CrossFit Open 17.1

Background

Funny story. I have been ill this winter and it left me in a weakened condition. That’s not the funny part, that’s coming. Because my system has been compromised, I decided to sit out the Open this year.

In fact my Barbell Club friend, Tammy and I made a big smart aleck deal about not doing it this year. It was like we were being rebels or something.

Then on Thursday evening, when the workout for 17.1 was announced, I realized that I had just done the same two movements two days earlier. I also recognized that my Friday WODs for the next 5 weeks were going to be Open workouts, whether I was registered or not.

So at 10:30 that evening, I logged into the Games website and registered. So here I am, committed for the fifth year in a row. When Tammy found out I caved into signing up she gave me some grief. In fact every Thursday evening after Barbell Club, when we watch the announcements, she gives me a hard time for abandoning her.

So when I went to the box on Friday to perform 17.1, I had already come to grips that I was doing the Scaled workout. Since I am still recovering from a severe bronchial issue, I try to limit cardio impact to a reasonable level. So Burpee Box Jumps would be replaced with Burpee Box Step-ups.

For those who don’t know, 17.1 was a couplet of alternating Dumbbell Snatches and Burpee Box Jumps. Weights and specific movements varied by division. For old scaled guys like me, the weight was only 20# DBs, which was fine with me. It’s always the burpees I hate. The Snatches were in an ascending ladder while the burpees remained at 15.

I mentioned that my Tuesday WOD was also Dumbbell Snatches and Burpee Box Jumps, BUT it was a different rep scheme. However, I was able to take my results and project a reasonable expectation for the 17.1 scheme. So I projected that I should expect to get through four rounds before I hit the 20 minute time cap.

Showtime

My days of fretting over a WOD are far behind me. Whether it is a Competition, or the Open, in my mind it is just another workout. For an athlete who has a shot at Regionals or Games, I know it is much more. But I do this for health and fitness. One more rep isn’t gonna make a difference in my life.

With that said, my strategy was simple and straightforward. Establish a pace that is sustainable, and just keep moving.  I was pleased that I was able to do this with very little deviation. I didn’t break up the snatches at all. While performing the Burpees, I slowed as I needed to catch my breath, but only for a few extra seconds at a time.

When the dust settled, and the clock ran out, I had made it 48 snatches into the fifth round. Seventeen reps from finishing. Though I feel I could have made it through the Snatches if I had picked up the pace slightly, I know as slow as I am cycling burpees, I would not have finished anyway.

If I had picked up the pace sufficiently to complete all five rounds, I suspect I would have simply introduced a level of fatigue from which I couldn’t escape. If so, I actually would have done fewer reps. So I will gladly accept my score of 208 for 17.1. Now I have a few days to rest before doing it all again. I wonder if we’ll see any more dumbbells.

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