My Game Experience

This year’s CrossFit Games experience was epic. Not only were the workouts plentiful and exciting, but the level of competition was much higher than any other. The whole experience, from the media, the judges and volunteers, the sponsors, and just the entire level of professionalism from everyone involved made it really spectacular to be a part of. I would have to say that this year was definitely the coolest games experience thus far.

Walking into my fifth CrossFit Games, I entered the competition with the mindset that I would stay focused and give my best in every workout. I had a great training buildup and felt prepared…well, as prepared as you can be for the “unknown.” It was a little difficult knowing that I would be (for the second year in a row) starting my games experience with an ocean swim. As most of you know, I swim as well as a rock and I knew that I would have to make up some ground after the swim. Fortunately for me, a long (11 kilometers) hill run at Camp Pendleton followed the swim, and after that our third event was the Marine obstacle course, which I’ve ran hundreds of times while in the Marine Corps. So, after having a pretty shitty swim performance I was able to gain some valuable points in the run and obstacle course.

Most of the weekend went as planned. I ate, rested, did warm ups and cool downs, and chilled all according to my plan…nothing was unexpected or through my game plan off. I hit a little speed bump on Friday night’s medicine ball/handstand pushup workout. The workout was 3 rounds of eight medicine ball cleans (picking it up to the shoulder and dropping it) and 7 deficit handstand pushups. For some reason, I just hit a wall and couldn’t perform the handstand pushups. I ended up being 2 reps short of finishing the workout in the 10-minute cutoff. It was hard for me, as this is the first workout that I’ve ever not finished in the allotted time. Something that Janelle had been reminding me of all week was that God had a plan and that I was just going to listen to Him. So, after not finishing the workout, it was comforting to remind myself that He had a plan and there was a reason I didn’t finish that workout…I’m just not sure what the reason is yet.

My favorite workouts were, by far, the run and the obstacle course at Camp Pendleton. Being back on the Marine base was a special treat. There were a bunch of Marines on the course giving us directions, and I gave every one of them an “oorah” as I passed and they yelled one back. I felt like I was back home with family and that I was representing them as I competed. Marines also lined the obstacle course as I entered the final heat against Spencer Hendel, Rich Fronning, and Kenny Leverich…I don’t think I could ask for a more kick-ass situation than to be getting rooted on by Marines and competing against those guys!

My least favorite workout was the swim. Yep.

I ended the weekend with a 16th place finish. My highest placing workout was 4th in the Marine obstacle course and then 7th in the entire Pendleton swim/bike/run event. My lowest scores were in the medicine ball/handstand pushup workout and the broad jump, where I scored 31st. I also scored 30th on the swim/bike portion. I was able to hit a personal record on the clean of 305#’s and nearly got 315#’s. Overall, I am very happy with my performance. Obviously, you go in with the mindset of doing your best and that your best is going to put you into 1st place. But, sometimes your best isn’t enough to take the prize home and you have to settle with just getting whatever “your best” gets you. So, I’m happy that I gave it my all and I have no regrets.

Now that the Games are over, I will be taking a little time off…probably about a month or so. I’m going to incorporate some swimming in at least once a week. For rehab, I’ll probably hit a deep-tissue massage and yoga session also once per week for the next month. I’ll probably begin some body weight workouts next week and leave myself open to keeping them simple and stopping when I get tired (haha, try doing that in your next WOD and see how long I let you get away with it). I’m also going to spend a bunch of time with the family and make up for some lost cheat meals .

I am extremely grateful for the team in helping me get as prepared as possible for the competition. I’m also grateful to Janelle and my family (her parents helped a ton in watching Payton) in helping keep my mind right as training can get overwhelming at times. Without the support of freinds and family, there is no way I would be where I am at today. I am also thankful that God has given me the opportunity to do what I love doing for a living. Lastly, thanks to all of you that watched and cheered me on. This community is awesome. I am blessed to have so many awesome people in our gym - you guys are like family. I look forward to representing MBS again next year!

Strength
Sumo deadlift 2-2-2-2-2

Conditioning
10-8-6-4-2
Burpees
1 Hill run