Festivus Games.....my favorite competition. I have competed in 5 of these crossfit competitions called Festivus For the Rest of Us. The games are not for fire breathers! More for beginners and casual cross-fitters. Although, we do see a lot of beasts in there competing. People are always so encouraging and helpful so you don't feel pressure.
 |
| Rachel has my back |
This past weekend was the first partner competition and I had my best gym rat friend, Jeanne, by my side. We trained for months. I mean, I couldn't do a single pull-up but we decided to go beast-mode and enter the Intermediate category anyway. After a couple months I was able to get a few pull-ups and was starting to see an increase in my strength, especially with deadlifts. Jeanne, along with all of our other amazing gym friends, pushed me every week. On Sunday's we did all the Festivus workouts as a group and encouraged one another to go harder. I can't tell you how much fun I had working out as a group to get stronger as well as have something cool to work toward.
 |
| The Aurora Hunters |
We signed up for the Festivus Games in Houghton, MI. It was a fun change of pace. Right away we went shopping and out for some food and drinks. When we arrived at the gym the next morning, you could just tell it was a comfy and encouraging atmosphere. Not too many people. Just enough to make it competitive, but not too many to make it scary. We were pumped! Of course we all brought our oils too! I was preparing by dousing myself in peppermint - THE best oil for any workout. If you workout, you need it! We also all got our antioxidant boost in with Ningxia. And lastly, I was filling up my water bottle with AminoWise - Young Living's BCAA supplement to help bring nutrients to the muscles and help with recovery.
 |
| Peppermint helps with all things endurance, energy, and strength. |
 |
| BCAAs, Antioxidants, and YL supplements (Super B, Multigreens, Agilease) |
The first workout of the day was to be Happy Hour at the Bar - Deadlifts. My least favorite workout of the day. But I was happy to get it over with. Jeanne and I had to each do 5 reps at each bar. There were 8 bars set up, increasing weight as we went. Our weights were 95, 105, 125, 145, 165, 185, 195, 205. When we started training, I could only lift the 165 bar one time. By our last session, I was able to lift 195 twice. So, I knew that I wouldn't be able to finish all the weights. However, when I stepped up to the 165 bar I was ready. On the second pull I felt this awful feeling run down my back and into my butt. I knew I had done something not so good, but I finished the last 3 pulls anyway. I stepped up to the 185 and realized I could barely bend over or put weight on my right leg. I was out. For the day. And I knew it.
 |
| Well....I may as well just start drinking |
I never thought I would be one of those athletes that had to sit the bench. I felt like the biggest whiner. Immediately I had tears of anger. And tears for my partner who was now also out because of me. We had spent all this time training, strategizing, and getting stronger. I was just so pissed that we couldn't compete. We found this sweet girl from Marquette and told her to suit up! She's in! She had just started crossfit in June and had no idea we were in the intermediate category, but she said she would take my place to compete. She did awesome! It was so fun watching she and Jeanne....but so hard at the same time.
 |
| Da girls celebrating at the coolest restaurant and Fire House in town |
I am SO thankful to have a freaking awesome tribe by my side. We have the most Bad-A yoga instructor, and friend, who immediately took control and helped stretch me out. She got me into some yoga poses and helped me breathe so I wouldn't have a complete meltdown. Others helped me with pain management (a.k.a. booze) and keeping me laughing and smiling. We definitely made some great memories and will be back to do it again in April!!
 |
| Our group. Our tribe. |
And OH MY GOSH! These girls ROCKED this competition! Most everyone went home with some medals! And some amazing chicas got a PR. I was so proud of everyone there. They worked their butts off and deserved to be on those winners boxes. I hope that each of them come back and do it again in April
Now....who is joining us?!?!
Comments
Post a Comment