Training Beyond the Physical

Training Beyond the Physical
by Sarah Macdonald

I was 16 and at the end of an hour long softball pitching lesson, refining a skill that I was hoping was going to take me places and achieve life-long dreams. My pitching coach then informed me it was time to do 20 shuttle sprints; each time I hit the line to change directions I had to touch a dot she had marked on the floor with my index finger.

Okay, fine, let’s get this done...3,2,1, go! First 10, no problem, I was sharp, quick feet, hit the line, touched the dot, plant, drive, go. Then I started getting tired and things were becoming a bit more sloppy - feet weren’t as quick and I’d bend over to touch the dot, but I wouldn’t quite make it all the way to the ground.

In my mind, it counted - I’m doing the work, right? Coach yells, “Touch the dot, Sarah! That one doesn’t count!” I roll my teenage eyes and keep going, still tired, same thing when I get to the line - I don’t quite touch the dot. “Doesn’t count, Sarah - touch the dot! I can be here all day!”

Frustrated, I huff back, “Ugh! Coach!! I’m doing the sprints, why does the stupid dot matter?!” Annoyed at me, but seeing a teaching opportunity to help me to the next level she replies:

“Sarah, it’s not just your physical body we’re training here. We’re training excellence, discipline and focus. The dot matters. When you’re tired or things get tough and aren’t going your way are you going to half ass it and just do the minimum to get by? No. I want more from you and you should want more. Focus, do it right, be excellent! That’s what it’s going to take to win!.”

I knew she wasn’t just talking about softball, but that this was also extremely crucial for my life.

I’m so grateful for the life skills and character qualities that sport taught me at a young age. Now fast forward 15 years and I’ve been immersed into the phenomenal realm of CrossFit and through this training, it’s once again brought up those experiences I had as a teenager…

Bigger Picture CrossFit

CrossFit has proven to be exceptional at helping individuals achieve physical well being and fitness beyond what they could have imagined for themselves. It’s fitness that works and oozes in and affects every area of your life - you feel better, move better, and live better.

The beauty of this sort of training is that it’s not just physical - just like our muscles and bodies need to be worked to grow stronger and fitter, so do our character “muscles”. CrossFit and sport provide fantastic “mini-life” arenas to work those character muscles. Let’s dive into those…

Strength for Life

• Mental toughness and Perseverance - “R.I.P. Can’t” (this is a whole other blog post for another day). We all know those WODs…you see the board and immediately think, “$%@&!! I can’t do that!” But, you get started and guess what...YOU CAN! You work that preserving, mentally tough muscle and you get through the WOD, you finish it, and you come out stronger and better on the other side. You leave the box ready to take on anything life has to throw at you - because you’re strong, tough, and YOU CAN!

• Integrity - This plays a huge factor especially when it comes to rep count. 100 burpees the board says…”well, I did 97, but everyone was already done, so who’s going to know or care?” Sure, no one may notice, but YOU know, and is cutting yourself short and not finishing the workout making you any better? Work that honesty and integrity, even in the smallest of tasks, and it will carry over into your day to day life.

• Discipline and Work Ethic - It’s important to have goals in life. In order to reach those goals, you have to put in the time and the work. Fact. No shortcuts around it. Same goes for at CrossFit - you want to hit that PR or finally get that first muscle-up? You have to be persistent and put in the work. Some of the most disciplined athletes I’ve known are also the most disciplined students and workers - these traits spill over.

• Excellence and Focus - Hitting a proper clean and jerk, snatch, or any skill you come across in CrossFit takes a huge level of focus to get the form correct. Without correct form, you’re not going to hit the lifts or skills and even worse, you could wind up injured. These qualities work hand in hand with work ethic to achieving goals you set out for yourself. Without excellence and focus, you’ll cut yourself short of realising the full potential of what you’re capable of.

• Teamwork - This one is my favourite. We are not meant to walk this life alone. At CrossFit, you have the huge benefit of being engulfed in genuine community - a team - where people really care and want to push you forward. You get to observe and take an active part in genuinely caring for the success and well-being of those around you. It’s a beautiful sight and one that hopefully breaks out of the Box.

I find seeing the bigger picture in what I’m doing at CrossFit helps to make the day to day workouts more meaningful and significant. It matters. Every rep matters. YOU MATTER. Let’s get to work, get better, and live better! See you at the box!