My job takes me all over the world, literally. It also takes me places at times that are sometimes amazing and exciting, and other times, at the least convenient times. This year was my first trial with the CrossFit Games Open Competition. I was so excited, nervous, anxious, and eager. I haven't had the opportunity to compete in a true, organized sport, since rugby, back in Grand Rapids. As the Open approached, I knew I would face struggles no other athletes would - like traveling, every single day. Making it very challenging not only keep a good diet, train and mobilize daily, schedule rest, but, to complete the Open, in general. I would have to find a box, near my whereabouts, for each individual workout. Talk about high stress and extra work, haha. Nonetheless, I vowed myself to make no excuses, do my best, and finish every WOD of the Open. My personal goal was to finish in the top 200 of my region, The Central East.
14.1 took place in Johnson City, TN at CrossFit Johnson City. This is basically my "home away from home box" so although I was nervous, it was about as ideal as it could get. I competed alongside CFJC top athletes immediately following the 14.1 announcement and streamed head-to-head of Fisher and Hendren. My adrenaline was pumping, heart racing and so many eyes, strangers' eyes, watching me. This was it... 12 minutes later, I was alive, sweating heavily, and passing out/accepting fist bumps and high fives. I had completed my first Open WOD. (Two days later, I would redo 14.1 at CFJC to better my score.)
14.2 was the day before the band would depart for our first ever European tour. We were in the NYC/NJ area and I needed to find a place to drop in to complete this OHS+c2b monster. Luckily, there is no shortage of boxes in this area, and, I had dropped into CrossFit Hoboken prior, making it an ideal candidate. I contacted them via email, and they were happy to have me back. They offered a coach/judge for me, and allowed me to do the WOD basically at my convenience. The judge plugged in her phone for some background jams and grabbed her clip board as I set up my phone for filming. The countdown began, as I grabbed the barbell and thrusted 95lbs overhead. 14.2 had begun. Approximately 15minutes later, it was over, leaving me exhausted, weak, and with blood covered hands. Another WOD in the books.
14.3 is when the Open really started to get interesting. I had landed in Europe, for my first time touring the continent. I was overwhelmed with language, sites, touring and band needs, and trying to "plan" my next WOD. I looked ahead to see where we would be, on which days, and where I had the best chance to walk/run to a nearby box to complete 14.3. First, I got the chance to drop into an European CrossFit box at CrossFit MGW. It had been open for only a few days prior to my drop in, but it was already well equipped and beautiful. The coach was an ex-body builder and was completely shredded. I was greeted with a smile and slow paced conversation, as the two coaches did their best to accommodate my english only capabilities. I programmed myself a workout for the open gym hours and tried to prepare for 14.3. My next drop in was to complete 14.3, at CrossFit Vienna Starship. A great box, with a very cool layout. They had a facility, wish all the necessary equipment and space, but, just outside was a sort of concrete space, surrounded by buildings, where you could WOD outdoors. I loved it. I walked to the box cold, never having the chance to reach out to them. The coach was extremely polite and excited to have me. I explained my situation, and that I merely wanted to complete 14.3. Not only was he more than happy to accommodate my requests, he volunteered to judge my performance! I set up my deadlift station as he finished his class. We brought a clock outside and got everything set up, as most of his class stayed to watch me. We synced my phone with a jam box, cranked Sevendust, and hammered out 14.3. Three down. Two to go.
14.4 was a monster, chipper. I was extremely pleased having the opportunity to drop in to train at CrossFit Stuttgart, between 14.3 and 14.4. It was nearly 4 miles from our bus, but, I made no excuses, made the trek, and trained hard. CFS was located right downtown in a small studio and had GREAT equipment. As I spoke with a coach and warmed up for Open gym (that they had opened JUST for me), we were greeted by another young coach, who volunteered to WOD with me, even though he had already done so that morning. Just having someone to compete with is such a great advantage to training alone, at least for me. I was so happy and felt great. Much love to those guys! I was lucky enough to have a show in Wiesbaden, with the day off there, the day before the show. As soon as we parked, I hunted down the nearest box. CrossFit Wiesbaden was a short mile away, and was exactly what I was looking for. Coach Marcus welcomed me in, welcomed me to Open gym, classes and again offered to judge me. It was a dream scenario. I mobilized and prepped that first night, then battled the giant chipper the next. 14.4 was in the books, but, not finished. I need to better my score. Searching frantically for when I might get another chance, coach Marcus came to my rescue and got me a slot in Cologne, the very next day, at CrossFit Am Dom. Am Dom is a Crossfit "space" located inside a standard studio gym. So, to say I turned some heads was an understatement. I went in with a better plan, bettered my score, and moved my focus to 14.5. The final WOD.
14.5 was coincidentally the same weekend as our last week spent touring Europe. Everything was coming to an end all at once. So much pressure, anxiety, excitement and so my NEW* was about to end, allowing me time to relax. But first, 14.5. This time around, I wasn't so lucky, to get a drop in before the final WOD. I had spent the week training and mobilizing entirely on my own, with the very limited tools and space I had with me on the road. Finally, I got my chance at 14.5 at my first UK box, at CrossFit Avon of Bristol. I arrived hours early to prepare. CrossFit Avon has two separate rooms, which allowed me to prep, train, strategize and mobilize, while they finished up their class. They had all taken on 14.5 one day previous, so today, I would again, be going solo. A great box with very fun and friendly coach James Grogan coached me, judged me, and encouraged me throughout the WOD, along with 5-7 other members, staying after their class strictly for moral support. I needed it, 14.5 was a killer. 11minutes later. I had completed my first CrossFit Games Open.
This journey lead me to so many great people, coaches, members, boxes, and experiences. I want to personally thank you all again, I literally couldn't have done it without you, your help and your hospitality. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.
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