The long crossfit journey 2011-2017

     This is my 6th Crossfit open.  I didn't start this sport until I turned 40 and prior to that I was never a college athlete.  I was a desk working endurance athlete that did ultra-marathons and adventure racing.  So essentially I came from a background of limited strength and athletic ability.  Slow and steady was how I ran races.

2012

     I started CF in Sept of 2011 and so I went into the 2012 open with about 5-6 months of training.  Back then there were only 25,000 men registered.  This was the year of the 7 minutes of burpees.....no one liked that.

I finished 15591st in the world and 914th in the region.  Basically 62nd % world and 61st % region.

2013

     I moved over to my current box in Nov 2012.  So I went into this years open a few months later.  I had a solid year + of CF under my belt by now.  I remember this year having forever to stare at the rings and attempt a muscle up.  I got none.  This year the open had 52,000 men registered.

I finished 30176th in the world and 1579th in the region.  57.8% and 58%.  So not a whole lot better....

2014

     This was a solid year under the training and programming of Blair Morrison.  Things were coming along.  I remember the chipper 14.4 and getting ONE muscle up!  I was over joyed.  I still didn't really "have them" until later this year.  My 14 yo son at the time was doing them strict.....  Anyhow, this year there were 80,000 men registered!  Whoa.

I finished 15678th in the world and 745th in the region.  19.5% and 20%.  What a difference coaching and programming made.

* This year they added 40 years old to masters.  I was 759th (of 8100).  Only the top 200 go to the next round and only 20 of those go to the games.

2015

     This year 15.3 had 7 muscle ups to start the 14 min workout.  I ended up getting 14 muscle ups in that one and knew that I had finally "HAD them"!  153,000 men registered this year-unreal.

I finished 16943rd in the world and 760th in the region.  11% and 12%.

* Masters I was 711th (of 17340).  Still a ways off from even the qualifiers!

2016

     2016 was the year of the bar muscle up.  I broke my wrist back in 2012 on a failed clean.  Ended up having surgery on both later.   My grip tends to be a chronic problem.  In spite of that, it was a good year nonetheless.  178,500 men registered this year.

I finished 16915th in the world and 643rd in the region.  9% and 10%.

* Masters 677th (of 20940) and at this rate I'll make the masters qualifier workouts in 20 years....

2017

    This was going to be my breakout year.  I was moving into the 45 yo age group, I was stronger and fitter than ever.  Then my body started to tell me it was 45.....It's funny but I got sick before the open (and blew 17.1) and this last year in spite of being stronger and fitter, has been a tough one with nagging aches and pains.  Pretty lame!!!  This year 214,500 men registered!!  Are you kidding?!?!

I finished 29689th in the world and 968th in the region. (which drags me down a bit % wise, but it was a throw away year after 17.1)

* As a 45 y/o, I was 601st (of 14200-(must be attrition from other people falling apart too!))

     All in all, its been a very rewarding experience for my over these last 5-6 years.  There are much more genetically blessed individuals than I.  There are younger individuals than I.  But I can only control how hard I work and for the time I'm in the gym, there are few that get more out of the time they put in.

     I've been lucky to end up in a gym like the one I'm at and train with the guys that I train with.  I may never make the qualifiers, but I won't stop trying.  And each year is a success as long as I give it all I have and can sleep at night knowing that I tried.

The message of no confidence

     Kathy and I were discussing the fact this morning that she makes breakfast for the 3 kids every morning before school.  They are 11, 15, and 16.  She then recalled how she was getting her own breakfast from a very early age.  I said that I remember my mom making me scrambled eggs and toast in high school but I couldn't decide if that was just a sweet memory or if it happened everyday.

     In anycase, we discussed the idea of the importance of the kids learning to fend for themselves balanced with the desire to create those fond memories.

     In part we do things for our kids out of convenience (its easier for us) and also because we want things done right.  But mistakes are part of the learning curve.

     We have the choice to rescue our kids or let them struggle and learn to do things for themselves.  The constant rescue sends the message of no confidence in them.  A message of no confidence tells them you see them as incapable.  Letting them struggle however ends up creating self reliance and independence.  But it also feels like you are turning your back on them.  "Hey, help me out here!".  No....

     And so it can feel uncaring and uncomfortable to tell kids "Do it yourself", when they are asking for help.  Obviously making breakfast is probably not exactly a life or death situation.  But in general there is a mindset that needs to be shifted into as the kids get older.  One that moves from us doing for them to them doing for themselves.

     But it's hard to know that line.  It's hard especially when you have a 16 year old and an 11 year old.  One is entirely capable while the other is just kind of getting there with things.  Plus as they age you are surprised by their growing abilities-they aren't your helpless babies anymore.  And maybe you want to hold on to them as your babies to a degree.

     I guess we learn as we go and there isn't really a formula.  It's important to have the support of others going through the parenting thing to lean on though.  I don't want to be a jerk but I also don't want to create a helpless adult.  Such a dilemma......