It's Not Easy Being This Fabulous

Daily Archives | September 16, 2009 by | 88 Comments

(Big D and Mike hammer out yesterday’s burpee and ring dip WOD.)mikeringsdburpee

Mentally, it’s not easy being last in a CrossFit workout. (But, physically, it’s not easy being first. And being in the middle kind of sucks too.)

So, where do you find comfort? If sometimes it feels like your best is never good enough, where do you find solace?

In good form. In doing the complete range of motion. In reaching the movement standards you set for yourself. In finishing the workout.

None of us are getting any younger. But that’s okay. Finishing first is a young woman’s (or man’s) game, most of the time.

The rest of us inspire when we perspire — or at least we hope we do. When you think about it, that’s pretty important too.

But, really, don’t mind us old folk if we trip you on the run, or we “accidentally” crossload your barbell, or we bribe your spouse to feed you high-carb, low-fat crap to sap your energy and send you into a food coma. We’re just evening the playing field, after all . . .

  • Tooner

    Ding ding ding… Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

  • Tooner

    Hello. This thing on?

  • Tooner

    I’ve gotta go do this from my laptop vs iPhone. Too hard to stop

  • Tooner

    Too hard to type…. Geez

  • Tooner

    Going downstairs. Talk to you guys in a few

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    And I’m back.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    The kittens are safe now.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Claire thinks I have a problem. She got up to feed Connor and saw the glow of my iPhone upstairs in bed.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    She might have caught the CF bug but it’s too early to tell.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    I could tell she had a great time yesterday in the Boot Camp by the tone of her voice when she was explaining to me what she did.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Great job on the Boot Camp Jennifer and Melissa.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Oh… and Erin also. I heard you showed up to help out with the little guys. You can come babysit at our house anytime if you want.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    There it is…. My alarm on my phone just went off. Time to get up to head to CFW to see some 6 am peeps.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Get ready to ‘Do Work’. I like that one from Big D. That might have to replace my favorite.. ‘Get Some’ for a few days.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    I wonder if it’s cold enough to break out the beanie this morning?

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Speaking of my head… I think I’m going mo hawk. I’m going to have Claire cut it today.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    This is way too easy this early in the morning. The only hope to stop me is Jen when she gets into CFW this morning but I’ll have to leave before then.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    I feel bad for Jen because she has to come in super early on her Wed morning off. However, I welcome the help.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    And there it is… phone alarm again. The back up snooze. Are you a snooze person? Or do you get up right away? Or lay in bed listening to the radio for 5 mins.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    I wonder how happy Lis is going to be to see all these comments on the CFW blog

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    zzzz…. zzzzz… just background noise.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    21 posts… I think I’m going to have to pick a number and stop. Since I have to leave soon.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Sort of like we like to say at CFW during a WOD. Pick a number and get it. This is exhausting.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    For those of you who have posted 1st in the past… Does it feel like you checked the lottery numbers and realized you won when you see the ‘no comments’ under the blog? That’s how it felt for me this morning.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    OK. maybe not quite that exciting but fun none the less.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Yeah.. I know what your thinking… Get a life.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    One thing when you post this many consecutive posts is you better have a good gravitar. I need to change mine. That’s really a stupid picture.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    It’s from a year ago when we were on a bike trip in Germany. It was lunch time and we were drinking on the banks of the Rhine. Man that was a great trip.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    I need another vacation. Work has been a beast lately and has been cutting into my CFW time.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Hey. What’s the count on the new members in the last 2 months? And why don’t we see any of them on the blog?

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Need to make a handout for all the new members with getting set up on facebook and gravitar instructions.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Oh man. This is exhausting but I have to get my number.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    It’s like taking candy from a kid this early in the morning. Not that I would know what that’s like.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    I need to get my posts done. I need to get on the road so I can pick up a cup of joe on the way

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Of course, I should have just saved some $ and made some at home since I was home for so long doing this.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Oh well. I go support the economy and do my part.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Are you doing your part? Did you buy your cup of coffee today or did you put us further into a recession by making yours at home.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    I doubt that anyone is reading this. Holla in the comments if you are… Use the word banana in some form in your comment.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Did anyone have a banana seat bicycle as a kid? They were a little before my time. I never did.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    I wonder if they were more comfortable than a regular seat.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    I like banana nut bread. Does anybody else?

