Seek Your Weakness

False grip work, wrist mobility, handstand holds

If I was asked my strengths – aka the lifts / movements I think I’m great at, the list would be short.  If asked what my weaknesses are, I could go on for days.  It’s the nature of the beast – CrossFit.  I might be able to complete a skill or lift 9 times out of 10, but the drive to do it faster, more efficiently, or unbroken is what keeps me coming back.  It’s also the reason my list of “weaknesses” is longer than my list of “strengths.”

To get better you must improve your weakest links.  My advice is to tackle them head on.  One of my favorite quotes is this:

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started” – Agatha Christie

It’s so true in many ways.  It reminds me to not talk / complain / stress about something that I’m not happy with – just do something about it.  Aren’t happy with your mile time?  Start working on it.  Can’t muscle up?  Get going on some progressions.  Are your hips too tight to squat with correct form?  Squat therapy it is.  I think we are all guilty of spending a little too much time TALKING about what we would like to be better at, and not enough time GETTING STARTED on improvement.

The concept of seeking out weakness was never more obvious to me than last Friday night.  Mark is a new member of CrossFit SAA.  He’s basically a ninja.  Handstands, planche holds, back flips – you name it, he can do it.  He came in on Friday night to give a few of us pointers on gymnastics skills.  I never thought practicing my handstand position would be so difficult.  There was sweating, cursing, and cramping!  For the next 90 minutes or so, Mark showed us drills to improve our mobility and technique, and we practiced them with partners to make sure we were doing it correctly.  By the end of the night I was exhausted and sore from making my body do things it wasn’t accustomed to.

I had a brief pity party on the drive home.  My confidence had taken a beating during some very simple movement drills that I found to be nearly impossible.  Then I reminded myself that I went there willingly.  To improve.  I can’t get better until I identify what my weakest links are.  For me that involves breaking old habits and re-learning technique that feels awful now, but will make my movements more efficient in the future.  I’m excited – new drills, new soreness, and new progress.  None of that would be possible if I never take the time to seek my weakness.

-Mal