Why Am I Competing in the CrossFit Games Open?

We’re still 7 days away from the announcement of the first CrossFit Games Open WOD for 2013 and I’ve already got butterflies.  I’ve never done a CrossFit competition, so I can’t wait for this to start.

After explaining to someone the other day that I won’t qualify for Regionals this year, much less the actual CrossFit Games, they asked me “Why are you competing in the Open?”

Why am I competing in the Open?  That’s a great question and I didn’t have an answer for it at first. I actually had to think about this for a while…

I’ve only been CrossFitting for about 3 months now, and as most people know, I’m hooked.  It’s like a drug.  I’m stronger, fitter, happier, healthier and I have less body pain than I’ve ever had.  How could I not be hooked on CrossFit?

But that still doesn’t answer the question… Why am I competing in the Open?

I’m a competitive person by nature. I’ve played competitive sports at a high-level and I like to win.  So, if I’m not going to win the CrossFit Games, why am I competing in the Open?  I’m not in it for fame, glory or prize money. I’m not competing to beat anyone. And oddly enough, for the first time ever, I’m not in this to win it, so, why am I competing in the CrossFit Games Open?

I’m competing to prove to myself that I can compete.  I’m competing because I’m no longer that 275 pound guy that lead an unhealthy life and was slowly digging his own grave with booze, cigarettes and greasy, unhealthy food.  I’m competing because after my motorcycle accident doctors told me I wasn’t going to heal or get better and that I was going to be limited in my movements and that I would have pain for the rest of my life.  I’m competing for me!

There are currently 1,280 men registered in the Canada West Region and 3,110 men registered in the Canada East Region for the Open and over the next week, I’m sure there will be many more! However, my personal goal is to make top 500 in Canada.  It may be a bit of a reach (OK, it may be a HUGE reach) but that’s my goal.  Regardless of the outcome, I’ll have done this for me!