CrossFit is separated from boot camps, regular working out, and other ‘training’ in part by being ‘the sport of fitness’.  Sport is defined by competition.  Wins and Losses.  As Fall gears up, we are seeing more and more opportunities to compete in CrossFit around the Southwest.

I love to compete in CrossFit, and not because I always win (in fact, I’ve never won a CrossFit competition).  There is great atmosphere (witness the “Grace” challenge we just finished), great people, and just a lot of fun.  You also get the chance to see where you stack up against a bigger pool of people.  Competing against strangers is MUCH more nerve-wracking than competing against our in-house athletes.  You just don’t know what that guy or gal is capable of.

There are three competitions coming up in the next two months which will be available for you to register for, and I encourage you to do so.  I’ll keep you updated on new events that we hear of, so stay tuned!

First, OPT’s Big Dawg Challenge is being hosted by CrossFit Invictus in San Diego on Saturday, September 25th.

OPT (stands for Optimum Performance Training) is the business and nickname of James Fitzgerald, the original, 2007 CrossFit Games Champion.  It is difficult to put the respect I have for James into words.  I had the opportunity to meet James and his wife Leighanne last year, and they are top notch people, athletes, and coaches.  This is an opportunity to meet OPT, CJ Martin, the owner of Invictus, see San Diego for a bit, and the cost is only $5!  You can register here. We will be organizing a car pool if enough people want to go.

The VERY NEXT WEEKEND is an event unlike any other in the history of CrossFit.  It is a USAW sanctioned weightlifting meet/CrossFit event.  There will be weight classes!!!!  Three events, one rep max snatch, one rep max clean and jerk, and then a CrossFit Triplet consisting of 10 minute AMRAP of 6 squat cleans (55kg/30kg), 12 pullups, and 24 double unders.    The fact that we know the events ahead of time and the weight classes makes this a unique event in CrossFit.  Held in Colorado Springs October 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, there is a lifting schedule online (my weight class would be on Saturday).  This is the most expensive option (due to travel costs to CS) but I know a lot of CF biggies will be there.  Rumor has it Chris Speallor will be competing (in his weight class) on Friday!  A great opportunity to push yourself.  Register here. You must also have a USAW card to compete, but you can get that online.

Finally, CrossFit Fury in Goodyear (LOCAL!) is hosting a fundraiser on October 23rd.  The cost is $25 and it raises money to honor Phoenix Police Officer Travis Murphy.  Fury is owned by Peter Egyed, one of the top competitors in all of CrossFit.  Peter won the Southwest CF Regional this year and placed 6th last year in the International CF Games.    The Furious Fundraiser starts with a 5km run which everyone can participate in and then two CF wod’s later in the day which are for athletes who generally don’t need to scale.  A great local event to test the best of the best!

I’m sure more things will pop up in the coming months, if you hear of something, or want to organize something, let me know and I will pass the word along!

Workout of the Day:
Five sets of:
Front Squat x 3-4 reps
Rest 60 seconds
Back Lever practice – 30 seconds
Rest 60 seconds;
and then,
Three rounds for time of:
30 Wall Ball Shots (20/12 lbs.)
20 Toes to Bar