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You may remember that in early November, I set a goal. I was going to score 28 points on Crossfit’s “How Fit Are You?” challenge. To refresh your memory (which is surely unnecessary, as I’m sure you have detailed notes everywhere about every aspect of my life and work), here are the descriptions of the tests that make up the challenge, and what I wanted to do on each:
Test #1: Maximum bench press immediately followed by maximal pullups
GOAL: 8 points, which would be max bench press x max pullup reps equal to more than 8000.
Test #2: 15 clean and jerks at a fixed weight without putting the bar down or resting it on the floor
GOAL: 12 points, which would be using 160 pounds for the 15 non-stop reps.
Test #3: Maximal Tabata squats followed by max muscle-ups in 4 minutes
GOAL: 0 points, but one muscle-up. (There’s no way I was going to reach even the lowest scoring level.)
Test #4: Max deadlift followed immediately by maximal handstand pushups
GOAL: 4 points, which would be deadlift max x HSPU max reps equal to more than 3500.
Test #5: Run 800 meters (1/2 mile), then do 21 thrusters (a front squat combined with a push press), then do 21 L-pullups (pullups with your legs in front of you)
GOAL: 4 points, which would be finishing the above inside of six minutes.
So I trained for this. I worked on aspects of each test and the tests themselves for two and a half months, knowing that I had promised to do the thing around January 15th. For a while I was goaded along by competition in the challenge by Craig from Bloomverse, but then he wussed out because he decided that caring for a new child was in some way more important than an internet fitness challenge with someone he didn’t actually know.
Time passed, and my deadline loomed. Then, this week, I did the tests — five tests in five days in a row, in the order above, as prescribed.
And I scored 8 points.
How to fail, Truant style
Get this: I don’t care that I scored 8 points. And do you know why? Because I scored 8 points. And do you know how many points I would have scored if I hadn’t set the a goal to score 28, and then hadn’t trained for or taken the challenge at all? I’m thinking zero.
I don’t care because the goal made me train, and stretch, and improve. I grew further than I would have if I hadn’t been striving for something, if I hadn’t felt a positive “push” moving me forward.
You see, there’s more to the story.
The challenge is scored differently for each of the five tests. But in each, if you reach a certain threshold, you get four points. If you reach the next threshold, you get eight. The next is 12, then 16, then 20. If you’ve never tried Crossfit, it also wouldn’t be obvious to you that a 20 on any given test is almost unattainable, and a 20 on more than one test would only be possible by Superman if he found a good supply of crystal meth.
So while 8 sounds not so fantastic, it’s also not terrible. Specifically, here’s what I did.
Test #1: For how long I’ve been training, I’m a hideous bench-presser. I got a max of 240 pounds. I then did 22 pullups. Multiply them together and that’s 5280. You need 6000 to get four points. So I got a zero.
Test #2: This was the only one I scored on. I did a 160-lb clean and jerk 11 times without setting the bar down. I would need 15 reps at 160 to get 12 points. But because 15 reps at 135 is the low end of the 8-point bracket and because I’d done 150 lbs. a few weeks prior, I gave myself 8 points.
Test #3: I still can’t do even one muscle-up. I scored 16 on the Tabata squats. Those two multiplied together have to be 180 points to score a 4, and I got 0 x 16 = 0. Obviously room for improvement here.
Test #4: I just missed a 475 pound deadlift, so I settled for the rep at 445 that I had done earlier. I then did 6 handstand pushups, which, multiplied with the 445 deadlift, totals 2970. I needed 3500 to get 4 points.
Test #5: I could do the components of this test, with rest between, in under 6 minutes total. However, it fell apart when I put it all together. I needed under 6 minutes to get 4 points, and it took me 7:13.
If you don’t give a shit about weightlifting or fitness and are just looking for the bullet points of why I’m still happy with my monumental failure on this goal, here they are:
1. My score of 8 is, despite appearances, actually a respectable score.
2. My scores on tests #1, #4, and maaaaybe #5 represent “high zeroes,” and my score on test #2 represents a “high eight.”
And most importantly,
3. Even though the “points” score doesn’t reflect it, I improved on each and every one of those. Each and every one. (Except for 3, but 3 sucks anyway.)
See, the purpose of a goal isn’t to get the goal. The purpose of a goal is to make us stretch, to force us out of our comfort zone, to cause us to get better at something.
Several times now, I’ve made the goal to have a million dollars in the bank by such-and-such an age. I haven’t accomplished that goal even one of those several times, but I keep making more and more money, and doing better and better in my business. (Just don’t check my bank balance to verify this. Despite my million-dollar goal, I currently have in the neighborhood of zero dollars saved thanks to my terrible real estate investments. Although, I did find a quarter in the couch the other day.)
But where would I be without the goal to make the million dollars? And where would I be without the goal to score 28 points on the HFAY test? Well, I don’t know exactly, but I can give you a simple answer that I’ll guarantee is qualitatively true:
I’d be poorer. I’d be fatter.
