Family.
Games season 2011 has come to an end. I could not be more proud to have competed alongside my teammates Big Mike Gregory, Travis Holley, Jessica Sharratt, Jen Cardella and Crystal Nelson. They are without a doubt my biggest inspiration and one of the main reasons I was able to push myself as hard as I did in training and over the course of the weekend. Thank you. I am deeply honored to have run the gauntlet with you.
When I started crossfitting back in October of 2008, my goal was to be like more like the people that were coaching me: Jeremy T, Lance C, Big Mike, JDP, Travis H, Chris H, Carey K, Crystal Mc, Crystal N, Jen C and Jess S (to name but a few). These people personified elite fitness and what it means to be "dialed-in" (and still do).
As I became more "crossfit" and gained more experience through competition and coaching, my desire to compete at their level only deepened. My goal over the past 3 years has been to compete on the CrossFit Central Affiliate Team at the CrossFit Games. That is still my goal.
I have without a doubt the best teachers anyone can ask for. If you are not surrounded by a group such as the one we have here at CF Central, you are missing out on something truly special. These people are not just friends and coworkers, they are my family.
This past weekend was by far the most emotional I have ever been during a crossfit competition. Watching Big Mike push through the DL/Box Jump WOD was heart-wrenching. I consider Mike G one of my best friends, and to see his body tearing through the deads was inspirational to say the least. The same feelings crept in as Travis and Jessica struggled on Team Amanda while Jen, Crystal, Mike and I watched from the side: unable to help our team.
Then Ingrid set the bar for "Amanda" - finishing 1st by over a minute. The night before, she had serious doubts about even being able to complete the WOD. Being the athlete she is, she resolved to not let her raw and destroyed hands get in the way of success. HEART OF A CHAMPION. Having coached her for the past 9 months and seeing her transform from an athlete who could barely muster a ring dip following her surgery to an athlete feared by all the women in our region was one of the most rewarding experiences a coach could have. My heart swelled with pride as she showed why she will be competing in Carson in 2012.
The "100's" WOD was dominated by Carey as she proved she is a prime-time BAMF -- and the finish of Whitney Welsch, Lindsey Smith and Lisa Thiel was the closest and most exciting I have ever seen. Period. These ladies are the best in the business, and I get to WOD with them daily. Does life get any better?
I attribute these emotions to the amount of work and dedication that our team put in over the past year. All the hours of training: two-a-days, blistering 1:00 PM training sessions at Central, frigid 9:00 AM SWODS at the RBG, mobility sessions, pre- and post-WOD bullshitting, travel to the ACO in Dallas, overtraining (remember November Holley?) and coaching some of the best athletes in Texas.
I witnessed our individuals and our teams endure the most brutal conditions in Tomball... But it did not matter. Lance, JT and Web did us proud by showing they are among the tops in the CrossFit game. These boys know how to turn it on when the pressure is on - and I look forward to pushing them and them pushing me as we train for 2012. Thanks boys.
This year is a turning point. A stepping stone towards the future. It comes as a shock that the Central Affiliate team will not be competing this year at the Games, but we will be back next year. We will be prepared. We will win.
I have no words to express my gratitude and respect for everyone at the gym. You have impacted my life more than you can know. Thank you thank you thank you.
