Wellll we're back again! Gyms are open to as many people as we want and faces are maskless. Post Malone is open to opening for the Chilli Pepper's but Perth bars aren't open to opening their doors for him. Australia is now open to Novak, and the Australian Open was open to him winning. India has eventually opened their border to Uzzie Khawaja to open the batting after previously being closed to offering him a Visa. (I'm not going near what George Pell was open and closed to doing) and inflation rate increases are open - along with CBA record profits! And of course, the CrossFit Open rolls around for another year.
What better day to hold the draft than Valentine's Day? The day when love is realised and hearts are broken. Going to sleep last night everyone put their head on the pillow post group love, after being bonded with their new faction group.
Who could forget Green's victory last year? Not I for one. But with many calling it an asterisk win after too many COVID withdrawals and affected scores this year has been labelled as a 2 for 1 year. All last year's captains are back for another shot at immortality, with their teams below: (If you haven't been added to a group WhatsApp, please contact Jason). BLUE: (Wacey) Mitch B, Shaun B, Tristan D, David H, Christian L, Chris L, Adrian R, Lane S, Emily C, Rose M, Eimer M, Molly R, Kristina S. Wacey: "If we score more points than the other teams, most likely we will win". GREEN: (Jason) Matt Bi, Matt Bl, Conor B, Tim D, Marco DF, Adam L, Ryan M, Dan M, Usaid R, Grace B, Eleanor C, Cristina G, Jen H. Jason "Father time and Green, both undefeated" RED: (Nate)
Bram C, David H, Duncan L, Pat L, Cooper L, Ivan JMG, Stewart P, Mike W, Cameron W, Natalie D, Rita P, Brittany R, Ching WT. Nate "I've chosen my team primarily on their ability to execute our pre-workout dances".
PURPLE: (Liz)
Ben C, Peter D, Noel D, Harry F, Quentin L, Ervin N, Ben NL, Guy S, Niki A, Lauren C, Laura G, Chantel M, Rebecca V. Liz: "Most of my team I'm treating..." Things Gary Heard: "When can we start trash-talking?" - Mitch "I need to know whose tires not to slash" Christian "Anyone got any red booty shorts I can borrow? Asking for a friend" - Duncan "Nobody look at me or talk to me post-workout" - Cooper
"I'm really keen to get serious and give next year a good crack" - Fergus 2022 "Can you please re-active my membership" - Chantel M, Feb 14th Things to remember: - If you're doing Friday Night Lights, please register on the heats sheet. - Join the Open slack channel to keep up to date with news. - Make sure you understand the range of motion requirements before the workout.
*First and last serious bit of the Open Close for the year*
This year marks a decade of The Open for CrossFit Claremont! It feels like just the other day a few greenhorns didn't know what they were getting themselves into and just as today, speculated on what the first workout might be. It's really special to still have Wacey, Niki, Matty B, Dave and Junko doing it from that small group back then.
While it's not something that worries me if people do or don't do The Open, I'm incredibly proud that every year we have such great participation rates. (Currently, we have the most registered in WA which is cool!)
It's never easy putting yourself out there, giving it your all, being vulnerable and putting your name up alongside the whole world.
I really love everyone getting together as a community, cheering each other on, celebrating PRs, pushing boundaries and doing things and pushing to a place that previously they didn't think they were able.
But my favourite thing about The Open is everyone's own personal growth. It's hard. For many and most, it is scary doing the workout alongside someone else while also being counted and judged. You do feel nervous when putting up a score alongside other people in the world. But life is scary, and on a daily basis you're going to have to do hard and uncomfortable things (which is how Lauren and I ended up with 3 kids...🥴) It's a great chance to overcome something and come out the other side more confident in your ability to be resilient and challenge yourself.
If you're worried or waiting until you're "ready", or "fit enough" or "can commit fully" then don't worry - that day will never come. I've done every Open workout since it began 13 years ago and not once had I thought before, "Yeah I really feel great" or "I'm fully prepared". But once again, this is another mirror to life. You will probably never feel ready for what's coming but you will have to do it anyway, and you always make it through, just like you'll make it through this!
At times you will definitely be put outside your comfort zone, but you will also create some lasting memories. Ask anyone about any of the open workouts they've done - they will be able to tell you something they remember.
So for the first-year rookie, lean on the veterans. Veterans help out or give some encouragement to someone new and tell them something you wish you had known. But most importantly - have fun, relax and enjoy the experience! Just like any other CrossFit workout: everyone is too wrapped up in what they are doing to care about your score - so don't worry!
Well done to every single person in a faction who has put themselves out there and registered. I'm extremely proud of you all. And while midway through several workouts you may be questioning why you signed up for this, you will look back and be glad you did!
