Can you suffer?

This weekend I attended the Southern California CrossFit Games Regionals competition. Once again, I was humbled and frustrated. And once again, I realize there are a few things that I need to change to make myself better. One of the more dramatic events this weekend finished with a heavy walking lunge finish.  What's interesting about that movement is that- for those athletes- the weight isn't crazy heavy, and lunges aren't a skill. You can call it whatever you'd like: guts, moxie, toughness, drive, will, etc.. All it boils down to is one simple question- Can you suffer?

For all of you that want to get better at CrossFit, or anything for that matter, the ability to suffer is paramount to excellence. Each one of you reading this is capable of being pretty o.k.. Above average isn't out of the question either. But if you want to be the really damn good, or even the best? You had better get ready to endure some miserable circumstances... WILLINGLY. You have to want it. A good friend of mine, and one of the best CrossFitters in the world puts it another way, "embrace the suck." 

Suffering doesn't start with the workout. You need to be ready to suffer in almost every way possible. Are you discouraged? Then you don't want to win. You don't want to be the best, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The world is operated by people who are willing to do the bare minimum to get by. But don't expect to win if you aren't standing in line to catch your licks from the discipline of your choosing- in this case, it's CrossFit.

Here is how you will (and should wan to) suffer:

Your social life will suffer.

1. Early mornings equals getting to bed early. Turn off the t.v. and get your 8 hours.
2. You can't eat what you want. Put down the beer, and start hydrating.
3. People will take offense to your passion. Let them deal with it.
4. You are going to spend more time at the gym. Time to make some new friends.

You will have bad days.

1. You will miss PR's.
2. People will beat you.
3. Your hands will tear.
4. You will get bumps, dings and small injuries.

The better you get, the harder it will be to get better.

1. Heavy weight will crush you.
2. Metcons will destroy you.
3. Someone will make something look easy that is hard as hell for you.

All of these things suck, but you have to take pride in it. Because once it loses its fun the game is over. But I will say this- every single success you ever have will be exponentially more sweet based on the amount that you suffered to get there. And in that moment every single moment you suffered will seem worth it. 

And I'll tell you what you don't want - you don't want to be sitting in second place, or just off of the podium, or with a loss thinking "could I have done more?" If you've suffered as much as you ABSOLUTELY could have then it won't matter where you end up (even though it will be pretty good), it will be a win for you.

If you are harder on yourself than any thing or person, then there is absolutely nothing that will be able to break you.

Can you suffer?

PASSION (n.)

(10c.), from Late Latin passionem (nominative passio) "suffering, enduring," from past participle stem of Latin pati "to suffer, endure," possibly from PIE root *pe(i)- "to hurt" (cf. Sanskrit pijati "reviles, scorns," Greek pema "suffering, misery, woe,". 

It just got real

This is where I begin.  It is one day following the release of CrossFit Open wod 12.5.... and I am frustrated.  Being a big dude does not help my chances at this sport. I'll be honest - I whined for about 12 hours, but that isn't what this is about.  I understand that it's up to me to get better.  That part is simple.  The difficult part, and I'm not alone here, is figuring out how to improve.  What's it going to take to be one of the best?  I'm going to try to find out.  I want the whole damned thing. Top 4%.  I'm the first person to point out that the people who win these things are genetically blessed.  All pro athletes are.  The difference is that we can all compete in this sport we call CrossFit.  Even better, some of the workouts even favor me.  You don't get that in other sports.  There isn't a single center in the NBA that I could back down, let alone attempt a shot. It'd be like watching a young kid play basketball with their dad, except their dad is seven feet tall with gang tattoos on his face.  No, we all get a shot.  Even better, I believe that hard work can pay off.  Let me make myself perfectly clear: even though I talk as if I'm going to win the Games, I know I don't stand a chance. There's a better chance Mitt Romney will be selected first in the NFL draft.  I know what my limitations are.  But do I think I can be in the top sixty? Can I get better by 6 burpees, 30 box jumps, and 8 muscle ups?  If I didn't think so there wouldn't be a point to CrossFitting.  So here I go. The 2012 season is just starting, but my eyes are on 2013.  I'm changing my diet, changing my workouts, and changing my attitude.  I will not be outworked. 3...2...1.........