Today was, I guess, Day 0. It was actually a pretty busy day as we prepared for the start of the CF Games which is Wednesday, August 1.
We were at the venue from about 7:30 AM until 2:30 PM. Most of the morning was spent preparing for the bicycle race that will take place on Wednesday morning. We’ve been told the women will start at approximately 8:30 AM and the men will start at approximately 9:30 AM on Wednesday morning.
Today, we watched some professional cyclists take the course. We watched them take some of the corners at full speed, we got to talk to the cyclists as they gave us recommendations on the course, we then finished our bike measurements and did a few laps around the course to warm up. Then as a group we went over each corner and strategies for effectively taking the corners.
We then prepared for our time trial. The trial was one lap of the course as fast as possible, which determined where you would start in the rows of men for the event Wednesday morning. We did one lap of the course, but on Wednesday we will be doing ten laps of the course with all 40 men starting at the same time.
I finished in 16th place today. I will be in the second row of five rows. I was happy with my time trial, by the end I had a pretty epic leg pump and my lungs were burning. I definitely will not be able to hold that pace for ten rounds. I think on average I was holding a little above 40km/hr for the 1200 meter course. After that, we went to the lake and got to try out the paddle boards. We will be using the paddle boards in an unknown event which will take place on Saturday. These are not Stand Up paddle boards. You are required to lay on your stomach, or, potentially kneeling in a prone position, which can be slightly faster but does require more skill and balance. I will not be capable of kneeling on the prone paddle board as I have not been exposed to it in the past. I definitely would prefer a regular swimming event, but as long as we’re getting wet I won’t complain too much.
After paddling on the paddling boards, we were also sized for our weighted jump ropes. These were first seen at the 2016 CrossFit Games during the Wood Chipper, which is an event I won. I believe each handle is a pound, the rope itself is thick steel and is another half a pound. It makes doing Double Unders significantly more difficult. We will all be using ropes provided to us that are a length suitable to our height. After that, we came back to the venue and we were given the full event briefings for Events 1, 2 ,3 and 4 all taking place on Wednesday.
Event 2 will be 30 Muscle Ups for time, held, side, with a very small start and finish mat right near the rings. The rings will be hanging off of the Zeus rig about 20 feet in the air. The length of the straps will definitely effect the stability of the top of the dip for some athletes. I’ve been practicing on longer straps, so hopefully it’s not an issue for me. They’re still finalizing the height of the rings off of the ground. I hope they do not settle on 92 inches as my feet will be dragging on the turf between reps. Hopefully they bump it up to 96 inches.
The third event for the day is the CrossFit Total. We don’t have a time for the start of Events 2, 3, and 4 yet. But 2 and 3 will likely be very close together. Event 3, The CrossFit Total, is held outside. You’ll have one platform for each lift, you will perform all the lifts back-to-back, in the order of Squat first, Strict Press second, Deadlift third. You only have a four minute window to lift with a maximum of three attempts per movement. You’ll be required to load your own barbell and you cannot go in weight once your first rep has been attempted. You definitely need to be intelligent with your opening reps, because if you fail to log a score on any of the three lifts, you will not be able to continue competing at the CrossFit games. I definitely think that there is a possibility the criterium bike race will effect our legs slightly for the Back Squat. I don’t think the Muscle Ups will effect our shoulders too much for the Strict-Press, and the Deadlift will be a little interesting because we’ve had to max out our Back Squat only minutes before. It’ll definitely be an exciting event to see who is able to put it all out on the line and come out with some big numbers.
We’re told we’ll have a sizeable break between Events 3 and 4 and start the full Marathon Row at approximately 5:30 PM in the colosseum. It will be very interesting to see how that plays out, definitely the longest continual event ever at the CrossFit Games, and likely the longest event there ever will be. Although fitness will definitely play a part, I think your strategy for preparation and recovery will be just as important to how the event effects the rest of your weekend.
