The 2016 CrossFit Games Open has been over just long enough that we’ve all had a little time to breathe — and after this year’s WODs hopefully we’re all finally getting enough oxygen to the brain that we can reflect on all the season brought us. For me personally, this was the most challenging CrossFit Open to date. The elements, movements, and combinations were not something I had been practicing and burpees– not just once, but TWICE, reminded me that skimping on the basics won’t get you too far.
I think I can safely say that the 2016 Outlier Open taught everyone something about themselves. It especially taught us that the standards for some movements are really hard! Those last two inches on a chest-to-bar pull-ups can make or break our workout. Stringing toes-to-bar doesn’t happen well when we’re gassed. And we will always be challenged to push the envelope into new territory, like the bar muscle-ups and overhead walking lunges. Every workout was like a punch in the gut – and pushing through definitely took us to that dark place. Those burpees really sucked.
It also taught us something else – that our community is unbelievable! Using the Intramural Competition for the second year made for some amazing in-house atmosphere and shared suffering. For me personally, there are several moments that stick out and still give me goose bumps to think about. Chris C hitting his last clean, and Alyssa K nailing hers to finish just under the cap while dozens screamed to the finish. Brooke W finishing 16.2 placing 2nd in the world while some of us struggled to finish just one round. Coach Keel working on bar muscle ups and failing for 3 days, before coming and nailing them just under the deadline. And 14 athletes getting not just their first bar muscle-up, but 3+ (Liz, Keel, Jess K, Dain, Mak, Jared, Slater, Mikey, Jason, Ross, Joe P, Amanda Q, Jessie, MVR). Ava K, one of our CF Kids, making an awesome video in support of her team. And seeing athletes complete some of their first RX workouts ever. We even witnessed the return of Esther and Jen K. as well as countless actions done by each team to show their spirit and support for one another! There are simply too many memories to cram into one post!
To summarize, as rough, tough, and exhausting as the Open is to grind through every year, it is still one of the top reasons I love CrossFit. Watching our newest athletes perform the workout next to some our longest-attending veterans just reinforces how CrossFit really is for everybody, regardless of where you are in your fitness journey.
I know it’s tough not to draw comparisons to other athletes or be tough on yourself when you feel you struggled more than won, but the Open is designed to expose you to weaknesses, and if you found them, then consider yourself closer to beating them. Next year will be here before you know it, and by repeating these workouts throughout the year, we’ll continue to gauge your improvement, because it will come.
2016 Outlier Open Champions
So what comes next now that the excitement and pageantry is over? Well I’m sure you have these questions:
- Which team is walking away Champions of the 2016 Outlier Open?
- Where is that trophy from 2015?
- What is the winning team selecting as a prize?
- What direction will we head with our programming now?
By a very narrow margin, 3 points to be exact, we are excited to announce that the winner of the 2016 Outlier Open is…
The Walking Deadlifts!!
Congratulations to all members of the team, and a very special thank you to Captain Sydney Hampton and Co-Captain Chris Collins for helping led your team to success!
Now for the trophy. I dropped the ball on it. Yikes. No good excuse, I dropped the ball on it. Luckily, the very talented and life-saving Kohlers have come to the rescue! They are commissioning a one of a kind trophy that we will display and add team names from not only this year but for last year as well (Congrats again Body Snatchers). Below is a picture of the proposed unique work of art that we should be seeing in the coming weeks, well worth the wait.
Couch Stout will be discussing with The Walking Deadlifts what prize they select, and everyone will be notified once that occurs.
Lastly, here is a short video from Coach Angelo explaining the new direction for programming!