Since I started CrossFit in August I looked forward to my birthday. Not just because I turned 25, but because I got to choose a birthday WOD at D-Town CrossFit. For weeks leading up to November 24, I thought about what I wanted to do. I figured that choosing skills I excelled at would be a good idea since I would RX, and get a decent whiteboard score.

As the day approached, however, I thought about what CrossFit is to me, and I realized something. One thing that Crossfit is NOT about is taking the easy way, or simply getting the highest score. So, instead, I decided to do something that would push me to my limits, and challenge me to reach new heights. After all, that is why I started crossfit in the first place – to BECOME BETTER. For  this reason I chose to incorporate my newest skill, rope climbs into my birthday WOD. I had completed my first rope climb just 4 days earlier.

Here was my WOD:

Halfway through the first round I knew I was in trouble. I was huffing and puffing, my muscles were burning, and I was sweating like a pig. The thought of having more than two rounds to go was daunting, and the fact that I had CHOSEN this blew my mind. Finally…. round two was over. Trying not to think about the 5:30 class watching from the sidelines, anxiously waiting for me to finish, I began my third round. Most of my class had already finished the workout and many athletes were curled up in the fetal position on the floor making strange noises. I pushed on.

On my last rope climb, ascent number 6, I almost gave up. I paused, clung to the rope from 10 feet up, and took a deep breath. I convinced myself to forget about everything in my life and everyone in the gym watching me. I HAD to do this and I was so close. I knew I would regret it if I gave up before touching the green line. Those last 5 feet were took every ounce of mental and physical strength I could muster, but I did it!

After touching down following my final rope climb, I felt a renewed sense of energy going into my final squats, burpees, and sit-ups; even though my muscles were on fire and my whole body was shaking. After what seemed like forever, I finished. I dropped to the floor and lay there until I finally mustered up the strength to peel myself up and put away my weights.

Although I got one of the worst scores of the day, I was proud of myself for not giving up and for completing my own challenge as prescribed (RX). As I said in my last post, I CrossFit because each day there is a new challenge, a new opportunity to set, reach, or surpass a goal. I CrossFit to learn new skills and to become more fit inside and out. I CrossFit to BE MORE AWESOME, and today I lived it.