The Open finished 3 weeks ago already and if you're anythining like me, the only thing on your mind is "what do I do with myself now?" Most of us who'd been preparing for The Open had been going hard at it for 6-9 mos prior. For those of you that fall into this group, if you haven't done so already now is the time to take your much deserved week of rest. I hope I didn't stutter...yes you body would greatly appreciate AN ENTIRE WEEK OFF! Now I'm not suggesting you mold your ass into the couch for a week but use you brain and simply spend your time at the gym wisely focusing on mobility, stretching and that fabulous term Crossfitters use to avoid true rest days..."Active Rest".
The reasoning for the rest week is two fold:
1.) As mentioned earlier you just went through (still going through if are a regional qualifier) the toughest and most emotionally taxing 5 weeks of CrossFitting that you have ever experienced, not to mention all of the 2/day workouts logged on the way in preparation. Your body and mind need a break to recuperate and reinvigorate. Plain and simple you should want to take a step away and enjoy in the spenders of your exceptional achievements and hard work while endulging in a few things that make you smile (Sam Adams Summer Seasonal or a Liene's Shandy come to mind for me).
2.) The second portion of this week off is to take a mental evaluation of where you've come in the last year and what you'd like to see for yourself for the rest of 2012 and going into Games season 2013. I know, I know..."Games season 2013, you've got to be kidding me if that's on your mind already!". No I'm not kidding, this week of rest is the ideal time to take a personal inventory of yourself. The Open should have givin you a solid look into what areas of your training may need a little work and today (not tomorrow) is the best time to take an honest look at them. This would be a good time to have conversations with your coaches also to help you dial in new goals and pathways to reach them. A solid Coach will appreciate your concern and be glad to assist you here, if not my email is Garrett.strating@gmail.com and i'd be glad to!
Starting a 10 month programming cycle next week is by no means what I'm implying and your coaches would probably slap you in the mouth if you asked them to do that for you! Its time to revealuate yourself as an athlete, while having fun moving some heavy weight and Wod'ing again without the added stress of strict program. Embrace all of the awesomeness that the Regional and finally Games events will bring to your overall motivation working towards your goals for the next year and the 2012/2013 Games season!
As for me, I'm already 2 weeks into another Strength Cycle and have hit 5lb PR's in my Snatch and Clean & Jerk two weeks in a row which I most defiantly attribute to my week of relaxation, evaluation, and planning. Go on, try it for yourself!
-Garrett
Sunday, April 15, 2012
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Garrett,
ReplyDeleteExcellent post and I am glad you are putting thought to the keyboard again!
I have 1 more day on my week-long recovery and it feels great. I have taken stock of my weaknesses and plan on working on them more consistently this year...since a few of them were there last year.
Congratulations on some new PR's...can't wait to step onto the platform with you again to throw up some heavy weight overhead.
Keep at it brother!
Browny