4 things I learned from the CrossFit Games
One of our InnerFight coaches, Carmen Bosmans, competed in the 2019 CrossFit games. Here are the top 4 things she learned from the experience!
4 lessons I learned competing at the 2019 CrossFit Games
Number one: preparation doesn’t last long
No matter how well you prepare, it can be over very quickly.
Due to the change of the structure in this year's games, there were some many brutal cuts, which left no room for mistakes. After only the first event 50% of the athletes were cut.
This was to remove the vast number of people who were deemed not fit enough to compete on the big stage at the CrossFit Games. What wasn’t first looked upon was the athletes who got cut because of a mistake they had made or a no rep they had received.
This resulted in those individuals dropping too far down the leaderboard, and not being able to make the next cut off. This in fact happened to several previous ‘Games athletes’ such as Streat Hoerner and Tim Paulson, who have competed multiple times on the big stage.
Does this mean they are not fit enough? No, of course it doesn’t, we are just humans and humans make mistakes This being said…. “The Best Always Wins!”
Number two: enjoy the journey
The lead up to the Games was in fact the most fun! The quote “Enjoy the journey, not the destination” does in fact have a lot of truth in it.
I’ve been competing for 7 years now and usually my prime focus has always been on the competition itself, instead of the process towards this end goal. This has by far been one of the most important things I’ve learned over the few past years.
The 2019 season was totally different for me, as I qualified for the Games through the open and I received a confirmed National Champion spot for Belgium.
This is where the real fun actually began… “training for the 2019 CrossFit Games”. This was a dream of mine ever since I competed in my first competition back in 2012.
Although I was aware of the cuts to the field of athletes, my main objective was to do my very best. Due to this, it enabled me to apply the right mindset towards my training and enjoying the whole lead up to my first Games appearance – instead of having my sole focus being on the games.
Although I did end up being in one of the first cuts, I still loved every moment of the experience!
Number three: consistency is key
The best always WINS. Why is this? Because no matter the circumstances, they always perform.
I learnt several things from being in the presence of Mat Fraser and Tia-Clair Toomey. Two of the biggest lessons were:
- They both had the ability to change their head space when they required.
- When they were not competing, they were able to adapt and relax in their own environment.
During the warm up area, they were focused on the task ahead, but were able to joke around and have some ‘trash talk’. But ultimately as soon as they stepped on the competition area, they were switched on and were ready to go! You can see it in their eyes, they are here to WIN!
Number four: your team really matters
Continuing on from this, both champions only had a select few individuals with them, whom they clearly trusted. The people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on your experience and play a key role on your success.
I had such a positive and relaxed environment during both the days before and within the Games, which made me cherish and appreciate every moment during the whole experience.
Three months leading up to the Games, Ricky joined our coaching team at Innerfight and from that day onwards I gained myself a training partner. I actually had never really minded training on my own but having someone there who was willing to do every session with me no matter what, made it so much more fun. Thanks Ricky!
I was lucky to fly out to the US two weeks before the Games started. I Spent 5 days in Chicago with Jamie Green, who finished in 3rd place and Elliot Simmonds, my coach who came 19th. I am so proud of their achievements and I am grateful that we got this opportunity together and to make great memories.
Once in Madison, we had a pre-games training camp, where we joined the “Red Pill” athletes: Briggsy, Emma, Kelly, Jows and Andy. These individuals are down to earth, positive minded people, who have a good sense of humour! Exactly what I needed to have a good time.
Lastly, a little thank you note to Cpt. Brooksy and his son James for traveling all the way to Madison and cheering so loud. I could hear them all over the field!
It won’t be long before the next CrossFit games is happening. Are you thinking about trying the CrossFit open? Message me on cb@innerfight.com for tips or even to set up some 1-on-1 coaching!
ENGINE
Working on holding our MIKKOS score calories for longer blocks of time.
GYMNASTICS
This week, we will focus on rope climbing, doubleunders, and handstand push-ups in gymnastics. We will focus on the skill elements to help you with these movements! Whether you have these movements down or not, this class will help you improve in all these movements so you're ready to attack classes!
