Firstly, I would like to express my appreciation to all of those people who came out to support us at the Winter challenge. Being able to high-five all my fellow Zoners in the crowd after the last WOD was an incredible feeling. I definitely felt the love. Thank you all.
Going into the winter challenge, my goal was to give it my all, make some friends, share some camaraderie with my fellow Zoners, and introduce my new friends from Crossfit Renegade to the CFZ crew. I accomplished all of those goals. So, all in all, it was a great day.
I knew the double unders, mile run, and dips were going to be my challenges; and they were. But that’s just it, isn’t it? The CrossFit regime will punish you for your weaknesses and reward you for your strengths. But eventually, if you persevere and remain dedicated, your weaknesses don’t seem so weak anymore, and your strengths appear to be stronger! For those “athletes” who have never tried CrossFit, they will be humbled. CrossFit athletes are humbled everyday. I sure was on Saturday. To see seemingly normal people, physically speaking, perform like they did was simply amazing. I was a competitor and a fan at the same time.
I am not going to go into detail about each workout, but for me, there were moments where I felt untouchable; the first round of the first WOD, the chest to bar pullups, and even some of my double unders!
I felt strong and competitive the whole day, and I really think it was because of the preparation. The programming that Coach (Turts) created for the Sunday Hero WODs, and the inter-gym competition during those workouts were the reasons why I was able to perform at a level I was satisfied with. Thank you for pushing me.
Moving forward, I am re-inspired to get back in the box to train harder, re-dedicate myself to improving on my weaknesses and my nutrition, and become a better overall athlete.
All that being said…..the 2009 CrossFit Winter Challenge is one of the reasons why I CrossFit. We were thrown a bunch of random, varied fitness challenges on a Friday night, and we woke up Saturday morning and did them. From the first snatch to the last dip or press, we gave it 100% and left nothing on the floor. Few people have the physical and mental ability to do what we, as CrossFitters, do; I hope everyone can appreciate that. I hope that all my fellow Zoners, not just the ones competing on Saturday, realize that most people just don’t do what we do. We are unique in our decision to push our bodies and minds to a level most wouldn’t even dare entering.
I am honoured to share the CrossFit experience with each and every one of you. See you in the Zone!
Best Regards,
Mehul
Today’s Workout:
Buy In – Plyometric drills
WOD – “Olympic Weightlifting Total”
• 4 attempts to get maximum weight on the clean and jerk
• 4 attempts to get maximum weight on the snatch
Your score is your combined weight lifted on the two exercises
Compare to August 27, 2009
Cash Out – 5 x 30 sec rowing sprints with 30 sec, recovery between sets.
_ _ _ _
100 Day Burpee Challenge:
Burpees today: 9
Buy-in: 45
Great post, Mehul! You really did a good job of articulating why it’s so great to be a part of the CrossFit Zone family. I’m a proud member, and we’re all impressed with your efforts at the Games!
This WOD looks like a good one. We’ll have to see how I’m feeling tomorrow. Hopefully I can get a head start on this cold, and come pound out some max clean and snatch!
Well said M-train, that was an awesome post! It is very true, that most people could never even dream about what we went through. It was such an amazing experience that makes you crave more!!! I can’t wait for next year and more Zoner’s to participate. It is going to be a mobb of Zoner’s taking over!
Hey Manpanion,
Nice post and great work at the games. Both Cam and I agreed you had the most impressive first round of any competitor in the first WOD :-). Keep working on that endurance and you’ll be slaughtering everyone next year. Be nice for you if there was a 1 RM olympic lift next year.
P.S. You don’t have to invite yourself to my place in San Francisco. Theresa accepts our bromance, there’s always an open invite. Same goes for any Zoners that come to the Northern California area. Just let me know.
Amen! Well said Mehul. Thanks for being my heat buddy! 🙂
Train, awesome post budday! You brought a lot of intensity and effort to our sunday workouts and that brought all of our levels up! You are fast twitch my friend and that gives you awesome power but makes the endurance stuff hard… Your plan to bring up that side of the game will be your ticket to some excellent wod times.
Definitely the fastest first round in WOD1, blazing, I blinked and I missed it! Good thing Donald had it on video.
You’re right on that most people DON’T choose to show up at Crossfit regularly and participate in tough, grinding wods. Crossfit for all of our Zoners gives a mental strength and confidence that you can’t find just anywhere and doesn’t come without commitment and personal drive.
You are a great competitor, friend, and member of our community. Nice work, looking forward to your performance next year!
Cam
Wow, thanks for all the kind words and support. I really did feel happy about my performance.
Sean: I am glad the bromance is accepted….it is useless to fight the power! Marco and I will totally be coming to visit you.
Deanna: I am so thankful for meeting you (ie creeping you on fbook)
KDF: I am honoured to be your heat buddy any day of the week!
Bones: Your positivity is fuel to my crossfit fire (that sounds soooo wrong)
Cam aka Turts aka Coach: I have always enjoyed being coached by good coaches….our relationship is no exception. I always value your advice and look forward to your uplifting messages and lead-by-example attitude….and your random awkward comments 🙂
There are so many intangible rewards to crossfit, and I am not sure if people realise that. I am glad I was able to articulate that.
Anyways….I look forward to seeing you all Saturday morning for the WOD and again on Saturday night for the xmas party!
BTW, D, the “best regards” part was not part of my post, it’s just part of my email signature….lol….totally classed it up though.
Yo Dudes (and Dudets I guess),
I know I dont post very often but after reading the comments on your guys’ Crossfit Games I felt it was necessary.
It isnt very often in this day and age to have such an encouraging group.. chearing eachother on, kind words, words of wisdom and gratitude.
I just wanna say its nice to see!
See ya in the gym
Dub
Awesome job out there buddy.
haha… I was wondering that M-train. Oh well it looks professional!
Thanks Warren, yeah we like each other – that’s definitely a good thing! When we band together and support each other, it brings us all up… So you in for next year ;)?