Discover CrossFit: Stomach versus Heart.

On April 6th, I am not only attending a CrossFit event....I am helping to host it.

Discover CrossFit is Nanaimo's first public competition and celebration to showcase the growing sport of CrossFit and its amazing community. Hosted by CrossFit Nanaimo and sponsored by Frontrunners Nanaimo, New Balance and 2XU Compression Clothing, the event will feature something for everyone!

The event will commence with an athlete competition which will be the final WOD of the 2013 world wide CrossFit Open series. These athletes are able to compare their standings to CrossFit athletes world wide and many are aiming for a coveted spot in the Canada West Regionals, the next step in making it to the 2013 CrossFit Games in California.

Not aiming for the games? Compete anyways! A variety of heats and scaling options will be offered for those who wish to participate and all members of CrossFit Nanaimo will be encouraged to compete at the level they are capable of. There will be prizes from New Balance awarded to the first place male and female finisher in all three zones (RX, zone one, and zone two)!

Following the competition, there will be a introductory lesson and beginner WOD open to any willing member of the community. There will also be prizes from Frontrunners Nanaimo for everyone who participates. So bring your workout gear!

These athletes and participants will be putting on quite a show and they will need your support so invite everyone you can. Spectators for all events are highly encouraged!

The competition and beginner lesson will be followed by refreshments and an opportunity for participants and spectators to browse, test, and purchase the products brought by the sponsors (Frontrunners, New Balance and 2XU Compression Clothing).

So what are you waiting for?! All you need to do is sign up here and show up on April 6th. Join the fastest growing sport community and see what's in it for you at Discover CrossFit!

Questions? Email: info@nanaimocrossfit.ca

This is a big step for me in so many ways.....who am I kidding....this is a giant leap outside my comfort zone! I will be promoting the sport I am so fond of, representing the company I work for and competing (at a scaled level) in front of my family, friends and strangers. I have never done that before. Aside from the odd running event, I don't really compete....at anything.

Discover CrossFit is less than two weeks away. You know that feeling when it seems there is a war between your stomach and your heart? Your nerves have twisted your stomach way past the point of butterflies but your heart is beating absurdly fast because of how excited you are. Nerves versus excitement. Stomach versus heart. That is how I feel.

The Open

The 2013 World Wide CrossFit Open is indeed upon us and I couldn't be more excited to support my fellow competitors through all the struggles and personal glory of five awesome WODs.

Attempt One

I did not register for the Open this year as there are still very few workouts I am able to perform at the RX level (prescribed or 'do as we tell you'). But maybe I should have anyways? I think I will be ready for next year. I still do the Open WODs with the team at CrossFit Nanaimo and I scale them as need be.

The incredible thing about the Open is that it challenges you to rise above what you normally do....what you think you are capable of. Workout 13.1 was a phenomenal example of this.



Attempt Two

I feel that the form on my snatch is still pretty shaky so I attempted a scaled version of 13.1 (twice)with results I was proud of.

 

13.2 proved to be even more satisfying as I was actually able to perform the WOD at a RX level (women's weights are the second number after the /)! I am trying to complete these WODs while there are spectators in the box because I want to get use to the feeling of a competition. This makes me very nervous but at the same time, the energy from the spectators is absolutely exhilarating! For 13.2 I had my own judge and coach cheering me on and screaming for me to pick up the bar again when I got tired. This made a world of difference and made me feel like a true athlete.

 

 

13.3 left a little something to be desired for me, personally, as I am also recovering from a knee injury and found the movements too difficult to complete. We knew a WOD like this was coming....one that really separated those who had some of these skills from those who had not developed them....yet. Wall balls are possibly the most exhausting CrossFit movement for me. I simply do not have my double unders yet. And muscle ups....well, they really aren't even on my radar right now.

 

13.3

150 wall balls

90 double unders

30 muscle ups.

 

But today I went to the box to cheer on my fellow athletes in their 13.3 attempts and I was completely moved (as always) by the sheer determination, strength and effort I witnessed. Today reminded me that I am in this for me. Everyday I am closer to my goals and closer to crushing whatever barriers are in front of me and everyday I learn something about myself when I step into that box.

 

What will I learn tomorrow?

 

 

 



Let Me Tell You About CrossFit

The other night I was talking with a friend of mine about how the lessons in training and sport, specifically CrossFit, can be applied to other areas of my life and how perfect the analogies are for me. I realized I had a lot to say and I questioned if any of my observations or thoughts would benefit anyone else. Maybe it's time to give a new beginning to this blog?

