Bring On November

Today, I Will Bleed.

We all know the person that trains, year in and year out for competition. The farther out from competition it is, the more superior they are. But as competition nears, they realize that their body isn’t perfectly functional. They bow out, unwilling to hurt for success. The difference between this person and an athlete is simple: there isn’t a pain or an injury that will stop an athlete from competing. If an athlete can physically perform, whether pain-free or not, they will do so. You’re an athlete and you will bleed to succeed.

You know that it will hurt. But sometimes,the pain isn’t figurative. Sometimes, it’s not just the burn in the lungs or the lactate in your blood. Sometimes, muscles will tear further. Skin will continue to peel. Cartilage will tear. Or if you’re lucky, your knee will flood with the compensatory fluid that only appears with severe structural trauma. The truth of the matter is, we’re crazy. You are willing to hurt yourself just to move forward. That is the name of the game. And it is more widespread than you can imagine. When this open season began, people believed that it would reduce the stress on CrossFit athletes’ bodies by dissipating the intensity of six workouts over weeks and not hours. But truth of the matter is, CrossFit is becoming an athlete’s sport. Only athletes are willing to push past accumulating pain, injury, and the gripes that come with – to achieve a spot at the next level. And this is a trek where unless you are extremely lucky, you will face injury. But regardless, you will bleed to succeed.

Whether it is Paul Smith’s inflamed knee, Chase Ingraham’s torn cartilage, Lindsey Smith’s wrecked lower back, Ronnie Teasdale’s torn shoulder, or your own rather severe impediment – frankly, you could careless. The difference between someone who trains CrossFit and someone who trains to compete in CrossFit is that injury matters a lot less to a competitive athlete. You’ve come to terms with the fact that damage is necessary to achieve an advantage

While I was in California, Lindsey called me about one of injuries after CrossFit Games WOD 11.4 was revealed. “Are you healed,” she asked. I thought for a moment and replied with a smile, “It doesn’t really matter, does it. It has to be done, right?” It never matters, not to her, me, or you. Because athletes realize that often enough, it is not the man or woman with the most prolific ability that makes the biggest impact in the game. It’s the athlete that is willing to do whatever it takes to push through and score points. Call it Favre’s broken ribs, Mickey Ward’s broken hand, Jordan’s flu virus, Lago’s broken jaw, or your own injury. There is one common thread, no matter what it is, you will at least try to fight through it. Until you can physically go no more. That is an athlete.

When it comes to pain, athletes accept a bleak reality. The event, today, will be easier than recovery, tonight. But anything for that next opportunity to overcome, tomorrow. You just have to get to tomorrow. That is half of what it takes to succeed. But as for today, you will bleed.

Happy Birthday Wod Linda

Good end of October and Great Start of November WOD’s