Hope you enjoyed my day recap of Day 0. I’ll try to provide a recap of tomorrow, maybe mid-day after CrossFit Total as after the Marathon Row I’ll likely be heading straight to bed.
Thursday is a complete Rest Day, so if nothing else, I will give you an update then! Thanks so much for all the support guys. Looking forward to doing my best on the competition floor tomorrow.
48 Comments. Leave new
You’re so awesome! Good luck! I think you are going to kill it this year!
Good luck you are an inspiration for many. Remember that !
Good luck. You are an inspiration for many. Remeber that
Good luck tomorrow man, I think tomorrow will be a good day for you! Cheering you on from Edmonton and Kelowna this week!
Good luck man! It’ll be an exiting year to watch!
Thanks for the information!!
Thanks for the behind the scenes updates love it good luck!
Good luck man! Canada is proud to have you rep us in Madison.
Good Luck thanks for the behind the scenes updates love it
Go get em! Excited to watch!!!
Thanks for the update bud. really interesting what you have to go through as an athlete. Great documentaries aswell. Even my miss watched it with me ????♂️????♂️?♂️
You are the best!!! Best wishes tomorrow!!!
Awesome. Thanks so much for the detailed update. All the very best for day one from NZ
Best of Luck Brent! Win it all!
If Castro will continue increasing the intensity of the work outs, it will one day end with unnecessary athlete injuries. Day one is brutal af. Good luck Brent, you’ll rock it!
Good luck Brent, have an awesome weekend, we are pulling for you from BC!!
Great information! Good luck ??
Supporting you all the way from the Philippines. I’m rooting for you this year! Best of luv, Brent! God speed.
Good luck Brent!! Looking forward to seeing you competing tomorrow ? keep up the great work! Thanks for the recap, it’s cool to read this from an athlete’s perspective.
supporting you all the way from the Philippines! Im rooting for you this year. Best of luck, Brent! God speed.
Thanks for the behind the scenes look. I know it takes time to blog, but your fans are grateful. Go kick some butt!
In Germany we say: „ I push my thumbs for you“ Probably not how you say it in english but I believe you get it. Looking forward to your updates and wish you loads of fun!
Good luck! These events are good fit for you this year!
Yeeeeeeeeh Brent! Boom Shakka Lakka! Buckle in and fire up! We’re right behind you!
Really appreciate you taking the time to do this. It’s so good to hear your thoughts. Go get it!
Nice recap! Go for gold Brent!
Awesome update, Brent! I must say that I like your chances on the Marathon Row! Use that tall guy advantage!!
Thanks for the update!! Really cool to see athletes perspective and what goes on for you guys! Good luck ?
Good luck Brent, go smash it
Good luck Brent. Kick some arse!
Good luck! Loved reading this!
Good luck today. I love that you are doing the BLOG. Will be tuning in here in Ireland while also trying to get some work done.
Good luck Brent, you are amazing ?
I hope you crush everyone and hear: “And the 2018 Fittest Man is Brent Fikowski!!!” Go and show them. 😉
Thanks! I’ll be reading for sure.
Good luck Brent. We will be cheering loudly for you knowing you will be doing your best
Cheering you and Pat on! Canada is proud of you guys. You’ve got support from us here in Halifax NS
Good luck with day 1. Really appreciate the blog posts and your thoughts on how things are going.
Go go Brent. Thanks for the update. Grateful that you time out to do it.
Thank you for the Awesome write up! GOOD LUCK.
san diego! san diego! san diego! california!
san diego! san diego! san diego! california!
san diego! san diego! san diego! california!
Good luck Brent!! ?????
This is so cool truly inspiring ?✌?
Canada is cheering you on Fikowski! No matter where you place we’re proud but with that said I know your strategy for the marathon row will pay off and I fully expect that you’ll place well because of that. Good luck!
Good luck Brent ! This is just the beginning ! This is your year bro . Keep rocking
Good luck, Brent!! I hope your body recovers well on Thursday!
Rooting for you Brent!
I love this! Good luck!
great recap!!! rooting for you, keep up the great job!!!