Can't or Won't?

WOD:
"Shorty Wanna Ride"
2 rounds cals

5-5-3-1-1 max effort Clean & Jerk

*maxed at 95 lbs*

21-15-9
Squat Cleans
Push Jerks

14:13 (65 lbs Rx)

I need to stop saying "I can't." Rick asked what my max Clean & Jerk was....I didn't know, but said that I knew I couldn't get 80 over my head. He rolled his eyes and told Jen and me to start with just the 45 lb bar. We got the form down and added a couple of plates. 65 lbs. 75 lbs. 80 lbs. We started to get a little excited. 85 lbs. 95 lbs. Done. Happiness. Not just for ourselves, but for each other. Neither of us thought going in to it that we would go that high. But we did.

And that was just the warm up. I was really happy to see squat cleans on the board today. I don't know why, but I love these! It just feels like a complete and fluid and beautiful movement. And it makes your quads hurt in a really good way. Somehow, the 15 lb bar that I had selected disappeared. I started to grab another. Rick said to use the 45. (See? I still have to be told.) I had done "Badger" with only 45 lbs. Today's Rx was 65. 21-15-9 reps. Do it or don't.

I can honestly say that today I gave 100%, every last thing I had. Unlike yesterday's deadlifts, I struggled through 21 reps of squat cleans and then 21 reps of push jerks at 65 lbs. And then 15. And then the glorious last 9 of each. When it was over I dropped to my knees. Too wobbly to stand up. There was not one inch of me that was dry or not shaking.

John and Shawn kindly took down my bar and put the plates and collars away for me. I probably stayed on the ground for 5 solid minutes. And all I could think was "I did it. I Rx'd." And as exhausted as I was, I was happy.

Encouragement from the tribe and from our leader. It's something we have at ACF. Of course there's the friendly competition, but what continues to amaze me is the encouragement that flows through the gym. We rejoice in each others' victories, be they big or small. Because they're not just physical...they're emotional and mental. It's about much more than a WOD, it's about overcoming life's struggles.

It's about someone plagued by self-doubt learning to say "I CAN do this. I WILL do this."

Por vida, my friends. Today is a good day.


Breakfast:
Chicken & Fruit Bowl (from My Fit Foods)

Lunch:
Leftover shrimp & chicken, carrots, celery & salsa

Dinner:
We'll talk about that later.