Humble Pie

CrossFit is humbling!  This is one of my most repeatable phrases when talking to athletes about CrossFit.  I am sure that makes someone just want to dive right into it.  After all, pride is the part of the human spirit that brings us confidence, right?  Or is it?

We want to be good at something.  We want to hear that we did great. We want to put up the best time or the best score.  At the crux of it all, we want to be recognized!  Face it: It is human nature.  So we'd rather not be faced with our inadequacies, in the middle of a workout, when we are gasping for breath, and our heart rate is through the roof.  This, though,  is where CrossFit is different from any other type of workout regimen.  With a constantly varied routine programmed by a coaching staff, you can't avoid your weaknesses.

When faced with our weaknesses, we have two choices, we can avoid them or we can take them on.  Those that choose to take them on, realize that they want more than the status quo.  They know the results are worth the path it takes to get there.  CrossFit athletes stand apart from many others, not because they are better, but because they want to be better.  This is why I think CrossFit breeds an extraordinary sense of community, because no matter if you are just beginning or if you are an elite athlete, everyone knows it is hard.  Pushing your limits in the company of other athletes builds a bond that is hard to relate to, unless you are experiencing it together.

I have the utmost respect for those athletes that can face their weaknesses and have the self control to work on mechanics first before jumping into intensity; those athletes that are more concerned with listening to coaching tips than trying to throw up the heaviest weight or the fastest time.  That attitude takes self control,  humility,and a confidence in yourself that says, numbers don't determine who I am, but the effort I put into it and the determination not to quit does. 

If you are strong enough to acknowledge your inadequacies, you are strong enough to take on a CrossFit workout.  Acknowledging you are not good at everything is the first step toward finding the true potential in yourself.  In your journey through CrossFit, you will inevitably be crushed by a WOD and will conquer others, but you should know that CrossFit does not discriminate.  Everyone, no matter their fitness level, will be crushed and will conquer, but in the end our confidence should come from embracing humility, facing our pride head on, conquering our fears, and digging deep withing ourselves to find what we are truly made of!!