{"id":496,"date":"2012-01-31T11:29:11","date_gmt":"2012-01-31T18:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/libernetics.com\/?p=496"},"modified":"2012-03-20T18:57:26","modified_gmt":"2012-03-21T01:57:26","slug":"crossfit-1-year-later","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/libernetics.com\/?p=496","title":{"rendered":"Crossfit: 1 Year Later"},"content":{"rendered":"
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About this time last year I signed up for Crossfit at East Sacramento Crossfit.<\/a> \u00a0I remember it was a difficult decision. \u00a0First, the cost — more expensive than a regular gym. \u00a0Plus, the workouts would be difficult. \u00a0I knew this because I had gone through a couple of free sessions, and I had been to one of the events. \u00a0Finally, CF has a social aspect to it that made me nervous. \u00a0I\u00a0hadn’t\u00a0been introduced to a new social group in quite a while. \u00a0Mostly I was in complete control of my social life. \u00a0So this was something new.<\/p>\n

But I did it anyway. \u00a0And after a year, I would say it was worth it. \u00a0I\u2019m in better physical and mental shape. \u00a0I doubt if anyone would consider me a very competent athlete, but then again I stuck with it and I\u2019ve made some real gains in ability. \u00a0The other thing I notice is that just facing up to a workout that could take 15 minutes, or 20, or a 1\/2 hour, takes focus and discipline. \u00a0It requires patience.<\/p>\n

I can tell I\u2019m stronger because the first day our workout took me about 16 minutes. \u00a0At the end of one month it took me 8 1\/2 minutes. \u00a0Recently I did a much harder version of that workout and did it in 6:48.<\/p>\n

But the thing is, it\u2019s not enough. \u00a0The difference between my numbers and the better athletes is way too big. \u00a0I haven\u2019t really exhausted \u00a0the possibilities. \u00a0I suppose that fits some of the defining characteristics of \u201ccompetitive.\u201d \u00a0There\u2019s no doubt that competition is an important element of Crossfit.<\/p>\n

However, the competitive aspect has to be put in the right perspective. \u00a0\u201cWinning\u201d or \u201closing\u201d\u00a0isn\u2019t\u2019 what I feel when I\u2019m working out. \u00a0I feel motivated, or not. \u00a0Simple as that. \u00a0Some days I\u2019m stronger than others. \u00a0When I\u2019m at my best, I feel good. \u00a0I like that feeling. \u00a0I want more of it.<\/p>\n

I was watching the Boston Marathon\u00a0on television, about 30 years ago, and heard the best sports quote I’ve ever heard. \u00a0One of the analysts quoted a\u00a0man who had won several times (whose name I have forgotten) — \u201cMy goal\u00a0isn’t\u00a0to win. \u00a0My goal is to make sure that whoever does win knows that I took them to a level they\u00a0didn’t\u00a0think they could get to.\u201d \u00a0I thought that was a great quote.<\/p>\n

I look at my workout journal, and I think, wow, that stuff used to seem so hard. \u00a0Fifty burpees for time? \u00a0Deadlifts?\u00a0At the time it was scary. \u00a0It\u2019s still daunting, but now I spend more of my time trying to figure out how to get to the next level, rather than worrying about how hard it\u2019s going to be.<\/p>\n

Well that\u2019s it for now. \u00a0Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.
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