Three, Two, One, Go.

I assumed squat stance.  My feet were shoulder width apart, slightly turned out.  My weight was evenly distributed, and I was starting to split the ground apart beneath me, pushing on outside edges of my shoes for stability.  I filled my belly with air.  Three.  Two.  One.  Go.

Just a few moments prior, I had been antsy about getting through this.  I hadn't practiced as much as I probably should have.  I hadn't gotten quite as much sleep I would have liked.  This kind of thing just isn't my forte.  But, I reminded myself that, as a CrossFitter, I'd been in this position many times before.  In fact, I feel this way nearly every time I enter the gym.  The workouts are daunting.  Sometimes, they seem downright impossible, and I'm sure I'll fall flat on my face.  And then the clock starts, and I do the workout.  Usually, I do better than I expected to do.  Even when I struggle, the seconds tick by.  And then it's over.  I've done it.  I may not always be happy with my performance, but I'm always glad that I've performed.

With that in mind, I opened my mouth and delivered a mock opening argument infront of a room full of coworkers and a rolling video camera.   At one point, I paused.  I was searching for the words to get my next thought out, but nothing came.  The silence held me captive.  "Pick up the bar!" coached the voice in my head.  I opened my mouth, and the words came.

If you'd asked me a year ago if I would ever deadlift 190 lbs or backsquat more than my bodyweight, I probably would have laughed at you.  If you had asked me if I would ever do seven consecutive pull-ups, I would have responded, "in my dreams."  If you had asked me if I would ever enter a competition that involved bench pressing, I would have wondered if you knew me at all.  CrossFit has made me fitter than I've ever been, fitter than I ever thought I could be.  Yet, all that pales in comparison to the impact CrossFit has had on the way that I think.

These days, I am far less prone to accept my perceived limitations.  I push boundaries.  Just because I haven't accomplished something yet, doesn't mean I won't.  I have come to realize just how much I underestimate my strength, my speed, my stamina, my nerve.  I have conditioned myself to grit through fire breath, nausea, pain, and the sharp string of sweat in my eyes.  I'm ok with being uncomfortable, and I have come to relish the challenge.

One of the most valuable lessons that CrossFit has taught me is that we don't wait for "ready."  Ready might never come.  Instead, I take a deep breath, and then it's three, two, one, go.

-Gym Belle-