Caleb Asia CrossFit Championship recap

上海比賽心得(Scroll down for English version)

      在我的生活中，每天都有各種新鮮的事情在發生，這不禁讓我思考，有什麼是會讓我後悔、絕對不能錯過的？這是我常常會問自己的問題，而這次上海ACC CrossFit 比賽正是其中一個我絕不能錯過的一場冒險！

      對你來說比賽是什麼？是一種測驗？是一種興趣？還是一個證明自己的機會？每個人對比賽都有不同的解讀跟感覺，但是對我來說比賽是一種冒險和對生命的自我探索！一場比賽可以看到、聽到、感覺到跟嘗試到各種不同的經驗與想法，以及讓團隊關係更緊密。

       為期好幾個月的備賽期，教練Marco負責規劃所有訓練的週期強度。第一次做國際級別的備賽，過程中不斷的與教練討論訓練強度太高還是太低，狀況好或差，最後總算在Open前成功在線上賽殺出重圍，入選ACC的上海區域比賽的出賽權，雖然是墊底進去的，但是這樣的機會對我來說就是天上掉下來的禮物，是一個去開開眼界的機會，所以我馬上報名，準備出國遠征。

      從報完名到出發前的這段期間，我同時參加了人生中第三次的CrossFit Open，無形中也增加了備賽過程中不少的壓力。在Open結束後，我們馬上進入到出發上海前最後一個月的高強度備賽，包含了各種比賽項目模擬跟心肺、肌力的訓練，每天都在訓練的夾縫中求生存，從一天練一次到慢慢的把訓練量增加到有時一天兩次，為了模擬比賽也加入了週末的訓練，在這過程中身心俱疲，壓力很大，但是很感謝有很多人默默的支持與陪伴，幫助總是想放棄的我有繼續拚一把的動力，從訓練、飲食到買補給品，因為有你們的支持，我才能順利以不錯的狀態參加比賽！

  比賽說不緊張都是騙人的，可是奇怪的是卻有滿滿的期待和興奮，從來沒想過自己有天可以出現在電視上的直播，彷彿是在電影中的場景，在舞台上享受比賽的過程。在這過程中要感謝一群來自台灣的加油團，一直在賽場上為我們加油，給我們建議，提供補給品，儘管我們對賽場、賽制、器材不熟悉，但是因為有你們，我們在才能賽場上穩定發揮，找到自己的節奏完成比賽。感謝所有人的祝褔跟一起在上海奮鬥的夥伴，因為有你們這場比賽才有如此多的收穫跟很多值得回憶的地方。

      這因緣際會下展開的冒險，從墊底開始往上爬，最後以36名結尾，可以說是一場奇幻歷險，這也是讓我覺得比賽如此令人著迷的地方，因為不到最後，結局永遠令人意想不到。無論結果的好壞，過程中總是有很多值得令人省思的地方。

      轉眼間比賽已閉幕，但是我知道這不是結束，而是另一段故事的開始，只有繼續努力，為自己的目標去奮鬥才是我現在最應該做的事。比賽中或許有很多遺憾沒做好的地方，但是我可以很篤定的告訴自己 : 我沒錯過！

Caleb

Asia CrossFit Championship Experience

There are many new experiences and opportunities that happen in a lifetime. This doesn’t only make me think, but often ask myself “what if I regret missing out on a certain life experience?” This year’s Asia CrossFit Championship is one adventure I cannot miss out on!

What does competing mean for you? Is it a test, hobby, or an opportunity to prove yourself? Everyone has a different explanation, a different feeling for competition. To me, it is an adventure and self exploration of myself. You can see, feel, hear, and experience something completely unique and new. It also creates a unique relationship within a team.

Once we heard about ACC, I started discussing with my coach on my training preparation leading up to the qualifiers. This was the first time we’ve prepared for high level competition. We work closely on how I felt throughout training, and made adjustments on intensity levels. Right before the CrossFit Open, we received the invitation notifying that I have qualified for the main event. Even though we were close to the bottom on the qualifying list, it still felt like a gift from the sky. This was an opportunity for me to compete with top level athletes. So we immediately completed the registration and started our preparation.

The CrossFit Open was between the qualifiers and the main event in Shanghai. This added additional stress to my third CrossFit Open experience. Shortly after the CrossFit Open concluded, we started transitioning to the pre comp phase for the ACC. Training got very challenging with event simulations. Two a days and simulation days were always really stressful both mentally and physically. Luckily I had a team with me throughout this entire process. They’ve always cheered me on, and supported me in different ways. Some being training partners, eating partners, helping me with supplements, and many other tasks. All of you were integral parts for the preparation!

Anyone who says they don’t get nervous in a competition is lying. Even so, I was very excited and looked forward to each event. I never imagined that I’d have the chance to be broadcasted on the jumbotron like in movies. Throughout this competition, I am very thankful for the group that flew all the way out from Taiwan to support. I heard all the cheers, support, and appreciate all the supplements. Even though we were unfamiliar with the venue, equipment, and rules; we were able to put our attention into the events and perform to the best of our abilities with your support. I had a valuable experience and many unforgettable memories because of all of you.

We started the adventure at the bottom of the qualification leaderboard and ended placing 36th over the weekend. This was such a miraculous adventure. It reminds me of why I am really attracted to competition. You never know what might happen until the very end, for better or worse, it always is something to think about.

The competition has ended, but it is not my end. This is the beginning to the next chapters. I am going to continue fighting for my goals. Even though there may be mistakes and errors in the competition, I can very firmly tell myself “I did not miss it!”

Caleb