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    I used to hate bananas but now I don’t mind them.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Ok.. now I really need to get going or Jen is going to beat me to the gym.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Don’t worry Jen. I’m on my way.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Well guys… it’s been fun.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Thanks for listening.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Wishing everyone a super day. I might even see you at one of the evening WODs.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    This is Tooner signing off. I’ll see the 6 am CFW peeps in a few.

  • http://idontdocardio.blogspot.com Eric

    I’m here to break up the perfect game… banana

  • lisbeth

    Eric, I’ve never loved you so much in my life. Thank you.

  • mike # 3

    very sick people here

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Ha… I’ve been censored by the CFW blog police. :)

  • Lisbeth

    When Justas was little, I used to have to take away the sharp knives from him so he would not hurt himself.

    Ever have to do that with your kids, Tooner?

  • Lady V

    Really…to wake up that early and blog for 30mins….& you have 3 little ones at home….dude, what is wrong with you??? It becomes a rather sick game no doubt!!! Love bananas, alone, in my cereal, mashed, in bread, cake…you name it, I love me my bonaners!!!

  • Lisbeth

    And, Greg, if you paid attention to the photos and/or the text on the blog (instead of solely your own comments) you would have seen Bob, Matt, and Oddette in photos this week alone. And look above and you’ll see Mike.

    Amazing what we can see in life when we cast our gaze beyond ourselves . . .

  • Lisbeth

    And bananas are okay. But blueberries rule the world.

  • http://ctdave.blogspot.com David

    Greg Toon, new undisputed champion of uninterrupted blog posts. I am very impressed. Where was K to break him up. She’s usually rolling in at that time and could have easily thrown a monkey wrench in the mix. I will say, as much as I liked Greg’s stream of consciousness posts, I think one sentence posts shouldn’t really count. There should be a word count minimum to really qualify.
    @ Greg, I think my wife liked it too. Although, she was sore and when she was complaining/discussing the soreness, I told her that the soreness should be embraced, it is a sign that you are alive and are living! She told me to shut up. Can you believe that?
    Now that I’m just rambling on, I’m wondering what the record is for size of blog post. Is there character limit for a single post? Can I reach it?

  • Lisbeth

    Does anybody even notice that I write words every day? That there’s usually a damn good photo to accompany it?

    I think maybe I need to just post a series of blurry butt photos with no words for a week or two or 50.

    Butt Photos: An Exhibition by Lisbeth Darsh

    I think that has a nice ring to it.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Lis, we let the kids play with the samurai swords in case we have an intruder in the house or they end up going to John Hopkins.

  • http://www.Toon-Time.com Greg

    Awesome Post Lis! I just read it now :) I am a consultant and have to say ‘it depends’ on the day to where I find comfort/solace. If I feel good going into a WOD, I’m looking to set PRs. If the day has been horrible and I feel like a Mac truck hit me, I looking for the best effort I can put forth that day. On the days that I’m really just not feel it, I just want to finish. So, my consultant answer stands… it depends. I’m also sure you have plenty of CFW butt photos to have more than one exhibition.

    … this is Tooner trying to mend fences so he can walk back through the doors of CFW after hijacking the comments. Oh and I didn’t notice you caught Big D at the peak of his burpee… nice work.

  • http://ctdave.blogspot.com David

    Toon is such a suck up.
    @ Lis, of course we know you write stuff everyday. I find comfort in just getting through the WOD. Especially the ones where I’m hoping/praying for injury around round 3 because I can never make 5 rounds and don’t want a DNF just because I’m not tough enough to get through. The days I think I’m gonna hit a PR are the days I fail miserably and the days I think I’ll turn in a fair to moderate performance, I smoke it. So, I’m just happy to WOD, even if it is a Mellisa suck fest, I mean metcon.

    @ Greg, in all seriousness, very impressive string of posts today.

