The Crossfit Open – 14.5 Announcement
I literally had butterflies as the clock counted down to live announcement.
Dave Castro had put out a teaser video that stated we (crossfitters) knew what was about to be served BUT we didn’t know how it was going to be served.
The WHAT was burpees and thrusters it was the HOW had everyone guessing. I predicted an ascending ladder of thrusters, burpees and pistols.
Close, but no cigar ..
Instead we were given a descending ladder of thrusters and bar facing burpees FOR TIME!
I “hate” thrusters, my thrusters are less of a thrust and more of a front squat followed closely behind with a push press which as you can guess is not the most efficient way to do thrusters. HOWEVER I am “Burpees for Life” so I’m not sad to FINALLY see the burpees even if I have to jump over a bar, but what pleases me more than the burpees are the two words “for time”.
*spoiler* Annie Thorisdottir (2011 & 2012) fittest women on earth was the last to finish the head to head match up during the live announcement with a time of 11:04 so using her time as a reference and taking into consideration my vastly inferior fitness level, advanced age, height and skill level I’ve decided that 30 minutes is a reasonable goal. In theory that would mean that Annie can do 2.7 reps to everyone of mine and although I think it’s more likely that she could do 3 or 4 reps I may as well make it a challenge.
I’m excited about 14.5 (in the same way I was about 14.3) this is a very Ludusesque type WOD, less technical movements with higher reps but over a longer time frame which is my preference. I just have to keep moving steadily at my own pace, this is the type of WOD I’m used too, my wheelhouse so to speak.
My plan going into this WOD are to do “my way”, I know my limits and I know how to get to the end of this workout. I can’t worry about what other people are doing, I need to stick to my game plan including taking my predetermined “breaks” even if I think I can do more. I just need to remember the big picture (finishing) 😉
If you want to watch watch three-time CrossFit Games champion Rich Froning Jr. (2011, 2012, 2013) and his predecessors Jason Khalipa (2008) and Graham Holmberg (2010) in a head to head demonstration of 14.5 right along side reigning champion Samantha Briggs (2013) and her predecessor, two-time champion Annie Thorisdottir (2011, 2012), check out the clip below (WOD starts at 25:15).
Till next time
