Dear CrossFit, Do our goals get in the way of realizing our potential?

Dear CrossFit,

I’m writing this with chalk still on my hands and sweat still in my hair from 13.1.  I’m thrilled to have reached my goal number of reps (115) but profoundly dissapointed at not getting a chance for 151.  By pacing and gaming to make sure I ABSOLUTELY got 101 and had a legitimate chance at 115 I threw away a chance to go for 151.  I’m reminded of a marathon I ran “back in the day“.  I knew my training was good, and I had a shot at 2:59:59, but I paced myself to make sure I got 3:10 and beat a long-standing PR and won a bet.  Half way into the marathon I was right on 3:09 pace and was able to start speeding it up.  I came in at 3:02:22, and while elated to have beaten 3:10, was distraught at having thrown away a chance at 2:59:59.

When we make a game plan, and we work the game plan, we can usually achieve what we set out to do.  But at the same time, that game plan can become its own artificial barrier.  Knowing what we can do can get in the way of discovering what we can do.  If we know we can climb 5.10, we might climb all the best 5.10s and never get on a 5.11.  If we know we can get 101 reps, and might be able to get 115, we pace and game to get to 101/115, virtually guaranteeing we don’t get to 151.  If we know we can make bogey by hitting the three wood, 5 iron, chipping, and two putting, we never make birdie by hitting the drive, stiffing the 8 iron, and rolling in a one putt. 

So what do we do?  Do we “go for it” and risk losing it?  That’s how the question is always asked.  But as I sit here covered in chalk, covered in sweat, happy with my 115 but p*ssed about not getting a shot at 151, I realize the question is, “do we go for it, and risk WINNING.”  Do our goals get in the way of realizing our potential?  Is there a way to re-articulate our goals so that they help instead of getting in the way?

I wonder what tomorrow’s WOD will be…