Monday, May 17, 2010

NorthWest Qualifiers

Just wanted to first of all say thank you to everyone in the BBCF family for supporting Travis and I this weekend. Your thoughts, calls, texts, and emails were a huge help in our mental game!

Laurie and Jerad as our support crew was also a huge help, looking up from the arena floor with my hands on a bar, digging deep to find the inner self, seeing a big smile on Laurie's face, and hearing my brothers yells of support. THANK YOU GUYS!

Workout's were different, and programming of the workouts were a little different than I would of done, but it was a good venue, the crowd and other competitors were amazingly supportive of everyone. I left this weekend with a clean feeling of hope and support for our CrossFit family across the nation.

Day 1 -
WOD #1 Three rounds of 10 OHS at 135/95lbs 50 double unders 12 min time limit - hip crease below knees, elbows must be locked and in control over head

WOD #2 90 seconds AMRAP deadlifts with an strongman bar (about 2 1/2 inches in diameter) you had a choice of three different weights, and it was total reps x weight for a total pounds score.

After the heats were all done they announced day two's workouts, and I sat there feeling a small doubt of why I was even here.

This was the end of day 1, and we left knowing that the next day was going to be way more intense and mentally challenging as compared to today. We ate, and walked, and tried to sleep with the anticipation of what a interesting day Sunday would be.

Day 2 -
WOD #3 Five mile run, with a hill that was super intense twice. Travis and I figured it was about 800 feet elevation change in the first mile, let me tell you the booty lock was intense on the second trip up this hill. This for me was the first time I have ran a distance like that and did not think "This is fing stupid", HAHA.

WOD #4 First all I can say is when we heard them announce this workout, the word we heard most was "oh fuck"... Looking at the roof of the arena, and the ropes hanging down some were scared, some were not, but all were intimidated. The workout was
30-20-10 row for calories, thrusters (weight increasing every round) rope climbs drop the 0 on the #, so 30 was 3 climbs, 20/15 feet, kettlebell swings full extension over head, so you and the KB were in one straight line and if the KB drooped at all your rep did not count, with a 25 minute time limit. So Travis and I sat and watched the first few heats, we watched men fall from 15 feet, knees twist, ankles roll, people pass out to where they needed to be carried off in a chair, and at least half of every heat DNF. WOW is all I could think watching this, that and "oh shit I am scared" never been scared before a workout, nervous not scare - and this one scared the shit out of me. Well, workout #2 that I had to dig deeper than I ever had to find that "warrior" inside me - I didn't have my guys on the floor with me, cheering me on, I didn't have my gym, my comfort, I was in an arena on the floor with 10 other woman, and 500 people watching and yelling. It was fucking hard and rates up with one of the worst workouts I have ever done, maybe because of the 5 mile run, maybe because of the area, maybe because I am a sissy. LOL

Anyway, all and all we had a great time, my body is destroyed, but my mental game jumped higher than it had ever been this weekend, I found something I didn't know was there, and learned that I am OK without winning, and just giving it my all. Funny the lesson I have taught my son since day 1, but could never grasp it and put it into my own life. I aways felt I was letting someone down if I didn't win - this weekend I didn't win a spot, didn't come close, but I know I didn't let any of you down, and I didn't let myself down,I went and gave it everything I had, and that does show that I won.

11 comments:

gene said...

To our Princess Warrior -

Congratulations on your physical competition.

"Anyway, all and all we had a great time, my body is destroyed, but my mental game jumped higher than it had ever been this weekend, I found something I didn't know was there, and learned that I am OK without winning, and just giving it my all. Funny the lesson I have taught my son since day 1, but could never grasp it and put it into my own life. I aways felt I was letting someone down if I didn't win - this weekend I didn't win a spot, didn't come close, but I know I didn't let any of you down, and I didn't let myself down,I went and gave it everything I had, and that does show that I won."

But more importantly congratulations on the slaying of one of your personal demons.

Growth of spirit is always tougher than growth of muscle fiber!

Good job to your too, Travis!

Semper Fi, Gene

Alena said...

Gene -

Big hugs and kisses thank you so much for your support and confidence always! Your kind words and rational have always replayed in my head, and it means a great deal to me!

Anonymous said...

Great job Alena and Travis! BBCF is so f-ing proud of you both. Going out and giving it your all is what CrossFit is all about. Finding your limit and pushing through it is truly amazing. Way to rep BBCF!!!!!

-Ryan

Travis Coombs said...

Alena, very well said. I could actually see and feel you shift into that different gear this weekend. You put the warrior athlete mentality to the test and proved how valuable it really is to train the mind as well as the body. I am so proud of the accomplishments you made this weekend. A PR on a 5 mile run, even though it included two gnarly hills. Not to mention completing the MOST roguish WOD I have ever attempted.

Jared, thanks for your encouragement and great company this weekend. I had such a memorable time, and can't wait until next year.

That being said... That last WOD was the biggest M-F'er I have ever encountered!!! I have drastically failed the warrior athlete mind over matter course, because I was so in my head before we started that I was destined for failure. That was the first time that I have ever been emotionally abused by a workout. I am now far enough removed from the pain and discouragement that I felt during and after that WOD that I would consider attempting it as soon as my broke ass body recovers.

Looking forward to getting back into the swing of things at the box. I am sending out a challenge... In 2011, it is mandatory that BBCF sends a MINIMUM of 6 athletes to the sectional qualifiers. Alena and myself have already committed. Who else is coming with us??? (picture The scene from Jerry McGuire & you get my intensity)

Cheers people. Peace OUT!

Anonymous said...

I'm so freaking proud of you guys! It really is a huge deal to overcome the mental aspect of a lot of these WODs...especially hearing what the WODs were that you had to complete ; ) Great job on all your efforts this past weekend! And as long as you came away from this with something you need to improve on, it was a successful trip!

And next year...I'm totally down to go!

Anne-marie said...

I'm proud to say I've trained at BBCF! You are my hero's! I'm super excited to be surrounded by such mental and physical prowess!! Good job and I can't wait for the next year at such a great gym;)

Alena said...

Travis - all I can say is I love you! You felt it, you know it, and it will never happen again!

Challenge is thrown down - 2 athletes down with Travis and I, 4 more on the table, and we want an affiliate team too!!!!

Alena said...

Rich - how the heck are you? Thanks for reading and posting! Cant wait to see you when you come for the Odyssey and hopefully NorCal trip. :-)

Not Me said...

I read your blog regularly. You are in good company: the mainsite, CF Endurance, NorCal S&C, Mark Sisson, Robb Wolf, OPT, Catalyst Athletics and Battle Born Crossfit each comprise part of my daily reading.

=)

I'm well; I can't wait to come back and let you people smash me again. I learned a ton from both the coaches and the athletes training at BBCF when I was there in December.

Alena said...

Rich - thanks for throwing us in the mix that means a lot!

We cant wait to have ya back, and when do you get here? I know for the Odyssey, but how much time before an after?

See you soon!

Not Me said...

I arrive in Reno on Wednesday the 2nd and leave on Sunday, the 20th.

I'm stoked! Odyssey, NorCal S&C, Boise Half Ironman, and BBCF. It should be a fun couple of weeks.

=)