And then I couldn’t practice my faith.  My body broke down and wouldn’t allow me those hours of meditating, that time of peace.  My faith was being tested, it was shaken and I started questioning if this was the only way to adhere to principles and beliefs the road had taught me.  I had learned to push through discomfort and find serenity, that the statement and pursuit of a goal is an  important psychological test, and that there isn’t any ‘easy’ way, just efficiency.  I had learned a lot and wasn’t ready to give up.  So I did what any sane person would do and started looking for other ‘churches’ that may fit what I had found to be true.  I scoured the internet looking for information on how to find that peace again.  My search led to CrossFit and CrossFit Endurance.  Here was a group saying that hard work leads to great reward.  That the pursuit of excellence is a noble and dignified achievement unto itself.  Here was an organization that welcomed newcomers, encouraged input, and pushed you to better yourself.  I was hooked.

So I started the path of a new convert; reading the texts, watching the videos, gulping up information about General Physical Preparedness and how Olympic Lifts could make me run faster.  Most importantly I practiced my new found beliefs.  I learned to properly back squat, do handstand push-ups, and how quickly a C2 Rower can destroy any delusions of fitness.  I kept the core of the things I learned from running, they were just amplified and more forth coming.  I was able to run, plus deadlift, overhead squat, and do many, many pull-ups in a row.  Life was great.

Then one day I realized I was acting a bit too much like a new convert.  I had started looking at all other methods of physical training with disdain.  A feeling of superiority filled me because I knew that ‘my way’ was more effective and achieved better results in half the time.  I knew that bicep curls and lat pull downs didn’t replicate real world physical activities.  I started feeling better than everyone, I had become a total religious zealot, MY WAY was the best way.

Luckily I recognized my behavior.  Hopefully I’ve corrected it.  While I know training in a CrossFit model and following a CrossFit Endurance protocol is the best for me, and feel it would probably benefit most people, I recognize it’s not for everyone.  And I’m fine with that.  If doing Pilates, running long and slow, or curling dumbbells in front of the mirror does it for you, then continue to do it.  If it gets you off the couch and moving then have at it, because that’s the real evil.  Sloth and everything that derives from it.