Thursday ~ 8/12/10
On top of Mt. Massive – Colorado's 2nd Tallest 14er, and our First 14er!
Question of the Day is do you Mentally as well as Physically stimulate yourself?
Lots of times I see my clients just going through the motions, picking up weights that I know won't push them to advance anywhere soon. Seldom, and with few exceptions, I find a client that actually really focuses, drives, pushes hard and ahhhhh, yes, ACHIEVES!
The reason I choose heavier weights for the Rx in class is to push and challenge. We get better when we get stronger. Our bodies are able to acknowledge what used to be the "easy threshold" is now ridiculously easy and we are not able to do with ease what we used to consider way out of our bounds. In order to achieve jumping a higher box, Snatching a heavier Kettlebell, Deadlifting more weight and doing your kipping pull-ups without assistance, you have to mentally challenge yourself.
The photo above was an INCREDIBLY challenging feat both mentally and physically. At 12,600' elevation, above timber, and suffering for oxygen, I wanted to stop. But I could see the summit just under 2000' further up. I could see people up there. I could see Chad behind me and I was more determined than ever to Make it! After nearly sliding back down because of snow and ice blocking the path and shimmying along the sides of rocks I was clinging to for dear life as the wind blew and tried to throw me off, I Finally summited! Chad directly behind me and OH WHAT A HAPPY THING TO FINALLY BE HERE! Physically my lungs were screaming, the lack of oxygen made my legs heavy. Mentally I kept asking myself
"WHY do people do this? WHY do we torture ourselves???"
The answer is simple,
because we NEED challenges. Without them, we lack anything to drive us. The reason most people don't like challenges is because of the fear they might fail. Guess What, WHO CARES! Take on the challenge, if you succeed - YEAH!!!! If not, now you have another challenge to go further than you did last time. In class, that means more reps, faster times, less soreness after the fact, and a
stronger mind, body & soul!
This is my year of Adventures! I declared that January 1, 2010.
So far, I am succeeding. Yes, there are a few I have missed or something got in the way to prevent that Adventure, but the fact is, I keep putting new ones out there to go after and AHHHH YES, I will get them.
What would challenge you both physically and mentally?
Write it down, give it a date, and create a strategic plan to get there.
WOD:
20m Renegade Row Bear Crawl w/KB's (24kg/16kg)
10 Ring Pushups
1 Muscle Up
4 Rounds AFAP!
ENJOY LIFE!