  • mike #3

    First of all there is a letter o my keyboard that is ot workig. Ca you guess which oe?
    As I comprehend ( because I read what Lis writes) this oe is about the metal game. What’s i your head? Why do you do what you do? How do you do it? Yogi Berra oce said ” Baseball is 90% metal, the other half is physical.”
    Lesso #2: Older people are smarter ad more resourceful tha all you youg folk.
    What is old though?
    As for me Crossfit is’t for thikig. I think all day. I just go… ad Lis, Melissa ad Je clea up my lousy techique. It works for me. The best part about fiish quickly is supportig others ad gettig to study the techique of others. I get to see lots of people do it better tha me every time i’m there. I’m a lousy observer of myself. This way I keep learig.
    I like to watch the girls. They ca’t always just power through movemets , so they focus o techique. As a guy it is the coolest ad most humbling thig to aspire to Sue’s lifts or Eri’s pullups. It takes a real ma to admit to aspiring to be as good as a girl. Or at least that what I keep tellig myself.

  • becky

    OOOooooo the N is not working! I WIN!

    Lis I love the photo because the guys look SEXY – Mike with his shorts so short and D hanging from the fire extinguishing system.

    PS Mike watches the girls because we are H-O-T! But he is scared to say it for fear that we will construe it as sexual harassment. Mike, I for one enjoy and encourage the sexual harassment. Hootin’ and Hollerin’ make me work harder.

  • K

    Ugh.. Im a failure.. I should have been here to stop this but 5am was a bit late :(
    lol

  • Lisbeth

    I will play the role of N8 and post my thoughts in the form of song lyrics. May I present “What It Feels Like For a Girl” by Madonna:

    Girls can wear jeans
    And cut their hair short
    Wear shirts and boots
    cause its ok to be a boy
    But for a boy to look like a girl is degrading
    cause you think that being a girl is degrading
    But secretly youd love to know what its like
    Wouldnt you
    What it feels like for a girl

    Silky smooth
    Lips as sweet as candy, baby
    Tight blue jeans
    Skin that shows in patches

    Strong inside but you dont know it
    Good little girls they never show it
    When you open up your mouth to speak
    Could you be a little weak

    Chorus:

    Do you know what it feels like for a girl
    Do you know what it feels like in this world
    For a girl

    Hair that twirls on finger tips so gently, baby
    Hands that rest on jutting hips repenting

    Hurt thats not supposed to show
    And tears that fall when no one knows
    When youre trying hard to be your best
    Could you be a little less

    (chorus)
    (chorus, prefixing 3rd line with what it feels like)

    Strong inside but you dont know it
    Good little girls they never show it
    When you open up your mouth to speak
    Could you be a little weak

    (chorus, repeat)

    In this world
    Do you know
    Do you know
    Do you know what it feels like for a girl
    What it feels like in this world

  • http://idontdocardio.blogspot Eric

    There are times when I just can’t seem to find any strength to finish a WoD. Especially a football suck fest. But it’s those moments when I feel stronger. I know that not every workout is going to be a PR or to impress very many people but I do know effort when I see it and when I feel it. Crossfit is about collecting your personal data, plotting them on an XY Graph and watching the totality of your work create more power. There’s more to WOD’s than a PR in “Gorda Fran.” You have to know that after a year, those first few efforts won’t compare to any time that you do it now because you’ve improved since then. Even on your bad days you’ll crush what at one point felt like your very limit. It’s the same for everybody, whether you’re Speal, Khalipa or 97 years old

  • mike # 3

    Yes, Becky you win. I just fixed it though. I think I had a wedgie in that picture. You girls have the market cornered when it comes to sexual harassment. I couldn’t compete if I tried. Referring to ones own ass as many times as possible seems to be some sort of competition amongst you all. Besides, I only look at my wife.
    I will hoot and holler if you wish, but only because I know Barry can’t catch me.

    Interesting lyrics Lis. I’ve never payed attention to Maddona. At least not anything she was saying. Nothing would evr make me want to be a girl. Being a guy is way easier.

  • Lisbeth

    Oh Mike, I don’t even know where to begin with what you just said. I think I’m going to go stick my head in the oven.

