By Christina Annunziata

I think we’ve all gotten to that point in our athletic careers where everything seems to come to a stand still. We’ve made some big gains, climbing that mountain to the top and BAM, it all “flat lines.”  Constantly working hard in the gym, feeling like you’re doing pretty good all of a sudden you look around you and everyone is getting better, setting personal records and you’re still at the same place. How frustrating is that?! Yea, it can be the worst!

For a while, that’s where I felt I was, that wonderful plateau everyone told me about, but I never thought I’d actually get to… well I sure did. It was discouraging and frustrating to say the least, I backed off my training, made some excuses (some of which were valid), but obviously none of that would help me get better and start climbing to the top again.  So what did I do?? I decided to just put my head down and keep pushing through it, staying hungry and determined. FINALLY, I am beginning to see some gains again, they might be small, but they are steps in the right direction and something to keep me going.

This weekend I competed at the Battle at the Colesium in Long Island and as always, met and competed alongside some great people (including a fellow 3sixty athlete, Joanna McKasty!).  Joe came by to watch and got to catch us both in the final WOD which was awesome. At the end of the workout he asked me, so what are your weaknesses? I kind of stumbled on that question and didn’t know what to say initially. OF COURSE I have weaknesses, but at that moment, I was completely happy and satisfied with my performance, and was super psyched to make it to the podium. But like at every competition I have been a part of, I have learned a little bit more about myself. I think after this one, I’ve realized that I am a pretty well rounded athlete… and I think I’m finally reaching the end of this plateau.  There are a lot of things I need to and want to work on, but at this moment, I’m feeling pretty good about where I’m at- now it’s time to build on it.

I’m at the point where I can’t just muscle things up and get away with it. If I want to get stronger and increase my overall performance, and I’ve said it before; I need to take it back to the basics. Over the next few weeks I hope to share with all of you my take on what “getting back to the basics” is and how I plan to start this climb back up towards the top.