Jun
05
2013
2012 Team Snatch Ladder
Tomorrow Micah and I will be headed down to Landover, MD. to prepare for the Mid-Atlantic Regionals this weekend. It has been a long road, but the time has finally come to see where the past few months of training has led me. While the journey has not always been easy, I can speak confidently when saying I am prepared to give my all.
As the sport of CrossFit has evolved, the competition among the elite has become increasingly stiffer every year. The level of commitment towards training and recovery can be compared to those of professional athletes. Some people are going as far as quitting their jobs to train full time and even acquiring sponsorships. While I am still waiting on my first sponsorship (cough cough Lululemon I heart you) I decided at the end of last year I really wanted to make a push and give my all towards training to see if I could qualify as an individual at the regional level. Despite a few setbacks due to injury, I devoted myself as best I could and came out of the open in 45th out of the 48 qualifying spots. It was a huge goal accomplishment and I am super ecstatic to have earned the opportunity to compete with the best.
Looking back on when I first walked into CrossFit 215 almost three years ago, I never had any intentions of competing, much less aspiring to be in the hunt at the regional level. When I first started I remember feeling extremely intimidated. I was a skinny little Asian chick who could only really run kind of fast for about 30-60 seconds. I did not come to CrossFit very strong compared to where I am today. I had a 135# back squat, a 155# deadlift, terrible gymnastics skills and body awareness, and didn’t have a clue what a snatch was (the olympic weightlifting movement). But what I lacked in strength I made up for in determination and competitive drive. I still find it strange to hear, but some people tell me when they first met me they felt I was intimidating because I was always so serious. I assume my seriousness in sport comes from growing up as a smaller female athlete and always feeling like I needed to prove myself to others. While I would never consider myself super naturally gifted, I made up for what I lacked in raw talent with hard work, which is the same mentality I employ today. As I became stronger and faster, the competitive fire inside of me grew and I began to enter some competitions to get my feet wet. Those experiences have been invaluable in helping me gain perspective on where my strengths and weaknesses lie, and how much I can learn from other great athletes.
While the physical and mental training over the past few months have been one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever had to face, I wouldn’t change the entire experience for the world. I have learned to embrace the struggles and setbacks as they lead me towards developing more mental toughness. All of the “bad days” have tested my will to push forward. I have a clearer understanding that sometimes simply learning from failure is more valuable then then any weight you can lift on the bar. When you’re in the trenches, forcing yourself to become comfortable with being uncomfortable is what separates those who truly want to succeed with those who think just they do.
As I prepare myself for this weekend I am keeping the memory of myself as a newbie CrossFitter in the back of my mind. My original goal was just to qualify and I am proud to say I have achieved that. I know I have done everything in my power to perform my best and whatever happens I promise I will leave it all out on the floor.
I want to thank the entire 215 community for their ongoing support of my athletic goals. Besides the physical changes I have gained over the years, one of the most rewarding benefits of joining and coaching in the CrossFit community has been meeting so many like minded individuals who want to challenge themselves in discovering their own path towards health and fitness. I am thankful to have found a new family of friends and fellow athletes who I continue to draw inspiration from. To everyone who made it a priority to workout with me the past few months merely to help motivate and push me, I cannot convey enough how grateful I am. A special thank you goes out to the coaching staff who has taken some workload off of my shoulders so I can train, prepare, and recover properly. And last to but not least, my coach and friend Micah for giving me the opportunity to chase my goals and believing in me. I could not have done it without all of you and I am sincerely grateful.
I hope to share updates this weekend via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! You can also follow my progress in the Mid Atlantic Regional on the games website leaderboard at www.games.crossfit.com
Here is a longer reflection of my CrossFit Regional Journey on my personal blog as well as a video featured on the CrossFit Games site filmed the other week.
Thanks for the love…it’s game time!
Perrin
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