  • http://ctdave.blogspot.com David

    Don’t do it Lis. Remember what happened to Sylvia Plath

  • mike # 3

    What did I say? Should I stay home tonight?

  • http://ctdave.blogspot.com David

    And to Mikes point, I too never really paid attention to Madona

  • jen

    Buttberries, heheh Lis said Butberries!

  • K

    mikes a liar, on several points….. annnnd BUTTBERRIES! lmao

  • mike#3

    liar? could you elaborate?

  • Lisbeth

    Mike, I know your heart is in the right place. The written word is sometimes not our friend. All is well. I’ll explain tonight.

  • mike # 3

    Great, because I don’t get it. I may not be in until tomorrow though depending on when I leave work today.

  • Lisbeth

    That’s okay too!

    And the internet is a beautiful and frustrating tool.

    Anybody read “In Defense of the Book” — the article linked on the CF main page today? Very dense, but interesting. Don’t care for his writing style — and his own intentional obfuscation only contributes to his perceived misinterpretation, which only feeds his annoyance, which only produces more misinterpretation, etc.

  • jen

    Where do I find Solace? In being a Weightlifter a Gymnast a Kettlebeller and Odd object lifter, I find solace in being a Crossftter. None of those words have a gender attached to them.
    You may not notice this or know this but I struggle with the fact that I can’t do a lot of kipping pull-ups. I can’t/should not do a lot of them do to an injury. I don’t often come in last, but that’s because I’m dong ring rows and not kips. Some would/have judge me and say that I’m not working as hard because I’m not doing kips during a WOD. I also can’t do a ton of KBS overhead, because it fucks with my shoulder. You wont see my times on the boad because of this, it’s humbling and sometimes gets me down.
    But I find solace in areas like Gymnastics, the rings to be honest. Rings in high school were for the boys, I was not aloud to compete on them during our once a year gymnastics comp even though I was better then all the boys on them. Yet, I’ve never wanted to be like the boys on the rings, I’ve always wanted to be like a gymnast on the rings(still a long way to go).
    I’ve always been a strong women, but never wanted to lift like a guy.
    All that being said we are all Crossfitters, Last..first…scaled or not. So Mike get your ass out of work and get to CFW!
    We’ve got some CF’ing to do… last, first, scaled or RX’ed!

  • Rockstar

    well…well…looks like you guys have been having fun….Tooner you got issues

  • K

    #1 u could at least TRY to compete with us lol
    #2 you so know Barry can catch you, he’s like an angry bear lol
    i suppose we don’t have to call u out on the wife comment … but I dunno lol
    also…… BUTTBERRIES!! that’s my new fav word bahahaha

  • mike # 3

    Thanks K. I will try to compete and you are correct I wouldn’t want to have an angry bear chasing me. Thanks for seeing the sarcasm in my wife comment. My DNA doesn’t allow that one to be even remotely true. Butt berries, kind of sounds like a cereal.
    It doesn’t look like I will make it tonight, but I’ll be there tomorrow. Which means tonight will be heavy lifting and I’ll miss it.

  • Lisbeth

    Don’t worry, Mike, you’ll love/hate tomorrow’s WOD too . . .

  • Lisbeth

    BTW, Big D is doing one-handed pull-ups off the sprinkler pipe in the photo.

  • mike#3

    im sure i will.

  • Dan

    Well its 9:40 here in Europa time and there are 84 comments so I’m just trying to get in on fun. And I’ve read maybe 20-30 of the mayhem comments

    on topic – I rarely finish first (or even close to) in most wods and tend to feel like i get my ass handed to me regardless of where i finish…i try to attempt to maintain good form, range of motion and honest reps – but yeah ass kicked is the bottom line

  • Rich

    Great Post Lis, Thanks for being a Leader.

  • Beery

    @lis – WOW, I’ve never physically met this Mark Helprin person but, based on the first sentence of that article, I have deduced that he absolutely must be the douchebag on the planet. Now keep in mind, Kanye West resides on this planet so he is not without competition.

  • Chris

    So, this is definitely a comment record.