2009 Crossfit Games
Row 500m, Sledge hammer stake, Row 500m
Saturday is Bring a Friend Day. Bring a friend who is new to CrossFit and use it as their first ever class. Friends, family, whatever. If they sign up you get $10 off your next month!!
As I stood after class answering a barrage of questions about myself and Crossfit, I realized that the gym has grown with many new members who may not know what Regionals are and what the hype around the gym is about them. I feel it necessary to fill everyone in on what is happening the last weekend of May so that you all will understand my erratic behaviors and mood swings. (sorry, yes you will be subjected to it all)
We went through the Opens, which is the five weeks of competition that selects 48 females and 48 males in each region to compete at Regionals. At Regionals those 48 people fight for the top three spots. The winners go to the Crossfit Games, which is like the Olympics of Crossfit. This happens once a year and is very difficult to qualify for.
I have been doing Crossfit since 2008. I graduated from Keene State College with a degree in Exercise Physiology. Upon graduation I got a job in corporate fitness as a personal trainer. After about a year of personal training, I realized I was bored and if I was bored my clients really must be! I planned on going to the Crossfit Intro class just to steal ideas and apply it to my clients. I had no intentions of joining at all. After I finished the workout, the owner offered me a job as an intern at his gym. Bored with my own job I accepted. You could say the rest is history, because it really is.
Growing up as a gymnast, I had a leg up on most Crossfitters. I picked up on the skills and strengths rather quickly. I also fell in love with the coaching. I had coached gymnastics for 8 years and found I could apply a lot of those same techniques to Crossfit. You can say I quickly became obsessed.
Eight months after I started Crossfit I decided to go to Regionals. Back then there was no qualifier for it. I ended up winning Regionals and making my first rip to the Games in 2009. It was such a memorable experience because I literally had no idea what to expect. I finished the weekend in 10th place and wanted to do it again.
I ended up leaving my full time job and helped open Crossfit Fenway. In 2010, I placed a very disappointing 4th place at Regionals and missed a trip to the Games by one spot. Needless to say I blew my chances in the final workout on, wait for it, DOUBLE UNDERS. Train them. Own them. I should have. Fueled by rage and regret, I kicked my butt and got back to the podium at Regionals in 2011 for a second place finish. This won me my second trip to the Games. Completely different competition than it was in 2009, I hung with the best of them and finished in 15th place.
2012 was a disappointing year. I bombed Regionals, mentally checking out, and acting like a baby. I finished in an embarrassing 7th place. It was embarrassing not because of my finish spot, but because of how I handled myself. I literally remember giving up in one workout, just quit caring. I will never forget that feeling. This is when I asked Aaron “Lando” Landes to coach me. When I realized I needed really good programming and someone to hold me responsible for my training.
With Aaron’s help I qualified again for Regionals in 2013 and placed 4th…again, missing the Games by one spot. Although it is always disappointing when you do not achieve your goals, I did feel like I tried my hardest. I never gave up. My best just was not good enough that day.
SO here we are, 2014 Regionals. I know the workouts. I have practiced the workouts. I know what and how I want to do. I will leave everything I have out there on the floor. I know what I have to do to achieve my goal. The idea of not reaching it scares me, but it is all part of the game. I have been doing Crossfit for 6 years. I know that no matter what happens I will still love it and love training all you wonderful people who will be bouncing about the stands during Regionals weekend with my head on your shirt. 🙂 I thank you for your support and the inspiration you give me everyday. Here is to 2014!
Early Crew: Open at 8:15, start at 8:45
1. Strength: EMOM 15m, 1 Power Clean + 2 Split Jerk
2. WOD (partner): 200 Wall Ball 20/14, every 2:00 5 Muscle Ups (per team)
– there will be a 20:00 cap to this workout.
3. Then choose between SkWAT Team or 5×5 High Bar
SATURDAY
Strength: Strict Press
5×5
Partner WOD: 200 Wall Ball 20/14, broken up however you want
* every 4 minute run 200m together
– scale can be 100m runs
SkWAT Team: grab something heavy, pick it up, drag it, carry it, whatever, for 5 minutes.
