Blog Post 091015 - Competing in CrossFit Competitions

We have 18 athletes competing in three teams over the weekend at the Allstar Affiliate Series at the Melbourne Showgrounds. For a number of these athletes this will be their first CrossFit competition. Everyone has been training hard, strategising and planning ever intricate detail of each of the 7 team WODs at the competition for the past 2 months. The work has been done and there is now little that can be done to physically prepare the athletes for the weekend ahead.

For me CrossFit Competitions are an awesome way to challenge myself. I have always been very competitive so when I am placed in an arena setting against other athletes I tend to find away to push harder and get more out of myself than I would training at the box on my own. I tend to PR more and do things that surprise even myself! There is a negative though, along with competing individually there is always anxiety by placing pressure on myself to do well or not fail. I set myself some high expectations which in turn, build’s that nervous feeling at the pit of my stomach. Over time I have developed some strategies that I use to help overcome these anxious and nervous feelings before competition WODs:

1. Lately I have been really enjoying the team competitions. I enjoy these a lot more as competing with a group of mates just takes the pressure off and makes competing a hell of lot more enjoyable. Cheer, Support and do what you can for your teammates. Focus on helping them be their best for the day.
2. Don't try and do anything new on game day, eat what you always eat, wear what you always wear and you will perform the way you usually do. I don’t eat too much between WODs so I try make sure I eat my usual breakfast in the morning, and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
3. Focus on what you have to do, your technique and the WOD itself.
4. Remember that you are competing to better yourself. These are workouts and training stimuli that will make you stronger and fitter. At the end, no matter what, you will be better for the experience and the awesome training you got to complete! Enjoy it!

Here is a great article on CrossFit Mental Training. I especially like the part on the ‘Annie Smile’: “Smiling not only helps you maintain a positive mindset, but scientists have noted that smiling lowers blood pressure and releases endorphins and serotonin, both known to produce feelings of well-being.”

http://www.tabatatimes.com/crossft-mental-training/

Good luck to all Bring It On CrossFit athletes competing over the weekend and especially those competing in their first CrossFit Competition. Enjoy it. It is going to be a lot of fun, and you are ready for this!

“Success in no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing.” – PELE. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

Cheers,
Coach Jared.

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