HYROX
We start to put together the pieces and do a mini HYROX
MOBILITY
We will go over full-body flow routines focusing on flexibility for full-body alignment.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength, we start the week with some percentage work on the close grip bench press, followed by heavy rows and a shoulder pump to finish. Wednesday, we worked up to a heavy single on the deadlift, with some tough drop sets followed by some heavy single leg work.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Snatch Focus this week, and we get into over-head squats before working into some Snatch High Pulls and Hang Snatch and then finish with some heavy Snatch singles!
Track Tuesday
Week two of our over/unders block, this week we move to 1km efforts.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Wednesday Ride
Wednesday ride* 5.59am BOTS. << use links/details from a few months back
4 X 8min at your best effort, what have you got?
Start time: 05:59am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: BOTS - https://goo.gl/maps/6AwtJXW8nA45Cy9H8
The Coffee Run
Our classic builders set this week, 5min builds based on effort! A great tempo run.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Saturday Ride
Back to a long ride today, 105km in the group with some structured intervals to follow.
Start time: 05:59am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: BOTS - https://goo.gl/maps/6AwtJXW8nA45Cy9H8
Sunday long run
Team IFE on Tour are 3 weeks out from the marathon in Munich, so they need to run long. Why not come along and support with some miles to? Message sh@innerfight.com to find out more.
Start time: 05:29am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: From InnerFight
Monday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: Ladies Only Tempo
Today we will hold tempo for 2 long blocks and one shorter block. Keep asking yourself if you are running a 7/10 effort during this session.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Sports City
Session: Track Tuesday
This week our over/unders have increased from 800m to 1000m. Paces are the same as last week. This is your chance to run fast with the wider InnerFight Endurance Community and Coaches.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: Ladies Only Intervals
We will be running our intervals around the Olivia apartments this week for 1 loop and then in the park for a shorter loop. Try and pick up the pace on the shorter park loops.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Kite Beach
Session: The Coffee Run
This week our efforts will build from 4/10 to 7/10 over 3 blocks of builders. You therefore have 3 attempts to hit that 7/10 feeling. We recommend that you do not start off too fast on this one.
Sunday
Time: 5:29am
Location: InnerFight
Session: Long Run
We will be running from InnerFight this Sunday. There are various options from 15km to 35km depending on which races you have coming up. If you would rather run for time, that is also fine! Routes will be shared in WhatsApp and on TrainingPeaks.
We will kick the week off on Monday with heavy single-leg work and move on to a fast interval workout. Tuesday is about the sandbags with a tough set of EMOMs followed by a partner workout. Wednesday, we have more focus on our strict pull-ups and then a gymnastics and running-based workout. Thursday, we will hit some technical work on a clean complex and follow it up with some heavy clean singles, followed by a tough and fast-paced workout with rowing cleans and wall balls. Friday, we finish the week with some heavy Jerks in the skill and then a gruelling chipper.
Monday:
Strength:
Walking Dumbell Lunges
Conditioning:
In a 2 min window
25 KB Sumo deadlift (2x24/16)
Amrap DU
rest 2 mins
In a 2 min window
16 Weighted Box Step Ups 1 x KB 24/16
AMRAP Cals Bike
rest 2 mins
x3
Tuesday:
Strength:
Building Weight Sandbag To Shoulder
Conditioning:
In Pairs
100 sandbags to shoulder (80/50)
Every 4 mins
1 car park lap farmers carry 2 x 32/24
Wednesday:
Strength:
A) Strict Pull Ups
B) KB Push Press + Pull Ups + Side Plank
Conditioning:
16 min amrap
Pool Run
10 burpee pull-ups
3 wall walks
Thursday:
Strength:
A) Clean Pull + Hang Squat Clean + Front Squat
B) Squat Clean
Conditioning:
For time:
500/400m row
30 squat clean (60/40)
50 WallBalls
Friday:
Strength:
A) Push Jerk
Conditioning:
It's an awesome triplet to end the week! Therapyyyyy!
