Compete or Die! and give me a hug when you're done!

Competition.
There are 570 million results when you Google this word. It can mean fighting for awards, recognition, a mate or status. In CrossFit it is about bettering yourself...ultimately. But there is competition between athletes...oh yes.

I have competed in several CrossFit events in my three years with CFOS. The biggest has been our gym's CrossFitting 4 Cures. It usually draws about 70 to 90 athletes from around the region to compete in a series of events. I have competed in this event two times and would not write home about my performance.

The gym takes on a different feeling when the international games begin the preliminary event called The Open. All gym members participate. It usually makes me a bit nauseous.

This summer a new event emerged called Chlorine and Chalk. I could not believe it! An event that combined swimming - my strength- with Crossfit. And I could actually compete in the highest women's event which is called "RX" meaning you have to use the weights prescribed. I can't always compete RX, but I could manage these weights!
I needed a partner though.
One of our members, Gabby, wanted to compete, too. She is not a strong swimmer, but she is all heart and can lift some serious weight. We decided we would enter.
I had no expectations of winning, so I was relaxed and performed well. The competition was fun!
That was my latest CrossFit epiphany - I have them a lot! Relax during competition - don't get all jacked-up about it - and perform better.

Rivalry
One of the best parts of competing in Sports Training is the camaraderie and friendly rivalry. Meta and I are heading to Franklin, Tn in two weekends to race in a 5K. She has a great smile, and it was the biggest I have ever seen it when she challenged me to this race. We will have a great time, but I plan on kicking her butt. :)

Our Sports athletes have competed two Saturdays in a row in team events. Erin's plan, in my opinion, is to get us comfortable competing from a healthy place. If we see it is fun, if we also work hard, performance improves. I Pr'd my double unders during one of the events. No nausea that day!

The other day we had a plank contest at the gym. We had to hold a plank in different positions for about 5 minutes and then for as long as possible on our elbows. I was the last master's division member left planking - 8 minutes. The last minute was for me - to know I could do it, but it was also because I saw Julie Holt still at it.

Julie is crazy competitive.
It is what makes her an international-level athlete, and she is strong as hell.

Today we did a 4-round WOD of 400 meter runs and 21 deadlifts. By the last round she was ahead of me on the run. I tried to pass her, but she could feel me behind her. She would speed up...stay just ahead of me. I pushed her and she pushed me. It was great. By the time we made it to the gym to finish the deadlifts we were a bit spent, but she had enough in her to beat me by about thirty seconds.
I love that about our Sports Program team. We push each other and that makes us push ourselves in the process.

Competition and Rivalry mean - in my world - bonding with my fellow athletes. When it comes down to the end, I will cheer for Gabby to finish her swim, even though we won't win the race. It means I will hug Julie for her great performance today because she pushed herself to go farther and faster. It means running with Meta, so that we will both go have a fast time on a beautiful night in Franklin, Tn. This is why I am an addict. I love these people.

CrossFit Murray posted this:
Your CrossFit accomplishment, how much you lift, how fast you run or your athletic capacity does not indicate what kind of person you are.
But being coachable, respectful, a great teammate, mentally tough, resilient, and honest (including range of motion and counting correctly) IS a direct reflection of your character.

Here is my competitive mission: to give all I have to myself and my teammates.
And if I win a race along the way - I won't kick it out of bed!