets pulled into a downward spiral of beat up.
So, take a deep breath, look at the whole picture. If you feel like you are 'off the wagon' in any one part of your life it's simply a chance to look at what's going on. Is there something off balance? What do you need? If you can't get back on track alone, reach out for support.
One of the most amazing things that drew me to CrossFit was how supportive and filled with integrity it's participants were. Unconditionally accepting, yet simultaneously encouraging you to exceed your own expectations. That, my friends, is community. I am so proud to be part of this community and draw strength from each of you everyday. Thank you.
Blogs are an open forum opportunity for expression. There is so much that surrounds the quest for fitness, health, beauty and happiness. If it was a simple equation, we would all be the leanest, fittest, content race on the planet. I will get right to the punchline, it is not that simple and we are not all content.
The thing that is even more crazy is once you think you have it figured out and down to a science, something comes out of left field to remind you that you are human. Acceptance, error and living in the moment now become the real challenge. I write about this today because I've had a weekend that began with taking some risks to veer off my usual diet. "A few of these won't hurt" led to "Well, I deserve a few more" led to "Crap! What have I done?!" This is life.
Getting 'off track' is par for the course. One could argue that it is part of training and becoming stronger. To be able to get back on the horse, brush yourself off and start with a fresh perspective takes some mental fortitude. True failure comes when someone gets pulled into a downward spiral of beat up.
So, take a deep breath, look at the whole picture. If you feel like you are 'off the wagon' in any one part of your life it's simply a chance to look at what's going on. Is there something off balance? What do you need? If you can't get back on track alone, reach out for support.
One of the most amazing things that drew me to CrossFit was how supportive and filled with integrity it's participants were. Unconditionally accepting, yet simultaneously encouraging you to exceed your own expectations. That, my friends, is community. I am so proud to be part of this community and draw strength from each of you everyday. Thank you.
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