One of our InnerFight coaches, Carmen Bosmans, competed in the 2019 CrossFit games. Here are the top 4 things she learned from the experience!
4 lessons I learned competing at the 2019 CrossFit Games
Number one: preparation doesn’t last long
No matter how well you prepare, it can be over very quickly.
Due to the change of the structure in this year's games, there were some many brutal cuts, which left no room for mistakes. After only the first event 50% of the athletes were cut.
This was to remove the vast number of people who were deemed not fit enough to compete on the big stage at the CrossFit Games. What wasn’t first looked upon was the athletes who got cut because of a mistake they had made or a no rep they had received.
This resulted in those individuals dropping too far down the leaderboard, and not being able to make the next cut off. This in fact happened to several previous ‘Games athletes’ such as Streat Hoerner and Tim Paulson, who have competed multiple times on the big stage.
Does this mean they are not fit enough? No, of course it doesn’t, we are just humans and humans make mistakes This being said…. “The Best Always Wins!”
Number two: enjoy the journey
The lead up to the Games was in fact the most fun! The quote “Enjoy the journey, not the destination” does in fact have a lot of truth in it.
I’ve been competing for 7 years now and usually my prime focus has always been on the competition itself, instead of the process towards this end goal. This has by far been one of the most important things I’ve learned over the few past years.
The 2019 season was totally different for me, as I qualified for the Games through the open and I received a confirmed National Champion spot for Belgium.
This is where the real fun actually began… “training for the 2019 CrossFit Games”. This was a dream of mine ever since I competed in my first competition back in 2012.
Although I was aware of the cuts to the field of athletes, my main objective was to do my very best. Due to this, it enabled me to apply the right mindset towards my training and enjoying the whole lead up to my first Games appearance – instead of having my sole focus being on the games.
Although I did end up being in one of the first cuts, I still loved every moment of the experience!
Number three: consistency is key
The best always WINS. Why is this? Because no matter the circumstances, they always perform.
I learnt several things from being in the presence of Mat Fraser and Tia-Clair Toomey. Two of the biggest lessons were:
- They both had the ability to change their head space when they required.
- When they were not competing, they were able to adapt and relax in their own environment.
During the warm up area, they were focused on the task ahead, but were able to joke around and have some ‘trash talk’. But ultimately as soon as they stepped on the competition area, they were switched on and were ready to go! You can see it in their eyes, they are here to WIN!
Number four: your team really matters
Continuing on from this, both champions only had a select few individuals with them, whom they clearly trusted. The people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on your experience and play a key role on your success.
I had such a positive and relaxed environment during both the days before and within the Games, which made me cherish and appreciate every moment during the whole experience.
Three months leading up to the Games, Ricky joined our coaching team at Innerfight and from that day onwards I gained myself a training partner. I actually had never really minded training on my own but having someone there who was willing to do every session with me no matter what, made it so much more fun. Thanks Ricky!
I was lucky to fly out to the US two weeks before the Games started. I Spent 5 days in Chicago with Jamie Green, who finished in 3rd place and Elliot Simmonds, my coach who came 19th. I am so proud of their achievements and I am grateful that we got this opportunity together and to make great memories.
Once in Madison, we had a pre-games training camp, where we joined the “Red Pill” athletes: Briggsy, Emma, Kelly, Jows and Andy. These individuals are down to earth, positive minded people, who have a good sense of humour! Exactly what I needed to have a good time.
Lastly, a little thank you note to Cpt. Brooksy and his son James for traveling all the way to Madison and cheering so loud. I could hear them all over the field!
It won’t be long before the next CrossFit games is happening. Are you thinking about trying the CrossFit open? Message me on cb@innerfight.com for tips or even to set up some 1-on-1 coaching!
