Sunday Story…The Open and You

 

Since its inauguration in 2011, the CrossFit Open is an annual fitness test. Originally it was 5 tests over 5 weeks. The Open has shrunk over the past few years to 3 tests over 3 weeks. Every year many of us participate and many more of us don’t. The reasons why are myriad on both sides. It is my position that everyone should register and post a score. Here is my reasoning.

Every once in a while, you need to really stretch your boundaries. If we always stay in our comfort zone, we won’t grow past it. I have said that in our training we need to explore all the different time domains. We also need to explore the different “effort zones” as well. We don’t need to have 10 of 10 effort every day. It is counterproductive. Every workout is not a test. Every workout is not designed to test the edge of your fitness.

Having said that, here are some reasons to do those tests. First, to really find out what you are capable of when you take the brakes off. Can you find another gear when the pressure is on? Second, finding that single point of focus. That point where everything narrows down to just the work right in front of us. And third, to give yourself a benchmark to measure against. You only know how strong, how fast, and how good you are once you reach the edge of your performance cliff and jump.

I get that this can be scary. Committing to do your best, going as hard as possible, and trying to do hard things are all hard. And sometimes you should look a challenge in the face and decide to go ahead.

The 2024 CrossFit Open…Who’s in with me?

 

John Mariotti

www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com

www.crossfitodyssey.com

775-338-2412