U Energy Games: My Experience

Monkeying around!

Despite not making it to the finals in the U Energy Games as I hoped I would, I took home something else - an experience in a big local competition.

On the 27th and 28th January, a two-day competition organized by U concept took place at the Weight Loss Show. The U Energy Games  included three events; Day 1, Day 2: semi-finals and finals.

During Day 1, all the athletes did not know what they'll be doing - and what they'll be competing at exactly. We had a rough idea (a scary one, too!) of what might come up. Luckily enough, I have been doing Crossfit, and I have in a way adapted to set my fears aside and push - despite the unknown.

As we were informed of the workout in Day one - you could tell it is something that will be challenging. So who took part? People from all different ages - those in their 20s to those in their 50s. There were 25 males who took part, 7 females and 5 teams (of four people).

I entered as an individual but was representing my community, CrossFit LifeSpark Dubai alongside my coach, Candice Howe, and three teams.

So after the briefing, you could tell some freaked out, some accepted the challenge and some were indifferent. I personally was excited on pushing myself and see how far I can go. So the workout in day one was:

Few seconds before the race

- 250m Row
- 10 Wall Ball with 6kgs for women, 9kgs for men
- 10 pull ups
- Sand bag carry, 25kgs for women, 35kgs for men, walk up the hill, jump over the wall and back
- 10 rope pulls 
- 10 burpees
- 10 push press, 20kgs for women, 30kgs for men
- 50m Lunges (knee touch the ground)
- 20 box jumps, 20inches for women, 24inches for men
- Jerry cans carry (50kgs)
- Finally a sprint to the finish line.

Sand bag carry - 25kgs

Doing my favorite movement!
Pull-ups!

50kgs Jerry can carry!

It was pretty awesome competing among some of the best athletes in the UAE and people from all different backgrounds. And I would say one of my best moments was when I did my pull-ups and many people looked surprised by someone my size doing pull-ups for reps.

Even a guy approached me and said...."One day I want you to teach me how to do pull ups like that!"

Surprisingly enough, this is the first competition that I have been part of that other Emiratis participated in. It wasn't women though (no surprise there), but at least some 5-6 local guys, which was interesting to see how they'd react to my taking part. Not too bad, actually!

The first day was meant to include all segments of the community and allow everyone to participate - but in the end of the day, there was a score - one that gets you through and one that doesn't.  In my case, I was placed 6th in the female category. My score, however, was not good enough to pass me through next stage. Although I did everything by the book and had great technique.

Me running to the finish line!

Here, I had a little issue with the judging and I have discussed it with the organizer - who listened to my points and I have heard his. We both came to an understanding that the judging should have been stricter, but the ultimate goal is to let everyone experience that feeling of "passing through the finish line," so they feel a sense of accomplishment. So kudos to them for hosting such an event.

Overall, I think this competition is by far the best that I have been part of - it was outdoors (although I caught a cold!), it was well organized, and challenged UAE residents on a whole new level, and most of all - it felt like a real competition. I even felt like as if I was in the US competing for a minute there!

U concept definitely did a wonderful job on hosting their first big event and I am definitely going to look forward for the one coming next year. By then, I will be stronger and faster - watch THIS space! 

Moving on the competition, although I did not take part of the second day - all the athletes from LifeSpark Dubai did, so I went to cheer them on.

During the semi-finals and finals, Candice was placed first in the female category, and 3 of our teams took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places (and 2 of teams had to compete against each other in the end!)

As in usual, when we went there, people asked - "what is this Crossfit thing? Who are these guys?" We are the CrossFit LifeSpark team! We walk in quietly and let our actions speak louder than words - and walk out with big prizes, too!

In another note, the competition I have been training for four months is really near - 22 days and counting! I am excited, but also very nervous. Taking part in this competition is a big deal for me - your prayers for me to make it would mean a lot. It would mean I will go to Korea and compete!

Yours Truly,

I am Back...a Competitor!

I ended last year's post with a somewhat negative note. I started my new years with a depressive episode. Only to realize I am a lot stronger than I thought.

Sometimes, I like to fail. But not too deep to the point where I literally have to do many pull-ups I physically cannot. But I did it, eventually. I climbed my way up again...only to find myself fighting harder.

In my last post, I discussed how I had fears. Many fears, but guess what? I am smashing each of these...one at a time. Domino effect!

My fears & progress:

1. Cannot do double unders:

Now guess what? Just 5 days after I wrote that post. I got my double-unders, and soon enough I will be able to string them together.

    2. Olympic Lifts:

My Snatch technique is getting much better. I am not a scared "to go under the bar" while doing a clean...and I just added 1kg to my clean @ 41kgs. Trust me, in the olympic lifts, one KG is what makes you or breaks you. So yes, 1kg...is a big deal. Getting closer to my 50kgs goal in 35 days.

    3. Learned how to do rope climbs:

After just 30 minutes of practising. More so, was able to pull my body at least 2cm off the ground by only pulling with my two arms, no legs. (ehm, good upper body strength indicator!)

    4. I am good enough and I know it:

I may not be as fit or as strong as other women all over the world. But as Amna, I have improved so much and I am beating MY own records and not one someone else's. I dislike when someone tries to compare me or when I compare me with others and their progress. In the end of the day, this is my journey, my vibrams, my blisters, my sweat, MY tears. This is me. 


   5. My fear of not making it in the competition: 

My response? Went right ahead and threw myself among the wolves and joined a local competition, the U energy games @ the Weight Loss Show, which will in a way prepare me physically and mentally for the competition I am training for that is taking place from the 22nd of Feb until the 25th of March (countdown time!) 

If you fear something? Jump right into it. You'd be surprised by how not so scary it is as you might've thought.

Yours truly,
Always a fighter


For more information on the U energy Games, visit their facebook page HERE. Do come and cheer for me ;). I wouldn't mind any support!