We get hung up on goals. We think that if we don’t get the object of the goal, that the goal wasn’t worth making — but that’s not true. The goal made you stretch. And, by the way, the failure to achieve the goal forced you to accept that things don’t always work out perfectly, but that if you’ll just keep working and keep trying, they’ll eventually work out better than they would have if you’d have given up.
So here’s the thing. Here’s my new goal.
If I had cranked out just three more pullups on test #1, four more reps on test #2, two more HSPUs on test #4, and had trimmed 1:13 off of test #5, I would have scored 24 points instead of 8. That’s how close I was.
So by June 1, I’m going to do that, and a bit more. I’ll go one level higher on the bench press/pullups test and the deadlift/HSPU test, for a grand total of 32 points.
Do you hear that Craig from Bloomverse? There’s a new goal afoot, and I doubt you can pump out another excuse child quickly enough to avoid running for this one.
Haha! Nice taunting there, Johnny!
I don’t see where you failed though. I think it may just be a perspective thing.
New goal, huh? Hmmmmm……..
You remind me of a story I heard … I thought it might even be from here, but I can’t find it Googling.
So anyway, it’s grade school and the teacher asks everyone what they want to be when they grow up. Teacher … fireman … astronaut … all the expected answers. But one kid said, “I want to be rich.”
Fine, says the teacher, but what do you want to *be*? “I want to be rich.”
And everyone laughed at him. Now they’re all adults. Guess who’s rich?
When there’s something you really want, more than anything else, ALL THE TIME, you make a thousand small decisions that make it more likely. If you only want something once a week, when it’s time to go do it for an hour, how can you believe that’s really going to change anything?
I say props for even attempting that fitness challenge. I checked out the website and DAMN is all I have to say. Those exercises look daunting as hell. And I’m in pretty good shape too!
So I assume your logic is if you strive for 32 points, maybe you’ll get 14? Go get ‘em!
Very good. So, in reality, you failed at the small stuff but succeed in the big picture.
Congratulations. Keep up the good work!!
Holy Shit Man! I am a Personal Trainer and your achievements have me sweating at my own pussy abilities… seriously I am inspired Johnny.. You are no internet geek.. you are special forces fit man. serious. I am away to get with x fit.
Thor.
Oh yeah, inspiring article ref going after big goals. Peter Thomson (genius business growth in UK) says add a “0″… for any goal add a “0″ so if my goal is to take in $100,000 next year, make the goal, $1000,000… because the level of thinking that will get you anyplace near the Million is much greater than the ideas to get to a 100k. But as you say Johnny… don’t worry if you don’t get to the Million… thats not the point
So true – the point of a goal is to stretch and grow. Awesome job!
@ Craig – BRING IT ON! Are you in for round 2?
@ Drew – I know that guy. I went to high school with him.
@CoachJ – Crossfit is like a cult, and the devotees will tell you that nothing is as good. That’s a bit much IMO, but I think everyone interested in fitness should try it once. Just try “Fran” sometimes… 21 thrusters with 95 pounds, 21 kipping pullups, then 15 of each, then 9 of each. That’s it. Seems simple, but it’ll about make you barf. Give it a shot.
Also, everyone… my life is complete now that I’ve made a guy named “Thor” feel like a pussy.
Yup Johnny you got me whipped for strength…
BUT…
hows about some sparring my friend? MMA/ Boxing or just a good old school yard rumble
I’ve never fought but would be up to learn… I think distance might be an issue, though!
ha ha maybe not, my brother is a pilot with Virgin Atlantic, I can get to LA, NY, Miami, etc for just the cost of the tax 1st class man (so I be rested for rumble) where you guys based?
Lived in texas this spring and then drove NewOrleans and all way up to Niagara Falls so USA is like my ‘backyard’ y’ all
South-of-Cleveland area. You get out that way?
Well when we drove to Niagara falls from Philadelphia, was the closest I’ve been to Cleveland… would have to fly into New York (newark) and take an internal… oh well
(bearing in mind I’m kinda scared of flying (read too many disaster reports while brother was training!)
Lets stick to virtual challenges just now… if you like cross fit buddy you would love MMA or grappling… go give it a try… its the ultimate male bonding + extreme therapy (for anything)
Dude, I REALLY want to learn some sort of self-defense art … you know, the kind of thing that would ACTUALLY WORK if you got jacked, as opposed to doing Karate kicks and then getting your ass beat down by a big grappler. Problem is, I have two kids and a lot of activities and only so many hours in the day. It hasn’t made it high enough on my priority list yet.
Why don’t you join me and Craig in training for the HFAY challenge again by early June? Crossfit is equally hard/easy for every type of athlete, all other things being equal. Some things favor big and strong (max lifts) and some favor light and agile (pullups, HSPUs, muscle ups, tumbling) and some favor endurance (test #5, 5ks, 10ks, all metabolic work.)
