Let me start this blog by saying that I started CrossFit in July 2013 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. CrossFit Leyland has genuinely changed my life for the better. I had a basic level of fitness but nothing that prepared my body for CrossFit. I certainly never started with the intention of doing it as anything more than just a way of keeping fit.
Over the last 2 years I have chosen to enter competitions, more as a way of testing myself and seeing what I was capable of but also to have some fun. I am generally quite a confident person but the idea of competing at first terrified me. I suppose it was more the fear of not being able to do it or feeling like I wouldn’t be good enough that scared me.
I never really planned to compete but Erann Royle and Leanne Sugden had signed up for a scaled partner competition at JST in Wigan in the summer of 2014 and unfortunately Erann couldn’t take part so I was roped in last minute. To say it was a shock to my system would be an understatement.
At times I felt guilty that I wasn’t as good as Leanne, that Erann would have been a better partner for her, but Leanne was amazing, supporting me through every WOD and I was in complete awe of her for the entire competition. I remember during the competition when I was farmer carrying 2 x 24kg kettlebells up an enormous hill, at the point of exhaustion, on the verge of tears and desperate to stop but Mark Simpson, who had come to cheer us on, walked every step of the way with me up and down that hill encouraging me to keep moving. I am pretty sure if it wasn’t for his support I wouldn’t have made it through that WOD.
Finishing that day I was exhausted but so proud of myself and it occurred to me I had probably never had a feeling quite like that in my life. I had pushed myself to what was then my limit and made it through and strangely really enjoyed myself. It was official, I was hooked. As usual the CFL Crew shouted and encouraged us throughout the day and the next day I went back and cheered on those in the RX category on day 2.
Now over 1 year on and I have taken part in 5 more competitions, numerous qualifiers, volunteered at and supported my peers at countless events. My training now has more purpose to it than just for fitness as it was initially. CrossFit has become a part of my life to the point where I have even mentioned it in job interviews as a hobby but also as a commitment.
When the opportunity came up to take part in Matt Dewhurst’s Competitor Development Programming (CDP) I knew I wanted to do it. Whilst my training had a purpose, without a specific plan or more concentrated coaching, how was I ever going to realistically reach my goals. Don’t get me wrong I am not going to be the next Gina Yates at Regionals or Sam Briggs at The Games but that doesn’t mean that I can’t one day compete in The British Championships or The Athlete Games….even if I come last.
I read something recently that really resonated with me. It said:
“Exercise is physical activity performed for the effect it produces today—right now. Each workout is performed for the purpose of producing a stress that satisfies the immediate needs of the exerciser: burning some calories, getting hot, sweaty, and out of breath, pumping up the biceps, stretching—basically just punching the physical clock”
Training involves “directed physical stress,” and is “the process of going from where you are now to where you want to be later for the purpose of meeting a specific performance goal.” (Practical Programming, 3rd Edition).
For me this is the difference between how I used to CrossFit and how I now CrossFit. The great thing about choosing to take part in a programme is that I am surrounded by other individuals who share my goal and who when it is possible I can train with. I know they will push me to be better than I think I am, as I will them, and we will share every achievement as a team. It should also mean that I reach my goals.
But as I have recently learned, there are also downsides. What drew many of us to CrossFit and kept us going was the great community, which ultimately come with the classes. Unfortunately when I undertook programming the lack of classes with the whole community is something which to some degree, I gave up. Most of the time, the programming is done on your own. If you are lucky there may be a couple of others training at the same time as you. At times training on your own, when you are so used to having a class full of people around you, pushing you, can be difficult, especially when you are in the back room and you can hear the roars of encouragement and enjoyment coming from the class taking place in the main gym. I now fully understand what Gina has gone through for years with her training.
CrossFit Leyland have a fantastic bunch of owners and coaches who do everything they can to make the gym a great place for all the members. They know we love being in the classes so have incorporated our training in to the main gym timetable meaning we now do the class WOD every Monday and CDC (Competitor Development Class) every Wednesday. Personally I am also trying to manage my programming so I can continue to do the Saturday class too.
What I would say is if you see us training in the back room please pop your head in and say hello or shout some encouragement….trust me we need it just as much as anyone else and it really would help. Also if any one reading this thinks they may be interested in competing feel free to come and ask any of us about it.
If you are interested in the Competitor Development Programme please see Matthew Dewhurst for more information.
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