Sunday, December 25, 2011

Competition: My Fear of Not Making It

I have a fear. A fear that I won't make it through Crossfit Open 2012. I have been training rigorously as some know, but am I getting closer to where I need to be? Unfortunately, I don't think so. I have been training for competition for exactly 10 weeks, and there are about 9 more weeks left.


You'd think there is enough time. Wrong. There is not. 


If I were to tell you I have not made any gains in the past 10 weeks, I would be a liar. If anything, I have made some awesome personal gains; some of which include my 90kgs deadlift, 65kgs back squat, 40kgs squat clean, 30kgs snatch, 1RM Weight-pull ups @ 10kgs, my wallballs are better, my box jumps are improving...I am improving, but am I improving enough to make it? 


You see, crossfit is unlike any other competition. There are no weight classes; which is what makes it exciting but also very nerve-wrecking for a 50kgs, 5'2 small girl like me. Most crossfit women who I have seen compete are beasts and majority - not all - but majority weigh in their 60s with experience in Crossfit or other sports.


Yes, I was weight-training before, but not this way. Not even close.


However, when it comes to doing body-weighted movements, my light weight helps; with push ups, pullups....etc, but what worries me is that there will be a big weight thrown in the Open which will immediately disqualify me; especially anything overhead.


Although my overhead position improved SO much in the past 10 weeks; before I was not able to hold more than 5kgs and squat it down without dropping the bar. Yet, I recently did an overhead squat with 25kgs, and HERE is a video similar to what I did with 1kg less.


I have been going for physiotherapy for the past 10 weeks and doing extensive 30-45 minutes mobility exercises everyday (aside from my actual training). The goal of the physiotherapy is to make sure I get mobility, better range of motion, prevent injuries and work on existing injuries.


Yet, I wonder...is it enough? Am I doing enough to make it? Am I doing everything I should be doing to get through?


Another major concern of mine is....DOUBLE-UNDERS! Before Crossfit, I never skipped in my life, let alone do a double-under (which basically when you jump once and the rope goes under your feet twice.) I have been going at it for at least TWO months. I get it occasionally - out of the blue - and then it disappears for a long time. And to be honest, I am not sure how to get them. EVERYONE exhausted their double-under cues to me, I watched numerous videos...and it's just not happening. Will that be what stops me from making it through the open to go through Asia Regionals? 


I have quite a lot of these doubts. A lot of people tell me that I have passion and my passion will get me through. I don't think passion without hard work is enough. I have the passion, I am working hard, and spending a lot of money on my training and physio. Yet, I still wonder...is it enough?


I really for once in my life want to do something daring. I never did anything so. I want to make it to the regionals, even if it's just for ONE workout. I know I am not strong enough to make top 10 or go to the Games. Not because *I am not strong as me*, but I am not strong compared to the other women who have years of experience under their belt, while me...I have only been technically doing crossfit for 4-5 months.



It may seem that I am "making excuses", and maybe I am, but my excuses are realistic concerns, too....yet I am still training , working hard, and making gains. So my goal is to keep focusing on getting ME better. Getting ME stronger. Getting me to perfect some skills. Yet sometimes, my body doesn't respond the way I want it to.


I have these fears. And a lot more. They came up sometimes. It's normal and I need to let it out, because if I don't I will be cheating myself and only drive myself crazy with self-doubt.


Yet I am still trying and going to give it a shot - because I never know if I don't try and I don't want to regret not giving it all I've got. But at the same time, I want to be realistic and not disappoint myself if I don't make it or disappoint those who supported me, either.


Yours Truly,
GymFreak @999Fitness


Sunday, December 11, 2011

My Experience: UAE Fitness Challenge

For the first time, this weekend I got a taste of what competing publicly feels like, despite being part of smaller competitions taking place in the "box" I train at, it wasn't the same. The difference this time... I competed against people I never met, in a strange place, and outdoors under a scorching sun - while being the only person fully covered.

Before I go into details of the competition...I have to admit, last week I had a major breakdown regarding my training for competing in Crossfit 2012. Having told the world my plans, it came with the consequence with the pressure of expectation, and not necessairly of those by others, but of myself and my progress.  After much reflecting, crying (a tank of it!), and talking to some people...I realized I have always had one goal - keep getting stronger - with or with no competition in mind.

So on a Thursday afternoon, I randomly decided - with no plan, no training for this particular competition - what the hey! Let's go compete for fun! Not only I had fun, I surprised myself with my result!

On Friday morning the 2nd UAE Fitness Challenge which is organised by Men's Fitness and Shape ME Magazine took place in the Le Royal Meridien, from 9am-1pm. The competition had three categories: Individual Men, Individual Women, and Teams.

The competition was a 12 Minutes AMRAP (aka - As Many Rounds As Possible) of:
  • 10 Polymetric Box Jumps (m = 24inch, w = 20inch)
  • 15 Hand Release Push Ups
  • 20 Kettlebell swings (m = 16kgs, w = 8kgs)
  • 100m Run
Photoshoot by Shape ME
I guess the moment it hit me that I was competing was after they demonstrated the movements, they called my name in Heat 1 (basically a certain number of people competing in a group). They shouted my name..."Amna Al Haddad", and a whole bunch of the peeps I knew there were rooting for me and I felt an adrenaline rush!

Two minutes later, the competition began. As I finished my first round, I breezed through it...but it started gettng harder in round two...having competed outdoors for the first time fully covered was a bit of a challenge on its own. I never did any extrenous activity outdoors before, so I started feeling extremely dehydrated, and running is one of my weaknesses alongside box jumps ( although some said I beasted the hell out of those! Still work in progress in getting my rhythm & soft landing). I kept my mind focused on the simple fact, this is only 12 minutes (although from hell) it's just 12 minutes. Give it all I've got!

As the countdown began, I have completed 4 rounds + 10 box jumps + 15 push ups + 17 kb swings. Today they announced the scores...and I ranked 13th out of 20 contenstants in the Individual category (both men and women). I am very very pleased with my result...because the TOP Athletes (PT's, winners of big titles, and regular competitors) were in their 6th or 7th round and I was in my 5th. This means I am catching up with the best...so watch out boys and girls!


The top three women were:

  1. Candice Howe (My awesome coach who is very humble! @CandiceHowe)
  2. Inger Larsen (The queen of double-unders who trains with us @CrossFitLSDubai)
  3. Lisa Doe
 
 The top three men were:
  1. Justin Ahrens
  2. Phill Robson
  3. Paul Hymers (@fitnessindubai)

The top three teams were:
  1. CrossFit LifeSpark - Coach Ben & the boys!
  2. Core Direction
  3. Glory Girls (Super Duper awesome strong women! @GLORYGIRLFIT)


CrossFit LifeSpark Team: From left to right, Lee, Luke
Coach Ben, Coach Candice, me, and Chris.

All in all it was an amazing experience to be part of the UAE Fitness Challenge. But no one can deny that Crossfit LifeSpark two coaches, regular crossfitter men and women really stole the show. We walked in quiet, but walked out loud.


Next Fitness Challenge here I come,...but wait, which direction to run again? 

 For more, click HERE to see the workouts, WOMEN athletes, MEN athletes, and TEAMS.
Yours Truly,
GymFreak @ 999fitness