Anita and Jen discuss the load on the bar for “Fight Gone Bad.”
Rarely do I see women overestimate themselves.
We are excellent pacers. It’s like something intrinsic to our nature — some survival of the species instinct that almost forces us to go lighter, go just a tad slower, “save something” for the last round. We worry that our form is not right, that we’re not doing things well enough, that we should stay in the “minor leagues” just a tad longer before we’re ready to play with the big girls.
I saw it when I raced mountain bikes in California. The women’s “Beginner” category would be the largest, with a small Intermediate, and very few Expert or Pro racers. Even tough female mountain bike riders were reluctant to bump up from Beginner to Intermediate, scared that they were not ready for the next level. Over on the men’s side, the Intermediate cat was huge, with guys fighting to get into it, to prove themselves, to make it to the next level. The only men who stayed at the Beginner level were sand-baggers — guys with small cojones who wanted to dominate longer in the small pond with the little fish.
It’s time to get out of the small pond.
Women with the small weights on the bar and the extra gas left in the tank, I dare you to grow some cojones. Not literally. (Ewww.) But figuratively. Stop thinking of yourself as weaker than you are. Banish those “slow” or “old” thoughts from your head. Throw some mother****ing weight on the bar and make the lift happen. And run faster. And try for the extra pull-up and the handstand push-up. Maybe it won’t be perfect. Maybe you’ll fail. Maybe you’ll fail a bunch. I don’t care. That’s okay. You won’t die from failure here. More importantly, you’ll be living. Someone kinda famous once said to me: “You’re going to misstep and you’re going to find success. So what. I love you no matter how it turns out and most things are fixable (or not, so ****ing what).” This is the way to live life — with these thoughts in your head. Be bold, be brave, be invincible.
So, the next time you’re setting up your bar in a workout or you’re grabbing a kettlebell, go heavier. It’s worth a try. You might succeed, you might fail, but I’m going to love you no matter how it turns out.
(Words by Lisbeth Darsh of CrossFit Watertown.)
March 26th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Bam – 1st!
I have definitely been trying to go harder and put more weight on the bar – especially after watching Melissa and all those amazing women compete at sectionals. They were inspiring! I want to be just like them!
March 26th, 2010 at 9:31 am
And Lis – Love this:
“You won’t die from failure here. More importantly, you’ll be living.”
SO True
March 26th, 2010 at 9:32 am
awwwww…you’re sooo sweet…I’m gonna be bad ass next and load up that f###ing bar with every plate you got…well not really but it sounded good….for the record it’s cojones….
March 26th, 2010 at 9:35 am
btw…I played with your bar yesterday…..I felt sooo naughty…
March 26th, 2010 at 9:38 am
And it’s fixed — thanks, Rockstar! Perhaps I will forgive your indiscretion . . .
March 26th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Lis, you’re right…that blog is all about me! On a serious note, great words. As a guy, I get inspired and push myself harder when I see the women at crossfit pushing the limits.
March 26th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Jason, you’re the closest to a “Dirty Woman” that we’ve seen since Nate. The girls might have to show you the secret handshake.
March 26th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Strong women are sexy. Done. End of story
March 26th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Anita doesn’t look pleased at what Jen is telling her.
March 26th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Fine words, for woman of all genders?!?! and guy’s, we can learn from this too. As much as we all feel comfortable where we are, we really live when we push beyond comfort.
@Eric, YES THEY ARE!!!!
March 26th, 2010 at 10:04 am
I have to give props to the men of CFW… Kirk, Nate and Derek ALWAYS ask, “What you got on there?” and when I tell them, they ALWAYS say, “You can do more.” And I do. They know that CFW women are stong.
Lis can do that to me with a look. She’s cool that way.
The thing is, is that eventually you come to understand just what Lis said…. you can lift more that you think.
It’s better (for me anyways) to fail on the last attempt because I know I’m pushing myself. Own your strength CFW women!
March 26th, 2010 at 10:07 am
The first thing I said to Rich when we were leaving the other night after the power cleans was “I should have gone heavier.” In the future I need to go with my first instinct and if I fail so what.Isn’t that the reason we keep coming back,to get stronger and faster?
