Crossfit just as emotional as it is physical

   One of the advantages of understanding how Crossfit programming works is that I can look at different work outs and determine which workouts are actually the same even though they may be set up very differently. This last Monday (the 11th) I was looking at the Crossfit Mayhem and the Crossfit.com work outs. Each would work the same capacities, but the Crossfit.com work out had a couple movements I have not done in a while and ones I knew I needed to work on getting more familiar with. The work out is below.

 

5 Round for time

-5 Overhead squats (95lbs)

-10 Toes to Bar

-15 Power cleans (115lbs)

-20 Double-Unders

   As I was warming up and thinking about the first two movements specifically I felt I could get the work out done in about 30 minutes. Six minutes a round should be more than enough time, considering the movements I am still new to are the first two with the least number of reps required. I knew it was going to be a longer work out, but I did not expect the emotional battle this work out was going to present to my mind and soul.

   I get through the first round relatively quickly.  I struggled a bit to find my groove with the Overhead squats and the toes to bar went better than I remember them going. The power cleans were more difficult than I anticipated, but breaking them up proved to keep a strong pace. Having just got double-unders down I was happy to burn through those. First round done, no worries. As always the second round was more difficult. My forearms were giving me some issues with the toes to bar and from all the sweat I was having a problem keeping my sweats on my waist during the double-unders. Little did I know that not only were the movements taking a toll on me, but also the heat. I looked at the clock and saw that I had been going about 27 minutes and only done with 2 rounds. There was no way I was finishing the work out in less than 30 minutes.

   The third round broke me. I finished all 5 reps unbroken of the overhead squats and powered through the toes to bar, but mentally the effort to do 15 power cleans felt so overwhelming. I wanted to just finish the third round and call it quits. I was frustrated that the movements I thought would be easier were actually harder and more intimidating. I was frustrated that the work out was taking me so long. At the rate I was going it would take me over an hour. That is usually how long hero work outs take me. I sat on the rower and just started crying.  I wanted to be done and help Kristen with the kid’s homework. I just felt overwhelmed with all I had to do in the house and this work out was not going to be as short as I anticipated. I was soaked in sweat from the afternoon Arizona heat which seemed more humid with the approaching storm expected later that evening.

   I then remembered all the videos and stories from other Crossfitters who had different emotional breakdowns for a variety of reasons. I gave myself a couple minutes, wiped my eyes, refilled my water, and took a couple deep breaths. If I am going to be a master’s competitor when I am 40 I have to be able to handle the roller-coaster of emotions that come with unexpected walls I needed to face down this WoD. Crossfit is about preparing for the unknown. During this work out I learned that the unknown can even be found in familiar movements. I did not expect to be broken from this work out, but from this work out I feel even more victorious for finishing all five rounds even though I finished it in 59:10.