So, that will be that then, my first ever opening workout of a Crossfit Games, as a spectator, a competitor and a judge. And boy was it a full few days.
After my first attempt on Thursday, I knew I had to give it another go, to see if I could snatch the 62kg, at least once, although it was heavier than I have ever snatched, I still believed I had a chance at it.
Friday, although I decided was a complete rest day and barred myself from going near Reebok Crossfit Glasgow (RCG) as I knew I would end up doing something, staying away was the best chance of rest, plus I was working Friday night, so during the day was my ONLY chance.
Saturday morning was my first real taste of the Crossfit Games in full action in RCG and boy is it an amazing experience.
Iain and Gavin had set out 6 stations, with all the correct weights available and plenty of space for each athlete.
When I arrived the first set of six had just started, I could tell this from round the corner due to the noise, although there were only 6 athletes working, plus the 6 judges, the box must've had 50 people there, some getting ready to go through workout 13.1, others there to support anyone going through it.
At the end of the first 17 minute workout, there were 6 very tired athletes, in various positions, from flat out on the ground, to bent over trying to get some kind normality back to their breathing, but everyone was getting a round of applause or high fived, or fist to fist 'congratulations'.
This atmosphere, is something I have never really seen before, even in my days playing football, in finals or big matches, where everyone was 'up for it' it was mostly within the actual playing team. In RCG everyone is in your team, there is no opposition, everyone wants you do do the best, be the best you can be and they will push and encourage you all the way through, each and every rep.
The sound of an encouraging voice, telling you to get your hands back on that bar, or to "just keep moving" when you could easily stop and give up, is an astounding and highly motivating support to have.
When was the last time you saw or heard more than one person (if you train with someone, or in a class) encourage or motivate you to go further than you thought you could ?
This wasn't just for the first heat on Saturday morning, this atmosphere lasted for all of Saturdays heat and all of Sundays too. As I said before a truly amazing place to be for two days, if this is one of Crossfit's aims, to create a community, a team of supporters and athletes, if your not working, your supporting, then Reebok Crossfit Glasgow has taken that to a very very high level.
Next up, I had a few heats of judging to do, which I was looking forward to, but wasn't sure of the, not being able to coach or encourage the competitor, being a coach and a member of RCG, this would be much harder than the actual rep counting part of judging.
I did, for this very reason, take a few minutes before each heat to explain all the rules and what I expected from the athlete and what they could expect from me, so they knew I couldn't influence or guide them in anyway.
Watching people, taking them selves to their limit is, can be both a truly inspirational thing and a devastating feeling (towards them) when they either surpass their goals or narrowly miss out on a lift or rep.
I loved judging (except the no encouragement) and look forward to doing it all the way through the next 4 rounds.
Over the two days, I don't think (well actually I know) I have never seen so many Personal bests being broken, it was exceptional to witness people either get a weight they have never lifted before and snatch ( a quite technical exercise) it above their head, either first time, and this is after 40 or 70 burpees, or watch someone fail not once or twice, but 5 or 6 times, before finding, from who knows where, a last surge of strength and energy and pulling the bar off the floor, over their knees, hips and head and locking out - 1 rep, then that feeling of 'knowing' they can do it, suddenly produces another 2,3 or more reps.
I can't actually find the words to explain, the feelings both as an athlete or a competitor this brings out in you, I have nothing but the utmost respect fro anyone who stepped up to this challenge and gave it all they had, or thought they had, then found a little bit more.
As I said I loved watching every single athlete push themselves to the limit, but I do need to mention the two people who came out top of the RCG box - Andy Watson and Steph Dekker who are both sensational, stupidly strong and conditioned athletes. Both had already done the workout once, both knew they had more in them, Andy had a target to beat, 155, the top score in the box (so far) and Steph just wanted to get more.
These two workouts were awesome, how they kept going at the pace they did, with the weights, I'll never know, (I already told Andy I was coming after him next year, once he stopped laughing, he said he was going after the top crossfit guys, next year, so we now both have targets) final score for Andy was (in 17 minutes)156 reps, which were made up of this 40 burpees, 30 snatches at 35kg, 30 burpees, 30 snatches at 62kg, 20 burpees, 6 snatches at 75kg. This is Andy, during and after
Steph completed 177 reps (in 17 minutes) this was made up of 40 burpees, 30 snatches at 20kg, 30 burpees, 30 snatches at 35kg, 20 burpees and 27 snatches at 45kg. Here is Steph's before and afters
Two brilliant scores and I will post, where they both stand in the world rankings, in my next post.
As Sunday drew to a close, I had to decide whether or not ot go again and try and get 1 rep with the 62kg snatch, I had been judging for a few rounds in a row and never realised it was the last heat "Craig are you doing this" I heard from afar ! No warm up, no time to think !!!! Lets do it, why not !!
20 burpees later, I was remembering a lot of reasons to 'not' ha ha
Through the first 40 burpees and through the first 30 snatches, a lot quicker and easier than Thursdays attempt, I was a minute faster, second round of burpees 'just' 30 this time and I'm back facing my 62kg nemesis, 6 or 7 attempts later - same result !! no rep AAAAAAAAGH ! this time is was even closer, but never quite there. Ah well - I now have a target :-)
So, first workout over, who knows what workout 13.2 will have in store for us ?
What I am looking forward to, is getting back in that atmosphere, watching personal bests being torn up an recreated.
Bring it on, REEBOK CROSSFIT GLASGOW is definitely ready for anything.
Lastly I would just like toi say a huge thanks to everyone who came through the doors of RCG, from the athletes, the coaches, the judges and the supporters. It was an brilliantly unique place to be, pleas keep it going for next 4 weeks.
Till next time
Craig
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