Track Tuesday
Week two of our over/unders block, this week we move to 1km efforts.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Wednesday Ride
Wednesday ride* 5.59am BOTS. << use links/details from a few months back
4 X 8min at your best effort, what have you got?
Start time: 05:59am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: BOTS - https://goo.gl/maps/6AwtJXW8nA45Cy9H8
The Coffee Run
Our classic builders set this week, 5min builds based on effort! A great tempo run.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Saturday Ride
Back to a long ride today, 105km in the group with some structured intervals to follow.
Start time: 05:59am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: BOTS - https://goo.gl/maps/6AwtJXW8nA45Cy9H8
Sunday long run
Team IFE on Tour are 3 weeks out from the marathon in Munich, so they need to run long. Why not come along and support with some miles to? Message sh@innerfight.com to find out more.
Start time: 05:29am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: From InnerFight
Monday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: Ladies Only Tempo
Today we will hold tempo for 2 long blocks and one shorter block. Keep asking yourself if you are running a 7/10 effort during this session.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Sports City
Session: Track Tuesday
This week our over/unders have increased from 800m to 1000m. Paces are the same as last week. This is your chance to run fast with the wider InnerFight Endurance Community and Coaches.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: Ladies Only Intervals
We will be running our intervals around the Olivia apartments this week for 1 loop and then in the park for a shorter loop. Try and pick up the pace on the shorter park loops.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Kite Beach
Session: The Coffee Run
This week our efforts will build from 4/10 to 7/10 over 3 blocks of builders. You therefore have 3 attempts to hit that 7/10 feeling. We recommend that you do not start off too fast on this one.
Sunday
Time: 5:29am
Location: InnerFight
Session: Long Run
We will be running from InnerFight this Sunday. There are various options from 15km to 35km depending on which races you have coming up. If you would rather run for time, that is also fine! Routes will be shared in WhatsApp and on TrainingPeaks.
We will kick the week off on Monday with heavy single-leg work and move on to a fast interval workout. Tuesday is about the sandbags with a tough set of EMOMs followed by a partner workout. Wednesday, we have more focus on our strict pull-ups and then a gymnastics and running-based workout. Thursday, we will hit some technical work on a clean complex and follow it up with some heavy clean singles, followed by a tough and fast-paced workout with rowing cleans and wall balls. Friday, we finish the week with some heavy Jerks in the skill and then a gruelling chipper.
Monday:
Strength:
Walking Dumbell Lunges
Conditioning:
In a 2 min window
25 KB Sumo deadlift (2x24/16)
Amrap DU
rest 2 mins
In a 2 min window
16 Weighted Box Step Ups 1 x KB 24/16
AMRAP Cals Bike
rest 2 mins
x3
Tuesday:
Strength:
Building Weight Sandbag To Shoulder
Conditioning:
In Pairs
100 sandbags to shoulder (80/50)
Every 4 mins
1 car park lap farmers carry 2 x 32/24
Wednesday:
Strength:
A) Strict Pull Ups
B) KB Push Press + Pull Ups + Side Plank
Conditioning:
16 min amrap
Pool Run
10 burpee pull-ups
3 wall walks
Thursday:
Strength:
A) Clean Pull + Hang Squat Clean + Front Squat
B) Squat Clean
Conditioning:
For time:
500/400m row
30 squat clean (60/40)
50 WallBalls
Friday:
Strength:
A) Push Jerk
Conditioning:
It's an awesome triplet to end the week! Therapyyyyy!
ENGINE
Working on holding our MIKKOS score calories for longer blocks of time.
GYMNASTICS
This week, we will focus on rope climbing, doubleunders, and handstand push-ups in gymnastics. We will focus on the skill elements to help you with these movements! Whether you have these movements down or not, this class will help you improve in all these movements so you're ready to attack classes!
HYROX
We start to put together the pieces and do a mini HYROX
MOBILITY
We will go over full-body flow routines focusing on flexibility for full-body alignment.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength, we start the week with some percentage work on the close grip bench press, followed by heavy rows and a shoulder pump to finish. Wednesday, we worked up to a heavy single on the deadlift, with some tough drop sets followed by some heavy single leg work.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Snatch Focus this week, and we get into over-head squats before working into some Snatch High Pulls and Hang Snatch and then finish with some heavy Snatch singles!
