Fran

I wholeheartedly believe that each demanding CrossFit WOD that you complete, that you get something out of it. Whether it is the confidence to put on the pants that fit you ten years earlier to knowing that you have the mental and physical fortitude to push through something that seems impossible when you are in the midst of its grueling pain. Today I experienced Fran which always seems to get the better of me. Fran always grounds me and brings me back to reality. I have the tendency to think things are easier than they will be going into them and overstate my abilities at times. Through sucking wind, concentrating on anything but the burn in my legs, forearms, and shoulders and trying to push myself past the proverbial wall that I inevitably hit going through Fran always is a reality check. Although 4:39 isn't bad, I'm not impressing anyone either. Instead of feeling inferior after this performance that I don't feel represents me, I need to change my cognition and focus on the positive points of this day:

1. This is the time to really work on some of my weaknesses. Looking at Fran as more of a learning experience rather than a poor performance. I have had a problem developing my leg strength and think that really took it toll on me. I tried to compensate by using my relatively stronger upper body which really wore me down. By the second round I had to break the Thrusters into 3 parts because my shoulders were gassed! I should be to the point where I can go straight through this workout without feeling like I am going to die. Part of CrossFit is efficiency of movement and I needed to power off my legs more instead of relying on the stronger part of my body to do most of the work.

2. One of the most positive things that I felt today was the energy that all of my fellow CrossFitters and trainers have created at Westlake CrossFit and I really want to thank everyone. For the first time I really felt this deeper meaning to what Westlake CrossFit really represents. I wanted to do Fran today after two days of rest, but I wanted to be accountable for what I am constantly pushing on others and what I am preaching. I know that Fran always kicks my ass and I wanted it to do so in front of everyone else and everyone stayed and watched. We're all human and by demonstrating our innate capacities, specifically through a WOD we despise, can help push the collective efforts of everyone. Having everyone there encouraging me helped push me past a mental wall that I have been living at for a long time now and I blasted through it. Although my performance didn't end where I would like it to, I gained so much today. Going through Fran, I felt that not only was I letting everyone else down when I put the bar down prematurely or dropped off the pull up bar, but I wasn't living up to my standards and the standards I was holding everyone else to. I was able to push through and finish the workout and although I was discouraged about my performance, I had Mariah, Willem, Devon, Judson, Mark, Joss and even my Dad there who made me feel so good about the effort that I gave. As cheesy or cliche as this might sound, I felt more connected to everyone else in that room at that final moment of Fran than I have to anyone else in a very long time and it was cleansing and refreshing. The encouragement, the accountability that was demanded, the energy and summation of pushing past mental barriers, injuries and pain. We all feed off each others energies and personalities and I believe that it is only a matter of time before we will be producing some elite CrossFit athletes.

Thanks to all who were there today and thank you for everyone who have contributed to what everyone at Westlake CrossFit have collectively created. It is more than a gym to me and something that is too unique to be completely recreated. I am sure that Westlake CrossFit will grow and will help change people's lives as it has mine but I hope that they will always be able to keep their individuality in the process.

I challenge everyone to push others to something that they want to accomplish but more importantly, challenge yourselves each and everyday. It is only by living outside of our comfort zones do we grow. Sometimes the most powerful experiences are the most uncomfortable.