Photography: Oscar Bravo
I am in the process of redoing every CrossFit Open workout. These are my results and reflections from the 4 workouts of 2013. To learn more about the #OpenParkerProject, read this blog post.
I’ll start by detailing my results for each workout. I’ll list some things I did well, and some things I want to improve on next time. Afterwards, I’ll summarize my learning experience for this leg of the Open Parker Project.
Reminder: on some weeks, I checked my historical score, while on other weeks, I went in blind, not knowing what number I had to beat.
| 13.1 17 Minute AMRAP Burpees (6” touch) – reps go 40, 30, 20, 10 30 Snatches – weights go 75, 135, 165, 210 2013 score: 173 I DID check my old score |
Things I did well:
I started fast and tried to hold on Things I want to improve on: I want to try single, consistent reps at 135 |
| 13.2 10 Minute AMRAP 5 push press 10 deadlifts 15 box jumps 2013 score: 310 I did NOT check my old score |
Things I did well:
I held a steady pace overall Things I want to improve on: I want to transition even faster |
| 13.4 7 Minute AMRAP 3 clean and jerks 3 toes to bar -Then 6 each, then 9, etc. 2013 score: 103 I DID check my old score |
Things I did well:
Maintained a smooth, relaxed technique Things I want to improve on: I want to rest less on the clean and jerks; |
| 13.5 4 Minute AMRAP 15 thrusters 15 chest to bar If 3 rounds completed, go until 8:00 2013 score: 150 I did NOT check my old score |
Things I did well:
I had efficient technique on the thrusters Things I want to improve on: I want to try a slightly faster pace in part 1 to give myself more time in part 2 |
The theme of this chapter of The Open Parker Project is “Focus.”
I suffered one defeat, falling short of my old score by 4 reps on workout 13.2 (I did not know my score going into it.) I distinctly remember being very distracted during this WOD. Here are some of the things I was thinking about:
- The music is too loud
- It’s almost Christmas!
- I am beating Lindsay
- Lindsay beat me on this workout in 2013, so if I’m ahead of her, I must be doing well.
- I wonder if the push-press will start hurting
– And all sorts of other thoughts that were not contributing to a successful effort.
In contrast, I reigned in my focus for 13.5 and saw an improvement in my performance.
- I decided to move slow and steady for the first half
- I focused on a quick, solid rack position for each thruster rep
- I monitored my breathing and tried to find a good rhythm.
When I compare these two lists, it is clear which is better. Regardless of the content of the thoughts for 13.5 (the victory), the overall focus was internal: I was thinking about things directly related to my movement, my positions, and my pace.
Reflecting on 13.2 (the defeat), the overall focus of my thoughts was external. I was thinking about things that had NO direct influence on my score at the end of the day. I was evaluating my pace based on another athlete, and I was letting the environment seep through the filter of my focus.
The salient lesson here is that I can choose to think about things that will help me perform better. I want to be an infallible firewall of willpower. I want to be a sturdy dike of determination.
Coming up next: WODs from the 2014 CrossFit Open!
