Old Year New Year

Team,

In my humble opinion, 2012 was a success.  In just about every way possible.  As far as competing goes our little box qualified a team for regionals and did quite well.  HOA saw a ton of our family go compete, represent and have fun.

That stuff is great, but what gets me the most pumped about thinking about the year past is the development of our people.  PR's a plenty, but whats more is we saw athletes time and time again grow, develop, and succeed in ways they never thought possible.  Runners became lifters.... lifters became runners.  Moms found themselves at the top of a 15 ft rope.  40 year olds found out that they can lift more now than when they were seniors in HS.  Basically, on an almost daily basis, barriers were broken down and people discovered how limitless their potential truly was.

For providing the constant barrage of success.... I thank you.  It has been and always will be inspirational to see someone 'become more' than they thought possible.   Just because you didnt pull a 450lb deadlift or a sub 4 min Fran doesnt mean that myself, or the other trainers dont notice your development or accomplishments.   I am fully aware of when an athlete flips the switch from 'just showing up' to 'training'.  And 2012 saw that happening more than it ever has.  The moment an athlete begins to attempt to 'pogo' their box jump.  When an out of town trip is delayed so the morning wod can be made.  When a person finds them selves sticking around to work on their kip.   Making sure the trainer knows that a 10lb back squat PR was just obtained.  Seeing a person air squatting so fast they are starting to smoke....at the end of the workout!   :)  I love it.  I think I always will.  It makes me happy.  And you all provide that.... so I say thank you.

Moving forward....

2013

Lets make a goal.  You want to keep it to yourself?, ok.  You want to tell the trainer? even better.  But make a goal.  Make a ton of them if you want to.  But make them.  A year is a long time, and a lot can be accomplished.

Try and make 2013 the year that you set the excuse of...'I just cant do that...thats not me.....I could never do that...", aside and let it become the year that you do everything you can to.... 'do that'.

I dont care what your CF goal is.....IT IS ATTAINABLE..... Say it with me now... "its attainable".  The only thing keeping that goal from becoming a reality is two things.
1)  A bit of hard work
2)  The space between your ears.

It doesnt matter how bad you are at something.  Weights, double unders, gymnastics, running, oly lifts. IT DOESNT MATTER!!   You can accomplish it.  IF.... you want to.  Thats a biggie.  When failure no longer becomes an option, then it isnt.

Use the trainers.  Go to them and ask them what you need to do.  Ask them for help on how to do it.  Then put your head down and grind.  Its that simple.

"Im just not made that way... I cant lift heavy"

This one is funny to me because if you have been in our gym for a while, then you probably heard me say that all the time.  And you know why?  Because it wasnt easy for me.  My back squat stayed at 295 for the first two years I did CrossFit.  This year I finally decided that if I wanted to help my team be able to compete then I needed to be stronger....(failure was not an option).  This year I saw my back squat go up 90lbs.

"I dont want to get hurt"

Then dont. :)  The trainers go out of their way to make sure that,not only an injury wont happen, but also to teach our athletes on what causes you to get injured.  Use us.  Learn and apply.  Slow down your intensity from time to time.  Lower the weight.  Work on mobility.  Perfect before you advance.  We will help you.   Once you learn the correct ways to facilitate the desired movement, then you will also know when you are getting sloppy.
We understand aches and pains happen.  Thats life.  If you push your body to its limit often enough then sometimes things break down a bit.   Sometimes they dont.  Thats even true on an elliptical trainer:) Life doesnt come with a guarantee. Bumps in the road happen.  But ask yourself.... how big if your bump? Can you get around it? and if not.... did you bring a shovel?

"I dont have the time"

Do I even need to go over this one?  Its pretty simple.  You make time for what matters.  We are a CF gym so we are biased.  But if you really want that goal to happen.... this excuse just doesn't hold water.

"Im too old"

HA.  Just get on the Internet real quick and see what amazing things people older than you have already accomplished.   Or even just check out what the Masters (45 and up) did last year at the games.  Is age a factor in training?  Of course it is.   Should it keep you from accomplishing your goals?  Nope.
Dax, Jerry, Bailey, Sam.  All over 35 or 40 and all made our top two teams that we sent for HOA.   Google Annie Sakamoto.  This is doable guys.  Its not your age that's keeping you from it.... unless your brain is too old to think you can.

Basically guys... don't let the fear of failure keep you from being the best you can.  I know that sounds like an after school commercial but its true.  Attaining what you once believed to be unattainable through hard work and sheer will is an amazing, amazing thing.  You will become a happier person.  Even if you fall short of your goal, if you truly believe that you did everything you could to get there, you will be satisfied.  Deeply satisfied.   Sometimes its just the trying that makes the difference

To 2013!!!!!