Workout 14.5
“Thrusters Suck and Buck Furpees”
21-18-15-12-9-6-3 reps for time of:
Thrusters (95#/65#)
Burpees (Bar Facing)
Results
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This post is late because I am still recovering from 14.5. This Open WOD was probably one of the hardest ones yet programmed. This one impacted everyone who was participating. There was no way to be “saved by the Bell”. You didn’t get to throttle back and let the AMRAP end your misery. This one was equal work for all, and if you didn’t quit it came down to how much you wanted to keep moving. It wasn’t a WOD that only a small % would get to a final movement or advance to a higher load or another round or AMRAP, it was simply about getting it ALL done. From that standpoint I love that HQ finally programmed a task priority or “for time” WOD into the Open. It’s long overdue.
I also know that this combo and amount of reps was so brutal for everyone that it will make a repeat reappearance in a future Games Open. Until that happens though I surely won’t be programming it. Especially since I received threats of being stabbed, shot, slapped, have my tires slashed, and even some people say they would probably quit the gym!
My plan is to build on this year’s Open to make it even bigger and better next year and to encourage as many people as possible to sign up and participate. It’s not about the competition so much as it is the accountability, the short term goal setting, and the added impetus to just “do more and suck less” week after week. During the spring and summer count on some Friday Night Lights special WOD’s, drinks, and maybe even a grill set-up.
This Open for me personally has been the most enjoyable to date. From the overall programming to the community building “Friday Night Lights” to the numerous PR’s gym-wide it has been an experience that I am bummed to see it end. This Open was also extremely therapeutic for me. Personally the past year for me has been rough. Having gone through a hand and knee surgery/recovery and then losing my Mom last spring derailed many of my goals for the year but I was able to stay on track to making progress and moving forward. Having to juggle the gym expansion under a tighter time line than we planned was stressful but really it was having my Dad pass away 9 days before the Open that left me in a bit of a “why me?” mode. Luckily I have a wife who knows everything about how to support, love, cheer me up and keep me positive. That said I was pretty “hollow” right after. With the excitement and anticipation each week of the Open workout announcement I found that the WOD’s and the environment of our gym really gave me something to focus on and dive into. The camaraderie of our entire SRCF family lifted my spirits and motivated me to do my best. Every workout gave me an opportunity to pour my stress into the WOD and approach it with a one effort shot. This outlet has more than helped me in dealing with the loss of both my parents and I am so much better off for it. Regardless of where my final finish is and if I reach my goal of advancing to the top 200 in the world for my Masters division, I know that I can be proud of my effort, the gym’s performance, and honestly say I can’t wait to do the Open all over again next year.
“This is for you, Mom” games.crossfit.com
Brawl by the Bay games.crossfit.com
