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5 workouts, 0 excuses

#abetterversionofme2018
Last year, I participated in the Crossfit Open (visit https://games.crossfit.com/open for more information) for the very first time, and since I was new to the experience, and still fairly new to Crossfit, I performed scaled versions for the majority of the workouts. That was until the last workout (17.5), which included double-unders and heavy (for me at the time) thrusters. My coaches and peers talked me into doing the RX version (as prescribed) of that last workout and though I thought I was going to throw up numerous times, I completed it and was very proud of my efforts.

 This year, my situation and my goals were very different. I really wanted to push myself to my limits and perform the RX versions of every single workout. 

 I experienced some ups and downs over the last 5 weeks, but the 2018 Open has been a really great experience overall. It's really helped provide me with a benchmark on my current level of fitness. It's highlighted skills I've improved on over the last year, as well as areas I still need to work on. At times, I have wondered why I do this to myself, but in the end, it's just increased my motivation to work hard. With all that said, my favorite part of the open may well have been the social side of things. I've absolutely loved hanging out with my fellow Crossfitters at Crossfit Q7 (Saigon Sports Club), but also following some of the most inspirational stories of Crossfitters Worldwide via social media.  

 Here is a recap of the last 5 weeks of events.
18.1

Complete as many rounds as possible in 20 minutes of:
8 toes-to-bars
10 dumbbell hang clean and jerks (35 lbs)
12-cal. row
Highlight: Being able to use the 35 lbs dumbbell that I was barely able to lift one year ago 

Area of development: Linking toes-to-bars rather than doing one at a time
Success isn't given.
It is earned with a little blood, sweat and the occasional tear.
18.2

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 reps for time of:
Dumbbell squats (35 lbs)
Bar-facing burpees
+
18.2 A
1-rep-max clean
With a 12 minutes time cap.
Highlight: Easily cleaning 55kg in the last 45 seconds to match my previous 1-rep-max
Area of development: Trying to find a way of becoming more efficient when performing burpees
"These were some enjoyable burpees." - Said no one ever!


18.3

2 rounds for time of:
100 double-unders
20 overhead squats (80 lbs)
100 double-unders
12 ring muscle-ups
100 double-unders
20 dumbbell snatches (35 lbs)
100 double-unders
12 bar muscle-ups
With a 14 minutes time cap.
Highlight: Performing 16 overhead squats at 37.5kg, surpassing the prescribed weight as well as my previous 1-rep-max
Area of development: Improving my overall strength
Strength doesn't come from what you can do.
It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't.


18.4

For time
21-15-9 of alternating deadlifts (155 lbs) and handstand push-ups
21-15-9 of alternating deadlifts (205 lbs) and handstand walks
Highlight: Doing handstands and negatives (against the wall), which I was terrified of doing a year ago
Area of development: Developing the ability to perform a handstand push-up
Don't complain: Just work harder.


18.5

Complete as many reps as possible in 7 minutes of:
3 thrusters (65 lbs)
3 chest-to-bar pull-ups
6 thrusters (65 lbs)

6 chest-to-bar pull-ups
9 thrusters (65 lbs)

9 chest-to-bar pull-ups
...
Highlight: Doing my first chest-to-bar pull-ups (18 of them to be exact) after completing only one single pull-up in last year's Open
Area of development: Linking chest-to-bar pull-ups rather than doing one at a time
It's just ME against Me
2017 was practice;
2018 was the warm-up;
2019...will be game time! 

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