Why I Sign Up for the OPEN (Part 1)
The Open starts tomorrow! If you’re still on the fence about signing up, see why we do!
Coach Nathan
-What year was it when you participated in your first Open and what did you experience?
My first Open was all the way back when the Open originated in 2011. I had just started at FCF a month prior and Tony somehow convinced me to sign up. I’ll be honest, it was a very humbling experience – I still remember struggling to get even a few clean and jerks during 11.3. But at the same time it was also very encouraging to see people that have put in a lot of work do amazing things I never thought possible.
-Why do you continue to sign up?
Since 2011 the Open has obviously grown. I have participated nearly every year since then and continue to do so because of the camaraderie within our FCF community and the ability to see where my fitness is year to year.
-What is your favorite thing about the Open?
My favorite thing about the Open is the environment every Saturday during those 5 weeks. It’s invigorating to be a part of the energy that fills the gym as people cheer each other on and push themselves harder than they normally would. It’s a very rewarding and positive feeling.
-What movements do you hope to see this year?
I’m going to make people mad by saying this, but I hope to see some thrusters again this year. Those tend to be workouts where I can really do well and push myself to my limit. Gotta love having short legs!
-What movements do you NOT want to see this year?
I’d really be ok with no handstand pushups. Being injured for most of this past year, I’ve had very little time to actually work on this skill and it is always one that kicks my butt during the Open.
As always, I encourage everyone to sign up! Whether you’ve been doing CrossFit for 4 days, 4 months, or 4 years, you’ll have a great time and be glad you did it this time next year.
Coach Tony
I’ve participated in the Open every year since the beginning, 2011. It is a good test of the combination of skills and strength, based on the original format of the CrossFit Games – be ready for the unknown and unknowable. Each weekly workout was a fun test of your skills, and with the adrenaline and motivation of others working out around you, it pushed us to achieve some pretty amazing PRs. Nowadays I continue to sign up because I can assign the annual Open series to significant events in my life. I destroyed my knee playing volleyball one year, and after the reconstruction, matching my previous achievements have become my new goals. Year after year, I saw improvements to my scores, and now 6 years later, it is great to know that I can still keep up with my younger self! Thrusters and burpees are what I salivate for in the Open. This year I’d love to see the following ridiculous workout announced: KALSU: 100 Thrusters for time, with EMOM 5 burpees before doing thrusters!
Coach Andrea
-What year was it when you participated in your first Open and what did you experience?
2013…my experience brought out the competitive gymnast in me, and I loved that! It also made me feel a lot of pressure. Mixed bag of emotions.
-Why do you continue to sign up?
I sign up to support our community! And because I am more than just a mama now. By signing up for this year’s Open, I am committing to myself that I am worth it. I am worth putting in the work to be a better me. I am worth taking the time away from my family to keep fit. My son needs to see a mama that is healthy and happy and fulfilled. I am more than a mama, I am an athlete!
-What is your favorite thing about the Open?
Seeing people do things they thought impossible for themselves. It is a culmination of all the hard work (and coaching) throughout the year!
-What movement(s) do you hope to see this year?
GYMNASTICS! Mama Vittegleo still loves HSPU, toes-to-bar, bar MU and pistols!
-What movement(s) do you NOT want to see this year?
Ugh, all the rest!
Coach Mark
-What year was it when you participated in your first Open and what did you experience?
My first open was in 2011! I had been doing CrossFit for over year and was easily talked into signing up. I had heard all of the hype from Sectionals, and the FCF athletes that participated from the year prior and felt like I had progressed enough as an athlete to be competitive. I didn’t know what to expect but I did find out what it’s like to compete by exercising. It kind of got me hooked on the process. I was able to see where my weaknesses were and I was excited to see how much I could progress through the year.
-Why do you continue to sign up?
Keep my streak going! It’s actually my measuring point. It’s the one CrossFit event that I will always sign up for. It’s become a normal part of life, as I continually look back at where I was (fitness-wise) at this particular moment in time. It means even more, now that I’ve had some significant life changes. It’s fun to see how and where you’ve progressed through the span of years.
-What is your favorite thing about the Open?
Everyone surprises themselves. There are ALWAYS PR’s.
-What movement(s) do you hope to see this year?
Handstand push ups and toes-to-bar.
-What movement(s) do you NOT want to see this year?
Handstand push ups and toes-to-bar. I’m not particularly good at these movements but I do love the challenges they provide in the open (that won’t stop me from complaining about it). It exposes my weaknesses but it will always come down to me to work on them throughout the year.
Coach Sheena
Like Andrew, Tony, Mark-Anthony, and a young young Nathan, I participated in my first Open in 2011. At the time it felt like any other day in the gym except each workout had a little bit more pressure to do well. I got flashbacks of my track & field days, right before a race!! It was a lot of fun. I continue to sign up because I love what it brings out of me. I train hard all year (with the exception of the past year #momlife) and put myself to the test with these workouts. I don’t consider myself to be super competitive but when the Open comes around, I become competitive with myself and with my peers – in a healthy way. My favorite thing about the Open is seeing people achieve something they had never done before. I love screaming/cheering people on as they push themselves to past their limits. I swear I always tear up whenever there is only one person left working out and the WHOLE gym is cheering them on. It’s the best. We suffer through these workouts together and come out stronger together.
I’m not at all in great shape for the Open but I’m doing it anyway because I can. I loved my body before, during, and after pregnancy and I’m honestly just happy to be able to be healthy and being able to do what we do. I’m approaching this year as I did last year, with no pressure to perform a certain way but to get the workouts done and have fun. I always love some light and quick barbell work with some double unders.. and muscle ups since I can (or used to) do muscle ups. I really don’t want to see the damn thruster/wall ball/rowing combo but I know it’ll show up!!
Can’t wait to work out with you all!! Go Team FLEX Appeal!
