Doug LarsonThe 2015 Crossfit Open comes to a close with WOD 15.5.
Many athletes have had a great year, and they will move on to compete at Regionals. The road to Carson will feature a lot of amazing performances, so it’s time to sit back for a while and enjoy the show.
But that’s just it. For many athletes, the Open season will soon come to a close. Some realized the odds were tough up front. We all know how thick the talent pool is. Others believed they had a real shot.
I’m competitive, so I get it. Falling short of your goal, even when the odds are small, that sucks. It burns bad, but this should be a very temporary emotion.
You might be moving on to Regionals, but likely not. In any case, you should take a moment to appreciate the Crossfit Open for what it is – An opportunity to compete in a wholly unique, global fitness event. The opportunity itself is far more valuable and rewarding than any outcome.
Yes, it would be a great short-term sugar rush to get what you’ve been training for quickly, that Games ticket, some validating win. But the truth is that you wouldn’t be all that satisfied if success came easy and fast and you know it.
Nothing can be more boring and numbing than easy success. The win feels less like an earned thing, and more like a lottery win. Your destiny probably doesn’t include succeeding Mr. Froning on the Games podium, but you’ve got all the data you need to improve the odds for next year, right? Every failed strategy and blown WOD is an opportunity to learn. What didn’t work, why, what have you learned, and how will you do the thing better next year?
You now have very clear weaknesses and challenges to overcome, and that will give real purpose to your training. It will drive your effort and progress. That’s priceless.
To everyone that competed in the 2015 Crossfit Open, let me say on behalf of the entire Barbell Shrugged crew, congrats! Soak up the rest of the Games season. It’s time to party and watch amazing displays of human performance.
Cheers,
Chris
For more
- Maximize your rowing technique.
- Tips for the thruster.
- Looking to lose fat AND build strength after the Open? Check out our Barbell Bikini and Barbell Shredded programs.
Chris can you share Rob’s story from CrossFit Gung Fu?
No, sorry. Rob is going through a tough time, and I just wanted him to know that he should keep fighting. A tough diagnosis.