CrossFit Watertown, Oakville, CT

It’s the weekend post, just under the wire, because I don’t want to pay the 50 burpee penalty! Ha!

Enjoy your Sunday night and we’ll see you on Monday for more fun and strength at the best secret in all of the Watertown-Oakville area!

“Patience is also a form of action.” — Auguste Rodin

When we think of CrossFit, we don’t often think of the term patience. CrossFit is about going hard and getting results, right? Stronger, faster, quicker, harder? Tear it up, knock it down, 3-2-1-Go!

Yes. And no.

See, to build anything you need hard work. But nothing grows overnight. As stupid as it sounds, you have to tend the garden for a long time before you grow some tomatoes. We know that when it comes to plants, but we forget it when it comes to growing athletes. Or just plain people, too.

You’re not going to learn how to snatch well overnight. Nor will you perfect POSE running in an afternoon. Or a week. Or a month.

The simple truth of the matter is that good things take time. And great things take even more time. To think that anything worth its salt will grow overnight is simple foolishness. The best gardeners and the best athletes share a common trait: patience.

So lace up your sneakers, get your barbell ready, open your ears and listen. Learn. Make mistakes. Learn from them. Wait. Try again. Mess up again. Wait. Have patience. Persevere. Then, act. You might be surprised by the results.

Not doing something all the time is not the same thing as doing nothing. We forget that in CrossFit, and in life.

Learn a little patience. Give good things a chance to grow.

(Words by Lisbeth Darsh/CrossFit Watertown.)

I know . . .

That I need to get better at ring rows. And a thousand other things.

That I need to work on all the things that I don’t want to work on. In the gym and in my personality.

That lifting makes me stronger but running is important too.

That just because you’re strong doesn’t mean you should always use that strength. In the gym or in life. Skill is vital. Even more so with people than the barbell.

That just because you do a bad thing doesn’t mean you’re a bad person, anymore than a bad lift doesn’t make you a bad lifter.

That smiling and laughter are possibly the most important ingredients to our day. Forget them and you’re lost.

That chalk is overrated.

That compassion is underrated.

That hard times reveal a lot. In you and in others.

That it’s never too late to do the right thing. If you miscounted your reps, add some more. If you messed up the movement, do it over. If the clock’s already stopped, who cares. Make it right for yourself.

That CrossFit has made me a better athlete and a better person. And that sharing CrossFit is pretty much my life’s mission. We are all broken in some way. CrossFit can’t fix everything, but it can help you find your strength, in many many areas.

That every day the sun comes up and you’re still breathing is a good one. It’s up to you to make it a better one. Stop complaining and start doing. Life is short. Very short. Grab it and run like the wind while you’re still here.

(Words and photo: Lisbeth Darsh/CrossFit Watertown.)

Lu-Ann finishing the snatch.

“You think it’s about the end, but it’s actually about the middle.” Sue said that yesterday, while teaching the power snatch.

She was talking about “speed through the middle” – the point of the snatch that is so important to success but that so many of us forget about. We concentrate on the pull off the ground, or we focus on the finish. But if you don’t get speed through the middle, that bar will not end up where you want it.

How many of you do this? Focus on the beginning, or the end, but not really pay attention to what’s happening in the middle? On the snatch, on the clean, on the deadlift, maybe even on life. Quick, raise your hands. Yeah, we’re almost all guilty of that.

So, what to do? Pay attention. Don’t let your mind drift. Focus on the beginning, focus on the middle, focus on the end. It’s hard but it’s worth it. And if it was easy, you wouldn’t want it. You know that. So go out and do it right. I’ll see you at the gym.

Tony, Erin, and Matt pulling up at the playground workout.

How do we learn? We try. And try. And try again. Same as when we were kids. We have hope that we can do whatever task it is that we have in front of us.

The first time they gave you a pencil and a math sheet, you probably didn’t get everything right. The first time you snatched a barbell, you probably ended up on your a**. And the second time, maybe the third and fourth. Heck, maybe you’re still ending up on your keister, with the bar rolling in one direction and you still shaking your head, figuring it out.

That’s okay. Because you’re still trying. You have hope. And you’re trying to learn how to do it better. And you’re not giving up. You’re adjusting, tweaking, changing things in pursuit of the goal you set.

A few weeks ago, we talked here about the “Ripley Point in CrossFit” — whether there existed a point where you should just give up on a movement and decide you’re never going to make it so there’s no point in continuing to try. People had a variety of responses to that post, but almost everyone believed there was still value in trying. Nobility in effort. Salvation in perseverance. Worth in hope.

And they’re right.

Hope is the eternal condition of the soul. It’s built into our hearts, our minds, seemingly our DNA. When hope is not present in us, we can usually point to an external factor, an event, a person, a thing that drove it out of us, that ground it into the dirt, that smashed it to pieces. And that’s not a good thing.

