Who is Your Money On?

Let’s take a moment to compare to very different athletes. The first is 6′5″ and 315lbs.

He’s got some pretty impressive stats:

• Max Deadlift is 600lbs
• Max Back Squat is 535lbs
• Max Shoulder Press is 308lbs

Yikes, those are big numbers. Any crossfit math genius will see a 1443 total score right there!

Now the second athlete is a mere 5′4″ and a 135lbs. His stats still impressive although nowhere near that of the first athlete:

• Max Deadlift is 358lbs
• Max Back Squat is 314lbs
• Max Shoulder Press is 149lbs

Making his Crossfit Total score nearly half of the other athlete’s at 821.

Which one are you gonna put your money on!?

Now what if I told you that athlete number two has a Fran time of 2:05? That’s right…I’m reconsidering my wager as well!

Meet John Welbourn, NFL Offensive Lineman and the Crossfit all-star Chris “Speal” Spealler. Both competitors in last years Crossfit games and featured athletes in “Every Second Counts.” You couldn’t find better polar opposites. Speal was in first place entering the final event,  while Big John was buried deep in the overall standings. Speal struggled on the final WOD, faced with lifting more than his own body weight overhead 30 times. The first place spot was a surprise steal from unknown Crossfit kid Jason Khalipa of CrossFit Unlimited in Milpitas, CA.

And that’s the way the Crossfit cookie crumbles. There’s no “fair” game, just a lot of heart and a whole lot of work. There is no sympathy for the underdog and no favourtism for the giant. Could be pull ups, could be back squat. What is common though, is the reward of the finish, regardless of time, reps or weight. Survival of the WOD is more than most can boast.

So as the Crossfit Ontario Challenge approaches a lot of people are questioning if they could ever be “good enough” to compete. The real question is “why aren’t you competing?” We have some pretty fierce competition in the gym these days. Our ladies are putting up some impressive numbers, making some of the boys quake in their nikes! And we can’t forget our strong men…definitely forces to be reckoned with. There is no competitor that will enter knowing they will win each event. Just like we enter each workout…we know what’s gonna suck and what’s gonna suck more! The Ontario Challenge is a chance to check yourself among fellow Crossfitters, to see how far you can really push yourself. Stop asking “I wonder” and start screaming “Hell ya I am!”

Some food for thought…Speal on the Games: The mental aspect is a huge part for anyone. I think we all have expectations of ourselves and set goals to achieve. I remember my dad telling me “never compare yourself to anyone else”. Read more.

Do it!  Do it now!

Workout

For time:

• 300 Air Squats
• 200 Box jumps (20″)
• 100 Pull-ups