CrossFit Games 2009

Sometimes the right words or phrases are hard to find to describe a feeling or event.  Thankfully Lisbeth Darsh from CrossFit Watertown  has given us a Perspective "On the 2009 CrossFit Games"

The CrossFit Games are this weekend. You know that already. There’s a pit in your stomach and you’re not even competing in them. How the hell can that be? How can you be so wrapped up in an event that your stomach is churning for something you will watch starting on Friday? What is this thing we call CrossFit and what has it done to us? How do we even describe what is going on here?

We all know how to talk the CrossFit language to other CrossFitters. We are skilled in the CrossFit vernacular for people who share our world. But when faced with newcomers, most of us struggle so much in attempting to explain it. Describing CrossFit is like trying to say why you love your kids so much. Words have been written for thousands of years but no one yet has come up with the right ones to say what we feel.

It will be totally inadequate, but allow me a few words to try to describe what CrossFit is:
It’s a way of working out. It’s a sport. It’s a community. It’s a way to live your life.
It’s Heart. Soul. Love. Victory. And Loss.
It’s getting up early to do some horrible workout with others, or alone. And going to bed late some nights because you’re waiting for Lauren to post the next day’s WOD and you just have to know what it is before you shut your eyes.
It’s sprinting 400 meters again and again, even though you hate running, but you sure want to do it faster and better.
It’s learning Olympic lifts and obsessing over your clean technique, even though you’re a 15-year-old kid, or a 58-year-old grandfather, or a 25-year-old bad mofo stud.
It’s getting back on the pull-up bar, even though every muscle and bone in your body hurts and you’re shaking and you can feel lunch rising in your throat and your heart is pounding out of your chest. You can’t quit now. You can’t quit ever. You must see things through to the end, no matter how painful that might be.
It’s realizing the power of the barbell is mightier than the lure of the couch and the television. One will make you stronger, but the other will weaken your body and your brain. I do not exaggerate when I say the barbell may literally save your life. And your soul.
It’s a community that comes together to peform and witness feats of strength and stamina. A crowd that recognizes heart more than standings, and that victory must be earned or it is worthless. Cheaters will not be tolerated. Character and honor still matter here.
It’s a place that is growing faster than anyone could ever dream, propelled by heart, soul, hard work, and dedication. This CrossFit world is ours. And it’s about to become the world of so many others too. In the future, we will look back on these years with fondness, with nostalgia for the times when we were still small.
So, on Friday when the Affiliate Cup Competition starts, and on Saturday, when the individual competition starts, let us all revel in these days and these ways. Let us lift until our muscles give out, pull up until our hands are raw, and cheer until our dry, raspy throats can manage no more words. These Games – these people – deserve no less.
Heart and community. We’re about to witness huge displays of both. How lucky we are to be here.
This year’s Games are going to be fabulous for many reasons. I have goose bumps just writing about them. Hold on, CrossFit World, this is going to be a hell of a ride . .  .

WOD for 070909
"Danny"
Oakland SWAT Sergeant Daniel Sakai, age 35, was killed on March 21, 2009 in the line of duty along with fellow officers Sergeant Ervin Romans, Sergeant Mark Dunakin, and Officer John Hege. Daniel is survived by wife Jenni and daughter Jojiye.

 Complete as many rounds in 20 minutes as you can of:
24 inch Box Jump, 30 reps
115 pound Push Press, 20 reps
30 Pull-ups

Comments

[lo]

Thank you everyone for your patience, hope you saw the wonderful Cindy Lu Whoo had posted the wod to yesterdays comments.

[Carl]

8 Workouts in two days!!!!!!
The games are going to be crazy. Wish I did not have to work.

[Sampson]

It's going to be crazy and when is everyone heading down

[Row Queen]

Sampson and Heather, salsa will not be on it's way to the gym until Monday when everybody gets back from Crossfit games. Have fun all!!!! Stay cool and safe.

[lo]

DJ and I are leaving at 7am.

[Lisa C.]

Hey all, wish I could come in and do the workout but Tuesday's workout destroyed me and plus I'm suppose to be resting these next few days for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer(39.3 miles) this weekend. I hope you all have a fabulous time at the games and take lots of pictures!!!

[Suz]

Lisa - we'll be thinking about you this weekend on your walk...And I'll drink a beer for you too! "May the road rise up to meet you and may your feet not blister!"

[Suz]

Steve and I will meet you all at the Games Saturday morning, bright and early!

[Bryan]

Woohoo! I am so freaking excited. I wish I didn't have to work tomorrow :( Oh well, I'm gonna pack up the car tonight and head down with bubba bear as soon as I get off work. I really don't have too much to do tomorrow, so maybe I can sneak out a little earlier. I gotta go slap my CrossFit sticker on my car too :)

Gonna be one helluva weekend!

[saki]

See you guys on Saturday. Just don't freak out if I study your arms and hands 'cause my lab practicum is on Wednesday and my lecture exam was pushed to Monday. Nice. An extra weekend to study and the Games just happen to be the same weekend.

Hope all is well at CFS. :)

Lots of love, hugs and kisses. lol.
Saki