The Head Game…

Tonight, I had a conversation with the 5:30 and 6:30 classes.  We strategized how each athlete should go about attacking those front squats and hand squat cleans….

My strategy?  DON’T BREAK THEM UP. Period.

Scaled correctly, there is no other reason why one would have to drop that barbell in the ten down to one rep scheme, except for that his/head tells them to do so.

I know how it feels.  I get there EVERY WOD.  You feel like you can’t breathe.  Your muscles start to fatigue…Quads burning, shoulders screaming, etc.. and your brain whispers something to you: REST.

Sure, you could put that barbell down and rest.  But, I hate to break it to you, that five, ten, even fifteen seconds, isn’t going to make you feel a heck of a lot better.  In fact, it may cause the realization of just how fatigued you truly are (trust me, I’ve stood there staring at my stomach, heaving in and out~it doesn’t make you feel any better).  It is also a license to drop the bar in every other round after that.  I mean, if you drop the bar in round two, is it realistic to NOT drop in in rounds three and four when you are less fatigued?  Trust me, your brain will tell you these things.

Nevertheless, it is not always realistic to do everything unbroken in every workout; however, what if you always pushed yourself to bang out at least two more reps when that voice in your head is telling you to drop the barbell?  Think of how much faster you would be.  In fact, you may even find yourself saying, “You know what, if I made it to 15, I can finish these 20.”  And BOOM! You’ve done it unbroken.

It’s often been said that the brain is the most important muscle in CrossFit.  I couldn’t agree more.  When it starts to tell you to stop, slow down, take a breather, you yell back at it in the often played words of Zack de la Rocha from Rage Against the Machine, “_____ you, I won’t do what you tell me!”

Before you know it, you’ll have it trained to stop telling you those foolish things…

Janice, during Saturday's team WOD, gearing up for the Opens

Marie, cleaning and jerking in Saturday's WOD

How miserable was it holding that plate overhead on Saturday?? Good friends, Brandon and Mike, teaming up.

Marley, finding peace during today's WOD

Welcome to SCF, Jay!

Liz, getting’ those front squats RACKED!

7 Responses for The Head Game…

  1. Rich:
    February 20, 2012 10:17 pm

    This was definately me tonight. I didn’t feel exhausted, but I kept hearing that voice saying I needed to rest. I was so upset at myself when I finished because I knew I didn’t work to full capacity.

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    1. Meghan E:
      February 20, 2012 10:43 pm

      Aahhh, me too Rich! I hate when I do that (which seems to be often).

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  2. Hilary:
    February 21, 2012 01:41 am

    Ah, see I shoulda known after hearing LP’s talk about staying unbroken atleast till #8 even though your head might be screaming stop…when I got to 8 I had no problem staying unbroken..that’s when I should’ve added the weight I had sitting right there! I didn’t work to my full potential either..adding weight may have added a few seconds to my time, but atleast I would’ve had the satisfaction after of knowing I pushed myself. I’ve learned that the feeling of not going all out..not giving it my all, is worse than the feeling of having a slow time on the white board.

    Leave a reply  
    1. Chu:
      February 21, 2012 08:36 am

      Hilary, I wouldn’t beat yourself up. Sometimes we’re so concerned about weight that we loose track of the premise of the WOD. Yesterday was meant to be unbroken and as fast as we can push, sounds to me like you did it just right. I always say if it’s light than move faster. Good job!

      Chu

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  3. Chu:
    February 21, 2012 08:37 am

    Hey everybody,

    Just checked the CrossFit games site and we currently have 82 athletes registered which is AWESOME. We have 1 day left so lets try to hit 100+, anyone on the fence sign up it’s a great experience!!

    Leave a reply  
  4. Tricia Anderson:
    February 21, 2012 02:25 pm

    I worked so hard to keep the damn hanging squat cleans unbroken. I had to break up a few early on but by the end of the wod I pushed so hard I thought I would be running to the trash can. I love that!

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  5. Ray:
    February 21, 2012 10:15 pm

    On a happier note…once again I have affirmed we train harder than any other box I have visited … Anywhere in the country. Stick that in your head next time you think about putting the weight down. Someone from another box is facing the same decision at that very moment and the difference between you and them is you won’t put te bar down. It’s great to be home. There s no place like home here at SCF.

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