Learning to Believe in Myself

The past few weeks I have been watching a group of, what I would consider, elite athletes get their tail handed to them each Tuesday and Thursday morning at my gym.  They were taking a class called Triathlon Training Club.  The title alone intimidated me, let alone the physique of those athletes in the class.

I would watch from a far, even when I was taking a group strength training class just a room away.  There was something about them and their activity that I was wanting to join in on.  I wanted to get my bum handed to me and leave it all on the floor. 

Last week (before Christmas) I finally got enough nerve and started asking questions with those who took the class.  They said it was free… for only ONE MORE WEEK… and that I could totally try it.

In the winter months, the instructor, Sarah instructs a more crossfit style workout.  She then ends each workout with a quick spin class.

I sucked up my pride and I decided to join this group and do the class.  I was a little late arriving to class (you know how slow children move when you are in a hurry, right?). 

When I walked on the basketball court, they were already hard at work with their warm up.  Most were dripping sweat and out of breath.  I was concerned I was missing the workout.  They laughed at me and assured me that it was only the warm up.  Oh boy was I in for a surprise!

After we crunched, bear crawled, ran, worked out core, and did this silly squat move till our body was spent…. it was now time for the actual workout.  The WOD.

The goal of this WOD was to go as fast as you can (without losing form).  You worked at your own pace, your own weight, and pretty much against yourself.  Which I loved the independence of this as well as the challenge to stay with the group.

300 jump rope jumps (or 150 doubleunders) 
100 squats (GOOD SOLID Squats… no sissy squats… and she was checking)
100 push-ups (you could work at your own pace, you just had to complete 100)
100 stationary lunges (50 each leg)
25 thrusters (check out this video)
100 good mornings (check out this video)
Run! (1/3 mile as fast as you can)
REPEAT! – I did the full WOD twice

Then we headed to the spin room for 30 minutes of spin.  My already sore legs wore worked over on that spin bike.

After my workout, I promised my boys that I would let them swim.  So we headed outside in the cool (50 degrees) and swam in the heated pool.  They climbed on me like a jungle gym and we swam, splashed and played. 

It is 3:30 as I type this.  My boys are happily playing with their new G.I. Joe dolls… not napping!  Where as Mommy could totally use a nap because this class was awesome.  It was tough.  It worked me over!  I loved it.  I want to do it again!

This WOD, this group of athletes, this class… reminded me just why I love fitness.  Why I love to be challenged to do something out of my comfort zone.  Challenging me to do and move beyond what I think I am capable.  I get bored doing the same group classes at my gym or running on the treadmill.  Variety is the spice of life. 

Today I learned that I could believe in myself.  Believe in yourself and all that you are.  Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.  Today I believe.

What challenges or obstacles stand in the way of reaching your goals?
What things remind you that you are greater than your obstacles?