See, we are born to hope. No one should take that away from us. Just like no one should tell you to abandon the snatch or the Turkish Get-Up or the unassisted pull-up, if that’s really what you want to do, what you’re willing to work for, what you’re willing to sacrifice for in order to achieve.

You have to keep hope alive, in the gym, in the workplace, in your life.

As an undergraduate, I had the opportunity to listen to Jesse Jackson. Say whatever you want to about the man, he’s a captivating orator. Here’s what he said: “I know it’s been tough, but hold on to your faith. Don’t turn to drugs, hold on to your faith. Hold on. I know it’s been tough, but don’t give up. Above all, keep your dignity, keep your self-respect. Hold your head high, stick your chest out. Be proud.”

I don’t know if old Jesse believes in CrossFit, but he’s got some good words on having faith and holding on. So, the next time you step up to that barbell, have faith and hold on. Hope. Stick your chest out. Let the barbell rise and feel your spirit soar. Hold on.

(Words by Lisbeth Darsh/CrossFit Watertown.)

Arell tackles ring push-ups while Cheryl split squats.

Can you tell everything from this picture? Can you tell who else is in the class? Who’s coming up the stairs? Who’s watching from the club room? Exactly what the weather is outside?

Probably not. You’ve got some indicators, but not all, and you’re only seeing through the lens of one camera. And one camera shot, no matter how good, does not offer enough information — just like one viewpoint (no matter how seemingly perceptive, intuitive, or adept) can offer all the information you need to make a full and informed decision most of the time.

Sitting in another CrossFit Level One Course yesterday, the point was made again and again, “Don’t believe us because we said it. Go out and look for yourself. Explore. Ask other people. Educate yourself.”

How rare is that viewpoint in today’s world? The urging of exploration and investigation, even if it means possibly digging up contrary information? So many fitness regimens, so many companies, so many ads scream “Look at us! Pay attention over here! Only WE know the score, only WE know what’s good for you.”

But CrossFit says different. CrossFit places the burden of proof on the promiser (”Prove it”) and the burden of education on the individual (”Go look it up and find out. Try it. See what happens”). That’s quite a refreshing change, when you think about it.

Listen. Consider. Explore. Experiment. Decide for yourself.

Kinda nice, huh?

Rachael, Erin, Matt, and Tony workout at the park while the CrossFit Level 1 Course was going on back at the ranch (or, actually, the Old Pin Shop.)

Another Level 1 in the books for CrossFit Watertown! Big thanks to Jen, Sue, Pam, Mikey, Rockstar, Rachael and everyone else who helped get the gym ready and make things happen!

Schedule Alert: The 7pm class on Tuesday AND Thursday will be for competitors in upcoming events. Get ready to turn it up!

Anita during “Elizabeth” . . .

Reminder: We’re closed on Sat and Sun for the CrossFit Level 1 Certification Course. CrossFit Watertown members can meet at 9am at Veterans Park on Sat and Sun for some hellish concoction from Melissa and Pam. (Whoops, sorry, I meant “wonderful time outside.” It’ll be refreshing, just like a Corona on a Mexican beach, I swear.)

Attention 5pm class tonight! Please be prepared to help with some gym equipment moving as we prepare for the L1. Thanks a bunch!

Lastly, remember this: All the personal records and fastest times and accolades in the world don’t mean much if you screw up your personal life. So, when you’re done with the workout today or tomorrow or Sunday, pay attention to the people in your life — why they’re there, why you need them there — and adjust what you need to in order to keep those relationships right. Life is a lot like a clean. It’ll take you from the floor to the top and back down again. Do it right and you stand back up, weight and all. Do it wrong and you’re left on your a**, trying to figure out how you messed up. So go out there and pay attention and do it right. Have a great weekend!

The 5pm class hits it in front of the new “red” wall at CFW. Thanks to Sue, Rachael, and Jen for making that happen! (Sorry if I missed any other helpers. Add your name here!)

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. An out-of-town trip for CrossFit HQ business took priority for a few days, but now I’m back!

Announcements:

1.) We are closed this weekend due to the CrossFit Level 1 Certification Course. But we will be holding 9am workouts at Veterans Park on both Sat and Sun. Look for Melissa and Pam near the basketball courts.

2.) Tonight’s 7pm class is Firebreather Prep for competitions. All are welcome but be prepared to have your hair on fire!

Four  things we know today: 1.) Don’t get between Cheryl and the rope — she likes to climb that thing! 2.) It will be another totally awesome week at CrossFit Watertown. 3.) Rachel ROCKED the CrossFit Total yesterday. 4.) It’s hard to write a blog when they’re calling your flight. Talk amongst yourselves! Have a great day!