One of our InnerFight coaches, Carmen Bosmans, competed in the 2019 CrossFit games. Here are the top 4 things she learned from the experience!
4 lessons I learned competing at the 2019 CrossFit Games
Number one: preparation doesn’t last long
No matter how well you prepare, it can be over very quickly.
Due to the change of the structure in this year's games, there were some many brutal cuts, which left no room for mistakes. After only the first event 50% of the athletes were cut.
This was to remove the vast number of people who were deemed not fit enough to compete on the big stage at the CrossFit Games. What wasn’t first looked upon was the athletes who got cut because of a mistake they had made or a no rep they had received.
This resulted in those individuals dropping too far down the leaderboard, and not being able to make the next cut off. This in fact happened to several previous ‘Games athletes’ such as Streat Hoerner and Tim Paulson, who have competed multiple times on the big stage.
Does this mean they are not fit enough? No, of course it doesn’t, we are just humans and humans make mistakes This being said…. “The Best Always Wins!”
Number two: enjoy the journey
The lead up to the Games was in fact the most fun! The quote “Enjoy the journey, not the destination” does in fact have a lot of truth in it.
I’ve been competing for 7 years now and usually my prime focus has always been on the competition itself, instead of the process towards this end goal. This has by far been one of the most important things I’ve learned over the few past years.
The 2019 season was totally different for me, as I qualified for the Games through the open and I received a confirmed National Champion spot for Belgium.
This is where the real fun actually began… “training for the 2019 CrossFit Games”. This was a dream of mine ever since I competed in my first competition back in 2012.
Although I was aware of the cuts to the field of athletes, my main objective was to do my very best. Due to this, it enabled me to apply the right mindset towards my training and enjoying the whole lead up to my first Games appearance – instead of having my sole focus being on the games.
Although I did end up being in one of the first cuts, I still loved every moment of the experience!
Number three: consistency is key
The best always WINS. Why is this? Because no matter the circumstances, they always perform.
I learnt several things from being in the presence of Mat Fraser and Tia-Clair Toomey. Two of the biggest lessons were:
- They both had the ability to change their head space when they required.
- When they were not competing, they were able to adapt and relax in their own environment.
During the warm up area, they were focused on the task ahead, but were able to joke around and have some ‘trash talk’. But ultimately as soon as they stepped on the competition area, they were switched on and were ready to go! You can see it in their eyes, they are here to WIN!
Number four: your team really matters
Continuing on from this, both champions only had a select few individuals with them, whom they clearly trusted. The people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on your experience and play a key role on your success.
I had such a positive and relaxed environment during both the days before and within the Games, which made me cherish and appreciate every moment during the whole experience.
Three months leading up to the Games, Ricky joined our coaching team at Innerfight and from that day onwards I gained myself a training partner. I actually had never really minded training on my own but having someone there who was willing to do every session with me no matter what, made it so much more fun. Thanks Ricky!
I was lucky to fly out to the US two weeks before the Games started. I Spent 5 days in Chicago with Jamie Green, who finished in 3rd place and Elliot Simmonds, my coach who came 19th. I am so proud of their achievements and I am grateful that we got this opportunity together and to make great memories.
Once in Madison, we had a pre-games training camp, where we joined the “Red Pill” athletes: Briggsy, Emma, Kelly, Jows and Andy. These individuals are down to earth, positive minded people, who have a good sense of humour! Exactly what I needed to have a good time.
Lastly, a little thank you note to Cpt. Brooksy and his son James for traveling all the way to Madison and cheering so loud. I could hear them all over the field!
It won’t be long before the next CrossFit games is happening. Are you thinking about trying the CrossFit open? Message me on cb@innerfight.com for tips or even to set up some 1-on-1 coaching!
