July 28, 2009

I'm thinking of entitling this WOD "Sarah" because she always asks me when we are doing deadlifts :)
Deadlift
1-1-1-1-1-1-1
Here's a great blog post from Crossfit California City on what the Games meant to them. Read it- because I'm going to post something related tomorrow.
Words cannot describe the shared feelings and emotions that spectator and athlete share during the Games. But I’ll try.

What other sport marries competitor and spectator so? I can’t think of one, and I like a lot of sports. I imagine it’s like being the parent of an Olympic gymnast at the Olympics. But we’re not the parents of these athletes, and in many cases, we don’t even know them. We’ve “met” them on the internet, or maybe by email or at a certification course. We’ve followed them during their journey and our heart cries with them in their shortcomings and cheers with them in their victories. The CrossFit Games does this for one reason. That reason is because, as CrossFitters, we understand. No matter what your Fran time, or one rep deadlift, or whether or not you can do a muscle up, you understand. We are CrossFitters. We see the looks on the competitors faces as they push the boundary out, leaning on the limits of body and mind, and we know what they are feeling. We’ve been there. Most of us have been there recently. Most of us will be there again soon. This is what is different about the CrossFit Games. Everyone in attendance is on equal ground when it comes to heart and soul. Our physical capacities are different, but our mindset is the same. Burpees suck for everyone.

It was during this experience that I realized again why I CrossFit. Here we were, watching the fire-breathers, the champions, the fittest people on God’s beautiful green and blue earth; and for two days, I was one of them. I know the thrill of achievement, and the agony of failure. I know the feeling of one more rep when you’re already out of reps. I know the anguish when an old injury rears it’s ugly head again during a workout. I know how sweat burns when it seeps into my eyes, but it’s only 5 more burpees! Anyone can do 5 burpees right?

This is why I CrossFit.

Whether you know it or not, that is why you CrossFit. If you attended the Games, and found yourself mingling in the crowd elbow-to-elbow with Josh Everett, Chris Spealler, Mikko Salo, Libby DiBiase, Coach Burgener, Iceland Annie, or any of the other affiliate cup or individual competitors, and you felt the need to shake their hand and say “Great Job! You did wonderful!”….then you know why you CrossFit. There’s no other sport where the competitors walk freely among the crowd without fear of being mobbed or ridiculed for failing. You’ll never hear a Josh Everett fan yell “YOU SUCK MIKKO!” Never. If you do, punch that guy in the back of the face and escort him to the gates, because he’s no CrossFitter! He doesn’t belong with us, and we’re better without him. We may cheer for our favorite, but we cheer just as loud for the competitor we don’t recognize, simply because we see them gutting out one more rep. We celebrate with them in every movement. We know what they’re feeling, so we feel it too.

This is why I CrossFit.

In the end, we’re all in the same boat, trying to improve our bodies and our minds. Competitor and specator are all on a journey to a healthy and long life. To be an example to others, pass on our knowledge and experiences, and help them find the same path. Every true CrossFitter is the same. We are all trying to improve our physical self so our mental and spiritual self can thrive. Life is worth living fully and abundantly. We were put here to be beacons of life, not to waddle around the mall with two ice cream cones in our hands, sucking in air-conditioned air while the breeze blows wonderfully through the trees just beyond the walls. Get out. Get fit. Get to the Games. Smell the dust. Feel the pain. Live the victory.