In my opinion, the beauty of CrossFit training, is the constantly varied aspect of the daily WOD. No thinking, no planning, no calculating...just work. Show up, push your body to limits that you once thought were not possible, take instruction and go. Far beyond the physical benefit of CrossFit is the mental growth that occurs from constantly challenging and pushing your margin of experience. As En Vogue so eloquently wrote, "free your mind, and the rest will follow". Stop thinking, just be.
As a result of the mental escape provided by a heart pounding, grip frying, lung burning WOD, that time of reflection while lying on your back doing your best to recover provides some amazing insights into my inner being. What follows is a list of a few things that I've learned about myself (and I think you will relate) during and after a WOD.
1. I'm a quitter.
I don't care what WOD it is, what day of the week, if it is my first or last WOD of the week, there always comes that uncomfortable moment when my brain says, "Ok, that's enough. I gotta quit." And every time that happens, I get pissed. No way can I quit. Forcing yourself to push through the temporary pain shuts up that stupid little voice, while at same time, building confidence and self esteem. It is truly amazing the carry over from the box to life. While no one said life would be easy, you certainly don't have permission to quit.
2. I speak in tongues.
At about the 17 minute mark of a 20 min AMRAP, something happens in my pre-frontal cortex. I'm not sure, scientifically, what it is that changes. All I know is that the words that I am thinking and saying to myself under what little breath I have, are not born of the English language. One thing is for sure, however, and that is they have deep meaning spiritually. Someday I hope to write this blog in my WOD tongue. I know that only true CrossFitters would be able to decipher it.
3. I sweat way more than the average human.
Seriously, how can my shoes and socks be wet? I'm pretty sure I didn't run through any puddles or wet myself. Or, wait... no. I always take a preWOD peepee.
4. I hate burpees.
It seems that no matter what WOD it is, if there are burpees involved, they suck. I keep thinking when I look at the white board that "this time, the burpees will be my recovery." Idiot. I hate burpees.
5. I'm not as good as I think I am
It never fails. At least once a week I look at the white board and think, "Finally, an easy one. I'm good at all these movements." Hahahahahahaha!
6. I love being part of our community
No matter how I feel coming into the WOD, or how I feel after, I am always thankful for the amazing people in our box. When I look around and see the encouragement, the support, the care for one another, I get choked up. In a world where the majority of people trash one another, find faults, criticize, belittle and even bully, I am so thankful for my CrossFit community. We are changing lives everyday, for the better.
Even mine.
No comments:
Post a Comment