Yay Burpees!!!!!!!!!! or I'm dating CrossFit.

Me and Coach Mike Burgener-thank God he has a sense of humor.

I went this past weekend to an Olympic Lifting Certification.  How timely, as my week 3 Open WOD totally sucked.  I got a clean.  One.  No jerk.   I felt like an ass.

Now, I am strong.  I am.  But, my technique stunk that day.  Duh, you say.  You got one.  You can deadlift heavy.  You pull your ass up in pull-ups.  It was only 110#.  WTF, Nicole?

I had wished it was going to be overhead squats, back squats, front squats.  Squats, please.  Perhaps a row.  But, even when I read the WOD, I never thought that I couldn't do it.  Yes, it was pretty close to my one rep. max, but damn....

At least I didn't have to check the box for scaling.

Stay on the positive side, right?

Right.

Because that is how I chose to approach The Open.  Look, I knew going in that I wouldn't get in the top 60 in my region.  So, why not try to enjoy the WODs and use this time to remember why I love CrossFit in the first place?  So, I am dating CrossFit.

That's right.  Dating.  I will go for the worst pun ever and call it my "Open" relationship with CrossFit.  You see, I had settled into a routine.  I didn't want to try new things.  I read the WODs like a to-do list.  I went through the motions.   Some of the things that I used to find attractive about CrossFit were now getting on my nerves.  I just wanted to coach-Gosh, I love coaching-and that was kind of it.  If you were to compare the direction that I was going in to a bad marriage, I was leaning towards staying in it for the kids sake.  The kids being the coaching aspect.

Did I still love CrossFit?  Yes!  Holy smokes, YES!!!  I was just in a funk.  I studied so hard for my Level one Cert. and then ran my half-marathon a month later.  I had 'empty nest syndrome'.  Worse yet, I was starting to remind myself of the people who irritate me.   You know, like the people who post crap on Mainsite like "Why is Pat Sherwood wearing Reebok Zigs?  He wouldn't be allowed to lift at my Box in those." or "Why did HQ post THAT picture?  I'm so not jazzed..."  Forging Fitness for Elitists.  Yuck.

Here are some of the things I'm going to try.....

To not feel entitled.  Relationships are hard work.  New ones are fun to work on.  We never mind putting forth that extra effort when we are dating.  Example:  I'm not entitled for you to pay for the movie tickets.  It sure feels nice that you did, though.  I'll buy the snacks.  Good things come to those who put forth the effort.  I'm not entitled to a PR.  Or, some days, not even my previous 1 rep. max. is going to happen.  It happens to everyone.  Chillax.

Get a little dirty with it-.  DAMN, that WOD was fun-I'm talking to you, Week 2.  I'm sweaty, confused and a little nauseous.  Let's rest up and do it again! 

See things from more than the obvious perspective.  Then, rejoice in the differences.  In the beginning of a relationship, you brag about the differences. Later, they just piss you off.  Stop, and "enjoy the bacon".  So and so may box jump different than anyone else.  Or kettlebell swing like a fucking gorilla at the zoo.  But, no matter how different it is from yours, if the basic criteria is met then leave it alone.  I'm not saying that it is OK to worm a game standard push-up.  I'm just saying that everyone has a unique style.  And if the end result is legit, who am I to complain?  Angry gorillas throw poop, by the way. 

I'm also TRYING to remember to relax and see blessings in every situation.  And, to remember to have fun.  Mistakes happen-move on.  In the video below, I exclaim "Crap!" and cause some burpees at my Olympic Lifting Certification.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1677739748287

Now, if you know me, the hidden blessing is that I didn't drop the nuclear "F" Bomb.  I take the blessings where I see them, folks.  It was a great day. 

And mostly, to remember that love conquers all.  And the heart can move mountains.

At the end of the Certification, the astute Coach B. showed us a video of the 2008 Olympics.  Matthias Steiner won the Gold after losing his wife 13 months earlier.  The athlete before him reset incorrectly after the clean and jerk, and missed the lift.  Watching the consequences of a bad reset was valuable.  Yes.  But, I would like to think, since I am in that giddy, dating CrossFit mindset, that Coach B. showed us the video to remind us about heart. 

                     "I managed to lift it because I had this strong, innermost urge," said Steiner.

When you love someone or something, that love takes on a power of it's own.  You walk taller.  You can jump higher.  You want to make it proud of you, no matter where they may be.  You open yourself up and give life your honest effort.  You feel giddy when you wake up in the morning and you think about them  when you are away.  I've never wanted to see someone make a lift as much as I wanted to see him clean and jerk that 258kg.  And, I KNEW how the video ended!  Mr. Steiner has heart. 

So, I'm going to keep dating CrossFit.  We had our differences last week during WOD 3, but I'm looking forward to our date on Wednesday morning.  I'm going to put on my best Lulu, chalk up and have fun.

I may even put out, a little.:)

Happy Week 4, my fellow athletes!