Yes, BUT…….Am I ready to compete?
Of course you don’t have to take part in a competition to consider yourself a CrossFitter, or even a competitor. In regular class or even while “WODing” by yourself, you compete pretty much every workout. Whether it be against someone head to head, a time on the board, or yourself(though sometimes we need to just hang back and work or active recover, but that’s a different point!)
But, what about an actual competition; something outside of your own “box,” with people from all around, outside of YOUR norm, beyond YOUR comfort zone, etc.? This sort of thing is not everyone’s thing, BUT, this is a way we can ALL spend a day(s) or a couple workouts in the clouds. A few moments ABOVE what may otherwise not be possible!
So, if you want to take part in a competition, how do you know when you’re ready? For MOST people and the ones that I know of that I am specifically talking to, the answer is simple, NOW! Of course you need to have the basics down and some sense of QUALITY in your movements for safety and standard purposes, but there are MANY who have been doing this for months or even YEARS and just cannot seem to get past the phrase of, “I’m just not where I need to be,” or something to that effect!
I’m definitely not trying to pick on anybody; understand that these people SAY they want to compete. So, I always wonder at what point would they feel they were ready? I understand the fear of finishing last or feeling embarrassed but, good enough doesn’t have to be, and SHOULDN’T be, the ability to WIN every competition! SOMEONE has to finish first and someone last, that is competition!
The thing is, if your desire is to be a competitor, and to do the best you can AT competitions, you HAVE to compete! What I mean is that competing is a skill in itself and just like any other skill, takes time and practice to perfect. Even the ones that are naturally talented at this skill, usually lose it somewhere along the way and have to keep showing up to the competitions to re-find it? Another beautiful thing about competitions, especially if you’ve never done one, is they will absolutely raise you to a higher level in every way! I don’t know what it is, but it seems to be automatic; something “clicks” and technique, strength, and understanding are stimulated? I’ve seen it happen now too many times for it to be coincidence! It’s like if you don’t know how to swim but somebody pushes you in the deep end; either you learn to swim really quickly or …….?
Looking like a fool is just part of the game, part of life. My major accomplishments that define my career absolutely blanket all those many times that I straight up failed, embarrassed myself, or felt like a fool, that were FAR more plentiful. Without all of this that was definitely the biggest part of the learning and preparation process, those accomplishments, that SUCCESS, would not be there! So, what are you waiting for? JUMP in the deep end OR have somebody PUSH you!
