Athlete Journal Entry 2: 3/12/2013 – State of Mind

Although the physical aspects of any sport are important, I am convinced that the game is won or lost by your mindset. I have been nicknamed the ‘Ginger Hulk,’ due to my gym mates cheering ‘Hulk smash!’ And just recently another gym mate dubbed me as the ‘Silent Assassin.’ The first nickname gives an impression of mindless beast-like attack, while the latter touches on the quiet calm with which I enter a competition. I feel both nicknames fit me well, as they each speak to my mental game. The Hulk is my ‘just go do what you do’ attitude and the Silent Assassin is the non-amped way I like to start a competition.

I first discovered the importance of mental training at the 2010 Games. Leading up to the Games I was getting so anxious, nervous, and worried that I completely stopped having fun. My husband threatened to make me quit CrossFit because he hated seeing me so miserable and reminded me of when I did CrossFit for fun. So, before the Games I made a list of goals and intentions. Ultimately, at the top of my list was ‘have fun’ and ‘do what you do.’ I largely believe that is why I made it onto the podium that year.

Fast forward to 2012. Again nerves and self-confidence were my most worst enemies. After the c-section I felt like my recovery was so slow and that there was no way I’d make up all that I had lost during and after my pregnancy. Everyone else was making gains, while I was regressing and then trying to play catch-up. That was my biggest fear. Reminding myself that I do CrossFit for fun – because I enjoy it – helped. But what really got me centered was listening to some visualization and positive self-talk MP3s from Heidi Fearon. These have not only helped with my physical performance, but in my daily life, too.

I just spent three days with an upset stomach because I was so worried/nervous about the Open starting. The night before I did my open 13.1 WOD I got my act together. I reminded myself of why I CrossFit (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), listened to the positive self-talk MP3s, and went into the gym with a great attitude.

For me, the Open 13.1 went well! I didn’t have any regrets. I liked my pace and my game plan. Last year’s snatch WOD was a mess for me with all sorts of failed reps and bad form. My technique has improved, so there was only one failed attempt. A success for me in my book. My goal wasn’t a number, but rather a feeling. My intention was to do my personal best, to be able to look back without regrets, and to walk away feeling proud of my form/technique and my overall performance. Again, mental preparedness made all the difference.

Photo provided by Miguel Tapia Images.

The post Athlete Journal: Valerie Voboril, Entry 2 – 3/12/2013 appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

Athlete Journal Entry 1: 3/5/2013

Friday March 1, 2013

Wanting to be the best drives me in most areas of my life. I want to be the best mom, the best wife, the best teacher, and the best athlete. But how can you be the best at everything with only 24 hours in a day? I am still trying to figure it out. In the meantime I am always trying to maximize my time. I work through my lunch breaks grading, emailing parents, and lesson planning. I limit my workouts to an hour or an hour and a half a day, including warm up and cool down. I wish I had Star Trek’s Scotty on stand by to beam me wherever I need to go (no more LA traffic!).

So, in an effort to spend more time with my daughter and less time on the road, I have invested in a home gym that my husband is installing in our backyard this weekend. He set up a Rogue rig with rings, rope, and a dip bar. I could get away with just my barbell, weights, kettlebell, jump rope, and the near by park, like I have in the past, but this expense was worth it since the whole family can use it for fitness and fun! I am hoping this new and more complete set-up will allow me to get in my hour or an hour and a workouts, so that I can pick up my daughter, Vin, and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening enjoying her funny antics. Because right now I rush from work to daycare, pick up Vin, drive for 30-45 minutes, work out, drive 45 minutes home, and then only have an hour with Vin before I have to put her to bed. Having an extra hour and a half of quality time with her is so important to me.

Monday March 4, 2013

Today was my first day using my new home gym set-up! Today’s workout began with a warm up of getting all the equipment out of the garage, Vin swinging her WOD Toys kettlebell while I swung mine. This was followed by some Olympic lifting. She swings on the rings while I lift. At 20 months she is active, curious, busy, and a momma’s girl. So, as I paint this picture of us working out side by side, there were all the “Mommy, HOLD me,” and “SIT, Mommy” commands that are my “rest periods.” I hit a PR on my snatch today, did some pistol skill work mixed with power snatches, then finished with a thruster and hand-release-burpee ladder of fun! For post WOD recovery I walked Vin around the block in her tricycle while she gleefully called out “Windy!” as her handle bar streamers danced in the wind and she shook her head like the ladies in the Pantene commercials (except she hardly has any hair!).

Besides the home gym, another way I try to be efficient with my time is food prep. My husband and I spend one day a week preparing all our breakfasts and lunches for the week, as well as making a dinner menu. Breakfast is a veggie, egg, and sausage scramble. Lunches are turkey or chicken salads. Our dinner menu is a meat with vegetables that we prepare fresh each night (sometimes I prep the veggies the night before). We enjoy brown rice with our dinners on occasion, and love our weekend eggs and waffles breakfast! Dessert ranges from chocolate, banana and cashews, to a bowl of cereal.

Photo courtesy of MichaelBrianPhoto.com.

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