Image credit: CrossFit Games

Earlier this week, Kathy shared a couple of journal posts with me that Val Voboril had written earlier this year. In case you aren’t familiar, Val is a mom, a 4th grade teacher in El Segundo, and a CrossFit Games competitor. She finished 3rd place in 2010, had a baby in 2011 and finished 3rd again at this year’s games. If you’re ever talked to Val, or you read these two journal entries, you can pick up that she’s a normal, sweet and down to earth lady who is trying to balance work, being a mom…oh and being the third fittest woman in the world. In her first entry she talks about her struggles with life balance and being the best mom, wife, teacher and athlete, all in 24 hours. She ended up building her own home gym so that after work she could spend time with her daughter while getting an hour to hour and a half workout in. She also mentioned that she and her husband prepare all of their breakfasts and lunches in one day so they don’t have to spend time worrying about those meals each day in order to improve her efficiency.

While I was very curious to read about how she balances a normal life and being a world class competitor, I was most interested in reading about her mental game. When you’re at the Games level, all of the athletes are ridiculously fit, however the athletes that end up on the podium are also very mentally tough. Val credited her 2010 podium finish to her solid mental game. She has picked up two nicknames along the way “Ginger Hulk” and “Silent Assassin,” and she feels both describe her mental game well, her “just do what you do” approach and her less-amped way she competes. Val found it most important to not lose sight of why she loves the sport and how much fun she has doing it, and staying positive about herself. She says she found some good information in Heidi Fearon’s talks, but that’s a topic for another day.

In the second entry about mental toughness, I love her quote about CrossFit and I think it really speaks to many of us. She said she CrossFits “because it makes me feel good, I love the motivational atmosphere, the opportunity to always challenge myself, and the community of like-minded, health-conscious, driven people. How does CrossFit make you feel? Why do you stick with it? Maybe that reason why will help you get through those last 10 miserable burpees.

Feel free to read the full articles here and here. They aren’t very long, but hold some great information. I hope to come across more of her entries!

Reminder: There will be no yoga class today, sorry for the inconvenience.

WOD 08.01.13

Skills Day
Rope Skills
Double Unders

Optional WOD:
Annie
50-40-30-20-10
Double Unders
Sit Ups