“What am I? I was a weightlifter but I have reduced the focus on that to do more crossfit. I have too many skills to improve yet to be a crossfitter. So what am I?” asked the Warrior Girl.
Her coach replied “You are a Warrior”.
She smiled for a moment.
“Thanks…but what category?”
I have said before this Warrior Girl may not be the easiest apprentice.
I took off of Friday’s WOD because I have been overtraining (not following the plan backfired a little) and putting too much pressure on myself (I need to learn everything NOW). I sat down with my coach for a status report.
Because I progressed so quickly, my gains were so large over consecutive cycles, I forget that I am still new to the process, still learning. I guess in the world of athletics 6 months of getting to healthy followed by 12 months of lifting still means I am a newbie. I still need to have patience. We are adding more technique now and less weight.
Lifting: I am good at the deadlift, squat, and bench. My shoulders still need to be more explosive. When we remove a lift from a cycle (back squat currently) I tend to over think every step when it appears on a random day and therefore struggle with something that should be easy. Joel says with more experience this will stop happening. My deadlift has progressed nicely but the hip problem I had this cycle may have held it back a bit, possibly no 300# in July. But he also said I have surprised him on numerous occasions with my numbers on max week and since the hip is back in action anything is possible.
The clean and snatch have technical issues that will be worked out but largely it is my head that is in the way. I hate it when I am the only thing standing in my way. Why can’t I just get out of my way? Strength wise I can do them. Expect their development to take a long time.
Conditioning: Needs work but we are not making it a priority because it will develop faster than the strength. The WODs and my regular sprint work will keep it where it needs to be for now.
Skills: Practice the speed rope a couple of times a week and keep trying for a double under. Kipping I can practice on crossfit only days and shoulder lift days. We will, in the next macrocycle, work more on deficit handstand push-ups.
Where am I excelling this cycle: Attitude. I am having fun again. That is, apparently, just as important to the process as hard work, perseverance and dedication.
What do I need to work on most? RELAXING
“Where am I going with this? I love it so much. I don’t want it to simply be a hobby.” The reply “This is not your hobby. You live for this. It will go wherever you decide you want it to. You tell me where that is.” But I am still an apprentice, a newbie. I don’t even know my options. I decide when I get a double under or when I snatch 135# I will re-visit this question.
We have had our challenges this cycle. We disconnected, miscommunitcated, parted ways, reconnected and are rebuilding. He is the best coach and I want to be the best athlete. I asked him what my biggest improvement has been, I was thinking the front squat or handstand push ups. I proudly quote my coach when he replied “Your ability to adjust to change this cycle has been astounding”.
What am I? What category? I am a Warrior.
Warrior Girl Lifting 