So I begin.
Let me tell you about CrossFit.

Most of you know about this obsession by now. I have been a CrossFitter on and off for close to two years and I have truly found passion in this growing sport. I have made physical, mental and social gains and every time I walk into my CrossFit Box, I learn something about myself during the workout that day. And through struggle, I continue to grow.

Race Day Recap: Cinnamon Bun Fun Run 2012

December 2nd marked the eighth annual Cinnamon Bun Fun Run in Ladysmith and my first time tasting the Old Town Bakery cinnamon buns that the race is famous for. The race isn't only famous for the delicious cinnamon buns, hot chocolate, and coffee provided at the finish, of course! The Ladysmith Striders Running Group created the Cinnamon Bun Fun Run and it has since become one of the largest fundraisers for the Ladysmith Food Bank, really highlighting the generosity of the community every year.

Frontrunners was very proud to sponsor the event this year and many familiar Nanaimo faces showed up to support the Ladysmith community. In fact, this year was the most successful ever, boasting 492 walkers and runners from as far away as Victoria, Port Alberni, and Campbell River. These generous participants donated over 4,000 pounds of food and raised over $1,300 in cash for the Ladysmith Food Bank!

The run is also unique because in addition to a 10K or 5K route to choose from, the race is a predicted time event. This means it is not necessarily the individual with the fastest time who wins the race, but the one who comes closest to their predicted finishing time who wins (and there are no watches or heart rate monitors allowed!).

Nancy ran the course this year while I had a great time chatting to everyone at the water table and watching people come through the finish line. I know many of you actually beat your predicted time and exceeded your own expectations, which was really great to see. I also handed out the Frontrunners sponsored prizes at the awards ceremony after the race. These prizes included 10 water bottles filled with $20.00 gift certificates, two brand new pairs of shoes, and a $250.00 gift card! I have already seen several of the winners in the store, spending their prizes! Congratulations to all the participants this year and a big thank you to all the volunteers and organizers, and the town of Ladysmith. Without you this event wouldn't have been such a huge success.

Next year's Cinnamon Bun fun Run is already on my calendar!

This was also shared with Frontrunners Nanaimo.

Race Day Recap: Gunner Shaw 2012

SB: "Great job today! Can't believe we've done it for 3 years now!"

Three years at the Gunner Shaw. It seems like a tradition now and it is one of my favorite events for precisely that reason....and maybe a few others.

The popular autumn race winds it's way through approximately 10 kilometers of beautiful trail, including much of the Thetis Lake loop. Boasting a trail full of roots, rocks, shoe sucking mud, and two infamous puddles (puddle #2 was measured at 1 meter before the race!!), this course showcases some pretty awesome single track. The views are also worth looking up for, as you pass by Thetis Lake and run through some of the spectacular coastal rain-forest that the southern island is known for. If you are not a local, this race is a great one to give you a taste of wet, autumn running on the island, and if you are a local, you should definitely come out and play in your own backyard! 

The atmosphere is also worth showing up for as participants are excited to start their winter running season by getting muddy! The start line always vibrates with energy. The course is perfectly marked (I don't even think I could get lost....which is really saying something) and marshaled by volunteers (who cheer you on, by the way!! This is really appreciated!). For the grand finale the course forces you off the beach and into the lake for the final few seconds, making for a ridiculously wet finish (and allowing you to rinse off some of the mud). Your name is announced as you cross the line and hot soup and hot chocolate are usually provided.

In addition, all race proceeds go to the Harriers Foundation projects (over $250,000 has been raised towards foundation projects in Victoria, including 5 major scholarships and bursaries at UVic and Camosun College). It's nice to know your registration fee went to a worthy cause. This year, a moment of silence was observed for Ken Smythe, a lifetime member of the Prairie Inn Harriers who passed away last December. His dedication to the community was commemorated with a $10,000.00 cheque to the University of Victoria to establish a new cross country bursary in his name. 

There were all types of runners on the course, from past Ironman champions to those new to racing. A huge congratulations is in order for all participants, especially the top male and female finishers, Jasper Blake, in 35:35, and Claire Morgan, in 41:57. Of special note is Frontrunners very own Byron Trajan, finishing in an impressive time of 37:13. What I found to be especially inspiring were those people who were attempting the Gunner Shaw for their very first time. There were definitely some personal records set on the course that day!

