The Open

“I have realized; it is during the times I am far outside my element that I experience myself the most. That Isee and feel who I really am, the most! I think that's what a comet is like, you see, a comet is born in the outer realms of the universe! But it's only when it ventures too close to our sun or to other stars that it releases the blazing "tail" behind it and shoots brazen through the heavens! And meteors become sucked into our atmosphere before they burst like firecrackers and realize that they're shooting stars! That's why I enjoy taking myself out of my own element, my own comfort zone, and hurling myself out into the unknown. Because it's during those scary moments, those unsure steps taken, that I am able to see that I'm like a comet hitting a new atmosphere: suddenly I illuminate magnificently and fire dusts begin to fall off of me! I discover a smile I didn't know I had, I uncover a feeling that I didn't know existed in me... I see myself. I'm a shooting star. A meteor shower. But I'm not going to die out. I guess I'm more like a comet then. I'm just going to keep on coming back.” - JoyBell C.

     
     It's that time of year again, The Open starts tonight, and the Road to the Fittest officially begins. I've been involved in CrossFit a year and I can honestly say this is the BEST thing to be apart of, whether you are new or not, a competitor, or just someone who likes to work out... SIGN UP!!! The Open is a time to prove your fitness and challenge YOURSELF. Let's face it, a small percentage of athletes make it to Regionals and on to The Games, but does that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. The same reason you started CrossFit is the same reason you should sign up for The Open. There is nothing to lose, yet so much to gain.   
    Last year, I was 2 months into CrossFit when my Coach told me to sign up. I was scared, fearful, doubtful. I didn't think I was good enough, or ready, or even deserved to be competing in the same workouts as Rich Froning, Annie Thorsdottir, and Sam Briggs, but I signed up anyways. I'm sure everyone remembers 13.1, pure HELL filled with Burpees and Snatches. I wound up PRing my snatch 13 TIMES! What I learned in that moment was that true living exists right outside my comfort zone. If I had stayed in my comfort zone, and not signed up for The Open I would have never known how capable I was, not just in CrossFit , but in life. This realization during The Open last year is a huge reason I was able to stay level headed and eat clean during my recovery. Joining The Open last year allowed me to see where I stacked up against people all over the World, but more importantly where I stacked up against myself and my fears. 

                     " My accomplishments yesterday would have never been possible with out my coach Rick, who one, called me out for not competeing, and two, stood by my side the entire 17 mins, and talked me through the work out. He allowed me to break when I needed, and pushed me even harder to reach beyond my comfort zone! What I learned this weekend was that being open to all the possibilites and opportunities in life is far more exciting then being scared or closed off from them. I would have never known what I was capable of, or how much support I do have if I had never been open to the idea of competeing. One simple choice of saying "NO" could have drastically changed the entire course of my life. Seeing where I rank amongst thousands of people all over the World makes me want to work harder, eat cleaner, and be better! The possibilities are endless, it's time to get after it..." ( post after 13.1)

Coach and I at Regionals '13

This year, I've been injured so I won't be able to compete RX, but I still signed up because I wanted to prove that there are ZERO reasons to not sign up. There is no valid reason to not be apart of such an amazing experience, to watch yourself catch on fire, and witness other peoples accomplishments. It's a time when every CrossFitter, from all of the World, from Rich Froning to the new on-ramp graduate come together to complete 5 different work-outs. Yes, to the outside World it's just a competition, but anyone on the inside knows that it is way more than that. What competition have you been to where your competitor is cheering for you to do better, and push yourself further? None.
  


        

           So here we go. 14.1 has been announced... 

                                             Workout 14.1

                                     10-minute AMRAP:
                                     30 double-unders
                                     15 power snatches, 75 / 55 lb

 SIGN UP , FACE YOURSELF, GET THE FUCK AFTER IT, AND ENJOY THE RIDE!








-A