Back in the beginning of December, we hit the beginning of our Grace Challenge. The idea was to choose a weight, train 8 weeks, and then hit the same workout with the same weight again, and look for improvement. Now, there was a bit more to it of course as Jerry also put money on the line for the best man and woman in the pro and elite categories, as well as the most improved.
During our initial trial run, I decided to go elite and use 100 pounds for the Grace Challenge. For those of you who aren't familiar with Grace, or who have a hard time keeping all the ladies in line, Grace looks like this.
Grace
30 rep
Clean and jerk
For time
RX-85 lbs
I love shoulder/upper body work because next to my tongue, my shoulders are probably the strongest muscles in my body. Honestly. So, the Grace Challenge seemed right up my alley. In our trial run I somehow managed to bust out a 4:48. I was pretty pleased with that, seeing as how the CF ninjas do it in about 2:30 with less weight than what I used. I was pretty happy with that.
Going into the finals today though, I was really nervous. I really didn't want to go slower, and I'll admit, I went in with the fastest elite time and I really wanted to win. I know that at times I'm too competitive for my own good, but for once, just once, I wanted to be on top of the white board.
I went in and just hit it hard. I busted out a 4:07 with 100 lbs. I was really happy with that, and thought to myself, that maybe, just maybe I might actually win this thing. That was until our uber athlete hit the bar a few minutes later, and then just basically kicked my ass. That was frustrating. It's not that I'm not happy that I went faster or PR'd, but it was a challenge. It was a competition, and GD I wanted to win.
I know I posted that whole thing about PR's the other day, and I know it seems like I'm going against my whole thing, I'm not. Really, you shouldn't compare your output to someone else's in a workout. Having said that though, today was actually about competing. It's not like today was just another workout. And just for once, I wanted to actually sit on the top of the white board. I know that's retarded because that's not what CF is really for. CF is for making yourself better, which I did, but just once I wanted that, and I was really bummed that it didn't get to happen. It's a frustrating feeling sometimes when your best is just not good enough. I know I'm more competitive than I should be about this, but like I said, sometimes I am too competitive for my own good.
Tomorrow will be back to business as usual....
10 comments:
Katie, your effort today was extraordinary. Hold you head high. Your dedication and hard work ethic inspires us all.
Thanks Blain... just too competitive for my own good... :P
I know what you mean about the conflict between, "I really improved and should be proud" and, "Damnit I lost and this sucks."
...I'm not sure if I have anything more constructive to say, but you're definitely not the only one out there who goes through that.
Thanks Adam... I'm not sure there is much to say... it's a fine line and sometimes I toe it too much like I said... I'll be back at CF tonight and things will go on... nevertheless it still sucks...
I know how you feel. After the first round Jerry said something about how I might have one of the top improvements, and I wasn't close to the top five. It's okay, though, because I DID improve. As did you - by 14% I believe! Be proud!
Hello all.. I would like to throw a different prospective in here. Katie, I think if it were a year ago I may have felt the same exact way. I would have wanted to be the best in the bracket. After a year of shoulder injury, rehab, surgery, and rehab again, I have been able to step back a little and take a look at some realities. There is always going to be someone stronger, better, faster, longer than you. It's just an annoying fact. I understand the burning desire to be the best and to "win", but maybe it'd help to take a step back and consider what your definition of "winning" is. I would certainly not consider your effort yesterday a lose. You won yesterday, even if you weren't at the top of a score board. The only thing that actually defeated you was your discontent with not winning.
I hope that doesn't sound harsh. It's been a process for me to get into that mind set, but it's been such a healthy shift for me.
Not harsh at all Adrienne... I understand what you mean exactly. I'm not unhappy with the time at all, or the improvement... just like you said, I really wanted to be on top of that bracket. I'm making a consorted effort (since my initial reaction on Sunday) not to be such a mambee pants about the whole thing, and I really am trying to stop being such a terd. Hopefully as time goes, some of that uber competitive spirit will simmer down. I've been pretty happy with my progress lately... I'm learning my weak areas and know where I need to work to improve, but I think the challenge brought out the worst in my competitive edge... you're right when you say it's something I need to rein in... completely agreed.
On a more comical note, if you ever go to physical therapy you'll be the billy bad ass of the bunch. The where I go for my ankle is constantly amazed that I can leg press 140 with one leg. ...I'm sure you could do much better :)
Great job with 100lbs, CF Games Grace weight.
I recently did Grace with 95lbs in 5 minutes even, or as I like to say: 300 seconds!
However, we had one false start and one stop to check on an athlete who fall over a rower, so I'd like to try it again without interruptions, some time soon!
Robin, I'd say go for it. I'll be you could easily get it in in under five...
Curse those clumsy athletes though, I mean... I don't know anyone that would trip over a rower!!! *Katie whistles innocently* ;)
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