So, did I meet my sub 60 goal? ....No, I did not. I finished in 01:07:45 (results were provided by Race Day Timing) and if I can be perfectly honest, I am disappointed in my time. In reality though, all that means is that I need to take a hard look at my training (or lack of) and revise a new plan for next year. I'm pretty sure some of my co-workers can help me with that! I know that sub 60 is in there somewhere...

More race details can be found on the Prairie Inn Harriers website.

This post was also shared on the Log, Frontrunners Nanaimo's new blog!

Wiping the Floor Clean

At CrossFit Nanaimo, as customary in most if not all CrossFit boxes worldwide, black rubber is laid on the floor and sidewalk chalk is provided should we want to write down the WOD or our reps and sets. I always write this information down as I have found when I am facing the intensity of a WOD, there is no way I can also keep track of my reps (or any other information in that case). I have also taken to photographing the chalk on the floor to remind me what work I have done that day, and posting the pictures to show others my MOVEment.

After the class I take the spray and a mop and wipe the floor clean. At first this seemed a shame to wipe away the record of all the work I had just completed....as if it didn't mean anything at all. But now I realize there is a therapeutic analogy to be taken from this. No matter how hard the workout, no matter what effort I put in that day, it needs to be the best I can offer in that moment. Because I won't have another chance at that moment. Because it all gets wiped clean afterwards.

This is akin to living in the moment. We must give our best in that moment, give whatever we are capable and comfortable giving, because we don't know what opportunities or hardship may lay in front of us.

And tomorrow is another day. This is reassuring because if I don't reach my goal, there is no failure. I just need to try again tomorrow. All that work and all that effort will need to happen the next day. and the one after that. We can always have chances to improve, if we take them.

The two ideas seem contradictory: live in the moment because that's all we have and you will always have another chance to improve.

But that is the reality of life, is it not?

That Uncomfortable Feeling

sprinting. hanging onto a bar. completing one last burpee.

You know that feeling? The one where you are physically exhausted and you really want to stop? The one that's kind of uncomfortable?

I use to shy away from that feeling a lot. It is probably the main reason I've always gravitated towards endurance sports instead of power or explosive sports. I don't like that feeling. When my body gets tired, I want to stop. I've talked about this before in relation to the effort I put into a really hard workout. I put in a solid 95%. Yup. 95. Never 100. I would like to be stronger and I would like to be faster, but I've realized the only way I am going to make those gains is to get used to that uncomfortable feeling.

And that kind of scares me, but lately, I am finding that I want to push through it. Until Crossfit I had no idea how to push through that feeling or that I should even bother trying to. But the daily WOD is changing my perspective. I am now choosing heavier weights and completing the movements faster, making my workouts even harder than they used to be. Today was a perfect example.

This WOD was tough. I have never cleaned more than 55lbs before, so the idea of cleaning and pressing that amount of weight 40 times seemed impossible to me. But I wanted to try it. There...right there! That is a change in my mindset. I wanted to try it?! That was definitely Chris talking, haha (see 'Who is Chris anyways')! I was willing to push myself closer and closer to that uncomfortable feeling, knowing I would have to work with it for a while. Like a wave, I find the feeling builds and builds in an intense workout and I either have to stand up and ride it out or it will overtake me, as I submit to the punishment underwater. But the feeling when I ride it out is extremely powerful.

Today I cleaned and pressed 55lbs 40 times by choice, as part of my WOD. And I tried my best to maintain a fast pace through the sprinting. I was gasping for air by the end and for the first time ever I even understood why some people have wanted to puke during a workout. I wasn't going to....but I understood the desire. I was the last to finish and as a result I had the whole crowd cheering for me. My coach and another member even ran the last 200 meters with me and completed my squats alongside. I was touched.

But to convince myself to give this kind of effort is not an easy task. I struggle with this...struggle with accepting and even working with that uncomfortable feeling. How do you make yourself do it? How do you go into something with your full, 100% effort, knowing it is going to be awful and it may just break you? Amazingly, there are countless examples of people doing this everyday as they struggle to fight for their health, or compete against a personal record, or face a fear. I believe my training is slowly but surely preparing me for those moments, not just in the WOD, but in life.

But for now, I must just learn to ride that uncomfortable feeling for as long as I can.

How do you do it?