Physical and Emotional Workouts

Yesterday the group crossfit classes and my 7 a.m. boot camp completed a workout called "Eva." It goes a little something like this:

"Eva"
5 Rounds for Time:
-Run 800 meters
-30 Kettlebell Swings
-30 Pull-Ups (Some people modified to 15 pull-ups)

Seem intense? It was. Physically, the workout will beat up your body. Ripped hands (see below), legs that feel like lead, arms you can barely lift and lungs that feel like they are on fire. It's a workout that left many people lying flat on their backs, blankly staring at the ceiling amazed at themselves for completing such an intense workout. Many of them could not even run a mile the first time they walked in the door, let alone run 2.5 miles with the addition of 150 kettlebell swings and 150 pull-ups. "Eva" is a workout that is physically demanding, but even more mentally exhausting.

"Eva" war wounds.

It's a workout where you constantly question yourself. "Why am I doing this? Can I do this? Is it worth the pain? Should I only do 27 reps instead of 30? Should I quit after 4 rounds? Wait, why am I doing this again?" Sometimes pushing through the mental battle within yourself is even harder than the physical aspect of the workout. It's the mental part of the workout that leaves you drained, but yet exhilarated. It's a feeling that can overwhelm you with emotion and bring you to tears. The tears are a release of shear exhaustion, happiness and satisfaction that you completed something you never thought you could. You start to realize that if you can complete such a strenuous workout, what else are you capable of doing that you've always been afraid to try? Can you apply for that promotion at work or follow your dream to open a restaurant? Can you move abroad for a year or finally go back to school? It's amazing how one crazy CrossFit WOD can begin to change your mental perspective and build your confidence.

Let me ask you, when was the last time a workout left you on your back, speechless, with tears of self-satisfaction streaming down your face and new positive outlook on things that once seemed unattainable?

The official CrossFit recovery position.