Why Do We Compete?

CrossFitters are an interesting breed. I have said this more than once and I will continue to say so because every time I survive a WOD, participate or spectate at a competition there is always something that makes me smile. CrossFit was built on a sense of community and if you ever want to see what that looks like, come watch us compete.

This last weekend I had the privilege to compete in The Goddess Games 2015 at CrossFit Northlake in North Carolina. I was able support the Justice Ministries by taking part and I was able to support my box and my best friends all because I picked up a barbell. As odd as that seems, it’s a sight to behold.

I went in with out any expectations; I just didn’t want to come in last (missed that by the skin of my teeth). More than anything, I wanted to have fun and drag everyone I love dearly along for the ride. Thankfully, my besties are beasts and were able to participate as well. So, we drug ourselves and our husbands out of the house at 7:00am on a Saturday morning to sit in the heat for seven hours and not complain.

We set up shop under a borrowed tent (fellow CrossFitter donated) and buddied up with some ladies that were participating and started our little village. When you do an event, a lot of gear is required, when it’s an all women’s event, you can bet your ass we’ve packed enough for the whole village. From lifters, to extra outfits, to mobility tools to Kill Cliff, we had it all.

The competition itself was so well organized and ran smoothly (from where I was sweating) on both days. Bless those women who orchestrated this, there were even items to freshen up with in the ladies bathroom! On day one the individual women (that’s me) competed and I was able to watch lady after lady PR, whether it was a 3 Rep Max front squat or a score on an AMRAP, success was all around us!

On day two I dropped in to watch a few events and saw the same success time and time again. I watched ladies do WODs I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy and not only complete them, but do them well. One fellow CrossFitter told me time and time again she couldn’t do a 55# snatch and then she owned it on Sunday!

I watched box owners, coaches and friends scream their hearts out to cheer on their athletes. I watched our little village grow and we met some lovely people by just sharing some tent space. I watched people break out beer and celebrate, I saw a lady crying after a WOD (looked like disappointment not injury), I watched my husband do everything and anything to make this day as easy as possible for me and then I came home and saw Facebook.

Posts of support from those that couldn’t be there, posts of accomplishment, posts of relief and posts of sheer power and beauty flooded my newsfeed. There is something so beautiful about a perfectly executed split jerk, or power snatch and then for someone to capture that moment in a picture for the whole world to see is amazing. There really isn’t anything beautiful about a burpee or a wall ball other than the fact that it’s over but pictures need to be taken regardless because this isn’t about looking good, it’s about putting in work.

I did the best I could and I finished every WOD. Given the heat, humidity and my asthma that’s a feat in itself. I also managed to not throw up although the last work out really tried to make that happen. Personally, burpees, wall balls and thrusters are never a good combination for me. I loved the whole event, the nerves, the excitement, the judges, the love and support from all those that rallied for us and with us and I love that I was able to do something I wasn’t able to do a year ago. Like I said, CrossFitters are an interesting breed.