A Dose of Humility
Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 12:26PM 
Four times a week, I push the start button on my Timex Ironman with the sole intention of defeating a man I’ve never met at a random workout I’ve never done.
More often than not, I fail. Sometimes it’s minutes, sometimes seconds, but the outcome is almost always the same. Mind you, it’s not from lack of trying. I attack every workout with the ferocity of a caged predator, pushing myself to my physical and mental limits.
While failing at the edge is hard to accept, it holds an important lesson. Know that no matter how good you are there is someone out there who is better. Your personal records are yours alone, and your gym records are just that—gym records.
I’ve struggled with this knowledge, unhappy that people halfway around the world are besting my times day after day. This type of knowledge can only drive a man in one of two directions—excellence or mediocrity.
The weak choose mediocrity. These are the individuals who would quit rather than endure the beating. They rest when their heart rate redlines, hands on their knees, head sagging, saving their bodies and their egos with a shield of prepared excuses. Instead of living with the idea that their best was not enough, they give less than one hundred percent, comforted by the thought that there was something left in the tank.
The strong choose excellence. Being second best lights a bonfire of motivation, torching through psychological barriers and physiological limitations. They give it everything they have, every time, and when their best is not good enough, the strong work harder. Out-of-control heart rates and hyperventilation are signals to dig in and push through.
In the pursuit of elite fitness, there will always be someone to chase. Nonetheless, the record boards are written in dry erase for a reason—a single performance can change everything. With consistency and intensity, you’ll catch those that elude you, and your name will be on the wall.
Then, they'll be gunning for you.
Somewhere, somebody pulls this for reps. The author deadlifts 455 at CrossFit Boston.
Reader Comments (8)
Jon,
Way to ROCK!!!! Love the article - as always - and love the 455# pull!!! You embody the warrior spirit bro - way to go!
Hey, we will be signing a lease for our very own box in the next week or so. Keep your fingers crossed and when it's up and running, you two have to come down and show us all up!!!
Miss ya!
Nice lift buddy.
And great article (I will be posting it)
All the best,
Wade
John,
We'd love to stop by! Give me a time and a place, brother!
Best,
Jon
Jon,
There were no losers in the contest you described. "Inspiring" doesn't half describe the effect on us voyeurs.
And although the physical performances were spectacular, for inspiration value the exercise of will trumped the exercise of muscle hands down.
After all, our unique genetics largely determine how quickly/completely a body responds to training, or even what our "absolute" capacity might be. That bit's out of our control ..., and we can't honestly take either credit or blame for it
But will? We manufacture that ourselves, And it was high on display. Well done.
t.
I'll admit I busted my ass purely to avoid wearing the dress in Toronto. But looking back the win isn't that important ... bonding with some great people, setting some nasty huge PRs (Cindy, JT, Linda, Helen, Fran, and Lynne to name a few), and finding more in the tank when it mattered most was a big learning experience.
Jon, competing with you this past month was an honor and a pleasure. Thanks bro!
Jon, your a mad man!!! I love it!
Tony,
Thanks for the competition, brother. You are an inspiration, and one day (mark my words!), I will kick your butt at something! Keep training hard, and don't let Jodi get away with anything.
Best,
Jon
Tom,
Thanks for the goodwill and support throughout our contest. I'll keep pushing my genetic limits until someone tells me different! You do the same, Tom!
Best,
Jon