J,
for that you might want to try Krav Maga… Or just buy a GUN!
I worked as a Bouncer/doorman to test what worked (for 8 years after graduating in History
In my experience MMA ideal for REAL self defence. Or combo of Thai Boxing and Wrestling + Chokes and Locks
YESS YES I know the purests will kick my ass if they read this… But find a good MMA coach in cleveland and pay him to
Train you at home for an hour a week. If he’s good you will be able to kick some serious ass after a few weeks (as long as the other guy ain’t
An MMA fighter or tooled up (guns and knives are tricky!!!
As a 185lb doorman (small) I actually found diplomacy and listening skills to be the best defence. When that failed, chokes and palm strikes
Rule (a balled ungloved fist gets broken easy on pavement/sidewalk and bones
T
As to joining you guys in your challenge…
HOW can I refuse dude!?
I’m there… Just tell me HOW … Whadda I gotta do FIRST?
The HFAY challenge? Hell yes! How do I get started man? How could I say no J?
T
Yes to the challenge… Why won’t this fucker load on my “smart phone” crackberry piece of shit!! How do I start?
Er sorry guys… it WAS loading up I just never got the message on my phone…
Wow, you really like this blog.
Anyway, download and read this:
http://johnnybtruant.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/CF_How_Fit_Are_You.pdf
And then just be prepared to do it in June. It’s up to you whatever you want to do in the meantime to train for it!
Love when I come across another Crossfitter, who is a blogger, too; nonetheless. Wait, are you my long lost brother?
Dude, that’s definitely not a fail. I’ve considered myself to be a “Crossfitter” since I started it in 2005 when deployed to Iraq, and I’ve never attempted the “How Fit are You Challenge”. Looking at the requirements, it looks as if you and I would be neck and neck.
HSPU’s and MU’s have always been an extreme weakness for me, so I might be drawing some high goose eggs there, too. June 1st, huh? You might have to add me to that challenge list. 
lols, this post made me giggle. Anyways I just downloaded and Im currently skimming the PDF ebook.. looks like its going to be helpful to me..
Jeff… just join in, dude! I’m on and off with CF. It’s so hard on a metabolic (puke-inducing) basis that I often don’t feel like it for months at a time and just lift heavy. So I’m probably due to step it up some, which will help with my scores.
Are you on Twitter? You can keep up with me and Craig’s progress on there. Thor just seems to hang out on the blog, I guess.
Oh Pukie. I’ve been blessed with his presence on a few occasions, although it has been some time. I probably do CF 2-3 days per week and throw in some core/cardio stuff in between to let my body recover.
I am on Twitter and just gave you and Craig a follow. Feel free to reciprocate: @jeffrosecfp. Looking forward to the updates!
OK guys so I’ve been researching Mr Glassman and Crossfit and wow some people DO NOT like him… I know … put your head above the parapet and dare to make money from fun stuff like fitness/training and some people will hate + be jealous but wow!
I have to admit I was saddened to find video footage showing him to be out of shape… hmmm. Who know what his issues are, and let he who is without blame cast the first… hammer, tyre, kettlebell, or large stone I say…
Started training for the competition this morning guys..Concept 2 intervals +. clean and jerks + mile hard run followed by my version of muscle ups, find a small building with a angled roof, jump and grab finger tips on… pull up then drive up to full extended dip position IE able to get on roof.. great fun.. TRAIN HARD JOHNNY and JEFF
Yeah, I really hate the notion of a fat fitness coach, but I know that the proof is in the program, and while Glassman may not be walking the talk, plenty of other folks are.
I’m going to hop around some. I like a heavy regimen, so I’m going to do Joe DeFranco’s “Westside for Skinny Bastards” thing for a while (I’m not skinny, but I like Westside training and WSB condenses the normally 4-day routine to 3 days, and it’s more applicable for athletes with other activities in the mix). I want to keep working on stuff like HSPUs and those CF kipping pullups in the meantime.
And if I can lose some weight, all the better for the bodyweight stuff.
Johnny that’s a damn respectable score. Great job! Sometimes it’s hard to calibrate where you’ll actually end up. Next time I’ll bet you hit the 28 or come damn close.
I might be able to crack the goose egg by June. I’m about 3 months into whipping my fat middle aged ass back into shape from being totally sedentary for too long. I’ve been mixing up heavy lifts with Concept2 intervals with good success. Right now I’m lifting somewhere around 2/3rds of what you’re lifting. I’ll see how things look by April or May.
Mike, the thing about this test is that it’s so skewed. You see “zero” and you think it’s a failure. But it so isn’t. This test is FUCKING HARD! Kudos on even getting near cracking that goose egg.
Hey Johnny, you are motivating a lot of people to train harder with your ‘Failure” blog post… pretty cool man!