Cyclic processes are logical. There is a beginning, middle
(stages) and an end. About a month into the semester, I am now realizing that
crew practice moves in a cycle. Week one: train hard, finish the week with a 2
x 6k test (two 6ks, with a four to five minute rest in between). Week two:
train hard, finish the week with a 3 x 2k test. Week three: train hard, finish
the week with a 3 x 5k test (this is by far and away my least favorite test).
Week four: taper—in other words, light workouts, most likely with a race or
other event at the end of the week.
This past week was our tapering week, which we finished with
the Erg Armageddon at Bucknell University. That’s all well and good, but now
we’re back to the beginning. Week one of the cycle, training hard and looking
to a 2 x 6k test on Saturday morning. While this should seem like no big deal,
seeing as I’ve already been through the process, I am feeling the pressure to
improve.
Last week, my tapering became a free pass to not to go the
gym as much outside of practice. With that, because I was not as conscious
about going to the gym, I was not as conscious about what I ate either. I need to
get back in my zone. I need to get back to the weeks where I pushed myself.
I’ve found that with crew, and really any other activity,
the less that is expected of me, the worse I will preform. I work best under
pressure. If you give me a simple task, I will not see it as a challenge and
therefore, will not give full effort in my execution. But if you present me
with something that is difficult, whether it be mentally or physically, I will
give everything I have—and then some. Chances are, my results from the
difficult task will be better in comparison to my results from the simple task.
So I encountered my typical simple-task-laziness last week.
And while I preformed sufficiently at Bucknell, I know I could have done
better. I went so far last time, but this is a new cycle. I need to go harder,
be better and learn from my mistakes.
I can relate -- when I'm under pressure to perform, I tend to rise to the challenge. (This is why I sign up for half-marathons, or I suspect that I'd be lying on the couch eating Oreos instead.)
ReplyDeleteThere is a strong parallel between the world of sports and how we act in day-to-day life. The two often overlap, as our personalities show in the sports we play. I often become lazy if there is nothing there to push me to do better. This is a very relatable post.
ReplyDeleteI am the same way. If I know I can do something, I feel no need to "prove" myself. I am also a chronic procrastinator and almost everything I do is In the commons at 4am when I know full well we have this class at 8.
ReplyDelete