Stop Competing: Start Training

CrossFitters complicate things. 

We scroll social media and try to do what Rich is doing today, what Fraser did yesterday, and what Wells did last week. We snatch when we should air squat, supplement when we should diet, and workout when we should rest. 

It has something to do with the kind of person CrossFit attracts, or maybe the type of person CrossFit creates. Our own uncompromising addiction to self-improvement encourages us to hurry through the basics, completely ignoring the satisfaction of doing things well.

The struggle is real. We're human, and we get seduced by loud noises and shiny things. Friends encourage us and broken personal records entice us. We end up believing that the only way CrossFit works, the only way we improve, is when we compete. 

False.

Competition is the tip of the spear, proof of the work we've already done. Competition is the occasional expression of consistent training. 

Without training, competition isn't only worthless, it's dangerous.

Training is perfect reps when you're tired, mindful movement no matter what, and meeting standard even if the athlete beside you isn't. Training is how we prepare for competition, and there's no such thing as too prepared.