Upper East Side

An Ode to The Open

BY: James “Yea Buddy” Quigley

Are you ready for the Open?

The Crossfit 2013 Open games start this week!

First workout will be posted Wednesday night at 9pm.

Coach what is the open?
Glad you asked, The Open is the largest fitness competition in the world. Athletes and gyms all over the world will participate in 5 workouts over a course of 5 weeks. The workouts can be done anywhere. If you’re offsite you will need to record them. The top 45 athletes in each region will go on to compete in The regional round. From there the top 3 Men and women from each region will go on to compete at The 2013 Crossfit Games.

Anyone can enter. The workouts are designed so that everyone can do them. Think back to last years opening WOD 12.1
12 being 2012 and 1 being workout 1. 7 Min AMRAP Burpees. Sure 7 mins of burpees completely sucks but if you can do one burpee then the point becomes “well how many can I do in 7mins? ” This mindset is why my mother just thinks Im plain nuts, but seeing how passionate I am about it she’s very intrigued to try CF herself and give it a go. Cant wait to see my mom attempt a burpee. Pay back for not allowing me cookies past 8pm when I was 9.

Coach, If I have no plans or any ideas of competing at the games, why should I do the Open?

This was my question to my coach last year. His response: Q (everyone at CFGC calls me Q) Why the hell not? You like Crossfit dont you? Shit I love it! Ok then you’re doing the Open.  Enough said. He later explained in a post to all of us similiar to this one that this is an opportunity for us to see how we stack up not only to our  peers but to millions of people around the world. Not just as individuals but as a gym as well. We shouldn’t get intimidated by this, but be encouraged and in a year from now we will be able to look back and see just how far we’ve all come.

Imagine our gym having so many athletes resister that we would be able to win tickets to The CF Games. Yes, thats our goal for next year. This year lets set our bench mark sky high.

To most of us this is OUR games. This is a chance for us to put what we do day in and day out in our box to the test. I know how hard all of you work, I see the amazing pretty faces each of you make when attempting those last few reps or the grunts you pleasantly let seep out as the clock winds down to 0. This is our chance to prove to ourselves what we’re made of. Screw anyone and everyone who thinks you don’t have what it takes. I’d go to battle with all of you any day before I would choose any top CF athlete.

Why? Because were the same. We train everyday together, we sweat, we bleed, we laugh and scream everyday, Together. We work our asses off for every bit of awesomeness we have and at the end of the day we do it TOGETHER. Thats community. Thats Crossfit. Thats who we are.

Coach Is there still time to register?

Yes, you have until Sunday March 10th at  9pm to register and submit your scores.

Coach how challenging are the Open WODS?

To be honest they’re not that different than anything we do at the box already. Hidden Meaning: it will probably be pretty hard. If you must scale we will scale but the first few WODS are usually designed that anyone can attempt. The Open WODS will test your mettle and give you a chance to see what you’re made of. They will challenge you more mentally than physically. Maybe 😉

Guess what gang, were gonna program them anyways. Fun fun fun!! Might as well as join in on the fun and compete alongside your peers and coaches in a competition like atmosphere.

Listen gang, here’s the truth about The Open or any other CF competition. Its about EFFORT. That’s the biggest factor. Remember who gets the loudest ovation, the last person fighting there way to the end. Giving every last ounce of energy they have and leaving it all out there on the gym floor. You will find something out about yourself. You will be tested and I know you will be better for it. That I can promise you.

Coach I’m ready.

Damn straight you are. Lets give it hell and have a blast. At the end of the day we’re here to work hard, improve ourselves and have fun. That’s what this is all about. We are a great community of people who truly care about one another. We work hard, we kick ass and we have a great time doing so.

I’m ready to give this my best shot and have a blast doing so. I know you are too. Lets show the world who CF UES is.

BOOM! Coach James Q

SATURDAY WILL BE DEDICATED TO OPEN WORKOUTS.  CLASSES WILL RUN NORMALLY AT THE NORMALLY SCHEDULED TIMES.  OUR WOD WILL BE THE OPEN.  EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT SIGNED UP, PLEASE COME DOWN ANYWAY TO TAKE CLASS, TRAIN AND TO CHEER ON YOUR FELLOW CROSSFIT UPPER EAST SIDERS WHO HAVE ENTERED THE OPEN.

SEE YOU SATURDAY!