Shouldah Smokah
The other day on the blog, all the competitors shared their experience of the 2013 CrossFit Open. I am sharing Olivia’s again because I think it comes from an awesome perspective with a really nice frame of reference. Without further adieu….
“The Open. I’ve learned:
1) I am capable of much, much more than I give myself credit for.
2) That having the support of a community like CFSV is invaluable. The extra help from coaches and the extra loud encouragement from fellow competitors and cheerleaders were what pushed me through on all the wods.
3) It doesn’t matter if you can do a muscle up if you stink at wall balls and double unders. You need to address your weaknesses so you can show off your strengths.
4) Just keep going. You can rest when the wod is over. You’ll regret it if you don’t.
My personal highlight:
1) My goal in 13.1 was to have time to attempt one 100# snatch, which I had never tried before. I ended up with 4.5 minutes and did 8 of them! I walked away from this wod knowing that I had done my best – I didn’t even consider redoing it.Â
The best highlight:
I have so much respect and admiration for the athletes at CFSV that PRed and pushed themselves beyond what they thought was possible. For the athletes who worked their ass off and showed up to every workout, even though they knew they wouldn’t end up at the top of the leaderboard. For the athletes who showed grit and determination in the face of nearly impossible tasks. For all of you guys out there who had heart and pushed through their own self doubt. Honestly, the highlight of my open was watching you guys fight for those toes-to-bar and get your very first 95# clean and jerks. I found it so inspiring.
I realize that I did well in the Open, but to be honest, I don’t think it’s nearly as much of an accomplishment as what many of you did this past five weeks. When it comes down to it, I popped out of my mother’s womb as an athlete, and went on to all-star teams and state championships, all without much effort. I didn’t put in extra hours in the weight room, or stick around for extra coaching, or try to eat well. I just went out there and my genes helped me be successful. And, when I take a good hard look at myself, I realize that I probably would have just quit if things weren’t easy and if I wasn’t winning. And so I don’t have as much respect for the Thorisdottirs and Fronings out there as I do for the hard-core, determined athletes at CFSV. Strict CTB pull ups and 95# clean and jerks?! Never giving up even when you think something’s impossible?? You guys are truly an inspiration and I was so honored to be in such amazing company!” -Olivia Peters
Strength
Front Squat 2-2-2-2-2
WOD
5 rounds
10 Wallballs (20/14)
7 Toes through rings
10 Pushups
There will be no Classes on Monday, March 15th. The Boston Marathon will be taking place and we have a couple athletes here from CFSV who are racing! Lauren Tymon and Nicole Terramagra are both running to support some great causes. Let’s rally around them and show our support! I live right on Beacon St. and plan on parking camp around Coolidge Corner to watch the race, all are welcome to join. You can find the race schedule here  For those of you looking to WOD, below is a modified schedule for the day. Hope to see you all there!
Invasion @ 8am- Summit Ave., Brookline, MA.Â
Invasion @ 6pm- CrossFit Somerville
*Both of these times do not require sign up. Just show up at either location!Â
Front Squat: 135 RX. That’s two 10# PR’s for squats this week! ^_^
WOD: 13:57 RX. My wrist is still bothering me from Monday night, so pushups took up the most time for me. Also, since participating in the opens, my OCD sprung up during wall balls for “perfect” reps. Ya, I re did quite a few during this WOD. & The toes thru rings, (which initially I thought were a relief point) absolutely suck after wall balls… sneaky sneaky!
NOW a few things to say about CFSV…
* Olivia, you have come so far so fast and I’m very happy for you. Since meeting you in the 5:30 am class I have watched you progress effortlessly. It was amazing. You would try things you’d never thought you could do and the small times you couldn’t, you’d make sure you kept trying until you got it! (which never took too long). You have strong determination and a big heart. I’m inspired by your ability and your thoughts on the open. I’m also happy the opens enabled you to meet other athletes at CFSV a part from the morning crew (don’t get me wrong, ILU guys. but you know what I mean!). Stay strong and keep at it.
** The opens were amazing. I have watched, and heard of so many PRs during the open and they all would make my day. I’d get a text from someone doing something awesome (first 95# clean and jerk. First 100# snatch, etc) and a huge smile went on my face. I’m proud of absolutely everyone who participated, especially those who came into the opens with less experience. It takes balls. I learned first hand that it’s scary! I was very excited for the first open wod, when it came out I was even more excited because I knew beforehand I was able to do the first few rounds… When it came down to actually doing it my heart was beating out of my chest, I went toooooo fast, and tired out. Goes to show myself that these WODS just do not feel like you’re coming into a class at CFSV and doing a class, they are something else. That feeling you get when everyone is watching you… it’s inexplainable… Just so many eyes !
***The cheerleaders were hands down the very reason everyone got through this! To know there are others who support you is very inspiring, and it pushes you to go even further. Thank you for coming out to all the events and even the nights during the week when some of us couldn’t make it to a Saturday.
I heart each and every one of you-and I can’t wait for 2014.
Thanks Ariana! I really appreciated how much you always pushed me to RX workouts at the beginning. You just don’t let the weights phase you, and are up to give anything a shot. It’s awesome.
fs: 210#. jump to 225# was a just a little too much…
wod: 6:something rx. I thought @6:15, but remember Mandy yelling at me to get sub-7, so maybe closer to, or a little past the 6:30 mark.
very well said, Olivia. It really is a privilege come in and work hard with you folks day in and day out.
I love when Mandy yells at you. ^_-
Squatting front style: 215# PR!
WOD: 7:05 Rx. Fun working in the AM, which is a major rarity for me.
Shouldah Smokah is right. I think I’m going to be feeling this one for a few days. Today was also Fun with your Core.
FS: 225# This was +20# on my 1RM, so good times!
WOD: 10:30rx. I was doing pretty wel, but shit got ugly in the last round.
monster PR! nice lift(s), dude
Also! Some guy I might have met once is putting on a Crossfit Total competition next month. So that’s Back Squat, Deadlift, and Press, three attempts at each, and your score is your total. It’s May 25, in Cambridge, and costs $20. Should be fun. I’ll get a link in here later.
FS: 235# PR
WOD: 5:57 Rx
Finally a WOD that I didn’t have to modify!
WOD: 9:57 Rx
Debate (not really) in 5:30 class – what is “easier” – Toes To Bar’s or Toes Though Rings?
Finally! Welcome to the forums!
I prefer TTR because 1) the smaller diameter of the rings makes it easier to grip 2) the rings move so it’s easier to generate and maintain momentum, whereas in TTB the bar is static.
Front Squat: 255# PR!!
WOD: 7:07 Rx+ (30# ball and TTB because we were out of rings)
FS: 155#.
Wod: Did Fran instead. Fran hurts. Oof.
It was fun to hang around with the evening class today, though the 5:30am is still where it’s at. 🙂
FS: 175# I was able to keep my right knee from buckling @ 165#, but failed to do so at 175#.
WOD: 9:15Rx, Wall Balls got heavy and push ups suffered in the last two rounds, which killed me.