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Forging Mental Fitness by Jim Decker
I believe the WODs that become significant emotional events have a far greater benefit than the physical improvements they inflict. They require and reinforce mental strength. All WODs, when performed “as Rx’ed,” require these attributes.
I am endlessly fascinated and impressed by civilians who CrossFit. All the military, law enforcement, firefighters, MMA champions and the like—we CrossFit to survive.Train hard=fight hard=come home safe.
CrossFit is hard. CrossFit is a continual test of ones own limitations. This is where mental strength is born. External competition, while good and healthy, will only make you work hard enough to beat the competitor to your left and right. Internal competition will push you farther, faster, and harder than any opponent ever will. As the man says, “Men will die for points.” Even more so, it seems, when the score to beat is one’s own.
In trying to explain this process to another person break it down; prepare yourself mentally for the upcoming challenge. Some of mankind’s biggest fears (behind public speaking, of course) are fear of the unknown, fear of embarrassment, fear of humiliation. This is why many won’t try CrossFit. They are afraid that they will fail, that they won’t measure up. But measure up to what? If you’ve never done “Fran” when you do decide to try it, will it not be your best time ever? Is it reasonable to think you could give Michael Jordan a run for his money at HORSE? Don’t ever compare your scores to CrossFit’s Elite performers. I believe that when people are prepared mentally everything else will start to sort itself out. Set small goals within the event. Don’t just think of the start and finish; make up several sub-goals and focus on those. For example: Visualize completing four reps, then three, then two, then one. Or one set of four and two sets of three. Break it up. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! Learn to forgive yourself. If you have a bad set, or a bad round, or even a bad workout, forgive yourself and move on. Don’t dwell on it. The more you agonize the more energy you will waste on additional stress. If the problem was preventable, note it for additional practice later and move on. If it is something out of your control, let it go and just concentrate on doing the best you can. Keep a sense of humor. Laughter releases stress, relaxes your body, helps lower blood pressure.
I humbly submit that all of these techniques also apply outside the CrossFit realm; try them and see how it works. Aside from the strength building WOD's the most important body part being exercised is actually between your ears.
Summarized article written by Jim Decker
Read the full article here CrossFit Journal Issue 51 November 2006
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