Final thoughts about my week at the CrossFit Games.
A summary from the 4th place exerciser:
Like I said in the last post I was 97% absolutely overjoyed and proud of my finish, and 3% bummed I couldn’t clinch third.
I have to remember 36 other men with talent would be happy with my 4th place finish, and another 200 from regionals would be happy just to be on this competition floor. And a billion people in China don’t care. If I had come third part of me would have wanted second, if I came second I would’ve wanted first, if I came first I would want 4 firsts in a row like Froning. It never ends, so its important to stop and appreciate what you have accomplished and just be freaking happy about it. It’s not often as an athlete you can just sit back and be content for a while.
At the end of the day what is third anyway? I’m not discrediting anyone who has ever won third, I’m just saying it is a line drawn by someone else. Draw your own line, define success as doing your best. A few years ago at Regionals if you came top three you were happy, fourth was failing because you didn’t qualify to the games. Now if you come fifth you are happy, you get a belt, you get to go to the games, and 6th place is disappointing. It is a line that changes, so why even draw the line if you are happy with your effort. Third gets a medal on a podium and a bit more money. I don’t really compete for any of those things anyway. Success is the satisfaction knowing you did your best. Success isn’t winning a trophy. I realize this is a bit of a contradiction, because if you read my last post you know I risked it on the last event to get on the podium. So what am I trying to say? I don’t know. I’m just kind of rambling. I guess shoot for the stars but be happy if you land on the moon… or something tacky like that. Basically I’m happy, and if you are still reading this, quit saying “Oh Brent you should’ve been third”. Because I wasn’t, I was 4th, and that is totally ok.
Someone also mentioned to me that in the final event Vellner sprinted to the finish like the stud that he is and someone else jogged. Had Pat placed one rank lower I would have a bronze medal. I think that is an absolute crock so pull your head out. If you live your life blaming your failures on someone else’s decisions you will never be a champion. That mindset is weak. Here is how I see it. I could have strategized the 7km run better so I wasn’t in such rough shape afterwards. I could have ran harder during the first mile of murph to get a lane in the shade and then had more haste during my pull-ups. I could have ran the first 30m of the suicide sprint faster. I could have made the choice to not let go of the plow on the turnaround. Those were the decisions that cost me third. End of story.
Or better yet I could just get stronger so I don’t come last place in the squat clean event next year. I’m not going to blame other athletes or judges because those things are out of my control. That’s all there is to it. So if you read this don’t bring up that stuff up to me, lets move on.
Also I’ll clear the air on this too while I’m ranting. The rookie of the year award goes to the top ranked rookie competitor; that was Pat. I think historically it has been an objective award not a subjective one. Pretty simple really, although it is flattering I have so many fans!
Cool to think that a year ago I was being given a hard time by my buddies (and strangers) about being ‘that guy’ that missed out on the games because I wasn’t clutch in the final event. Obviously something like that can weigh on you mentally. Nice to know that for most people I’m probably known as that guy that won four events at the games. Maybe next year I’ll be known as the guy who had his big toe eaten by a mountain lion. Who knows. Lesson learned: focus on the future, create the reality you want to live in and don’t be dragged down by the opinions of others. Haters gonna hate. Whatever people think of you quite frankly does not matter.
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The CrossFit Games was a lot of fun. I am going to work hard to return. It was quite possibly the most fun I have ever had competing, yet at the same time the most determined I have ever been. A tough balance and one I am glad I could find. I am very excited for the upcoming year and the opportunities I will have.
A few people I need to thank:
-Firstly my girlfriend for everything she does. I’m very lucky to have you in my life.
-My coach Raw Strength and Conditioning for the years of guidance and for travelling from Australia to coach me both at Regionals and the Games.
-My sponsors Sabretooth Lifestyle, Aligned Chiropractic, and Float Kelowna.
-To my family. My dedication to this sport means I don’t get to see you all as much as I would like. I’m very fortunate to have you in my life. You took the time to cheer me on as I try to reach my goals even though our time together each year is too brief.
-To everyone in Kelowna who has supported me. Specifically the Kelowna CrossFit community and my co-workers at Straw House Labs.
-To all my other friends in this sport I have met along the way.
-Thanks to CFHQ and the volunteers for running an unreal event.
-Thanks to everyone else I missed.
Bye for now,
Brent
AKA The Professor
AKA The Whitest Dark Horse
AKA The Great Tall Hope
PS I am the tallest athlete at the Games, Hendel and I went back-to-back.
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