Great Post

For all of you struggling and worried about your WOD times or if you'll ever gain a certain skill, read the excellent post below from CrossFit Invictus http://www.crossfitinvictus.com/

We All Have Bad Days Written by Ali Incredible (and a post script by C.J. Martin)

I was chatting in the locker room after the WOD and the woman I was talking to was disappointed in her performance. Relatively new to CrossFit, she persisted that she had performed terribly. What I would like to say is this: you showed up. After two years of CrossFit I have had peaks and valleys, been discouraged and elated, but when it comes down to it, crappy performance or PR, I showed up. Usually, I am the last to finish a workout, but sure as shit, when I get in my car after, there is always a little smile. Best or worst, congratulate yourself on coming. You’re among a small group of people that show up knowing you will get your ass kicked. If you’re new, please know that people who have been doing this for years, studs in the gym, do not PR everyday, they don’t set record times every day they come. It’s about effort, and half the battle is showing up. Next time you feel bad about your performance, tell yourself you’ll do better next time, look around you at the amazing folks that show up to sweat next to you, and smile.

Ali posted her comments on Monday, but they are worth repeating here for a the larger audience that doesn’t always read or post comments. Ali is an experienced CrossFit athlete and has been a valuable member of our community for a long time. Her sentiments are shared by all of the CrossFit Invictus coaches, and most likely 99.9% of the athletes that have trained with us for a significant amount of time. The reason is, most of us have been through these “off” days, have suffered feeling as if we took steps backwards, and overcame to achieve new and bigger goals.

CrossFit is humbling. It is humbling regardless of your ability or level of fitness. There will ALWAYS be a new goal to chase - a faster time, a heavier weight, etc…. CrossFit provides a system that allows you to improve and progress regardless of how studly you become. The system keeps you from dreaded plateaus, but it also enables those prone to perfectionism an opportunity to feel as if they aren’t good enough - ever. I don’t believe we will ever completely alter the internal drive to achieve in these individuals. Instead, I suggest that all athletes take a longer view of their fitness goals. Permit yourself a bad day, or even a bad week, with the knowledge and confidence that if you persist you will ultimately achieve all of your goals. Perfection (as near as one can get) will be best achieved through persistence and patience.