“We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey” ― Kenji Miyazawa
im not exactly sure when tribute workouts became a thing, but its something that i have definitely embraced. im guessing it was the whole "hero" wod trend in crossfit that kicked it off - but i like it. for some insane reason, combining an incredibly difficult physical challenge with an emotionally difficult day makes perfect sense to me. its like i have an outlet - a reason, let's say, to be miserable. because over time, i think you expect these hard days to get easier. and when they aren't, you kind of beat yourself up mentally. this way, i get to beat myself up physically instead.
“It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.”
so whats the point of doing this? for me, a large part of these workouts is developing them. clearly, they are supposed to be hard. hard is the point. these workouts are supposed to push you. to make you uncomfortable. its the physical discomfort that replaces the emotional pain, if only temporarily. and its reflective. you think about WHY you are pushing your body. because "they" can't do so any longer. its a way of understanding and embracing that even though life is hard, and can definitely suck at times, we are still here to LIVE it. our bodies are still capable of testing our limits. we grow through pain. we do what they can't. and are grateful for the reminder.
Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body. -Seneca
the mind/body connection is undeniable. we have all heard a million times some version of you can do anything you set your mind to. fitness is largely a matter of CONVINCING yourself that you need or want to exercise, and then sticking to it. your mind is what matters. your body is capable of so much more than you give it credit for. sure, you get sore. and sometimes have nagging little injuries. but more often than not, the reason people dont stick with their fitness program is because they convince themselves that the reason they have for NOT working out is a good enough one to allow them to stop. does that make sense? and where am i going with this? once we mentally allow ourselves to quit - it's game over. everyone has reasons, valid ones, for not making exercise a priority. just like we all have reasons to quit once something gets too hard. we have to start embracing the idea that it is OK to be uncomfortable. its ok to not like something, and still get it done. HERO wods are a glaring reminder to me to reset my thinking. today was a stark reminder that i dont HAVE to workout - i GET to. understanding that difference is at the heart of all of life's challenges.
On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend's life also, in our own, to the world. -- Henry David Thoreau
tiff would have been 43 today (hence the 43 burpees to finish the workout). she has been gone for 4 years. 4 years that seem so long in some ways, and not long at all in others. one of the things i didn't really think about until recently was how much time we spent talking about working out and food. back before SiB was even an idea. we went on torturous runs. we shared a love for gold's gym & post workout smoothies. tiff was an original fitchic. and i know she would love the idea of having her own tribute workout. especially since it kicked my ass. she loved that too.
so today, for all 196 thrusters, 196 wall balls, 196 squats, 196 hand release pushups, & 196 double-unders, i thought about her. and i didn't let myself quit. even though i really really wanted to a couple of times. for 54 minutes and 22 seconds of the day today, while i was fighting with my body to keep pushing, i was also thinking. about how lucky i am to be here. how lucky i am that i got to share some of my best moments with tiff. i let myself be sad. physically strong, but mentally a little weak. i left all of it in the gym. it was SO hard. but when it was over, i felt so good. because i didnt let myself quit. and it didn't because it was for tiff. she never quit. and her challenges were so much more difficult that mine have ever been. i guess thats the lesson for me today. its ok to be hurt. and sad. and emotional. but its not ok to give up. because no matter what we are facing, we are still here. and we can still fight. we dont "have to" - we "get to".
As long as I can I will look at this world for both of us. As long as I can I will laugh with the birds, I will sing with the flowers, I will pray to the stars, for both of us. ~ Sascha
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