Learning curves
The following is from a guy who’s not going to the CrossFit Games this season to compete. In fact, his Open profile reads; “I’m here for me.” From the looks of it, he’s doing a pretty good job.
The following is authored by: Joel Lyman
CrossFit stops just being physical once you start learning.
Learning the movements isn’t even the difficult part anymore. Becoming aware that my lower self is rooting for me to fail. To stop. To slow down and breathe a little more. To glance around and see where everyone else is, now that’s hard to swallow.
A trainer started a class strangely recently. Instead of the normal introductions or run-down of the warm-ups, he said: “When we spend our time here, we can have fun. It gets us out of the house, we get to see our friends, and I think most people genuinely have a good time. But I want to remind you of something as we start today. Every activity we program has a purpose. And we can have fun and see our friends, but we must remind ourselves to be purposeful in what we do, instead of just running down the list.”
This has stuck with me far more that the trainer probably intended. But I had never thought of my time here in that way before.
My brain is a collision of ideas, experiences, frustrations, joys, pains, and doubts. But with the help of the trainer’s words, I decided to be mindful, in the moment with whatever I was doing that day. I tried to think of one solid cue that would set everything else up.
I PR’d my squat by about 60 lb. that day.
Instead of the normal thinking of screw your feet into the ground, heels down, butt back, knees out, tight core, tempo, bounce – I gave myself one cue, and focused intently on my real reasons for being there. The cue isn’t important, what is important is my dramatically enhanced focus.
In my mind, CrossFit is about learning our limitations and putting them on display. Then, we destroy them. Being mindful, instead of going through the motions, is helping me leave who I was in the past where he belongs.
Warm-up:
Coaches choice
Skill:
Rope Climbs & pistols
*Spend 12 minutes making these movements better by accumulating perfect reps.
For time:
25-OHS 55/75
20-Burpees
15-Power cleans 95/135
10-T2B
5-HSPU
2 Rounds
*One bar, change plates accordingly for practice.
Post impression to comments.
Happy Thursday!! 5am was hop’n! Great having Brandi join our group this morning. You did great on the over head squats!!
Debbie A and her fabulous toe to bar!!
Well this mornings Rope Climb and Pistols were creatively placed in between rounds of box jumps. Do we step down, jump down, step up or jump up??? THAT was the really question this morning.:)
Any who, Loved being with this group this morning! GREAT WORK
If anyone is looking for a new speed rope check out jumpnrope.com use the code ARNOLD at check out for 40% off. I just got the R1 Blue Steel in and it is sweet.
9a…thank you for your focus this AM. Solid technique work on the bars, and a couple of personal challenges. We’ll get that shot in a post.
*Laurie…great to meet you! Congrats on your first rope climb ever AND a new-found comfort w being upside down!
*Diane…you are stronger than you think. Onto efficiency…
Fantastic job Laurie!! Your doing great! Diane is a newbie beast!
Julie good job doing your cleans @ 95!
RX but I forgot to see what my time was maybe 16??
15:28Rx
What a fun morning!! Great to meet you Brandi!!
Fun morning. who know we could spend so much time debating rebound versus step down box jumps???
So awesome to see Debbie do rx t2b!!!
all that leaves is hspu and mups
Rope climbs. Even when we’ve got ‘em, we can refine ‘em, eh? We watched some dare-devil attempts at 630. Solid work on pistols. Jerry-your legs are gettin stronger! Ty-hmm…darn I wanna figure out how to keep you in your heel, but you’re definitely ahead of last year at this time. Always appreciate trainers in class. Adds value to instruction and challenges me a little differently w mine. Rest and fuel up for tomorrow.
I was excited to do the wod today! We didn’t do much at softball and this is the perfect wod to go to. Great class with Chas and Tyler. Those rope climbs were something…
Rope climb with 3 pulls PR
Upside-down rope climb PR
Again, very nice to see you guys. Won’t wod on Friday, due to softball. But can’t wait to cheer you guys on
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P.S. tried saying goodbye to ya during my overhead squats Josh! Hope to talk to ya soon
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