This morning I closed out my CrossFit Open initiation by performing 13.5.
It amused me that Chad and I had picked the right moves, but there is no way we could have imagined the “AMRAP with compounding interest.”
I loved watching the four athletes performing this workout Wednesday night. It delighted me to see how the “losers” encouraged the winners in the competition, after they had gassed out. What a joy to be part of such a game. I could watch Camille do butterfly pull-ups endlessly. Yes, I know she is appealing to my male sensibilities, but her grace and power are amazing.
When I heard Dave Castro mention Thrusters and Chest-to-Bar, I figured I was toast. But I immediately checked the Masters weight and it was 65#. I had just done these on Tuesday, so I had a guarantee that I could and would get 15 points on the board. That would give me a few minutes to try to get a single Chin Up on the bar (not). I’ve never done one without a band. As I watched the announcement, Coach Tia PM’ed me on FaceBook and emphatically informed me, “You are doing 13.5! Thrusters! You can do them!” So it was official, Dave Castro made the announcement, and Tia gave me my marching orders to report for duty Thursday morning.
This morning I was excited. I felt relaxed. No pressure. When the buzzer went, I cleaned the bar and went into my deep squat and came out of it with a well-executed Thruster. I followed with 11 more. Yes, I got the first dozen before I had to drop the bar to rest. I popped off three more and went to the rack to laugh at myself as I hung on the bar like a wet towel. These arms haven’t figured out how to lift me yet, and I can’t kip (rhymes with hip, need I say more). So I finished with my pre-determined 15 points.
One might wonder why I’d be excited with 15 points. Well there are two reasons. First, last week, 13.4 was a heart-breaking, soul-crushing Zero for two attempts. Second, I have done my very best. I knew the Chin to Bar was an insurmountable wall, so I knew 15 was the best I was going to do, and I did it.
After I finished my WOD, I had the pleasure of judging Julia. Tuesday she was not on speaking terms with Thrusters. She was extremely frustrated by her performance two days ago. This morning was the New & Improved Julia, who had command of her body and she ruled the bar. She got the first half off before having to rest. When she began to fade, she maintained her composure and knocked off a few at a time. Sometimes slow and steady wins the race. It was a thrill to see her overcome defeat on the same move in two days.
After tasting the bitterness of defeat, it is so good to savor a personal victory. The reality seems to be that we have to come to failure, to move onto success.
Over the next couple days I will write more about what experiencing the CrossFit Open has meant to me.
I think that over the past months we have been able to set the pace and how much we want to push ourselves. With the Open and with the competition next weekend all of a sudden I am being pushed way outside of my comfort zone at warp speed. I think you would agree that the frustration with this experience can be high but the reward when we are able to accomplish something is an amazing feeling. I was so happy yesterday that you coached me through those Thrusters and the encouragement was so appreciated. I think I can safely say Thrusters and I are now on speaking terms…
Julia, it was wonderful to see your personal triumph on this move. It was like Phoenix rising out of the Tuesday’s ashes.