We all know everyone really wants sweatpants to become so totally in fashion that you could wear them to every event, and be completely admired for your “unique style,” and also taken seriously at important business meetings. It’s an important goal that I fully intend to create a sweatpants style movement when I become a household name. Passionate dreams aside, another lesson was recently learned about how having the right tools is sometimes an overlooked, but critical component to overcoming challenges.
New goals, New tools
I have run 5ks, 10ks, relay races, 18 miles over rugged mountain passes, a marathon, triathlons,and obstacle course races. However, almost 3 years ago, I joined the crossfit craze and totally love it. The idea that I wanted to be able to do pullups is what motivated me to join. I knew I could do it if I learned the proper form, built the strength, and worked at it. After all this time, I am finally able to do one actual pull up without assistance. I’m still working on it. Turns out it takes a whole lot of practice and consistency to master this skill. Who knew?
I don’t really understand why pull-ups are so challenging to master, I guess it’s because you have to lift your entire body weight using nothing but your little-used upper body muscles. Oh, and there is also gravity. I could try to lose a little weight to make it easier, but that has proven to be something in the “too hard” category. Please see my previous post about the difference between hard things and challenging things. Although I am still working on this goal, something interesting has happened as an unexpected benefit. I can climb a rope. This has come as a total and complete, wonderfully blissful surprise. Surely, all the pull up practice has contributed to this success, but there is one other thing that proved to be the key to the climb: the shoes.
Running shoes are not for everything
As a runner, I was a bit picky about the brand of shoes I would run in. I have never been that girl who would spend more than $75 on a pair of running shoes. For a casual runner like me, you can usually find a great pair for around $50 or less. There is no need to drop over $100 . Getting to the point. One day, I just decided to get a pair of shoes for Crossfit. Crossfit shoes should have a lot less support. This allows you to distribute your weight onto your heels more when you lift. Running shoes vary in the amount of support that they offer, and it depends on whether you run asphalt, trails, indoors, or on a track. Personally, I generally choose shoes with a bit more support to protect my joints and lots of traction for trails and dirt roads. When my shoes kept getting caught in the jump rope or bands, I knew it was time for a change.
Impress yourself
The day came when rope climbs were scheduled as part of the WOD (Workout of the Day). There is not really an opt out button on Crossfit workouts unless you are injured in some way, and it’s beside the point anyway. The modification for climbing the rope still involves holding the rope, which is brilliant because it encourages you to give it a try and at least practice the form. It’s so powerful to put people in a position where they are willing to take a risk. With my super cute, light new shoes, I got myself into position to try a little pull. When I pushed down on the rope between my feet, they stuck! I had never been able to get a good grip with my feet before. That was truly all I needed, and up the rope I went. You can’t imagine the feeling of pride you have in yourself when you accomplish something like this.
It is such a cool feeling when you impress yourself. When was the last time you gave yourself a little internal fist bump? Sometimes its a matter of just putting the right tools in place to move you closer to your goals. Switching from running shoes to Crossfit shoes turned out to be a small shift that yielded awesome results. I’m still looking for ways to incorporate sweat pants into all of my problem solving adventures. Let me know in the comments how sweat pants have solved some of your problems. What other tools are you putting into place to set yourself up to be impressed?