Here Goes Nothing

"I just did this WOD last week... this is not gonna be good.". Those were my thoughts as I watched the live reveal for the Reebok Crossfit Games Open's first workout, 14.1.  See, although I've been in and out of Crossfit since The Games first started in 2007, I have never competed in an event.  I'm not even sure if I'm ready for this year's Open, but here goes nothing. 

I've had a long, often up & down relationship with Crossfit, and for the last year have rededicated myself to it.  This will be the first time I officially put my time, my reps, my rounds up against someone else... this is gut check time.  While I am optimistic about this undertaking, I am also realistic.  I know what it takes to compete at the next level (Regionals), and I know that I am not quite there yet.  It will still be interesting though to see where I stand; competing (albeit in a more virtual sense) against some of the most fittest men and women on the planet.  I've created a custom leaderboard that I will post after I've logged my first workout.  On that board I've included the people from my box, 803 Crossfit, some of my favorite competitors, and my good friend Derrick Bastian who not only serves as my motivation, but who I'll also be watching closely and rooting on to that elusive next round.  Go get 'em, Bash!  If you're reading this, and competing in The Open, leave your name in the comments, and I'll add you to that leader board as well.  More than anything though, I'm competing against myself.  I'm competing against my own doubts, my own insecurities, my strengths and my weaknesses, both my failures and successes... myself. 

I try to tell myself all the time that the reason I train is to be a better man, to be a better soldier, to be a better me, and to just be better.  But what is my measuring stick?  How do I know if I amactually "better"? 

Ten minutes... ten minutes, 30 double-unders, 15 75lb power snatches; as many reps as I can possibly manage.  This is what stands in front of Me and The Open.  Don't drop the bar, keep jumping, rest when you're done.  Here goes nothing.