160824 - CrossFit | Benchmark WOD | Wednesdays with Coach Lauren

Long ago in a far off land called Kansas, I was a third grade teacher. In my second year of teaching, I had the opportunity to attend a conference and hear a nationally recognized educator speak. She said something quite profound that I will never forget. She explained that on a basic level, everything has a life cycle consisting of three stages. Birth, growth, and death. If you're reading this, you're born. Duh. So here's the ah-ha moment! If you are NOT in the growth stage, WHERE are you??? That's right..death. If you aren't learning, adjusting, evolving, or changing, then you are no longer truly "living." Let that sink in for a second...

I fully believe that in order to grow, we have to take ourselves out of our comfort zones. That is what CrossFit does to people. As an athlete, I've felt it. As a coach, I've seen it. We are constantly challenging ourselves to break free from the everyday humdrum and do difficult things. We have decided that comfort and ease are no longer an acceptable part of our fitness routine or lifestyle.

I try my best to embrace discomfort during difficult WODs. We have all been to that mental crossroad of deciding to rest or deciding to push through. It's a tough place to be, but also the cornerstone for big positive and helpful mental changes. It's those times that you tell yourself "two more reps" or "don't put the bar down" that is when you grow. Those moments are the uncomfortable ones that make you stronger mentally and physically.

New skills and movements are another way that we challenge you. Whether it be a handstand or a snatch, the unfamiliar movements can be daunting and scary at first. That's why the skill progression stuff Coach Michael has programmed for us is so important. It breaks those tough movements down so they probably still feel awkward and strange but they aren't so intimidating.

I'm preaching to the choir here but I think it is a good reminder for us all. Continue to lift heavier, move faster, challenge yourself, and learn new skills. Be uncomfortable! Make progress! Use that discomfort as fuel for your growth and inevitably your life!

Remember... everyone dies, but not everyone lives.

STRENGTH
5, 5, 3, 3, 1RM Press

WOD
"Cindy" (compare to 160719, 151219)
AMRAP 20: 
5 pull-ups
10 push-ups
15 squats