En route to the facility, I turned off the radio and visualized myself cranking out burpee after burpee for 7 minutes, all the way to 100. That was my goal, 100 burpees in 7 minutes! Being one of the first people to arrive at CrossFit Wilmington, I was greeted by a shorty who gave me the liability waiver to fill out (I'm not a member there) and then chatted with a guy about how disappointing it was that she went from 5th in the world to 35th when somebody trumped her 120 burpees with 133! I went on into the gym area to begin a warmup where I was quickly greeted by 3 dudes who recognized me from the beach WOD I attended last summer. I could tell they were trying to get a sense of my fitness level so I divulged little information because I wanted no preconceived expectations (this is because I have a tendency to talk like I'm fitter than I think I actually am). As other crossfitters started to meander in and mingle, I noticed that I was quite alone. I felt intimidated because it wasn't my box. I was insecure because it wasn't my box. Other female athletes checking me out because it wasn't my box and I was an intruder. Just as the dudes were welcoming and encouraging, the women were cold and sterile. I'm used to this, but in a circumstance such as this, I would have greatly appreciated a friendly female face or even an introduction. Nonetheless, I pressed on with sweaty palms and an ever increasing heart rate. After a quick group warmup, we were instructed to find a partner, who, incidentally, would be your judge, and to find a targe that measures 6" above your max reach. I HATE the statement "find a partner". It's filled with rejection and fear, thus this served to increase my anxiety, especially since this wasn't my box. Finally, a lady a bit older than me approached me to partner up. Whew! At least I didn't have to do the asking. Anxiety level decreased slightly. The next few moments only increased my angst about this WOD as the "powers that be" decided that I would be best at the garage door on the opposite side of the gym because "[my] arms are SO long" and they didn't have an accurate target. So as my partner is getting ready to start her 7 minutes of fame, I'm going over in my head the variables that are going to affect MY 7 minutes of misery (cold air, a hill, no cohort to compete against since everyone else was on the other side of the box). "10 seconds!" The guy running the show has set the clock for 7 minutes. "3-2-1- GO!" My partner starts at a slow but doable pace and ends up with 74 burpees. As her time winds down, I get more and more nervous! After putting up 74 burpees for Laura, we walk through the CrossFit Kids class of 7 year olds hopping over a PVC pipe to the garage door where I have to spend my next 7 minutes. While waiting for the group of second heat-ers measure out their 6" target, my warmup fades and I'm now freezing in a t-shirt and shorts at the garage door set at a height of 92". My heart has reached 110 beats per minute and I haven't even started. As I'm jumping around trying to stay warm, the urge to urinate slaps me in the crotch! No time now, gotta WOD! "10 seconds!" Clock's set at 7 minutes. "3-2-1-GO!" Burpee, breathe, burpee, breathe, burpee, breathe, wait, I missed the target! For the next 4 minutes I'm cranking out 50 burpees. I miss the target as a I fatigue so for every target I miss I'm doing 2 jumps instead of 1. "3 minutes to go!" My partner says I only have 63 and my mind races through the math. 40 burpees in 3 minutes to reach my goal of 100! Heart rate 180 bpm, respirations 35 per minute, terrible burning sensation in my throat and lungs, legs are almost to full tetany! How on earth can I get 40 more burpees! Shouts of "keep moving" and "let's go" ring in my ears as my mind finally starts to stop calculating and analyzing at 2 minutes to go. I still need to find 30 burpees! Moving as fast as I can, I jump to the target of #84 and miss it! Jump again for it to count and my score is a lowly 84 burpees in 7 minutes. Disappointment and failure stab my brain! The shorty who's leading the tiny humans through their own WOD comes over with a high-5 and good job smile. She and a couple others ask me how many I got and I avert their eyes as I humbly say "just 84". As I prepare to tuck tail and run, the 3 dudes that greeted me in the first 10 minutes, one by one come over to offer a high-5 and a smile. My partner asks and encourages me to come back next week.
Now, 2 hours after stopping the clock, talking to my sweet supportive husband and a dear friend, my lungs are still hurting and my legs are jell-o. I want to cry tears of disappointment, crumble from the stress relief, and pray for a better showing next week. I am happy I did it. I praise GOD for my physical ability and I pray for mental strength in everything not just crossfit. Above all, I pray for God to receive honor and glory for anything I do and that I would represent him appropriately.
My dear friend and crossfitter encouraged me to attack the unfriendly female issue head-on. She is strong and beautiful and struggles just as the rest of us and suggested that next week I go up to the fittest chick and introduce myself. Ask her advice and for any tips. Show her and everybody else that I am not a predator. I'm just another crossfitter who happens to be a girl.
"FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING IS OF SOME VALUE, BUT GODLINESS HAS VALUE FOR ALL THINGS, HOLDING PROMISE FOR BOTH THE PRESENT LIFE AND THE LIFE TO COME." 1 TIMOTHY 4:8
You're my inspiration Gloria! I wanted to go there.. but I think i'll wait til I look more like you ;) haha
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