focus

last week i stopped in at crossfit zone, downtown Victoria, to watch the last WOD (Workout Of the Day) of the zone games 5. the zone games are one of my favorite events (to watch!!) because they are small enough to be personal, large enough to attract a crowd of impressive athletes and enthusiastic spectators, and they feature some incredibly difficult and  intriguing physical challenges.

Featured in the zone games 5 were challenges such as the following:

• an obstacle course using monkey bars, parallel bars, tires, hurdles, balance beam, and the farmer’s walk

• a legs workout (4 rounds for time):
• 20 bodyweight squats
• 20 box jumps (20″)
• 300m row

• 15,12,9,6,3 of:  power snatch, barhop burpees, box jumps
• Adv Male: bar weight 95, 24” box jump
• Adv Female – bar weight 65lb, 20” box
• Int Men – bar weight 75, box height 24”
• Int Female – bar weight 55lb, 20” box

• 4 rounds for time:  7 front squats, 300m run, 11 pullups
• Bar taken from floor each round, can squat clean
• Adv Male: bar weight 155, 300 run, ctb pull-ups
• Adv Female: bar weight 95, ctb pull-ups, 300m run
• Int Male: bar weight 125, regular pull-ups, 300m run
• Int Female:  bar weight 85, regular pull-ups, 200m run

i love watching the games for a few reasons:

1. i will watch any competition "live". i am not a big lover of traditional sports and i do not watch any sports on tv, but watching something live is a different story. you get to experience the event in a striking way: feel the energy in the room and catch the subtleties of the athlete's struggle and accomplishments!
2. i get to participate. not compete, but be a part of the event, either by helping out or by being a spectator. i have come to realize through the times i have competed in something, that spectators play an incredibly crucial role. when i am giving everything i can and still falling behind, what keeps me motivated are the cheers of others. and i am honored to play this role for someone else.
3. it inspires me. probably the biggest reason i go to the zone games. i get to see first hand what people can accomplish when they train, compete, and push through their barriers. it makes me want to push through mine.

 check out cross fit zone for more details and an excellent recap of the games.