After the CrossFit Open: The Downs and Ups of Competing

[caption id="attachment_18241" align="alignright" width="300"]The Open Aftermath - lots of sweat angels... everywhere![/caption]

The CrossFit Open is designed to be a challenge.

It’s something we train for, focus on, re-arrange our lives for and can come out the other side having overcome some of our previous limits. We can become better versions of ourselves.

Post CrossFit Open Blues - can you relate?

Just over a year ago, my marriage had bitten the dust and my escape from all that inner turmoil was the community at my Box and the endorphins that came with a good WOD. My first six months of CrossFit was all about growth , and I was feeling great. Despite still feeling like a newbie, I competed in the 2014 CrossFit Open , which brought new success and new PR’s, so I was pretty shocked that, when it was over, I started to feel lousy - like really lousy.

After the Open, I was suddenly and inexplicably left with a hollow, gloomy feeling. There seemed no rational reason for it. I wasn't injured. I was doing the movements, but I couldn't shake this dreary, unmotivated feeling. I had worked so hard and come so far.

So why did I feel so gross after it was all wrapped up?

The boost that used to come after a WOD was replaced by frustration, negativity and even a bit of sadness. This didn't make any sense. The 2014 Open had empowered me and unleashed a whole new level of performance; and afterwards I felt like crap. I was having... emotions… after having done so well without them for all these years.

I sat down with my coach, Josh, and told him that I was in a terrible head-space and it was affecting my performance. It was good to get it off my chest, and he responded by being more selective with how he pushed me. I also researched my situation and some online articles refer to Adrenal Fatigue , Post-Competition Blues, Post-Performance Depression and similar names. I learned that after a big, deadline-driven experience, which has required training, nutritional changes, new routines and physical development, such as the CrossFit Open does, its normal for some people to need to give their system a chance to rest, reset and re-calibrate.

It's Not What We Do When We Feel 'Up', but rather, What We Do When We Feel 'Down'

Despite feeling low, I dragged myself to the Box, day-after-day.

On days when I had lashed myself 50 times attempting double-unders and I was about ready to break, I focused on what kept me coming back to CrossFit; my team, my clan, my community. They were expecting to see me in class. They still cheered me on when I was having a bad day; that’s the awesome-sauce of CrossFit.

For me, the answer to pushing past my post-competition blues, just like so many other of life’s rough patches, was time, persistence, forgiving myself for having a bad day and...ugh...talking about my feelings. Setting new fitness goals , continuing with good nutrition and making sleep a priority was also important.

If you are doing CrossFit, you know it’s more than finishing a workout. CrossFit is an investment in ourselves and we don’t do it alone.

[caption id="attachment_18240" align="aligncenter" width="600"]5 Workouts later...[/caption]

Our team encourages and motivates us; our friends and partners pass us the foam roller and an ibuprofen; we seek a doctor, physiotherapist, massage therapist, etc.. when we feel physically unwell. Give yourself the same support when you feel emotionally unwell and seek professional help through coaches or health care professionals when you need it.

A Word of the Wise to Coaches:

Coaches, let your athletes know that there is a rhythm to performance which can include some down periods after a peak event. My slump really threw me off because I wasn't expecting it. Keep an eye on them, help them find the little successes and you can help them get their mojo back.

A Word of the Wise to Athletes:

Athletes, let your coach know where you are at. If you are feeling low and frustrated for a few WODs, let people in your Box know. Trying to keep up your peak-performance 365 days a year isn't realistic or healthy.

A Word of the Wise to EVERYONE

Forgive your bad days, set new goals and keep going back to your Box. If you are feeling like you've got something deeper to deal with, see a healthcare professional.

Note to Reader:  If you enjoyed this post, be sure to also read Mike's article " There's life after 40 and it starts with CrossFit "



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Author Bio:

Mike Harrison is a father of three great kids, a globe collector, a history buff, and an amateur genealogist. He currently manages the motion capture and scanning studio for Electronic Arts. Mike started CrossFit in 2013 and took up an interest in healthy cooking shortly after. He lives in Vancouver and after 15.4 he was ranked 85,688 overall in the Individual Men’s category.