Written by Reid Worthington
“Men admire the man who can organize their wishes and thoughts in stone and wood and steel and brass.” -R.W. Emerson
As a “Crossfitter” who is always looking to improve on my weaknesses, rest and recovery are two words that are often hard to put into practice. I’m always trying to outwork my opponent every way I can. With that said, I’ve been learning and experiencing fatigue when trying to go “hard” more than 5 days in a row. It seems like the best training cycle that works for my body is a 3 on, 1 off, 2 on, 1 off. One important note I make sure to tell every athlete I work with is that every “body” is different and that it is important to figure out what works best for “you.”
Reid Clean & Jerking 361 pounds…
There are 2 ways I like to look at rest and recovery. The first is “active recovery” and the second is “mental restoration and reflection.” I find the best way to experience active recovery is by doing something fun and enjoyable that will flush your body leaving you with a euphoric “runner’s high” type of feeling. Y’all know what I mean! For me it’s either a run-row combo, playing basketball, wet/dry yoga or tossing a frisbee in the park with some buddies. Occasionally, I’ll do some strongman training as well. It’s unconventional, challenging and moving heavy objects is always fun. Stretching efficiently and diet can not be over looked on these days. I’ll admit I’m not the best at this. I’m learning that the more I eat to recover, the faster I recover and progress as an athlete… Go figure, right?!
Mental toughness for a Crossfitter is getting on the bar when your hands are raw and bloody, crushing unbroken thrusters when it seems incapable, or finishing the run instead of walking to catch your breathe. Yogi Berra famously stated that “90% of the game is half mental.” No matter what battle or game we are faced with, mental restoration and reflection is key to unlocking one’s maximum potential. Personally, I slave my body in the gym and rarely give it any time off, but when I do, I take it seriously and usually see PR’s more frequently. Intensity is everything when it comes to training, and planning is crucial to restoring the mind. If you need help, ask yourself the question on your next complete day off, “why do I do what I do?” Answer it honestly. From there, reflect on your highs and lows from the week and get ready to work harder in the days to come.
Check out Reid Clean & Jerking 315×3 and breaking down 3 common errors people make in the Thruster…
