Sometimes You Just Know

Sometimes you just know that you can do better.  That's how I felt after getting only 168 reps on the CrossFit Open's WOD 14.4.  It wasn't a surprise to me that I struggled with this workout; I often struggle with toes-to-bars.  So, as I watched some of the most elite of athletes themselves struggle with stringing together multiple reps at the 14.4 Open Announcement, I knew that this would be a tough road for me.  Like I said, sometimes you just know. The only saving grace for me was that most people would struggle with this workout as well, and while I knew I would have a hard time with the toes-to-bars, I had hoped to make up for any lost time on the other exercises.  "Get to the rings!"; that was my goal.  If I could get to the rings, then maybe I could pull off one or two muscle-ups and gain some distance at 803 CrossFit.  I didn't even come close.  168 reps - 12 short of touching the rings.  I left the gym disappointed, angry, and determined to do again...and do it better.

A few hours later I was back at the gym, not entirely sure what I had planned to do, but still toying with the idea of trying it again that same day.  I watched 803 owner/coach Steve and coach Autaum do there 14.4 workouts and I got re-energized as I watched them give it their all.  This was not an easy workout.  Steve did make it to the rings, and finished with 183 reps (3 muscle-ups).  Autaum, however, struggled (as I did) with the toes-to-bars.  Sometimes you just know you can do better, and that is exactly how Autaum must have felt.  No less than 15 minutes after finishing 14.4, and she was ready to go again.  There was no way I was letting her go at it again on her own.  Both of us settled in to give it a second shot knowing what our deficiencies were, and knowing what we must do to overcome them.  3...2...1...Go!

Exhausted, in pain, partially defeated, and at the same time victorious; 14.4 was in the books, and this time would be for good.  Both Autaum and myself did much better the second time.  Autaum did nearly 30 reps better on her second attempt (I remind you again, it was no more than 15 minutes after her first attempt).  I had improved by 11 reps; one clean short of getting to the rings, but 100% sure I gave it everything.  Later that day I thanked Autaum for being so motivated and determined.  Her energy pushed me to a higher level that day.  This was the third week in a row that I gave one of The Open workouts a second attempt, and while it may not always be the answer; sometimes you just know you can do better.