I was thinking the other day about what was one of my crowning achievements in life. Running a half marathon in under 2 hours
Now that may not sound all that great or awesome to some of you, but to me, that was quite the ac hievement. I had worked for about 2 years on losing weight and jogging to be able to run that 13.1 miles in under 2 hours and had sacrificed a lot of time with my family to do so.
I started my weight loss journey when my wife lovingly took this picture of me. At that point I decided that I didn’t want to look like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man anymore 
I found that I enjoyed running, getting on the road allowed me to get into my thoughts and push myself further and no one was calling my name and I NEVER took my phone with me. It was just me time. Then I started running races. I enjoyed races. A large group of like minded individuals running the same course, it was a good time. I always went into a race with 3 goals.
1. Survive & Finish
2. Run the whole thing, don’t walk any
3. Pass more than you get passed
These were fairly simple rules and I was very content with being that “Mid-Pack Runner” You know, never finishing first, but never coming in last.
What the hell happened to that guy?
I mean now I am up against some of the arguably fittest people in the world, in one of the larger regions in the world and I’m constantly irritated at myself for not performing better in 12.2 & 12.3. Both of which happen to target a major weakness of mine!
Why can’t I be happy with being that “Mid-Pack CrossFitter”?
And the answer is, I don’t want to be happy with mediocre anymore. CrossFit has taught me not to settle anymore. Not in my fitness, not in my goals, not in life. If you want something, figure out what you need to do to get there and start working on it.
I wanted a 300# squat—I got it, now I want 315#!
I want a son that enjoys sports and working out-he now asks for workout and asks to go play a game of catch!
I want a daughter that is proud of herself and has a high level of self-esteem and she is working on that.
I want a lot of other things and I am working hard on achieving those goals, one day at a time.
So, I know I will never make it to the CrossFit Games, I know I’m a “Mid-Pack CrossFitter”, but I’m not content with it. I am happy with my progress, but I have a drive for more.
So be ready, I’m gunning for it.
Work hard, eat right, enjoy life!
Coach j
I love this post and can relate so much!
Recently I was feeling down about some things I’m really struggling with that other people seem to excel so quickly in and I made a side by side picture of the 300lb me and the now me. I said to my self, “Look at this! You’ve come a long way! You need to loosen up and be proud!”
But it didn’t work.
Because I know I’ve already cashed in that goal and I have to keep moving forward. And I love having something like CrossFit that gives me the motivation and the means.
That said, way to go! I never would have imagined the old you was the now you and I would say what you call your “mid-pack” performance is really impressive!