So, its been a few weeks since my last post, but its been busy at The Evil Lab, and all things stemming from it. Before I get into the meat of this post, I do want to catch up everyone on my latest adventures.
First, I did race today, a short, but tough, duathlon, in Holly, MI, a race that isn't particularly user friendly due to a very tight bike course, with some nasty pavement, not to mention, short, steep hills, and then winding descents on a narrow road, with traffic coming in the opposite direction. But its a decent test of fitness for this time of year, and I was somewhat satisfied with my 2nd overall performance. Without doing any real "short" speed work on the bike or run, as my focus is long course, I felt better as the race progressed, finishing the second run with my fastest mile of the day. Not to mention, I was faster than last year on this course, and the race was 2 months earlier this year than last, so, I'll take it. Plus, I was on a bike I had ridden a total of 3 times prior to the race, and I still managed the fastest bike split. It looks like things are starting to click, and that's the biggest take away for me.
I do owe a big thanks to Rich Ducar and Drew Hettinga from the Bike Shop in Glen Ellyn for getting the bike together quickly and fitting perfectly. Even if you don't live in the area, its worth going to see these guys - they understand the importance of a truly quality bike fit and how that means more than that 5000 dollar frame when it comes to going fast comfortably. Also, I have to thank Inov-8, their road line of shoes, in particular, the 155's were outstanding, even on a packed dirt run course. This is a company that truly gets it - if you want to run right, then learn how to run first, and do it in their shoes. Not over-built, compensating for pronation or supination, they are built for people who want to run correctly, on all surfaces, and all distances. Not to mention, they have proven themselves in the Crossfit market, with their low differential, and sticky soles to help with lifts or WODS. Give them a look.
But the race was just the end of a rather crazy 7 days, 7 very eye opening days for myself and over 2000 people. Last Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I witnessed first hand, the Reebok Crossfit North Central Regional Championships. The 48 men, 48 women and 48 teams from the Region who passed the test of the Open, were on stage competing in 7 events in 3 days, at Navy Pier in Chicago. For someone who has watched most Crossfit competition on TV or video feeds, seeing it live was absolutely amazing. From the athletes to the vendors, to the fans, the entire weekend was about better health and fitness. The room buzzed with it, as Paleo friendly meals were served to everyone, to vendors selling products that were slick but functional; clothing with personality, like the LifeasRx T-shirt I saw - "If Crossfit was easy, it would be called an elliptical", or "Fight Through" clothing that dedicated proceeds to The Wounded Warrior Project.
It was the first sporting event, and yes, you read that correctly, sporting event, where the fans were fit. Crossfitters from all over the Region, as well as other parts of the US were there cheering on the athletes and drinking in all that Regionals had to offer. The vibe was one of feeling good, and wanting to feel good. By that I mean, talking to people who were there to watch, who knew little about Crossfit, indicated they felt an overwhelming sense of wanting to experience it, to do a WOD, to understand why the "girls" don't mean a good time in the traditional sense, but more importantly, they didn't want to loose the feeling of community, of family that was in the building. At its core, that's what Crossfit is about, inclusive, all-accepting, inviting, and life changing. All around were stories of people who experienced a monumental life change because of Crossfit, and they were there to cheer on those select few who made it to Regionals. It was a positive feedback loop - 2000 people who knew what it took to get to Regionals, the sacrifice, dedication, training, determination, and the athletes who in turn wanted to hear their stories, supporting not only one another, but strangers from boxes all over the Region, wanting to hear why others Crossfit.
On Saturday, as I watched Elizabeth Akinwale destroy the "100's" - 100 wall ball with a 14 lb med ball that had to hit a 10 foot target, 100 chest to bar pull ups, 100 single leg squats, alternating, and ending with 100 single arm dumbbell snatches - 50 lbs for the women, 70 for the men, in 23 minutes and 14 seconds (note - in the entire world, about 15 women total have completed this workout under the 25 minute time cap), I realized something that I had been sensing for about a month - this is the future of sport. Here were these athletes, who basically train and compete full time, living and training alongside other Crossfitters who can relate to what the elite of the elite of the Crossfit World are going through. What other sport can say that? I racked my brain trying to find one, but think about it- any of the big 4 pro sports don't have that connection, and none have the kind of connection with fans like Crossfit. Take the reigning Men's World Champ, Rich Fronig. He isn't just the Crossfit Champ, he owns a box, teaches classes to everyday people just looking to get healthy, trains along side them, and watches them compete as well. He's just one of the group at his own gym.
And every event is different, which creates new excitement. Not to mention, Crossfitters, from Rich to the newest person to walk into a box, come in all shapes and sizes. There isn't a prototypical Crossfitter. Camille LaBlanc Bazinet, the winner of the Canada East Regional, is 5'2", 128 lbs. Oh yeah, she did an over-head squat of 205. Seem impossible? Its not. That's why Crossfit draws new people in everyday. Rich is 5'9. Dan Bailey, 5'7. Games competitors at the highest level. All of that is made possible by understanding your body, and proper movement. Something I know I learned in a Crossfit box, only to be accelerated with my work with CFE.
And for those who doubt what I'm saying, lets consider some indisputable facts - in 2012, the number of people who competed in the Open was 70,000. In 2013, its 130,000. If it continues at that rate, what will the Open look like in 2 years? Or Regionals? Need more proof? Consider this - how long has triathlon been around? Or the marathon? Longer than Crossfit, in particular, the Crossfit games in 2007. In 2012, ESPN ran coverage of all the events of the Games, live, as in real time, not tape delayed, not edited like the Ironman World Championships, live, for over 3 days. It replays on ESPN constantly. When was the last time ESPN ran a certain tri, or marathon live, or, even tape delayed, then re-ran it later in the year? Can't think of one? That's b/c they don't. As much as it pains me as a multisport athlete to realize that, we don't even come close in terms of coverage, spectatorship, and top tier media exposure.
Yes, I can hear those doubters out there saying, "why the hell would I want to watch a bunch of people working out? That's not a sport." Really? What's watching a marathon? Isn't that watching someone run, in essence, exercise? Same thing with swimming, or cycling, or triathlon? And let's be honest, when we watch football, baseball, basketball, aren't we watching grown men play a kids game? Maybe that's an over-simplification but at their core, well, they are kids games.
If you don't believe me, go to www.crossfit.com. On the left hand side of the home page is a link to the Crossfit games. Go to the Media tab at the top of the page, which gives you the option to see archived footage. Check out the Central East Regional Men's footage. Or the NorCal Men's or Women's footage. Or Canada East. Or North Central. Don't just look at the athletes, look at the stands, the packed stands of large halls all over the World. Like the European Regionals. Or Latin American Regionals. Today capped the end of all Regionals, and those headed for Carson California at the end of July are locked up. Check out the videos and find out why. More importantly, look at them without judgement or expectation. Then think about tuning into your local baseball team's game. Or golf. See what happens.
Stay Strong,
Guy
