I shall start this blog by saying, I took 5 days off.
I had a LOT of anxiety about leaving my CrossFit workouts that long, even though, I knew I wouldn’t lose much…and in fact, I might just gain something(s). But, anxiety I had. I went off on a beach excursion with 7 of my dearest girlfriends. It was to be a full 6 days of relaxing, eating and drinking. We did all three … to the MAX. Several of us did go on long walks boot camp style courtesy of me (think air squats, push-ups, planks, inverted pushups, tricep dips, jumping jacks, etc) and short runs; however, replicate the intensity of my CrossFit workouts–I did NOT.
Our little piece of paradise!
But, I had to let it go. I mean, after all, I was there to R-E-L-A-X. So, finally I gave in and just thought, what will be…will be.
Today, was my first day back at a WOD. And, it was a rocking workout. I did a WOD that featured heavy deadlifts, wall walks, and box jumps. Let’s just say the deadlifts were at a weight that was my 1-Rep Max just two months ago. But, I decided to do it no matter the time it took me to lift the heavy barbell up and put it back down.
Let’s just say, I was pleasantly surprised!
Listen…I know rest does a body good, but let’s just say that the things I ate and drank the last 6 days not only would NOT make a nutritionist happy, but they also would NOT be what I would put into my body on a normal basis to contribute to a good workout.
Nonetheless, I lifted the weight like it was my job. In fact, it was my job in this 12min AMRAP, because I was determined to do it! I actually finished four full rounds plus nearly almost finishing the 5th round all Rx’d! As one of the dudes at the box said, ‘if I was you, I would be feeling like I owned this world after what you just did!’ He was right. I feel STELLAR!
This workout most definitely would have been impossible to do prescribed just 6 weeks ago…and now it was just a matter of how many rounds could I actually complete in 12minutes.
Rest DEFINITELY does do a body good! I knew that. I know that. It’s just sometimes so hard to allow the body to re-build because we are always in a hurry to get to the next workout. However, I am glad I had some forced time off because it sets me up for even greater rewards down the road!
So, I hope you have taken some well earned time off and can pause life long enough to savor the rewards! It’s a great way to keep the excitement alive about the sport you have chosen and most certainly to keep re-defining your self-imposed limitations!
