CrossFit Overload

Lots of people talk about CrossFit not being "enough".  They like to incorporate "extra" or supplemental work into their WOD.  Depending on their goals, their weaknesses, etc, they devote extra time to work on olympic lifts, strength work, endurance etc.   After much reflection I believe that I need to start scheduling in supplemental work in order to optimize my performance.

The area most lacking?  Balance.

By that I mean actively working on evening out the seesaw effect that CrossFit has on my life.  Mental CF overload.  I realized this week that I was deep into CF OL and it was NOT a good thing.  CF was seeping into every aspect of my life, and in the recent weeks, my zeal to finish building the gym effectively made me not want to do any of my usual "be good to me" stuff.  Non CF activities were impossible to take care of.   This created so much tension between Jack and me, it was starting to eclipse our goals.  I felt I couldn't spare any time to do other activities, and any free time was spent blogging, posting, emailing, reading CF Journal etc. 

Life was not fun.

The Magna Carta saved the day.   I had planned on going into the city with Jack and NIna anyway, but later in the month and not really with any kind of theme. I just thought a fancy dinner with lots of window shopping, nice enough, right?

Then, the light bulbs started.  Fraunces Tavern in Battery Park would be perfect.  Jack loves history and politics, and the tavern is rife with history from the Revolution.  I checked out site to remember where it was, I hadn't been there in ages, and then the museum upstairs Good God y'all!  The Magna Carta was there!! On loan from the Lincoln Cathedral in England, this cherished document is only one of the FOUR remaining relics of the estimated 40 that were scribed back in 1215.  Yes you read that correctly.  1215.  Hmmmmm, I thought.  That would make a nice afternoon, lunch and then museum.  I pictured us walking around Battery Park, around Wall St, and then again inspiration struck.  A walking tour.  It would add to the history theme, so I booked us for next Saturday, a 2.5 hour excursion through lower Manhattan, showing us important sites and the accompanying stories from the Revolutionary War era.  I didn't do it this weekend because I thought it would too long of a day for Nina, and this is really Jack's present. 

Lunch was outstanding,  and it was very easy to envision our founding fathers gathered there, drinking from pewter tankards, chowing down on, carrying on- discussing, debating, plotting and planning. And upstairs, It was a fascinating exhibit.  Jack was clearly pleased, which made me even happier.  He is so passionate about politics and it was great to have conversations at length which did not even go near crossfit or paleo or the gym.   I love American history, and I love museums.  I consider myself very fortunate to have been to all the major ones in Manhattan several times as well as going to Central Park for various events, concerts, theater, Shakespeare, etc.  I have not engaged in any of these passions in so long.  I realize now, while writing this, that I went to just one museum this year, and only once to Central Park.  That's a shame.  I was so happy yesterday, walking around, taking in the familiar sights and sounds, the traffic, the parking, the hustle and bustle that I love.   Jack said he hadn't seen me smile so often in quite a while.  

I've been gone far too long- there is something magical about the City that enlivens me.  I need to be good to myself and do things that make me happy, that don't involve CF.  I can't wait for next Saturday.  Our tour is at 1pm.  All we need is warm gloves and hats and we are ready.  

So where does this fit with my CrossFit Balance Bias?  Well, just like "real" bias training, I need to write down and schedule what I need to do to stabilized my life so it is not so one-sided and when I will incorporate them into life.  Reiki needs to be done daily.  It takes 15 minutes, early morning or late evening is best.  Yoga I would love to do daily again, but at this time, I will settle for twice weekly.  Walking- I used to walk outside an hour almost every day.  That hasn't happened in ages.  I have started walking an hour on rest days and my mood is definitely improved after these long quiet walks.  Reading- biographies, cookbooks, the newspaper!  Anything non CF.  Watching movies, doing crossword and sudoku puzzles are also fun.  Going out to see live music is another favorite.

I suppose I could lament the fact that I have to schedule in "fun" time but it is what it is.  Other box owners, or people in relationships with a CrossFitter know exactly what I'm talking about.  Any one else feel the need to achieve balance in the CF lifestyle?

Comments

[Cookie]

YES!!! Herm and I talk about this A LOT!!! Our motto is we dont live to Crossfit, we Crossfit to live better :) If scheduling in the fun time is what it takes, then so be it!! I also need to schedule in the housecleaning, but that somehow doesnt affect my well-being as much. Thank you for sharing your wonderful day!!!

[Pokey]

Pony, I've said this before. You Rock !

[J9]

Thanks again Pony - as posted in the Paleo Blog - this was a huge eye opener for me.
I feel as though a weight has already been lifted.

Nice work on getting this site up and running!

[Playoff Beard]

I really need to come hang out with you guys. Goat sounds like an even bigger history fan than I am.

Great post!

[Rebe]

Great site guy's I have never had a chance to visit...love it! Opening a business is overwhelming and time consuming, opening multiple businesses...OMG...Sunday afternoon, I also had enough, I shut my brain off, it was a blustery day for us in AZ a high of 50 degree's and very windy. Blankee on the couch weather. I had the kids bring all the couches (4 of them) into the family room, we started a fire and watched the Santa Clause trilogy (4 hours and a nap mixed in)we had hot cookies and cold milk (At that point Paleo could bite me). We laughed and snuggled it was priceless! Too bad Jake does not get it yet and he was upstairs plugging away CF immersed! Kids grow up, we grow old my future Saturday and Sunday afternoon will have many more family outings. Thanks for bringing me back to realty Pony!