Yesterday I hit a new PR on Isabel, a simple yet surprisingly difficult workout. As my coach frequently says, Isabel is one of those workouts that tests your mind more than your body. The "prescribed" workout is simple: 30 snatches at 135lbs for time. Having done this a few times, I knew how it typically goes - the first 10 reps feel great, the next 5 are exhausting, and by rep 20 I'm dead. My heart is racing and with 10 reps left, I want to quit. It sucks.

The first time I did this workout was about a year and a half ago. I scaled down the weight to 95lbs and completed 30 reps at 95lbs in 4:04. I did it again earlier this year, again scaled down - 30 reps at 95lbs in 2:07. Yesterday I wanted to try the prescribed workout. Neither I nor my coach thought I would finish (there was a 5 minute time-cap) but I wanted to see how close I could get to finishing.

I did finish. 30 reps at 135lbs in 3 minutes 33 seconds! It was "only" a 3 minute workout but I don't think I've ever been so proud of myself at the gym.

So what's my takeaway? If there's a thing that you don't think you're quite ready for yet, go for it. If you've put yourself in a position to succeed, you might just do it.