Just Breathe
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
Amy celebrating a new personal record deadlift
Great post from Shoreline CrossFit
I read a quote the other day:
“The only difference between fear and adventure is how much you breathe.“
I’ve heard people say that they’ve skipped out on the gym because a workout looked too intimidating. I have also heard people say that they could never run a marathon, tough mudder, or [you fill in the endurance event] because they would absolutely die first.
Can you remember back to your first day of school? I can. There are two first days of school for me. One was pre-school on the Green in West Haven, and the other was at Washington Magnet School. The first day of pre-school, I went in screaming, clutching to my mother’s hot-pink and black sweater, with snots pouring down my face. I refused to speak, or even look at the teachers, and I certainly would never talk or play with any of my peers. This is pretty much a summation of my pre-school career. Clearly, I don’t have fond memories of this institution.
The summer passed, and I embarked on my first day of Kindergarden. My mother walked me in again, but this time I refused to cry; I didn’t want to appear a “baby.” I don’t remember if this was a promise I made to myself prior to this day, or the result of a conversation with my mother, but either way, I was determined to not shed a tear. Because my eyes weren’t blurred with tears, I was able to take in my surroundings: bright colors lined the room, toys galore, and a smiling plump old lady that would be my first ever real teacher. I was sat a Table 4. I remember staring at the table sign, then at the bright number banner on the wall, focusing every erg of energy on NOT crying. I vividly remember taking deep breathes, studying every feature of the other three students seated at Table 4. Then it happened…Joey D., seated next me, who had been crying the whole time we were seated, vomited up his morning banana all over Table 4.
I thought to myself, “What a baby.” You see, on this day, I remembered to breathe, and Joey forgot. To me, the first day of school was an adventure, to Joey it was a frightful, fearful situation.
The aforementioned fitness tests (the WOD, marathons, etc) are much like my first day of school. You control the situation, you do not allow it to control you. Take the time to breathe. Take the time to focus. Take the time to process what it is that you are about to do. I bet that you will find yourself on an adventure, rather than in a state of panic, assuming every move will lead to your immediate torture.
Breathe…and even if you do still puke up your banana, we won’t hold it against you forever….
**Don’t forget, Community Day this Saturday at 10am —regular CrossFit classes at 8am & 9am***
____________________
Tuesday’s WOD:
500m Row
12 Deadlifts
21 Box Jumps
400m Run (flat course)
12 Deadlifts
21 Box Jumps
403m Run (hill course)
12 Deadlifts
21 Box Jumps
12 Deadlifts
12 Burpees
*all Deadlift reps done with a pronated grip

























