WHY!?

Since I posted my blog about the box jump along w/ many posts and photos on Facebook I've been getting some interesting.. and kind of surprising (to me) responses.

People are wondering / asking me why I am "doing this" to myself. In addition to the photos of the leg I posted one of the workouts I was walking into this a.m. I also posted a photo of the callouses that are forming on my hands. After just a week. I posted the callouses not because I was bummed about them or in pain. I was just surprised at how quickly they were forming. I'm actually kind of proud of them.

proof of the hard work I've been doing.

I had an unfortunate mishap. I wish I hadn't clobbered my leg on a box, but I did. Does that mean I quit? HELL NO! Does it mean Crossfit isn't for me!? NO!! It means I need to listen a bit more and think about my own personal abilities. I knew I was getting tired. I should have stopped trying to bounce right back up on that box. I should have rested at the bottom... tried again on the next round. Like today's workout where we did multiple sets of 20 push ups. (side note: pre-crossfit I have been doing push ups and usually maxed out at 12 'standard' push ups, but was asked to do 20 in this set... I did 20. Wouldn't have - HAVEN'T - pushed myself that hard on my own. THIS is one reason I do Crossfit!) I did 20 standard push ups on the first round. The second round I physically COULD NOT do 20 so I did as many as I could standard then dropped to my knees. Not until my arms would NOT lift my body. I knew my legs were tired and getting to the point where they couldn't rebound that fast and lift me to the top of that box... I should have "dropped to my knees" by stopping at the bottom to rest before jumping again. Now I know. You have to push beyond your limits, but KNOW when you have hit your max! Only YOU know!

I am doing Crossfit to push myself. To have break throughs. To share in the struggle and accomplishment with like minded individuals. To inspire others to push themselves beyond what they think they can do. To show that it CAN be done! To get stronger. To mix things up. To connect with people. To connect with myself. To fix problems I have created by doing the EXACT SAME movements over and over and over again thus creating imbalances and leading myself straight to multiple injuries. To mix things up. To be a BAD ASS!

Will I jump on a box again!? Hell YES! Maybe not today.. or tomorrow ... or the next week, but yes I will. Next time I'll be smarter and more cautious, but I'll get there. I got back on my bike after my wreck.

I'm really surprised that people are acting like they doubt my decision or dedication to seeing this through. 1. these people know me, 2. many of them are athletes as well.. that do extreme things themselves, 3. are we not to encourage each other to move through adversity?

Anyway. It matters not. I will continue. I will push. I will learn. I will get stronger. I will have fun. I will reach my goals. And it will be hard sometimes, fun others, but in the end it will all be worth it... except that there really is no end. It just evolves.

I hope to share this feeling with many others... particularly women who think "I could never do that" ... I'm here to tell you that that is 100% bullshit! You might not be able to do 'that' RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT, but if you dedicate yourself to it... open the door and focus... you can break through those barriers.

This type of work is largely physical, but there is a huge HUGE mental aspect. You walk up to that pull up bar thinking... "I can't... there is no way I can do THAT many pull ups even WITH that band thingy!"... then you climb up on that box.. you put your foot in that band... you grab that bar... and with a little help from your friends you dig deep.. you might grunt... you might scream... you WILL hurt, but YOU WILL get it done! And afterward.... afterward you will feel AMAZING!

What are your mental barriers!? What are you telling yourself you CAN NOT do!? Step up to that 'bar' grab hold of it... and push through! I BET YOU CAN!

Today's workout:
FIVE rounds for time
200 meter run
20 pullups
200 meter run
20 push ups
200 meter run
20 sit ups
200 meter run
20 air squats....

I'm not gonna lie. I thought I can't before this workout, but you better be damn sure I DID! And I'm proud!