March 26th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Great words Lis!! You took the thoughts right outta my head- I get tehnique focused and do lower weight!!! I was thinking that way yesterday and went higher weight quicker. I second Becky- Melissa has inspired me to perservere more!! Barry– I wasn’t upset with Jen as she told me to put more weight- I was upset that those pants I’m wearin were to big on me!! Haha- Another motivator for me- I’m gettin some new workout clothes!! BTW- I love strong women and I love my new Crossfit arms!!!! There is absooutely no jiggles!
March 26th, 2010 at 10:11 am
OK! just finshed my expresso shot break and now I’m ready to sit here for, lets see, 6 more hours….Anyone going out for drinks today?
March 26th, 2010 at 10:27 am
I’m editing and researching new bourbon drinks on the internet. Have to take my redheaded boy to the book fair at school tonight but then I might be game for one new testing opportunity?
March 26th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Didn’t Melissa say something about The Red Door? And a birthday????
March 26th, 2010 at 10:36 am
so what’s the scoop?
March 26th, 2010 at 10:42 am
I heard no babysitter?
March 26th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Thought this was a fun little read
http://www.tonygentilcore.com/2010/03/girls-lift-weights-because-they-can-weird-i-know/
March 26th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Let’s never put ourselves in a position to look back as a group or individually and say, “If only I had tried harder!”
Gene Haffely
March 26th, 2010 at 10:49 am
for Jen? oh, oh for Melissa…
So who’s in for having a few cocktails?….nothing too late…have to wod in am…
March 26th, 2010 at 10:50 am
I long ago gave up trying to babysit Jen.
March 26th, 2010 at 10:51 am
hehehehe….where is Jenny Jen?
March 26th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Anita with new workout clothes — whoo hoo!
Oh — and I heard there’s a new Lululemon about to open in West Hartford.
March 26th, 2010 at 10:52 am
I think she’s coaching? Busy day — more Fundies.
March 26th, 2010 at 10:55 am
GTFO! I think we should have a West Hartford excursion…did u see the new white denim…they are all sold out
March 26th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Yessireee. Don’t know when they’re opening but the mgr was in CF Relentless, I think.
March 26th, 2010 at 11:05 am
get some info maybe we can go for grand opening
March 26th, 2010 at 11:06 am
I’m here at CFW you MoFo’s! So is Kirk, Mike, Brandon, Mikey, Brian and Jeanine. They are all babysitting me!
March 26th, 2010 at 11:09 am
HAHAHA…..ask them if they want to have drinks this evening
March 26th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Where is everyone planning on going? Decent band playing tonight at the Red Door…if I can arrange for someone to be home with jax anyone up?
Oh and STRONG WOMEN ROCK!!!!
March 26th, 2010 at 11:46 am
what time Melissa?
March 26th, 2010 at 11:47 am
ok so we can do OJoe’s or Red Door…post preference
March 26th, 2010 at 11:59 am
I am just writing to see if my new gravatar works
March 26th, 2010 at 11:59 am
let’s try again
March 26th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
ok, I’ll just wait
March 26th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Melis, Kirk says you can go out with us and he’ll stay with Jax!
March 26th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
what time are you guys going out? right after the 5pm?
March 26th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Holy Crap just saw a guys who is 6feet 6 inches tall
March 26th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
This will make you laugh: http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2010/03/dennis-quaids-hilarious-hidden-camera-fun-vod-0326.php
March 26th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
LOL!….how can he keep a straight face for soo long?
March 26th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
I think we should do this with one of the coaches. Earpiece with instructions. I nominate Kirk. “Coach Kirk is here! Coach Kirk likey the back squat!”
March 26th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
DEZ NUTZS ARE HUGE!!!.. that’s all I have to say…
Oh wait, and are we drinking? I got a late night date but I will def do a stop over if we are going out.
March 26th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Ok peeps… I say we go to OJoes and for wings and drinks
March 26th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
@ Jackie- what time??
March 26th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
mmmmm….love me some OJoes wings…be there sometime after work around 730ish
March 26th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
how about 6:30
March 26th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Ok, so 6:30pm at OJoes!
March 26th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
ok, last try with this new gravatar
March 26th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Lis, if I´d be a woman, I would like you to be my trainer…..even more, I actually want you to be my trainer!!