I say "I can't" a lot.
I usually say those two words for things that I'm completely capable of. For example, of course, "I can't" perform open heart surgery because I never had the training and practice needed to do so. When I say "I can't," it's usually when I'm trying to accomplish something that I'm totally capable of— things that I've put a lot of time and effort in like motorcycle riding/racing, or performing weight lifting/Crossfit movements.
Last night, I had a breakthrough with a complicated weight lifting movement.
Earlier this year, I decided to sign up for the Crossfit Opens, which is the first round of qualifiers for the Crossfit Games. What's so great about the Opens is that anyone can do it since they provide a prescribed (Rx) workout and a scaled version (usually comprised of lighter weight and/or simpler movements of the prescribed). The Opens lasts for five weeks, with one workout announced each week. I signed up to do the scaled versions of the exercises since there are still many movements I'm not good at (yet).
We are now on week three, or what the Crossfit Games calls 17.3. So far, the workouts have been what I like to call "spicy": They really get you nice and sweaty, challenge you, and are super fun, Seventeen point three wasn't any different from the first two; however, it did worry me since it included one of the most complicated weight lifting movements: snatches.
The workout seems confusing on paper, but it was actually simple: You goal is to finish the appropriate rounds within a certain timeframe. If you do finish, four minutes is added to each capped time. If you do not finish, the workout ends and you record that time and number of reps.
As you can see from the image above, the snatch weight goes up by 10-20 lbs. I was a bit nervous since I never snatched anything (successfully) over 65 lbs. Every time I've worked on my snatches, I wanted to keep the weight manageable because I wanted to perfect the actual movement. I couldn't help but think that by not going up in weight this whole time I potentially just shoot myself in the foot for this workout.
I headed to my gym, Crossfit Myo, a bit early yesterday because I wanted to see the 4:30 p.m. class do 17.3. After I had dressed, I went on a short run with fellow gym-mate Melina. She was in the same boat as I was; however, she never snatched 95 lbs. and wasn't sure if she was capable to go heavier. We encouraged and rooted for each another, and I told her that today was the day that we would heavier nail it... even though I still doubted myself.
Once the 4:30 class started wrapping up, I began stretching and warming up my snatch movement. I wasn't feeling all that confident—I think it was the nerves that dominated my feelings. Despite having the jitters, my warmup went okay, and I was ready to rock and roll.
The first half of the workout flew by—I was able to pound out the jumping chin over bars and the light weights on the snatches. But then, I soon had to tackle 75 lbs., and then the dreaded 95 lbs. after that. I started slowing down a bit when I did the three rounds at 75, but to my surprise, my snatch form got better with the heavier weight.
I completed my rounds, and I had a ton of time to attempt to get 95 lbs. overhead. My first attempt, I barely got it up and it felt heavy. I immediately shook my head and said:
"I can't."
From the corner of my eye I see Taylor, one of Myo's coaches, walking over. "Yes you can," he said looking me straight in the eyes. He quickly coached me through the snatch movement, reminding me that I had to pull the bar straight up and get underneath it quickly.
I tried again, and the second time looked better than the first, but I didn't get it up...I didn't get it up the third attempt either. But then, something magical happened during the fourth attempt. With chest slightly over the bar and abs tight, I pulled, I got the bar overhead, got my body underneath, and was able to push myself back up.
I was ecstatic! My heart rate kicked up a bit higher due to the adrenaline and excitement, so I needed to calm myself immediately so I could concentrate and do another one, which I successfully did. I ran back the bar to do my chin over bars and then back to the barbell. I was able to complete one more snatch at 95 lbs. before the time ran out.
I hit 95 lbs!
I was on cloud nine and still can't believe I was able to get that weight overhead, especially since I put it in my mind that I couldn't. And looking at it now, there was no reason why I thought, "I can't." I've practiced the snatch so many times and spent a lot of time on it.This experience has taught me to get rid of "I can't" from my vocabulary. Instead, I plan on replacing it with, "I will do it." Even if my attempts aren't successful every time, I know that eventually, I can nail it.
