Nehal : May 31, 2009
[Another post over at “CrossFit Genesis”:http://www.crossfitgenesis.com]
One of the cool things about training with CrossFit or other rigorous exercise program is that you learn a lot about the human body as well as your human body. For example, over the many years of participating in various forms of exercise, I’ve gained quite a bit of working knowledge of physiology and basic biomechanics as well as various diet and nutrition theories (glycemic index, whole foods). Participating in CrossFit, though, has brought a wealth of knowledge in the form of functional movements, metabolic pathways, and more diet theories; the learning never stops.
Along with general theories, I’ve also learned about how my body works. I know I have to be extra careful with certain movements, lest I injure my shoulders. I know that I get pretty irritable when I’ve not had enough water. I’ve learned that I push myself harder when I’m exercising with a group. And it seems I learn about a new sore muscle as a result. I am learning the difference between the pain I can just push through and the ’stop right now’ pain. I can tell when I’m truly hungry or just bored, and I can tell when I’ve eaten enough to satisfy my hunger. It really is amazing what your body can tell you; you just have to listen!
What are some of the things you’ve learned?
Nehal : May 15, 2009
The other night as I was looking to register a domain name for a new idea, I learned that NehalPatel.com was available, so I snagged it. Now you can read this via TWO URLs!
Nehal : May 4, 2009
[ This is another guest post at CrossFit Genesis ]
In a previous post, I mentioned that I competed in triathlons a few years ago (whether I was competitive is another matter). When I’d hear about people swimming, then cycling, and then running, I’d wonder what would possibly possess someone to put themselves through that much pain. And then I heard the distances! Are you kidding? Swim 2.4 miles, then sit on a bike for 112, and then run a marathon? You’re nuts!
…And then my friend Lisa decided to compete in a half-Ironman distance race (1.2/56/13.1) which happened to be right around her 40th birthday. Since it also happened to be in wine country, a bunch of us made a weekend of it and cheered her on at the race. As I stood at the finish line and watched as hundreds of people – many of them in seemingly worse shape than me – complete this race, I realized something. If they can do it, why can’t I? And thus the seed was planted. I didn’t actually sign up until a few months later, and after a fair bit of prodding. And so I started running, bought a road bike, and signed up for swim lessons. 3 months later, I completed my very first olympic-distance triathlon and a month after that I finished a half-Ironman.
As a result of that experience, I find myself repeating that same mantra: “Other people do it. Why can’t I?” It applies across so many aspects of life. Any time I face a new or seemingly impossible task I tell myself that other people do it, so I should be able to do it as well.
Think about it. Other people can perform muscle-ups and double-unders. They survive Fran and hero workouts. There’s nothing preventing you from doing those same things.