If I had wings I would fly ... let me contemplate

Foto credit: Hard Exercise Works Boynton Beach

Right now when I walk into the gym, the ropes greet me with mockery. And I retreat to my shell and ask, why can't I just get up that rope? I've done it once before, why is a second time filled with doubt and frustration? This rope that simply makes my knees shake and my palms tremble. The rope that looks fun until you look down. I am not (rather trying not) to embellish on my fear, because that's what they all are, no matter how much I justify it with a scientific reason of a fear of heights; at the end of the day they are simply excuses. But I'm only human. And these excuses are what hinders me. I realize this nor am I going to add it to my fitness goals on how to work towards it ... because hell, I've been afraid of heights since I can remember.  

The rope thing is different than my double unders (still practicing this) or my pull ups (simply have to build on my kip more) or even handstands (note to self: practice more). The rope thing is not in my vernacular, it's not written for my future yet because right now, I simply am afraid for my life. 

I can push myself to get up that rope, try to get the trainers' assistance by assuring me that I can overcome fear ... but I need to shop where I can get a harness. Or at least angel wings. But again, I'm making excuses. I know this, my trainers know this and now you know this. So far now, I have been and will be doing up:downs ... lots and lots and lots of them, probably until gravity decides to fail us one day.

Another insult to injury, or ahem, probably excuse number 32,302; during a mile run today, my bum knee gave out and shot piercing pain all the way down my shins. This of course, compensated my run and as I made a leap at the end of the curb, I came tumbling down --- along with my pride and motivation. I hobbled back to the gym, however, and tried to finish the workout as best as I could. Right now, all I want to do is scream and cut off my leg and spring for a prosthetic, but that's just being too dramatic. Luckily, I didn't sprain my ankle or have any other future injury, but I was told to continue wearing my knee brace for most of the runs from now on. And ice, oh how I've missed thee.

On a better and less pessimistic post, this past weekend, Danny's best man/childhood friend visited us for the weekend. He was excited about doing all things active so he actually joined us for two WODs over the weekend. Saturday was an Obstacle Day, which I am proud to say that I finally jumped over a hurdle ... albeit I almost wiped out, but I freakin' did it, once at least. During the workout, I wanted to move fast, so I reverted back to wrapping my body around the hurdle instead of hopping. One day, I will gain flight, one day ... ya know, when all of that gravity fails again.

I should be a contestant on Wipe Out

BFFs

Ashamed of my own hypocrisy

The previous post suggested my disdain over those that show-off how they "Rx" it all the time. Oddly enough, I am a victim of my own despising. Within that same day –– on Wednesday –– I proudly said aloud my score that proceeded with an Rx at the end. I get it. I realize there's a thrill of pride after going through 18 minutes of an AMRAP WOD which tested your strength, agility and coordination.

The WOD was:
9 - 95lb. deadlift
12 - push-up (big girl - on your toes version)
15 - box jumps (18")

It didn't seem like a lot considering it was a light deadlift and the jumps are lower than my usual 24 inches. But by the time three minutes had passed, I already felt gassed out in mid push-up. These dreaded push-ups. It took me so long to perfect the full movement on my knees this past year, now I've graduated to my toes!

Regardless, when that timer hit zero and my pace was at max speed, I wanted to talk to anyone and everyone, though I'm sure they could have been a little less indifferent about it since they did just endure the same "torture" ... Man, so I was that guy.

But the fact that I am now aware and have accomplished such a feat. I know one thing that worked well during my trials and tribulations of my Rx WOD .... which is to endlessly sing this song until they call time's up.

Your ego is a buzzkill.

Part of the reason I truly enjoy participating in the high-intensity workouts is the motto of helping each other succeed their personal goals. Whether to lose weight, achieve most of your personal records or just shed those extra annoying inches. I've never been to another CrossFit-like gym let alone completed a WOD at a franchised CrossFit gym but I have read plenty of blogs and met various people that frequent those places to sense out the "dude-brah" and/or douchebaggery amongst meatheads. It's like they graduated from the dumbell-clinking noises at the local commercial gym to the "brah, my Rx time was this ... what's yours?" mentality. 

Forgive me if I offend anyone here, but your ego is a total buzzkill. Don't get me wrong, I love competition and sharing each other's accomplishments to show progression. It's just completely annoying when the main objective is to be better than everyone else -- even though their form and technique is completely wrong or off. The word elite is a misrepresentation of the absolute aim of wellness and exercise.The goal being: to do it right and to do it well. 

I see it time and time again, this cream of the crop fitness mantra, even at my gym. Some say it's in my culture to make sure that no one is left behind. Whenever there's a one-mile buy out run, I cheer those that pass me or whom I pass. Maybe it's a personality thing, but I want to hear about everyone's goals and what they are doing to achieve this. What I don't want to hear are your grunts of how fast you can kip your pull ups or push your V-ups, but it's pretty evident, you're not getting your chin over the bar and your knees are bent to ease the v-ups.

Some will also say it may be pure jealousy on my end. It's not. I'm not jealous you can "complete" Rx 5 times a week. In fact when you score better than me my indifference overshadows the board. It's just overly frustrating when I see that your squats are not parallel to the ground and you're not opening up top on your burpees. (I'm guilty of this too. I have my Quizomoto burpees when I'm in the zone). 

At the end of the day, did you have a good workout or did you have a fabricated boost to your self-worth? If it's the former, I'll see you at the finish line. 

 

Photo taken 5/14/13.

WOD

Death by Burpees (10 minute)

Death by V-UPs (until failure)

Final score: 16/16

I gave up on my V-ups and felt awful about giving up. But then I saw this photo and was proud that I actually got my torso off the ground! Just two years ago, I couldn't do more than 5 sit-ups. This is the type of progression that I like to document.

Overcoming Adversity

I'm not one for quotes. I actually think some of them are a bit pretentious and unoriginal. Although, when it pertains to working out and identifying with the quote -- I've become a hypocrite.

I created this image about a year ago after injuring my left knee -- from banging it on the corner of my office desk. This is comical to me because I frequent Hard Exercise Works five to six days a week. A gym known for high-impact/intensity workouts, much like CrossFit. I put my body to the test and am susceptible to various kinds of injuries -- and yet I get hurt because of my clumsiness!

My injury set me back the whole freakin' summer of 2012. It was good in the sense that I didn't have to run in the South Florida heat, however I felt deflated and weak for a good three to four months.

Fast forward to a year later. Since slowly coming back from the injury, I've ran two 5Ks, one I finished sixth in my age group; surpassed all of my personal lift goals as far as dead lifts, split jerks, snatches, etc; and have gone down to three dress sizes. 

The purpose of this post is that I kept this quote in mind, thinking at the same time last year I would hope I would be where I am today. Now, I've reached my hypothesis. My adversity, aka my bum knee, is overshadowed by my accomplishments and always remembering to push through my limits.