I was standing in my gym nervously procrastinating. I was trying to stay focused on the task. Subtle distracters kept creeping into my head: was I too fatigued from yesterday, had I hydrated enough or too much, did I stretch enough, how would my body respond? I was about to begin. The possibility of breaking a record was staring me in the face.

I was not getting ready for any official race or competition. Rather, these were the thoughts I wrestled as I mentally prepped for another Crossfit workout of the day or WOD. Today’s WOD was “Angie”. Angie consists of 100 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 100 air squats done for time. That is, as fast as your body and mind will allow. The competition was with me. I had completed Angie a few months earlier and finished in just over twenty-one minutes. I was determined break the twenty-minute barrier this time. A sub twenty time had been a goal of mine since I first tackled Angie with a time of over thirty minutes.

My struggle is that of many who attempt Crossfit WODs. They are intense. They push body and mind to the limit. As the WOD begins, the wall of intensity slamming into you makes you question how you were able complete the workout the time before. The struggle is both physical and psychological. Assuring yourself of success only takes you so far, for reality will soon come roaring to life.

For this attempt at Angie, I am energetic and well rested. Pushing aside my initial anxiety, the workout begins. I complete twenty-five pull-ups and drop off the bar. I stop short of muscle failure, for that would slow progress. I now try to stay optimistic for my next stint on the bar. At over eight minutes and several sets into the WOD, the pull-ups are complete and on to the push-ups. So far, I am on pace. For this Angie, I have dropped straight off the pull-up bar and onto the floor into the pushups. I am exhausted and battle to push out twenty-five. My arms are numb. I now know that I must stay focused and fight back the mental anguish that the physical fatigue will summon.

The workout continues and I complete the push-ups still on pace to reach my goal. The sit-ups are next and present their own challenges. With thirty sit-ups complete, I give in. I rationalize to myself that the break will only be temporary. As if I am now two individuals within one body, I respond by reminding myself of the goal and continue the sit-ups.

With the sit-ups complete and over seventeen minutes gone by, I foresee it coming down to the wire. I muster all the enthusiasm I have and begin the air squats. I concentrate on proper form and the goal. I tell myself I can still make it. I reach fifty and take a quick breather. Only one minute and thirty seconds left to make it. I push my body to the limit. Like a runner on the last kick of a race, I sprint. My thighs are on fire and I am out of breath. Rep 100 is finally done. The time is 19:40. I have made it. I lie on floor in the customary Crossfit recovery position.

The workout is over and I am enjoying the moment of success. I have reached the goal. To many, the mental mountain I have just climbed may seem needless and entirely avoidable. Perhaps, but for me it provides a daily sense of accomplishment. I did something today that I have never done before.