Upside Down! Conquering my fear!

Fear can be a good thing. It's an instinct that prevents us from doing stupid things BUT fear is not always rational. While my fears often protects me from the pain of a crushed ego, they also keeps me from the exhilaration of victory and success.

When I was younger, I QUIT gymnastics twice because I couldn't do a cartwheel. Twenty some years later, I am yet to master the cartwheel and continue to harbor a fear of going upside down - Cartwheels, diving off a diving board, handstands, flips of any kind....
My fear IS silly - it IS not rational - it IS a MAJOR obstacle on my road to the 2010 CrossFit Games.

The dreaded HSPU (handstand push-up) has been something I've avoided for months. Frustrated by my earlier attempts I swore them off! I protected my ego but didn't do much to reach my goal.
Last Monday I asked Megan to hold me accountable for attempting the HSPU as part of my warm up. Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - I struggled to kick myself on the wall - let's not even talk about actually attempting the push-up part - I was glad to just turn myself upside down.

I saw Friday's WOD included HSPU and figured there was no time like the present to conquer my fear! I completed 13 rounds in 20 min - 2 HSPU unassisted and successfully finished the workout without giving a second thought to flipping upside down on the wall!
My fear WAS silly - It WAS not rational - It WAS a major obstacle on the road to the 2010 CrossFit Games.

I have the strength - I have the determination - and now I have faced my fear. It's amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it!

What are you going to conquer in the upcoming year?