Workout of the Day:
“Fran”
Rounds of 21, 15 and 9 reps for time of:
95/65 lb. Thrusters
Pull-Ups
(Compare performance with 05/04/10.)
Pride and Gratitude – Part One
Written by C.J. Martin
Over the course of the last three days at the 2010 CrossFit Games at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA, many emotions have been stirred up; but pride and gratitude are the two emotions that have been overwhelming this weekend.
For those that have not been glued to the CrossFit Games proceedings in person or via live streaming video, the amazing Helen Szkorla earned a fourth place finish (actually tied for third in overall points) in the women’s master’s division, honorary Invictus stud Shana A. kicked ass in a super competitive women’s division, and Team Invictus earned the fifth place spot amongst 70 affiliates in the competition – making it two consecutive years in the top five!
But what I am most proud of has nothing to do with the final rankings, and everything to do with the effort given by our athletes. In addition to the grueling workouts, our athletes had to overcome a few barriers that could have easily unraveled less composed individuals. How they chose to overcome those moments speaks to who they are as individuals, and demonstrates why they represent INVICTUS so well. Here are just a few examples:
* Justin lost his grandfather the day before competition began. We knew he would be leaving on Saturday evening for a funeral (and thus unavailable on Sunday). The team rallied around him and committed to treating every event as if it were there last. Justin left everything he had on the track on Friday and Saturday before heading back East, and the result was that it situated our team in fifth place going into the final event.
* Helen has been battling plantar fasciitis for more than a month, and has not run because of it. As fate would have it, the first workout was “Nancy” – which includes 5 laps around the track. Helen gutted it out and stayed positive throughout. When it was announced that the next workout would be a max effort deadlift, she seized the opportunity and pulled 275 lbs. – a 35 lb. PR!!! Earning first place in the event.
* Our team felt extremely confident with the max effort overhead event on Friday (workout 2B). Our girls are strong and have max overhead lifts of 185 to 225 lbs. Coupled with our three men (235-295 lbs.), we liked our chances in this event. Unfortunately, it became clear quickly that with tricky collars that we had not used before and a clock ticking down very quickly, the team would not even get to attempt the weights they wanted to lift. With less than 10 seconds in the workout, Shane still hadn’t made an attempt. He had one shot, and only one shot, to get on the board. He jumped in and jerked 205 with no problems just before the clock zeroed out.
* We don’t have ropes at Invictus; but they sure had them in the final team workout – 25 feet worth. The final team event began with 10 rope climbs for the team. Shane had never climbed a rope taller than 12 feet, and never climbed with his feet, Nichole is not a big fan of heights, and Sage and Nuno haven’t climbed ropes for a very long time. Despite those facts, not one member of the team expressed any self-doubt or concern. They knew what had to be done and were excited to get after it.
* Helen was cruising in her final event – “Fran” – before taking a nasty spill from the pull-up bars. Her hands slipped as she kipped and she went completely horizontal, landing hard on her back. Nobody would have questioned her if she said she couldn’t continue, but she got to her feet and finished the workout in a very respectable 7:25.
I am sure every team and competitor has similar stories, but I share some of these examples because I am proud of who our athletes have chosen to be. We all have choices when we’re faced with difficult situations, but our crew unfailingly chooses to do what is right, knowing full well that it will not be the easiest option. In any of the situations above our crew could have sulked or looked for excuses for not performing their best; but they never did. They responded by giving their best effort. That is what being Invictus is about – keeping your chin up and your focus on your goal no matter what circumstances try to knock you off course. We couldn’t have asked for better representatives this weekend.
I followed the games all weekend online. Congrats to all! I’m so proud of everyone for the amazing performances!
We have been cheering Invictus on from RI all weekend. We are so proud of every athlete. coach and those who were there for support. You are truly a unique, determined, committed and very special community. Congratulations!
Great write up CJ! Made me feel the adrenaline and excitement of the competition, and it also brought the humanity and community of CFI to life. Congrats to all the competitors on their great efforts!
I foresee a rope being installed in the near future :p
Congrats to all the Warriors who put it all out on the line this weekend. I was truly inspired and motivated our members. I have never sat through a basketball game, UFC fight, Football game, or any sporting event with the same intense heart pounding excitement than I have in my life. I can truly say that it was because I had family on that field of the best of the best. I could not be prouder of our InVictus Family and supporters.
Dre you said brother.
Great job this weekend. Way to represent San Diego!!!
As terrible as it was having to watch all the way from southern lousiana, wishing more than anything I could be there supporting our kick-ass community I am so proud of everyone that represented this weekend. I was able to catch 85% percent of the competition throughout the weekend via my iPhone (thank god for that) hoping that I had enough battery to get me through each WOD lol, as I faded in out of 3G coverage down here on these beautiful beaches ( note the sarcasm). People looking at me like I’m crazy while I stream live footage to my phone for hours on end, and nobody quite able to grasp exactly what the big deal was? Anyways as I sit here on the beach sweating like you probably couldn’t even imagine writing this up (on my iPhone of course, my only real connection to the outside world) I could not be more proud of all the amazing individuals that contribute to team Invictus. Through hardship, various struggles (ie we don’t even practice MU’s or ropeclimbs!) and much adversity we still manage to come out on top! Another annual games behind us, another steller performance and more support than you could ever imagine from the most amazing CF community on the planet. Thanks again CJ, nobody can do it quite like you can
Gotta add to the love! Not only to our athletes, but to CJ and Karen and Pops and the rest of my Invictus family. It was so much fun hanging out with all of you! (don’t tell Barry that I was drinking Friday night)
I have been watching the videos of our team and Helen and I just keep getting choked up. Watching Nuno run is such a thing of beauty…..
But then the announcer said Michele was “just a sweet gal” and that just made me gag.
So proud of the entire Invictus family-and a special shout out to my freakishly strong husband who still thinks “clean” means “reverse curl.” Whatever works Jay- so proud of you!!!
OMG I cannot agree more with all of the comments. My kids didn’t have the chance to watch any TV or cartoons this weekend b/c we had the iPhone streaming and plugged in to the TV system so we hogged it while all the competitions were going on. So proud of Team Invictus, Helen, CJ and of course Karen, Pops and everyone who made the weekend more comfortable for our athletes. The sea of green represented and I’m very proud to say I belong to such an amazing box and community.
CrossFit Invictus you guys were awesome! We follow your blogs and your programming on a regular basis! Both of our Affiliates were cheering loud for you! All of your athletes were outstanding!
Great job by all of you…including your great support group who showed up in green!
Congrats to our cross-town friends on a great showing at the games this year!
Cameron
CF FLood
The team and Helen are simply amazing! I am blown way by what you all can do. Congratulations!! I am so proud to be a part of the Invictus family. Thanks for creating such an incredible place, CJ!
I was just blown away by the team, Helen, CJ and of course the Sea o’ Green. Before I joined Invictus, I would never have imagined screaming my head off at a muscle up. Now I can’t imagine not doing it. You all inspire me and I cannot wait to see the team crush next year.
Helen,
You are strongest masters women I know and one of the nicest, too!!! You have a fantastic attitude and I aspire to be as positive as you are. Thank you for making us masters women proud!
Congratulations on a fantastic showing, Invictus!! Your athletes were amazing as usual, and the Sea of Green definitely livened up the stands and made both competing and spectating that much more exciting. Even though you were cheering for the team next to us, your enthusiasm drove everyone to work that much harder. Big fan of the blog – you guys clearly have a great thing going!
Addi
CF Omaha