Monday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: Ladies Only Tempo
Today we will hold tempo for 2 long blocks and one shorter block. Keep asking yourself if you are running a 7/10 effort during this session.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Sports City
Session: Track Tuesday
This week our over/unders have increased from 800m to 1000m. Paces are the same as last week. This is your chance to run fast with the wider InnerFight Endurance Community and Coaches.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: Ladies Only Intervals
We will be running our intervals around the Olivia apartments this week for 1 loop and then in the park for a shorter loop. Try and pick up the pace on the shorter park loops.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Kite Beach
Session: The Coffee Run
This week our efforts will build from 4/10 to 7/10 over 3 blocks of builders. You therefore have 3 attempts to hit that 7/10 feeling. We recommend that you do not start off too fast on this one.
Sunday
Time: 5:29am
Location: InnerFight
Session: Long Run
We will be running from InnerFight this Sunday. There are various options from 15km to 35km depending on which races you have coming up. If you would rather run for time, that is also fine! Routes will be shared in WhatsApp and on TrainingPeaks.
We will kick the week off on Monday with heavy single-leg work and move on to a fast interval workout. Tuesday is about the sandbags with a tough set of EMOMs followed by a partner workout. Wednesday, we have more focus on our strict pull-ups and then a gymnastics and running-based workout. Thursday, we will hit some technical work on a clean complex and follow it up with some heavy clean singles, followed by a tough and fast-paced workout with rowing cleans and wall balls. Friday, we finish the week with some heavy Jerks in the skill and then a gruelling chipper.
Monday:
Strength:
Walking Dumbell Lunges
Conditioning:
In a 2 min window
25 KB Sumo deadlift (2x24/16)
Amrap DU
rest 2 mins
In a 2 min window
16 Weighted Box Step Ups 1 x KB 24/16
AMRAP Cals Bike
rest 2 mins
x3
Tuesday:
Strength:
Building Weight Sandbag To Shoulder
Conditioning:
In Pairs
100 sandbags to shoulder (80/50)
Every 4 mins
1 car park lap farmers carry 2 x 32/24
Wednesday:
Strength:
A) Strict Pull Ups
B) KB Push Press + Pull Ups + Side Plank
Conditioning:
16 min amrap
Pool Run
10 burpee pull-ups
3 wall walks
Thursday:
Strength:
A) Clean Pull + Hang Squat Clean + Front Squat
B) Squat Clean
Conditioning:
For time:
500/400m row
30 squat clean (60/40)
50 WallBalls
Friday:
Strength:
A) Push Jerk
Conditioning:
It's an awesome triplet to end the week! Therapyyyyy!
ENGINE
Working on holding our MIKKOS score calories for longer blocks of time.
GYMNASTICS
This week, we will focus on rope climbing, doubleunders, and handstand push-ups in gymnastics. We will focus on the skill elements to help you with these movements! Whether you have these movements down or not, this class will help you improve in all these movements so you're ready to attack classes!
HYROX
We start to put together the pieces and do a mini HYROX
MOBILITY
We will go over full-body flow routines focusing on flexibility for full-body alignment.
PURE STRENGTH
In Pure Strength, we start the week with some percentage work on the close grip bench press, followed by heavy rows and a shoulder pump to finish. Wednesday, we worked up to a heavy single on the deadlift, with some tough drop sets followed by some heavy single leg work.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Snatch Focus this week, and we get into over-head squats before working into some Snatch High Pulls and Hang Snatch and then finish with some heavy Snatch singles!
Track Tuesday
Week two of our over/unders block, this week we move to 1km efforts.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1 hour
Wednesday Ride
Wednesday ride* 5.59am BOTS. << use links/details from a few months back
4 X 8min at your best effort, what have you got?
Start time: 05:59am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: BOTS - https://goo.gl/maps/6AwtJXW8nA45Cy9H8
The Coffee Run
Our classic builders set this week, 5min builds based on effort! A great tempo run.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session length: 1 hour
Location: Common Grounds, Jumeirah Beach Track
Saturday Ride
Back to a long ride today, 105km in the group with some structured intervals to follow.
