Scoping Out Your Competition
Now that the TCF Open 2019 has come to a close, you’re assessing your goals, dialing in your nutrition, and thinking about competing again. Or maybe you didn’t compete in the Open, but are interested in trying it out. Perhaps you want to compete for the very first time. In your life. Ever.
My first time competing individually was in the Open in 2013 at the age of 28. I had played a little basketball in middle school and some soccer in high school, but I wasn’t very good or competitive and never saw much court or field time. A year after my first CrossFit Open. I entered my first individual CrossFit competition at Red Hills CrossFit in Tallahassee, Florida. I remember feeling insanely nervous and insecure – like maybe I wasn’t good enough to be there. To my surprise, I scored 3rd place in the Rx Division.
My first individual competition outside of the Open at Red Hills CrossFit in Tallahassee. I PR’d on my clean during this event.
Over the years, I have continued to compete in CrossFit individually and on teams – even up against some CrossFit Regional and CrossFit Games competitors. I’ve had a couple of 1st place finishes and plenty of finishes in the middle of the pack. Lots of stress, nervous butterflies in my gut, forgotten jump ropes, and sometimes even a few tears. But definitely no regrets. The only competitions I regret are the ones I didn’t do. And maybe forgetting my jump rope.
Girls Gone Rx in Bradenton, FL with Rachel and Jaime.
Deuces Wild in Ocala, FL with Wes.
I’m not a natural-born competitor. I’m not going to the CrossFit Games. Not today, anyway.
But do I have fun competing? Absolutely.
Am I trying to win? Trying my best!
Does competing help me stay goal-oriented with my performance and nutrition? 100%. From the moment I sign up until competition day, I’m laser-focused on being my best. Gotta work for that post-comp cheat meal, right?
Would I recommend competing to anyone else? Hell yeah. My advice is to start simple. Sign up for the Open or another online qualifier. Then find a local, team competition and choose your division based on your abilities. Ask your coach for advice!
SuperFit in Atlanta with Wes.
Pound 4 Pound in Montgomery, AL with Coach Nick.
Here are some competitions coming up during the month of April that are either online or somewhere in our region. I’ve included drive times to these locations from Thomasville, GA for your convenience…
4/3 – 4/8: 2019 Rogue Invitational Qualifier (Online)
4/10 – 4/24: Granite Games Online Qualifier (Online)
4/13: 5th Annual Battle for the Mountain (Dawsonville, GA) – 4.5 hour drive, north of Atlanta
4/13: WOD Wars Fit Fest (Dunedin, FL) – 4.5 hour drive, southwest of Tampa – Registration for this one is closed, but we have a few teams competing here and have for several years! It’s a lot of fun if you’d like to drive down and cheer them on!
4/13: CFL Loganville Lockdown (Loganville, GA) – 4 hour drive, Atlanta area
4/13: Rescue Road: Obstacle Course Event (Alpharetta, GA) – 4 hour drive, Atlanta area
4/13: Garage Girls 2019 Tour at CrossFit Grit (St. Simons Island, GA) – 3.5 hour drive, near Brunswick
4/13 – 4/14: Freakin Throwdown 6 (Miramar, FL) – 7 hour drive, north of Miami
4/20: Barnyard Throwdown (Ohatchee, AL) – 5 hour drive, east of Birmingham
4/27: Garage Games Xs and Ys (Hiram, GA) – 4 hour drive, Atlanta area
4/27: SWFL Sharks Semi-Pro Grid Combine (Cape Coral, FL) – 6 hour drive, south of Fort Myers
4/27: Explode’s Independent Classic (West Chester, FL) – 7 hour drive, Miami area
4/27: 4th annual Apple Town Throwdown (Cornelia,GA) – 5 hour drive, northeast of Atlanta
4/27: 2019 Pensacola Beach Brawl (Pensacola, FL) – 3.5 hour drive
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” – Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer