Tuesday 8.13.13
Using a Crutch in a WOD
Today I did a 20 minute AMRAP called "Jack" of 10 push press, 10 KBS and 10 box jumps. Things were going just fine - I actually enjoy longer 15 to 20 min WODs - but (as expected) about 10 minutes in I started to get pretty tired. It was at that moment that I made the crucial mistake of going over and grabbing a towel. I proceeded to finish the WOD stopping every time before picking up my kettlebell to wipe off my hands.....and my face....and my arms.....then my hands again.....and my face again.....before picking up the bell and continuing.
Phil and I have never worked out in a gym with towels before our own. I have done "Jack " twice before this in Houston heat, and never had a towel. In fact, I'd made it 10 minutes in the WOD already without a one; I didn't need it. You know what that was? A crutch. Dictionary.com defines crutch as: anything that serves as a temporary and often inappropriate support.
Do you use something as a crutch during your WOD? Something that you go to when you're tired, something that gives you an excuse to take a break that you don't NEED? For me it was the towel and wiping my hands constantly. For others its their water bottle. No one has ever dehydrated during a 15 minute WOD, but some of us walk halfway across the gym just to get a drink of water. You don't NEED water right then - it's an excuse to stop and rest. Still others find themselves constantly at the chalk bucket. 2 pull ups. Chalk. 1 pull up. Chalk.....it's another excuse to break.
The first step to losing your crutch is to identify it. The second: put it out of your reach. Don't grab a towel. Leave your water bottle outside. Don't put the chalk bucket in an easily accessible place. Hopefully the walk to your water bottle will give your brain time to think, "Stop! Turn around! You don't need this right now!"
We're not just here to get in a good workout. Amongst other things, we're here to get mentally tough. Making up reasons to stop and take a little extra time during a workout is a break in mental toughness. Think about it: do you use a crutch?
"Filthy Fifty"
50 box jumps
50 jumping pull ups
50 walking lunges
50 K2E
50 push press (45#)
50 good mornings
50 wall balls (20/14)
50 burpees
50 double unders