Start time: 05:59am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: BOTS - https://goo.gl/maps/6AwtJXW8nA45Cy9H8
Sunday long run
Team IFE on Tour are 3 weeks out from the marathon in Munich, so they need to run long. Why not come along and support with some miles to? Message sh@innerfight.com to find out more.
Start time: 05:29am
Session Length: 1 hour
Location: From InnerFight
One of our InnerFight coaches, Carmen Bosmans, competed in the 2019 CrossFit games. Here are the top 4 things she learned from the experience!
4 lessons I learned competing at the 2019 CrossFit Games
Number one: preparation doesn’t last long
No matter how well you prepare, it can be over very quickly.
Due to the change of the structure in this year's games, there were some many brutal cuts, which left no room for mistakes. After only the first event 50% of the athletes were cut.
This was to remove the vast number of people who were deemed not fit enough to compete on the big stage at the CrossFit Games. What wasn’t first looked upon was the athletes who got cut because of a mistake they had made or a no rep they had received.
This resulted in those individuals dropping too far down the leaderboard, and not being able to make the next cut off. This in fact happened to several previous ‘Games athletes’ such as Streat Hoerner and Tim Paulson, who have competed multiple times on the big stage.
Does this mean they are not fit enough? No, of course it doesn’t, we are just humans and humans make mistakes This being said…. “The Best Always Wins!”
Number two: enjoy the journey
The lead up to the Games was in fact the most fun! The quote “Enjoy the journey, not the destination” does in fact have a lot of truth in it.
I’ve been competing for 7 years now and usually my prime focus has always been on the competition itself, instead of the process towards this end goal. This has by far been one of the most important things I’ve learned over the few past years.
The 2019 season was totally different for me, as I qualified for the Games through the open and I received a confirmed National Champion spot for Belgium.
This is where the real fun actually began… “training for the 2019 CrossFit Games”. This was a dream of mine ever since I competed in my first competition back in 2012.
Although I was aware of the cuts to the field of athletes, my main objective was to do my very best. Due to this, it enabled me to apply the right mindset towards my training and enjoying the whole lead up to my first Games appearance – instead of having my sole focus being on the games.
Although I did end up being in one of the first cuts, I still loved every moment of the experience!
Number three: consistency is key
The best always WINS. Why is this? Because no matter the circumstances, they always perform.
I learnt several things from being in the presence of Mat Fraser and Tia-Clair Toomey. Two of the biggest lessons were:
- They both had the ability to change their head space when they required.
- When they were not competing, they were able to adapt and relax in their own environment.
During the warm up area, they were focused on the task ahead, but were able to joke around and have some ‘trash talk’. But ultimately as soon as they stepped on the competition area, they were switched on and were ready to go! You can see it in their eyes, they are here to WIN!
Number four: your team really matters
Continuing on from this, both champions only had a select few individuals with them, whom they clearly trusted. The people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on your experience and play a key role on your success.
I had such a positive and relaxed environment during both the days before and within the Games, which made me cherish and appreciate every moment during the whole experience.
Three months leading up to the Games, Ricky joined our coaching team at Innerfight and from that day onwards I gained myself a training partner. I actually had never really minded training on my own but having someone there who was willing to do every session with me no matter what, made it so much more fun. Thanks Ricky!
I was lucky to fly out to the US two weeks before the Games started. I Spent 5 days in Chicago with Jamie Green, who finished in 3rd place and Elliot Simmonds, my coach who came 19th. I am so proud of their achievements and I am grateful that we got this opportunity together and to make great memories.
Once in Madison, we had a pre-games training camp, where we joined the “Red Pill” athletes: Briggsy, Emma, Kelly, Jows and Andy. These individuals are down to earth, positive minded people, who have a good sense of humour! Exactly what I needed to have a good time.
Lastly, a little thank you note to Cpt. Brooksy and his son James for traveling all the way to Madison and cheering so loud. I could hear them all over the field!
