Show Up - Crossfit Open Games 2012

There is a quote I ran across this week that I can't stop thinking about:

"I don't care if you win, but I don't care if you come in last either. I only care that you don't make excuses...and that you suffer with me."

It was from a post from Crossfit Lisbeth talking about showing up for the Crossfit Open.

For those of you not familiar with it, Crossfit holds games each year to decide who is the fittest athlete (male and female). The coolest part (at least to me) is that to start EVERY one who wants to can participate and we are talking on a global scale. The first 6 weeks of the games are called The Open. All you have to do is pay your $20 to register and then complete the workout of the week and post your scores to see how you rank against all the other people competing.  This year 55,000 people world-wide have chose to participate.

I think it is beautiful and amazing. Yes, there are some astounding world class athletes with fitness levels that I cannot even wrap my head around that are participating. These are the ones that will make it to the regional rounds and then maybe to the Finals in LA. However, I am sure many are people like me. People who show up at their Crossfit box or their garage regularly working on getting better and stronger.  People who will try their best at a work out even if they cannot do the work out as it is prescribed.  People who love to be a part of the community that comes with Crossfit.  In the end, it doesn't matter if you are the fire-breather or the average Joe/Jane. We all get to show up, support each other, compete in a activity that we love - suffer together and grow from the experience of the 2012 Crossfit Open Games.

Self Talk: I got this!

I have been thinking a lot recently about self talk. I have come a long way in this area as I used to be pretty hard on myself.  However, it was a recent podcast from Leigh Peele that reminded me I could be doing better.  I am more than the number on the scale. There are more important things than the fact that I don't have wash board, magazine cover-worthy abs.  I had already decided that I would focus this month on not letting any negative comments about my body pass through my head - or I would quickly catch myself and counter them.

This morning reminded me that I needed to take this even further.  There was a Crossfit workout posted that scared me. My immediate thought was "I can't do that.  That is impossible." I was filled with fear and anxiety.

But you know what? There has not been one work out posted that I haven't managed to get through. It might not always be pretty but dammit I have done it.

So I am extending my positive self talk to my work out prep - No more "I can't do this".
Instead:
"I've got this!"
"I can do this!"
"I will conquer it!"
"The bar is light"
and what ever else I need I keep it positive.

How do you manage your self talk? How do you get yourself through the tough spots?