13 Thoughts on the 2013 Open

This year was the first time I participated in the Open. Last year I had just started CrossFit a couple weeks prior and had no idea what this "Open" thing was. All I know, is that when I saw the WOD was 7 minutes of burpees...I decided to take a rest day!

This year it was my goal of completing the Open Rx and making one of the teams that goes to Regionals. I can proudly say that I accomplished both goals and will be representing CrossFit 7 Mile on the 7 Milers team in Guayaquil, Ecuador!

Below is a list of 13 things (of the many) that I learned during the Open:

1. Know which workouts to test out and which to do only once (hint...wall balls)
2. Tape up hands or wear gloves for WODS with lots of snatches
3. Never underestimate the power of yourself
4. Never underestimate the power of the community around you
5. Wall balls suck.
6. Don't judge your significant other...under any circumstances! Its just better that way!
7. Try new things - no matter what, stop making excuses
8. Step ups are faster than box jumps if you can't do the rebound jump (who knew???)
9. Multiple Fran's could possibly be the worst thing ever...I only know from watching, not experience
10. Telling yourself "I can do this...I am going to dominate this workout" can make all the difference in the world
11. Don't try to change things last minute - go with what you know and what works...just because one person says it works in a Youtube video, doesn't mean it works for everyone
12. Don't "over study" online videos - trust yourself and your abilities
13. A beer tastes 10 times more refreshing after you finish the Open

13.4 - Mental Game

You know that voice inside of you that say "you can't" or "just quit?" In CrossFit we have to keep telling that voice to shut the hell up and carry on with our WOD. Unfortunately, I succumbed to that pesky little voice!

I was anxious about the 95 pound jerk...I knew I could clean it no problem, but kept worrying that it would get heavy or that I might have to switch to a split jerk. So, I started off the workout and found a pace and kept that comfortable pace..

When time was called I was left sitting on the floor knowing that I could have given more, that the bar never got too heavy, that I paced myself too much! Right at that moment I decided I was doing the workout again.

I did the workout again...6 hours later. A little crazy, I know, but I had to work on Sunday and I knew there was no was I was going to be in the right frame of mind then. This time I was going to give it my all...and I did. I got 14 reps more (46 to 60 reps)! And moreover, a sense of accomplishment.

As a coach, I tell people everyday that you are stronger than that little voice in your head...I guess it is time to take my own advice.

After that one, I really don't want to be repeating any WOD's over again!

Check out this article for some great motivation, "10 Tips to Breaking Through Mental Barriers"...I know I will be rereading it before 13.5!

http://sealgrinderpt.com/navy-seal-workout/tips-to-breaking-through-mental-barriers.html/