It won’t be long before the next CrossFit games is happening. Are you thinking about trying the CrossFit open? Message me on cb@innerfight.com for tips or even to set up some 1-on-1 coaching!
One of our InnerFight coaches, Carmen Bosmans, competed in the 2019 CrossFit games. Here are the top 4 things she learned from the experience!
4 lessons I learned competing at the 2019 CrossFit Games
Number one: preparation doesn’t last long
No matter how well you prepare, it can be over very quickly.
Due to the change of the structure in this year's games, there were some many brutal cuts, which left no room for mistakes. After only the first event 50% of the athletes were cut.
This was to remove the vast number of people who were deemed not fit enough to compete on the big stage at the CrossFit Games. What wasn’t first looked upon was the athletes who got cut because of a mistake they had made or a no rep they had received.
This resulted in those individuals dropping too far down the leaderboard, and not being able to make the next cut off. This in fact happened to several previous ‘Games athletes’ such as Streat Hoerner and Tim Paulson, who have competed multiple times on the big stage.
Does this mean they are not fit enough? No, of course it doesn’t, we are just humans and humans make mistakes This being said…. “The Best Always Wins!”
Number two: enjoy the journey
The lead up to the Games was in fact the most fun! The quote “Enjoy the journey, not the destination” does in fact have a lot of truth in it.
I’ve been competing for 7 years now and usually my prime focus has always been on the competition itself, instead of the process towards this end goal. This has by far been one of the most important things I’ve learned over the few past years.
The 2019 season was totally different for me, as I qualified for the Games through the open and I received a confirmed National Champion spot for Belgium.
This is where the real fun actually began… “training for the 2019 CrossFit Games”. This was a dream of mine ever since I competed in my first competition back in 2012.
Although I was aware of the cuts to the field of athletes, my main objective was to do my very best. Due to this, it enabled me to apply the right mindset towards my training and enjoying the whole lead up to my first Games appearance – instead of having my sole focus being on the games.
Although I did end up being in one of the first cuts, I still loved every moment of the experience!
Number three: consistency is key
The best always WINS. Why is this? Because no matter the circumstances, they always perform.
I learnt several things from being in the presence of Mat Fraser and Tia-Clair Toomey. Two of the biggest lessons were:
- They both had the ability to change their head space when they required.
- When they were not competing, they were able to adapt and relax in their own environment.
During the warm up area, they were focused on the task ahead, but were able to joke around and have some ‘trash talk’. But ultimately as soon as they stepped on the competition area, they were switched on and were ready to go! You can see it in their eyes, they are here to WIN!
Number four: your team really matters
Continuing on from this, both champions only had a select few individuals with them, whom they clearly trusted. The people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on your experience and play a key role on your success.
I had such a positive and relaxed environment during both the days before and within the Games, which made me cherish and appreciate every moment during the whole experience.
Three months leading up to the Games, Ricky joined our coaching team at Innerfight and from that day onwards I gained myself a training partner. I actually had never really minded training on my own but having someone there who was willing to do every session with me no matter what, made it so much more fun. Thanks Ricky!
I was lucky to fly out to the US two weeks before the Games started. I Spent 5 days in Chicago with Jamie Green, who finished in 3rd place and Elliot Simmonds, my coach who came 19th. I am so proud of their achievements and I am grateful that we got this opportunity together and to make great memories.
Once in Madison, we had a pre-games training camp, where we joined the “Red Pill” athletes: Briggsy, Emma, Kelly, Jows and Andy. These individuals are down to earth, positive minded people, who have a good sense of humour! Exactly what I needed to have a good time.
Lastly, a little thank you note to Cpt. Brooksy and his son James for traveling all the way to Madison and cheering so loud. I could hear them all over the field!
It won’t be long before the next CrossFit games is happening. Are you thinking about trying the CrossFit open? Message me on cb@innerfight.com for tips or even to set up some 1-on-1 coaching!