I’m in it to do it.
CrossFit and Knowing More Than the Coach
When I got my CrossFit Level One certification (L1) almost five years ago, I had two motivations:
- Increase my job prospects
- I inherently don’t trust people. I didn’t want to hurt myself because of bad coaching.
When I started CrossFit, I was obsessed with doing all of the movements correctly. I would Google every movement and watch tons of videos when they were programmed. I did this for a solid two years, and I still do this when something shows up I want to learn more about.
So today, devil’s press was programmed for CrossFit. Devil’s press is a push up with a dumbbell and then you raise the dumbbell overhead. You can either snatch the dumbbell in one movement or you can clean and jerk the dumbbell, which is two movements. As long as it ends up overhead.
Enter my coach.
He’s been coaching maybe six months. Unsure how long he’s been doing CrossFit. I don’t say anything to coaches; I let them coach. Except when they state a falsehood. Then I have to speak up.
Today, my coach tried to tell everyone that a clean and jerk for a devil’s press was not allowed. When I told him it was, I was questioned, but more than that — I was told I was wrong and rudely told “No, you can’t” and “I’ve never seen it done that way before.” Throw in a rude tone, and the CrossFit coach was trying to make me seem like I had no clue what I was talking about. Plus, he kept insisting you couldn’t clean and jerk it.
When I told him I had done devil’s press in a CrossFit competition as a clean and jerk, I still got told I was wrong.
I was angry. I left mad. I didn’t appreciate being told I was an idiot.
Finally, the owner had to step in and tell the CrossFit coach essentially I was right. I still didn’t get an apology.
ADVICE FOR NEW CROSSFIT COACHES
Don’t Come to Class Unprepared
Know your CrossFit programming. If a movement is programmed in CrossFit you don’t know, Google it and its variations. It doesn’t take that long.
Be Nice When Questioned
Many CrossFitters think they know moves. Some are right; some are wrong. You can be nice about it either way.
It’s Not About You
“I would do it this way.”
Honestly, no one particularly cares how you’d do it. CrossFitters can do it however they want — as long as you are safe, of course.
It’s Not Your CrossFit Workout
I usually alter the CrossFit WODs no matter what. I either go heavier, or I change the moves. This is because I have my own CrossFit programming and training, and I know what I need to work on. Some CrossFit coaches take this personally. It’s nothing against you. Again, everyone is at their own place in their CrossFit journey. Honor that, and don’t berate it.
Keep in Mind the Point of CrossFit
The point of CrossFit is to be better at functional movement in the real world, to get a good workout, to feel better about yourself. Meet people where they are at. Everyone is at their own prescribed weight. Everyone can do the movement however they want. It’s their workout; not yours.
CrossFit Ups Are Always Followed by Downs
At the beginning of the year, I felt healthy and ready to go hard at CrossFit. My injuries had all been healed, and I was well rested.
Enter January.
My dog had to go the emergency vet. The next week my grandmother died. Then I fell down the stairs and bruised up my entire left forearm.
Enter February
Then, this week, I hit myself in the foot with a dumbbell, I fell on the ice, and I dropped a 15-pound plate on my other foot.
I’ve about had it and am wondering what the hell God is trying to tell me here.
CrossFit & More
Based off a dream I keep having:
“Time makes the heart grow fonder,”
Distance away does as well.
So why when I see you
I feel like hell?
Storms brew
Feelings renew
I push away
As do you.
Denial works
It’s a way to cope
Because the last thing I want
Is a glimmer of hope.
I stay away
Till you draw me near
I know it will end
With bloodshed and tears.
CrossFit Competition: Windsor Warrior
Another CrossFit Competition in the books.
Yesterday, I has a CrossFit Competition with my daughter. As usual, we took last place. Overall, we had fun, but there were a lot of dopey rules that made it exceedingly hard for my daughter to compete. I did most of the work (as expected), but I’m not as sore as last CrossFit competition we partnered together.
Overall, we had fun. It was held outdoors, of which we froze the entire morning until it warmed up. However, it was so close to my home that I was able to go home in-between CrossFit WODs, eat a good lunch, and even take a nap. I wish all CrossFit competitions were as such.
When CrossFit Becomes Fun…
If you remember, my last CrossFit competition I came in first place.
Now that was fun.
Today, I did a REALLY fun CrossFit Wod that is called “The Chief.” The Chief is 3 power cleans at 95 lbs, 6 push ups, and 9 air squats. We did five, three-minute AMRAPs with a minute rest in-between. It was totally fun, and I got 24 rounds in.
It’s taken me almost four years to get to this point. And when I’m healthy (like now), I’m enjoying it like never before!
CrossFit Competition: Bumper Plate Date
I love doing CrossFit competitions for a good cause, and this CrossFit competition, held at CrossFit Endure in Windsor, CO, was to raise money for the Windsor High School Weightlifting Club. It was a male/female partnership, and it was fun.
We ended up taking first place in the Master’s competition (totally unexpected), which felt really good. I hadn’t won a CrossFit competition in a long time, so this felt good — like I still have it. Fun stuff!
