We all have one, that little sound in our head that starts speaking to us throughout a workout. For some it even starts before the workout after finding out what it actually involves "fuck that is a lot of burpees"," I can't lift that weight, that is way too heavy". For others it may start screaming 5 minutes into a 30 minute grinder "Don't go all the way down on this next squat, no one is watching" or "just put the bar down and have a rest"....
I have discovered overtime that 'the voice' never goes away. It is a constant companion and tries it's best to you lead down the path of least resistances. Through experience and many failures, I have learnt how to ensure this voice never gets too boisterous. If you can dominate the voice you can dominate the workout.
I came across a great quote recently "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self." - Aristotle
I still have a long way to go but, the greatest thing that CrossFit has taught me is to become a mentally stronger bloke. Each workout poses as an opportunity to develop physically and athletically. It also provides a chance to develop mentally and as I get older and the physical benefits become harder and harder to obtain I really focus on the mental battle that the workouts present. Is there a correlation between how you react when things get awkward in a workout and your reaction to challenges we encounter on a daily basis outside of CrossFit? I think so. Do you put the barbell down at the first opportunity? Do you slow down with 50m to go on your last 400? Are you the last in and first to leave at work? These are traits that require a certain amount of mental fortitude.
Unless your prepared to ignore 'the voice' then your progress in CrossFit will be muted. When your body screams to put down that barbell, you need to pull something out of the fire and do a few more reps. The sheer act of doing a few more reps when you think you can't starts to dull the effectiveness of 'the voice'. On the flip side if you turn your nose up at the prospect of increasing the weight on your deadlift when did the last set comfortably than that voice will only get louder. I am constantly saying to myself throughout a workout - "one more rep"
Another effective strategy I have put into practice is to ensure I set a goal before I start the workout.. As you know some of the CrossFit workouts are down right brutal. Some take 6 minutes others 30 minutes but, whatever the time domain there is always a point in the workout where you want to crawl up into a small hole.
After finding out the workout I choose to break it down instead of looking at it as one big slog. I do a quick SWOT analysis and then develop mini workouts within the workout. I like to break the workout up and focus on where I want to be at a particular time. The workout may involve 5 sets of 15 heavy thrusters, (something I hate and immediately encourages 'the voice' to grow louder) a 500m row and some burpees. I immediately look at ways to handle the thruster. The row and burpees are bodyweight and whilst challenging I will be able to get through. My overall time will largely depend on how well I do those thrusters. So I have broken the workout up into a mini thruster workout. If I can do them well, I am a good chance of posting a decent time. The goal I set myself is to do the first 3 rounds of those heavy thrusters unbroken (without putting bar down). The next 2 sets I will break up into manageable chunks but, ensure I have minimal rest. So the key is to set yourself a goal and try to stick to it.
The age of old psychology debate - does the body rule the mind or the mind rule the body is an interesting one. I am unsure of the answer...CrossFit has taught me that you have to bring your mind to the workouts as much as you do your body and that I can always do 'one more rep' than I think I can.
Make sure you bring your mind to the next workout.
See you on the track,
Nicholas
