We’ve all learned more about ourselves as competitors, crossfitters and fitness enthusiasts from participating in the 2015 CrossFit Open. For those who did not participate this year, here’s a look at what you might experience next year! Thanks to Chrissy C. for sharing her thoughts and story.
by Chrissy C.
This is the first year I have participated in the CrossFit Open and I am so glad that I joined this competition. I’ve been able to accomplish goals that I didn’t think were possible even one month ago. I have PR’d my snatch and my clean and jerk, did pull-ups for the first time, and most recently did three hand-stand push ups! These were movements that I envisioned only the coaches and pros could do when I joined CrossFit two years ago.
When I graduated college seven years ago I attempted to stay fit. However, the energy and adrenaline I had as a cross-country athlete quickly began to wane. Also, the results I used to see from running became less apparent and harder to come by. Then I found CrossFit. Completely out of my comfort zone and surrounded by kettle-bells, bar-bells, and medicine balls, I quickly found myself challenged and forced back into a world of competition. Last summer I joined CrossFit Inner Loop. CFIL has given me the confidence to continually push myself and to join this year’s CrossFit Open. It’s great to be working out with such a supportive community.
Last Saturday morning I walked into CFIL prepared to just attempt the scaled WOD. I was not yet comfortable doing a hand-stand and certainly didn’t want to attempt doing one topped off with a push-up. At the last minute (literally!) Coach Jara encouraged me to give it a shot…and it worked. And after a brief one-on-one lesson, I was able to complete my first hand-stand push-up! Arming me with the confidence to attempt the hand-stand push-ups in 15.4, Coach Rupert also played a major role in my accomplishment as he challenged me to remove the ab-mats under my head during a previous workout.
The CrossFit Inner Loop team, the challenges offered, and the camaraderie enjoyed keeps me coming back week after week and workout after workout. Hoping to continue putting check-marks on my CrossFit to-do list, I am looking forward to seeing what the final Open has in store this weekend.
See you guys there!