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Why I'm Doing the Open – Emily Eley

4
Feb
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Why I'm Doing the Open – Emily Eley

Teen Strength and Conditioning – Free Intro Class
Saturday, February 7th at 11:00am. All Teens welcome. 
Click here to sign up.

For time:
30 medicine-ball cleans, 20-lb. ball
30 ring dips
30 medicine-ball cleans, 20-lb. ball
30 chest-to-bar pull-ups
30 medicine-ball cleans, 20-lb. ball
30 push-ups
30 medicine-ball cleans, 20-lb. ball

cfopen eley

“I am wicked excited to see the growth in myself and my fellow athletes between a year ago and now.” ~ Emily Eley

Why I’m Doing the Open – Emily Eley

Today’s Open athlete spotlight is on Emily Eley!  Emily was fresh out of Foundations when last year’s CrossFit Open began and it didn’t deter her from signing-up!

Age: 29
Occupation: Nanny and Student
Family: Single
WODS per week: 6 + 2 hour mobility on Sunday at open shop, gotta keep it supple!

1. How many years have you been CrossFitting?
This month is my 1 year anniversary!

2. How many years have you done the Open?

Last year was my first open. I had just finished foundations when Ali told me she was signing me up for the open and to just show up that Friday for some fun “stuff”.  Haha.

3. Why did you choose to compete in the Open?

I had injured my right hip before moving to CO in January.  Upon arriving I was in such bad shape I couldn’t even do an air squat without tons of pain.  I wasn’t sure if Crossfit even made sense for me at the time but Shane offered to take a look.  After literally one session with him I was on the road to recovery.  Even though I was still rehabbing my hip I felt comfortable enough in the Open and knew if anything really didn’t feel right I’d just stop.  No harm in trying!

4. Were you able to do all the workouts?

I definitely gave each workout my all.  Was I was able to complete all the movements to the fullest degree?  Definitely not.  I learned a lot of skills at the Open.  It was the first time I snatched and I threw up the Rx weight to my amazement.  It was the first time I’d done toes-to-bar and even though I lost all my skin I got 27 of them!  I got my first double-unders and attempted chest-to-bar pullups for a hot minute.  The thruster and burpee ladder really pushed me to my brink but Ali stood with me the whole way.  If she hadn’t been there I would have quit.  It’s so awesome to have someone on your side that knows what you’re capable of physically and mentally so that when you forget or are unsure you’ve got that reinforcement.

5. What is your favorite part about the Open?

I have a couple.  Physically it pushed me to my capacity AND I had success there.  Mentally it showed me my body is a hell of a lot tougher than I tell myself.  But also if I put my mind to climbing a rope, I damn well will get up there some how!  Socially it was amazing to see a group of people with such love, encouragement, and common drive.  I had never belonged to a group like Roots before moving out here.  There were people cheering for me that I didn’t even know and in turn I was cheering for them.  We shared a mutual agony, a badass agony.

6. Are you doing to compete again this year?

My goal is to compete again this year for sure.  I will be coming in with a different injury this year (my tailbone) and I plan to approach it the same way I did last year: Do what I can and leave it all on the floor.  I am wicked excited to see the growth in myself and my fellow athletes between a year ago and now.

7. Anything else you want to mention?

I am grateful that Ali asked me to just show up that Friday and I am grateful I had no idea what was in store.  I encourage every Roots athlete (and YES that’s what you are, an Athlete!) to sign up.  What do you have to lose?  I was scared shitless, I didn’t want to look like an idiot, and I felt like I was dying 99% of the time.  But isn’t that so awesome to have all of that plus breaking mental and physical barriers all while being with people who are whole-heartedly screaming for your success?!  If I had to describe Crossfit and the Open it would be that.  Badass Community + Super hard shit.  Can’t wait!

10 Responses

  1. Jeff King

    Awesome Emily. Very cool photo. And using the term “wicked excited”, made me laugh and miss the east coast.

  2. Colleen Carden King

    I haven’t even read this yey, but I’m so exited too – because it’s Eley! Love ya girl!!

  3. Sarah

    I’d like to add Emily is a compassionate, empowering and kind & caring yoga teacher too! Way to go Emily! xooxoxo Love from VT!

  5. AliMinton

    Yeah, Emily! I can’t believe it’s been a year already! I vividly remember the thruster workout. You showed a ton of determination and heart to complete that workout. Thanks for sharing your experience. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2015 🙂

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