A Big Weekend for Invictus Athletes
Written by C.J. Martin
This weekend promises to be the most exciting weekend since . . . well, maybe a weekend last July in Carson, California that was pretty cool. I am getting excited just sitting down to write this, and truth is, it has been downright difficult to sit in one place and focus on anything for the past few days.
It seems silly to be as amped up as I am right now, but this weekend represents the culmination of 9 months or more of training for many of the athletes I work with. I know how much time and effort they have put into their training for this weekend. I know how much they have sacrificed, and how they have structured so many aspects of their lives for the opportunity to perform at their full potential this weekend.
As their coach, my job is pretty much done. They are prepared. They have put in the hard work, they have worked weaknesses, they have developed strengths, and they have defined strategies that will allow them to be at their best.
As their biggest fan, I am amped up to 11 right now. I know how much this means to each of them, and I am excited to watch them realize their potential in competition.
I am not tied to a result for any of my athletes, but I am tied to the notion that they walk away from the weekend with no regrets. We train year-round to give full effort in competition and walk out with our heads held high. For many of them, full effort and competing to their potential will land them on the podium. For others it will put them in the heat of competition next to athletes that they have admired, and leave them inspired to get back in the gym and continue to develop as an athlete. Regardless, the excitement of competition is the same. This is their chance to express what they have worked so hard to develop over the last several months.
Please join me in cheering for the following Invictus athletes and honorary Invicti this weekend:
Southern California
Team Invictus (Nichole DeHart, Katie McLaughlin, Ayo Anise, Kathy Borkoski, Nuno Costa, Shane Farmer, George Economou & Justin Nahama)
Dave Lipson
Valerie Voboril
Canada East
Camille Leblanc-Bazinet
Central East
Michelle Kinney
Anthony Shefferly
Latin America
Tarasa Barnett
Team Cayman (Matt Barnett & Dani DuFrene)
If you can get to their venue in person, wear your green shirt and let them hear you cheering them on. If you cannot make it to their competition site, please send them a note via comments to let them know you will be anxiously awaiting updates on Facebook, Twitter and the CrossFit Games website.
Looking forward to an amazing weekend. CJ, many thanks for the long hours, watchful eye, feedback and love you have shown us all.
In the words of Mahatma Ghandi: “Unwearied ceaseless effort is the price that must be paid for turning faith into a rich infallible experience.”
Thank you for you unwearied ceaseless effort and for the experience we have all shared . . . this amazing path we have traversed leading up to this weekend.
I wish the regionals were broadcasted! Next year.
Good luck everyone! Psyched!!!!!
Good luck Invictus! I’ll be extra unproductive at work this weekend updating the Games Website all day.
Wish I could be there, but I will be glued to the computer as much as my family will tolerate:) Kick some ass and have some fun. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!
After watching all of you in the Open and catching a glimpse of the Saturday morning workouts, I can’t imagine any other athletes being more physically and mentally prepared. Make sure you take care of business tomorrow, and I’ll see you on Saturday. Go Green!
Oh, man. My palms just got sweaty reading this post. I’m bummed I won’t get to see the action in person, but I’ll be sporting green all weekend anyway!
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes. You guys are the real deal.
what time does the first event start at?
Our crew will start around 10:30 a.m.
sweet, thanks, see you guys then!
Good luck tomorrow Invictus!! Stay strong & kick some major booty this weekend! I’m there in spirit & will totally be tracking everything online! I know you guys are going to rock it!!
2 DAYS DOWN, 1 TO GO!!!
CONGRATS ON THE WORLD RECORD TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU ARE ALL SUCH AN INSPIRATION, KEEP IT UP!!!!
GO GREEN!!!!!!!!
Been following all the updates on facebook, and all I can say is I am so proud to be part of the sea of green…even if just in spirit!!! All of you competing are truly amazing athletes. What an honor it is to sweat in the same gym as you all do!! GO TEAM INVICTUS!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!
So proud of all of you!