Sometimes it’s okay to be the last one to finish a workout.
Here’s why…
It’s been so long since I’ve been in a room full of people yelling “3,2,1…Go!”
I sort of forgot about the feelings of that nervous person…
…who just started jumping on a 20” box
…who just started stringing together kipping pull ups
…who finally has the confidence to RX a workout.
We were all working out alone during Covid for so long that we were the first ones done every time.
Most of us have been there.
A “For time” workout, and you’re the last one working, everyone is watching, and -in true CrossFit fashion- cheering you on to keep going…keep pushing.
You wish they would all go away, am I right?
But what you may not realize at the time is the admiration, and respect they have for you. Whatever the movement was that you got hung up on, you finished.
So, when do you decide to take the chance of being that person to finish last, especially if you’ve always gotten one of the fastest times on the board?
Skills.
Movements like pull ups, double unders, rope climbs…
You have them, can string more than a couple together, can get up and down the rope but maybe you need a few extra seconds of rest to keep going.
Sometimes we don’t know what these movements will actually feel like in a metcon until we actually GO for it. That may mean finishing last, and with every metcon and practice they will most likely get better.
Weights.
Sure, you can clean a certain weight once or touch and go for five, but can you move it -let’s say- ten times for three rounds? It depends on the stimulus and whether it should be a fast burner or long steady workout. But if you want to Rx a workout at 95 pounds for the first time, you might just need to dig deep, and be okay if it means you’re last. The accomplishment should outshine the ranking on the whiteboard.
Mindset.
Let’s say you’re not a strong runner, but you really want to Rx a workout that has running in it and in your head the run is what’s holding you back. “I can definitely handle the weights, but I’m slow and don’t want to be last, so I’ll just scale”.
Are you going to let negative self-talk hold you back from accomplishing something that you’re capable of, just so you can have a faster time?
In the end, hopefully you have a coach to guide you in the right direction. And sometimes it’s not appropriate to Rx something that is supposed to be done in a certain time frame. Pushing yourself out of that comfort zone is what you show up to do, so don’t be afraid to do it. It’s how we grow and get better!
Cheers to your first Rx!
I hope we get to see it and celebrate with you!