July 20th 2016
Mind Dump Day 1
Want to give a few thoughts while they are still fresh for anyone who is interested!
What an introduction to my first CrossFit Games. Seems like it is going to continue to be a very special weekend to be a part of.
330am meet at hotel. Told we were going to an airport. Then realized it was a flight to San Jose, rumblings on the plane was we would be heading back to the Castro ranch. Arrived, given a little history of the games held in Aromas. Then briefed on the first events – the 7km trail run followed by the 1 rep max deadlift ladder. Starting at 425 going up by 10lb every 30sec to 615.
Started nice and steady on the run. I think at one stage I was the last man in the line. Then on the first hill climb I passed a few, then kept passing guys until I passed Jacob Heppner, I asked him how many were ahead of Josh Bridges? He said just Mat. And us 4 guys didn’t relinquish those positions for the next 20 minutes of running. It was a constant mental mind game, I kept thinking I might be able to catch josh, then I told myself I’d be ok with 3rd haha. And I frequently looked back for Heppner. Afterwards talking to Josh he was doing the same thing. Halfway thru the run my heart rate was pretty high, it got tough to keep holding that pace. The home stretch of the run was really hard, Sam Briggs passed me at the end and I was ok with that haha. I remembered something about her and Froning in an open announcement and how they realized it didn’t matter because they weren’t directly competing and one passed the other. Chickened out a bit I guess!
When I finished the run I took off my shoes because I could feel a blister building. I was really hot and a bit delirious. It was a tough run in the heat and I went hard. Pretty simple really. Bit of involuntary peeing, dizzy, and just really hot. Did my best to get food and water but couldn’t use my limbs too well haha. Made my way to the medical tent and hopped in the ice bath to cool down. Had some pretty negative thoughts as I was feeling pretty terrible, but before I knew it I kept feeling better. The staff was incredibly helpful. Made the decision I could definitely pull at least 425 and bow out if needed, wasn’t going to have a high finish anyway on that event as DLs aren’t my jam . In warmup I took a deep breath then Deadlifted a single at 245, 355,405 in a few short minutes. In training I usually have a more thorough approach to my Deadlift sessions! They all felt smooth, but really hard, but they did feel exactly the same amount of hard when I went up in weight haha. As I was about 2min from starting I caught a second wind and figured I would go for it. Hit 485 which is officially a tied PR but under different circumstances I could likely pull about 500. Really happy with that. Continued to feel better and better when we had the hour break to eat. We had a huge spread of food laid out for us which was amazing. The final event was announced and I figured it was mine to win if I chose to grind it out. So I went unbroken on 50 wallballs at 30lb, quickly did the 25 GHD sit-ups at 30lb, then made the choice that I wouldn’t stop running. I was the first off the GHD and started to climb the hill with the 30lb ball as fast as I could. Really satisfying finish to win that one. Serious leg burn!
Delayed flight on the way home, told we had an early Morning ocean swim.
Today was great, the events were absolutely spectacular and the organization was spot on. So much work was clearly put in to make today what it was and to keep it all a secret. It felt like a grungy local throw-down with the best in the sport. A really special experience. That trail run was beautifully miserable, definitely felt like my “rookie initiation”. Later in the day I explained the pain I was in after event 1 to Lucas Parker. He smiled and said “welcome to the games”. So far I feel like I am 3 for 3. Wouldn’t change a thing so far.
I get the feeling things won’t get much easier!