Had a great last few days. Not because I met the love of my life or won the lottery, which I guess would call for some word better than 'great' but anyway. Wednesday night I had a decent size class at Crossfit Uptown. It was myself, Jason, Joanna, Megan, Garrett, and Michael. All pretty experienced 'crossfitters', but was surprised that everyone showed up (Crossfit Uptown has been open for two weeks) If no one was going to show up that night I was going to work on some Olympic lifting, but then as everyone trickled in, I realized we didn't have enough weight for everyone. So the question came up, what are we going do with the class. Mike brought up a workout I had done a while back that I epically failed it. one round = 3 strict pull ups, 4 handstand push ups, 5 burpees. Do one round on the minute for 40 minutes, yep forty whole minutes. This workout takes strength and endurance, both physical and mental. To be able to do that many reps for 40 minutes is hard on your body and also your mind. This workout is definitely more challenging than your average crossfit class workout, partly because of the duration, and partly because the volume of work being done is a little too much. If you cannot complete the round in the minute given, you wait for the next round and continue. (workout is scored how many rounds you can successfully complete in the 40 mins, I had 36)
Understanding that I had done this workout a few months prior, I warned people that it is long and taxing..ie = much pain involved, everyone wanted to try it (which says something about the characters inside CF uptown)
after a bit of a warm up...3,2,1 go and we were off. Turning CF Uptown into a sweat box, steamin the windows with our sweat and heavy breathing.
I do not like bragging, but I do pride myself on the effort that is usually given. With that being said, in my 'crossfit' life, there has never been a workout that I did not complete Rx(prescribed weight and reps) or did not finish. These 'on the minute' workouts such as 'chelsea' (5 pull ups, 10 push ups, 15 air squats for 30 minutes) I have always successfully completed the task at hand
Then this workout comes a long and the first time I did it, if my memory serves me correctly I completed 26 or 27 rounds. This time I completed 36, an improvement, but still did not complete all 40.
...
and then today, Carter showed up with me at 830am to do a short little power endurance workout. 800m run, 12 muscle ups, 24 deadlifts @ 315#, 48 box jumps @ 30in box, 800m run. And if a crossfit workout was a fight (which it's not, so people who compare it...stop) Carter beat my ass. He came in around 13.50, me a sluggish effort of 14.30.
Well some of you might ask why are you writing about this? What does this have to do with me?
In fitness, sports, or work have you ever been content with where you are at? Said to yourself, I have done enough or just skated by earning respect by some? We all have, so do not lie to yourself. There has been a point in everyone's life that you were told you are awesome, great job, you killed it, you're a stud, etc etc. Then most of us just kind of relax and love the feeling that people admire us.
Newsflash, there is and always will be someone better, stronger, faster, smarter, and willing to work harder than you. Great you had the heaviest 1 rep max back squat in your gym, or you ran the fastest mile. You walk out with a huge smile on your face feeling awesome about yourself cause everyone 'oooo'd and awe'd' over your achievement. As they should a 400pound back squat is amazing and a 5 min mile is ridiculous, but why stop there? At work you closed out the biggest deal of the year and made everyone tons of money, but why settle for that? You know you are better than that right? You know that is not the limit you are capable of, so do not let other people set the bar, stay hungry. Stay a bit on the edge and go for more. You lost 10 pounds on the paleo challenge and are half way to your goal of 20. You look in the mirror and feel great and 'reward' yourself with a large pizza. STOP IT, your goal should be never ending without sacrificing other things of course ie (family, morals, etc etc)
The reason I bring this up because every once in a while I will get my 'ass kicked' and realize "hey mike, cmon now lets pick your shit up" aka...not being able to complete every round of that 1st workout, and Carter embarrassing me this morning. With other things in life, do not be content with other peoples admiration's and likes, be content with what you want of yourself, and never settle. Never EVER settle for someone else's standards. You alone set the bar for you. Be accountable for yourself, and if you fall of the wagon of food intake, that's fine, brush off that bowl of ice cream and make sure that's more motivation to fight the urge next time. Not give it your all in a workout? Who has not, but remember that feeling after and promise yourself you will not 'settle' for sub par effort again.
So my kudos to that group who let me workout with them on Wed. evening, and kudos to Carter for destroying my 'birthday' workout.
Keep elevating your game.
ps. I wish Michigan's defense knew how to tackle a ball carrier, I thought we were taught that freshmen year of high school.
Loved the post.
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