Reflection

Martha and Kyle, this is for you guys only because one of you is a bad ass CrossFit Kids Coach, and one of you just power cleaned 280lbs (congrats!)

The OPT Challenge was a great mental test for me, and one I did poorly on. My goal was to reach all 3 "standards" (15x bw OHS, sub 7 2K row, and sub 4:15 pullup/burpee wod) because I figured that was my only shot at winning this thing. I started off strong overhead squatting my bodyweight 17 times on my first attempt of 3. I did not attempt any other sets because I wanted to keep my legs fresh for the row workout and they were already a bit tired from a heavy squat day on Thursday. Looking back on it, I should have attempted more weight as I think I could have gotten 180 or 185 which would have bumped up my score a lot. 

My pacing for the first half of the 2K row was perfect. With 1K left, I was at 3:29, and on the last 500m I was ahead of schedule with about 1:48 seconds left to complete the row in under 7 minutes. Then something happened with 400m left. I hit a block and just broke down mentally. Nothing to explain really....I just pussied out when I needed to push past the pain of the rower. Once I had the thought that I wasn't going to go under 7 minutes, I just stopped trying altogether and just took my time finishing at 7:12. Then the double-unders just weren't working out for me either. Rough times.

By the time it was the last workout, I just didn't have it in me to push past my comfort zone and get a decent time. 

Although I haven't been training for this type of event for the past 6 weeks (conditioning is not a top priority this cycle), and did not do any real kind of tapering for it (worked out mon-thurs, with a rest on friday), I don't think I did poorly because a lack of being in condition. It was mostly because I failed to focus on the rower, and then failed to reagin composure for the third workout.

I tend to have this mindset that I need to get 1st in these competitions and then when I don't, I just break down and do terribly. Kind of like Josh Everett when he dropped the sandbag at the Games and gave up on that workout and the 2 after it. It's something I am working on fixing, and it's partly why I decided to compete in the Sectionals this year. The more practice I can get pushing through distractions that happen in competition, the better off I'll be for 2011.

I'll thank Greg for the OHS, he has been an awesome coach

Comments

[Marthab]

Thanks, CJ!

It's a journey...if you get there then what else would you do? :-) You are great. Keep up the hard work.

[mindith]

Colin I enjoyed seeing your training clips and reading your thoughts on the challenge. Your ability, strength and composure are amazing to watch as an outsider. Keep it up we all think you rock!!!

[Jaala]

I almost cried when I watched your overhead squats; it was very awesome to see. Then I cried during your row (reason withheld). You are an inspiration on all levels Colin...you ARE mentally tough. It was one day so learn from it and keep up the great training.

[CJ]

thanks for the support, you guys are awesome.