To Open or NOT....

Based on Canada West; Masters Men 45-49

Every year, there is more and more people joining Crossfit, and as well as competing in the Open.   I applaud all those who are doing it, whether it's your first time or this is your fourth round at it.

My hesitation this year has been issues with my low back, still working on it with both the physiotherapist and chiropractor.   I have an on-going issue with my QL (quadratus lumborum) muscle.   

Muscles of the posterior abdominal wall (Quadratus lumborum visible at bottom left.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadratus_lumborum_muscle

And more recently, a flair up (I think they label it as 'chronic') issues with my knees.  My physiotherapist has given me a tons of homework (exercises to help strengthen and stretch out) both areas.   I've now moved from a weekly to a bi-monthly visit.  

With me being off for over a month (not crossfit'iing, other than walking the dog, getting the mail, day to day stuff); everything is weak.   

I opted this year to skip the Open and come back next year with a new and improved me.
I really did not want to do what I did last year; which was to push my body beyond what it could safely do when I was still recovery from an injuries.   There were a lot of trips to Physiotherapy, Chiropractor, and Massage therapist during and after the Five week of the Open.

In my mind, it was about mitigating injuries, or buying time to recover.   Which in all actually is a crazy thing we do.    Instead of focusing on healing, and improving myself.  I got myself into a situation where I was actually digging a hole for myself.

I knew after last years events:  

  Battle on the Border [February 2016]
    Crossfit Open [February-March 2016]
    Festivus Games [April 2016] 
    Fight of the Fittest [June 2016]

it really showed me which areas I was very weak at.   I knew after the first two events, that the main area of weakness was my cardio.   There were other areas; where my movements were not proficient, scaled or not.  That hurted the performance.   It was a lot to take on, and some case; felt like I was beating a dead horse when I couldn't do them.

To address all that, this is why I had decided to go ahead and hire a personal coach this year to help me improve on my deficiencies [custom programming] and as well as a nutritionist to get my eating in check.   


As for those who are participating in the open; kudos to all of you!!  I may not be at your side, competing, but will be there to cheer you on!!

While I had every intention of writing the Online Judging course, free time has not been on my side.  I will contribute to our crossfit community to help setup equipment for testing on Friday morning as needed.


I'll keep everyone inform on my progress thru my blog.    Hoping to return to do some competition/challenges next year, again depending on how the body feels.

Thanks for reading....  - Tony