As I sit here writing this, my body is incredibly sore, but my heart is so full! A year ago, I could barely walk without excruciating back pain and this past weekend I participated in my gym’s Halloween Fright Fest Competition.
There were 2 different divisions: the Rx division and the fun division. The Rx division had certain weight and movement standards but in the fun division, you could scale the movements (box step ups instead of box jumps, etc.). I registered for the fun division with a good friend’s daughter as my partner. We both just wanted to check it out, have a good time and get some good workouts in. Mission accomplished!
There were 3 workouts that we had to perform. The first was jump rope, synchronized kettlebell goblet lunges, synchronized kettlebell swings and then wall walks. Wall walks have been really tough for me in the past, but I was really happy with them today! Emi and I were great partners and able to synch our movements pretty well! It was really fun!
The second workout was even MORE fun. It was 5 rounds each partner of 6 single arm dumbbell devils presses (3 on each side), 5 box jumps or step ups and then 4 pull ups or ring rows. We completed it in less than 7:45! I was so proud of us.
The third workout was a beast. 100 wall balls, 80 calorie row and then at the end we had to do heavy thrusters. Thrusters are NOT my friend with my back being the way it is, but we went light and were able to build up to a weight that we were both happy with!
It was a super fun day that made me so excited for the Open workouts that come early next year. The competition gave me some great insight into what moves I want to focus on to improve. On my list: double unders, any barbell movements, and pull ups!
All in all, I am so glad that I took the chance to participate. I highly recommend competing in a fun local competition! If you are newer to the sport, scale intelligently and leave your ego at the door. Just do your best and have a good time! The CrossFit community is so welcoming and supportive. Everyone cheered each other on today, even those that they were directly competing against!
Have you ever competed in a CrossFit competition? What advice would you give a newbie? Would love to hear about it in the comments!
(Check out one of our gym mascots, Roo, with his parents, the 1st place winners!)