Today I didn’t Rx… it’s really ok!
It hurts. Eats at me, and sometimes believe it or not, it keeps me up at night. I know I know it’s silly but that’s how I’m wired. I crave competition I mean really enjoy it. So naturally I hate losing, but losing against myself is the worst. That feeling of knowing what you should be able to do, what you know you’re capable of doing; it’s like you’re screaming at your body to just listen and work…but it’s not there.
Here’s what happened…
I was doing a workout that involved completing a certain number of power snatches. It’s a tough movement and the first half of the workout involved finding a heavy weight for power snatch. Fatigue was as usual a factor. I start the workout and roll through the first round but as I came back to start the second round of power snatches I had lost some mojo. It just wasn’t there. My mind said you got it but my body said, hey dude this is tough. I didn’t listen to my body at first and tried to force the issue.
That went well…
Forcing the issue is not the answer, on a lot of things, but especially when it involves taking weight from the floor to overhead. Finally I came to my senses and lowered my weight, and like magic, my form was better and I was able to finish the workout. Sure I did like all grown men, and pitched a small fit like my 2 year old son after the workout…no one else ever does that, I know. But after I had my hate to lose moment, it hit me in the head just like that barbell could have.
This is what didn’t happen…but could have!
Because I was so focused on what I was NOT doing, I failed to see what I was doing. I was living to workout the next day. I was still moving a decent amount of weight but the focus here is that I didn’t create an injury! There were a number of reps that I did with the heavier weight that could have taken a wrong turn. Also, I could have looked at it as a chance to get quality practice on my technique! How about that? No one wants to practice, we all want to just play the game. Practice is where growth takes place. Take a slice of that humble pie and benefit from the practice.
Sure my pride was hurt, but that’s better than my shoulder, back, or anything else.
It’s not always about what you did do, but about what you didn’t do that keeps things in perspective. I’m a big believer in that timing, perspective and purpose are everything. Had I done that workout the next day perhaps I would have had that extra power to get through with the heavier weight. Or suppose I took a coaches’ perspective on my sloppy form. No doubt I would have made myself lower that weight much sooner. Because the truth is that I want to accomplish as much as I can, on and off the workout floor! So take a step back today to reference the timing, check your perspective, and refocus your purpose.
I always find growth, in anything, when I take the time to put in the practice.
Thanks for reading.
