Metamorphosis

This weekend Jeremy, a crew from CrossFit Central, and I made the annual trip to CrossFit Dallas Central for the All Cities Open. I'd been looking forward to this event since registration opened!!
I love the crew from CFDC (I learned this wekeend that's what folks in the "know" call it!) - Jeremy and I both took 1st last year so it's a "special" event for us - and I knew that the competition would push me (Candice Ruiz!!) and the WODS would be unique.
Competition and success is an odd thing - this weekend I walked away with the following observation of my "competitoin evolution"

Eyes of a child (2007-2008):
everything is new - just particpating is the "high" - there are no expectations - everything is a PR - do something you've never done, repeat! - strategy is not a consideration - excitement gets you thru - workouts are as exciting as competitions - win?
This is truly the "ignorance is bliss" phase and has a life span of about 18 months. I didn't know what I was getting into and that wasbetter that way. I didn't know if I could do it and that was exciting!

Hunger to prove (2010-2011)
talent is there and not fully expressed - expectations turn into goals - PRs happen with intention - get better everyday - break records weekly - learn new skills b/c it's possible - workouts are practice and competions are the "high" - competiton is a test that is always aced (learning is as important as performing) - win because you can!
This is the "I think I can, I think I can, Oh SHIT, I CAN!" phase and lasts until you have said amount of success. Enjoy the accomplishments, I know I can and I DID!

Performing for Expectations (2011-ENDED Saturday 12/10/11)
talent is still not fully expressed - expecations are set and demanded - PRs happen but they "should" - get better everyday - learn new skills b/c everyone else had them last year - workouts are practice and competition is the work - win because it's expected!
This is the "no room for celebration" phase and lasts as long as you let it! It's "expected" if you Do and you're damned if you Don't.

ACO was the 2nd competition I've done since The Games and honestly I haven't been sure how I feel about competing. I had let the stessors that make competition great turn from Eustress (good stress, pumps you up, sparks your system for the task at hand) into Distress (bad stress associated with negative demands, energy sucker). All stressors are self inflicted - I know it and that is why I know that I have the power to change my 2012 competion phase!

Another New You (2012.....)
it's a sport...that's ALL...barbells, burpees, atlas stones, rings...a GAME - it's the most rewarding thing ever - talent is not fully expressed and it's time to find out HOW to make it happen - new skills and PRs are sought after and celebrated - it's about what can be done not what should be done.

Cali Bound......

Games Bound from CrossFit Central - The Triune on Vimeo.

95% of the game is 1/2 mental - yogi berra

If you're going to The CrossFit Games - you're fit!
Can we agree on that?
So now what?
At this stage in the game, mental preparation is more important than physical preparation.


Bender Thiel's Pre-Games Mental Training:

1. Vision Boards and Visualization the event I WANT to happen
   
2. Focus Phrases on my mirror - some of these are for myself, some are to my opponents
   
3. Music Association - pick a play list - turn it up - feel what I WANT to feel game day
   
4. JDP and Jeremy - my coach and my husband know me better than I do
   
5. Prayer

Do you train your mind as much as your body? What works for you?

A week of "coincidences"

Midweek Mojo:
NO LIMITS.
in my world of NO LIMITS- impossible does not exist.
My strong becomes fast, my fast becomes hard, and
my limitations vanish. I dream with my eyes open to see
my vision more clearly, and what does it say:
YOU HAVE NO LIMITS. - Time to do work.

Never underestimate a girl who has made up her mind to WIN,
the only one who will be defeated is the one who questioned her DRIVE.

THANKS for the LOVE - AlyRXStar This post by Aly popped up today and it was just one of a few "coincidences" this week! Everything is as it should be.

The stars aligned. Cali here WE....I come.

Do I talk about what's to come? Do I just throw out some quick thank you's and "I'm excited" phrases? Do I break down the weekend day by day and workout by workout?
I still don't know what I want to say and the details of every day and every workout only matter because of what I learned from them - from the people - from the experience.

• I learned that I can do anything with prayer - something I'd given up years earlier.
• I figured out how to find the fire within when I need it. (Day 2 of Regionals).
• I fell even more in love with CrossFit as a sport and as a community.
• I was reminded that you stick to your game plan no matter what - I didn't on "Amanda" and I paid for it.

• I realized do belong among the likes of Lindsey Smith, Carey Kepler, Candice Ruiz, Whitney Welsch, Ingrid Kantola, etc.
• I realized that there are many many more people who believe in and support me than I could ever DREAM of.

Lindsey, Carey and I have been working toward this accomplishment for a year. We knew that a CrossFit Central Sweep was possible. But the South Central gals are tough - they are Games veterans - they are competitors! There were times when we all secretly had moments of doubt..... but more about ourselves than each other- than our training partners!

Hard work - Vision (vision boards) - Teamwork - Focus - and Fun made this a reality.

Thank YOU for the support - the emails - the facebook messages - the tweets - the yelling in the hot TomBall sun! I asked for "positive vibes" last weekend and you all did not disappoint. Your support, your energy, your support got me a tick to Cali. I am going to enjoy the journey.