A New Storm is Brewing

It finally happened!

For those of you who follow competition season for CrossFit know that we are underway. But, things have changed this year. Unlike last year, the qualifying competitions won't include a sectional competition this year, but has instead been replaced with the "CrossFit Games Open." The Open is a 6-week event, consisting of one WOD per week for 6 weeks. Athletes will either complete their WOD at a registered affiliate or submit a video to CrossFit HQ of their performance. Needless to say, when this was announced, I was extremely disappointed. For me, the fun lies in the competition setting, meeting new CrossFitting friends, feeding off your opponents, and the fanfare that brews throughout the events. This year we won't have that.

But....wait for it, wait for it.....

I've finally reached a state of excitement about the Open! For some reason as I browsed my Facebook last night, I found that tingly, giddy, and pre-competition stomach feeling creeping up. Finally! I was worried the open would come and go without ever perking my interest. The feeling continues today and I'm excited to plan these next few weeks to prepare for March 15th.

My new favorite thing about the "Open?" Everyone can do it. HQ's rationale for creating the Open is spot on, allowing the masses to compete for the fittest man/woman in the world. But, even if that's not your goal, if you're not competing for that title, why not give the Open a shot? I can't count the number for people who have approached me in the past few months about wanting to try a competition. This is it, folks! The Open will be hosted by local affiliates each week and WILL have that competition feeling. What do you have to lose? Come out and compete and see where the chips fall. Nothing would be more exciting than to line up with a plethora of our clients and smoke some of these Open WODS! So, stop "thinking about" competing and start getting ready for the 2011 CrossFit Games Open. You never know how well you can do until you're out there in the mix!

cg

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Game Face.

Did you ever go to a bar before you were 21? How did you act the time you went and got kicked out? How did you act the time(s) you went and got to stay? I'll put money on the fact that the times you stayed, you slapped on your game face and acted like you owned the place...right?

So how is that different than putting on your game face for a WOD? Some of the people I work with closest often hear me say "fake it 'till you make it" or "get your mind right" or "GAME FACE." Yes, the all caps meant I was yelling.
Many months ago, an idividual I look up to, whose name I will not mention, gave me some priceless advise. I was getting my tail kicked in my pullups in a WOD. I mean, I was churning out a max of 2-3 at a time on my way to finishing. After the WOD this individual pulled me aside and told me exactly when my mind checked out of that WOD. He said it was written all over my face the second it happened. I didn't realize it at the time, but I knew he was 100% right. Instead of my face reading "suck it up, get this WOD done, NOW" it said, "Please kill me, I hate my life, I wanna cry."

Since that glorious workout I've tried to apply my "fake it 'till you make it" policy. If I can convince my face that I'm all in, ready to kick the WOD's ass, no matter how bad it hurts, I can convice the rest of my body as well.

So next time you are struggling through a WOD, check your face. Do you have your game face on? Or does it look like you want to call you momma and cry?

cg

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