In a little over one week, the 2015 CrossFit Open kicks off.
For seasoned CrossFit veteran’s there will be a frenzy of excitement and speculation about what movements will be in the weekly WODs.
There will also be arm-chair quarterbacking regarding how these WODs will play to the strengths or weaknesses of certain high-level athletes.
This is my third season, and though I often find myself wondering what I got myself into, I must admit, the Thursday Night announcements, followed by elite throw-downs are rather exciting.
I will be the first to admit, I am very reluctant to accept the label “athlete”, though it is acceptable and encouraged in the CrossFit world. I am late to the party, and fitness for me is more of a game of delaying death and decay, than it is an athletic pursuit. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy it a great deal. I know I am in better shape than 95% of the men my age, but that doesn’t make me an athlete.
With that said, I walk an emotional and intellectual tightrope with the CrossFit Open events, because I didn’t begin CrossFit to be an athlete. I started it a few years ago, to be healthy after years of doing nothing. I will admit, I no longer do WODs full tilt. I always leave something in the tank for tomorrow, BUT…
But the Open is like any other Competition. It is a time when it is appropriate to go all out. You do want to achieve your peak performance, be it time, reps or weight.
Since last year, there are dozens of newbies at my Box. Some are young studs who have set their sights on world domination, but many are not. For the latter, there may be a thought or two passing through that brain of yours that says you do not belong in the Open. You say to yourself that it is for, … the seasoned athlete, …the younger person, …the slender person, the bulked up person, …and on and on.
Let me tell you, it is a good decision for you to do the Open. Hey, I don’t care if you sign up and pay your $20 or whether you do it as a rebel. Just do it.
Why? Because you will test yourself, emotionally and physically. Because you will grow beyond your current ability. Because even if you fail miserably, you will learn a great deal about yourself. Because you will show all those around you, what you are made of. Because you will be blessed with a community that will encourage you whether you excel, or go down in flames.
The CrossFit Open isn’t easy. It sucks really bad. And you should do it. In reality, it is fun and it is perhaps the best bonding experience that will take place in your box.
If you’re thinking of doing it. Sign up, and show up. Because thinking isn’t doing. Doing is doing.
Join the growing Defiant Wellness Tribe!
This is my first open. I am sure most if not all my WODs will b scaled … this year. Next year?? Who knows ;-}