First! My current stats; I've been doing crossfit for 8 months prior by only bar work for one month prior. Weight is 169lb. Here are qualifications for the Novice division:
If at least four of these six guidelines are true for you then we suggest you go Novice. Otherwise we suggest you go Intermediate.
Unassisted pull ups less than 5/2 (Male/Female) -Not able to do a pull up(yet)
1-rep max deadlift is less than 300/225 (Male/Female) - My deadlift PR is 225
Mile run is over 10 minutes - Last time I ran a mile it was 11:43
2000-meter row is over 8 minutes (Male) or 9 minutes (Female) - I've never rowed that much
You have no clue what your Fran time is - No clue
You’ve been Crossfitting less than six months - 8 months, so close.
I knew going in that I will comfortably fit into the novice division but I felt like I could definitely give the top girl a run for their money.
The first WOD was 6 min to find your Max Clean. My previous clean PR was 125 and my coach and I felt pretty sure I would break it. Being my first time every competing I was a hot mess to say the least and had to rely on my coach calling out what plates to put on next. ALL common sense went out the window as I put the plates he called out on and just lifted the damn thing. I dropped the bar once at the bottom of the squat at 145lb but my second attempt went up smooth. At 155lb I also dropped the bar at the bottom of the squat and tried a second time with no success, but I was able to get up to 145lb and place 3rd.
My tips for myself next time:
- to have a clean plan of what plate I will use instead of relying on my coach. Duh it was clearly a rookie mistake that I went in there with no plan, or rather I had a plan but it went straight out the window as soon as the clock started.
- Focus on catching the bar instead of just rushing though the catch and trying to stand up.
The Second WOD on a 9 min running clock - 1min burpees, 1min goblet squats, 1min american kettle bell swings, 1min box overs. rest 1 min then repeat. I felt really comfortable with all of these moments but not fast. Speed is one of my biggest hurtles. I placed 10th in this WOD which isn't terrible but I really wish I would have pushed myself faster.
My tips for myself next time:
- I didn't have any major issues with this one, except I felt slow. General cardio and condition is what I'll be working on.
Third WOD 30 shoulder to overhead at 45lb then 3 knees to chest, 3 deadlifts (115) then increasing by 3 for 7 mins. We knew this would be my worst one simply because I haven't been working on the bar very long. My grip strength is not good at the moment and that was the biggest problem. I couldn't grip the bar for more than 2-3 knees to chest. Which ate a lot of time. Still I did it and placed 15th in the one.
My tips for myself nest time:
- do your shoulder to overhead and deadlifts as fast as possible in order to make up time from the knees to bar
- work on grip strength.
Floater WOD 500m row for time
This one I surprised myself with a time of 1:47 - I watched other ladies and while their enthusiasm was definitely there they were messy and a little over the place. I just kept telling myself , BIG pull and breathe, BIG pull and breathe and it seemed to work! I placed 2nd.
Overall I placed 6th and didn't get a chance to do the final WOD. I was a little disappointed because I set a goal to be in top five to make i to the final wod but 6th is still a great accomplishment!
What not to do:
- Forgetting to put on sunscreen, because "all the WOD's are inside"
- Waking up at 2AM the night before and then causing me to wake up 20mins before I had to be at the gym for check in. Thank GOD I had everything packed and ready to go
- Not bringing a mat to lay down on, all i wanted to do by 2pm is LAY DOWN.
- Not taking a picture of myself with a Festivus sign or something. I have pictures but I kinda wish I had one with the sign. le sigh. :D
