Tune In Tuesday- There is a first time for everything

The Open. Friday Night Lights. Adrenaline. Outside you comfort zone. Growth. You are the 2%. Going for your dreams, having confidence, excitement, embracing the unknown, acting in spite of fear (this is courage) and getting the most out of life are just a few of the things you have all been doing during Friday Night Lights. Congratulations! We only have one week left.

I asked a couple athletes to give some feedback about a "first" that just to happened during Friday Night lights.

Wyatt Johnson

Photo Credit: Juan Garza

I went to the Open prep classes in February, and the part I was most looking forward to was bar muscle ups. I felt I was a long ways away from them, but wanted to take the next steps to get there. Coach Lucas patiently got me kipping higher, and while I didn’t get very close that day, for the first time I realized BMUs were in range soon. I’ve been working on progressions since, though not as much as I thought I should. When BMUs were announced as part of 19.4, I got incredibly anxious. I spent some time Friday morning reviewing videos I’d been watching on the mechanics. I got to Friday Night Lights at EHP early enough to work on them a little before my heat. While doing so, Coach Courtney saw me and suggested I grab a black band, to help me figure out getting my arms over the bar. After a few reps with that, I managed to get an arm over for the first time. I was starting to get tired, so I stopped there and hoped the adrenaline of the moment would give me a chance. When my heat came, I got through the snatches and burpees as quickly as a dared, to give myself plenty of time to try the BMU. I tried, unsuccessfully, a couple times, but was incredibly close. Josh Nogowski was watching closely, and gave me the suggestion to kick my legs back to help me get the rest of my body over the bar. The next try, I knew I had it the second I kicked. Both arms went up, I pushed down as hard as I could, and time stopped. I wanted to stay up there the rest of the night. I heard the roar of everyone cheering for me, and for that moment, couldn’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else. I pushed myself higher, way higher than I needed to (literally and figuratively), and just savored it. Since I had time left, I let myself down, and managed two more! That first one is a moment I’ll never forget. Later that night, when I saw the picture that Juan posted of me as I let out my roar, it actually brought tears. BMUs were one of those things only the hardcore CrossFitters did. I’m just me! Every new trick I learn reminds me that with hard work and great coaching, anything is possible.

Missy Conrad

Photo Credit: Juan Garza

MAN did it feel good! I've never been one to ever do a pull up - high school through 38+ years of my life. I went into this weeks FNL feeling pretty good about the snatch & burpee's, but knew if I wanted to tackle the PU's, I needed to have that mindset that I COULD AND WOULD GET THESE. With that leading mindset coupled with Courtney's tip about trying to get a bigger kip and then follow with the PU, I got the 'feeling' of the flow and how it should feel.. Practice makes perfect they say, so now I know what I need to further develop (among many other movements) and perfect the ever-so-challenging PU! Cheers to all in getting this movement! I, alongside you, will conquer these and continue my CrossFit journey!

Tim Rousar

Photo Credit: Juan Garza

I was pretty on the fence about participating in Friday Night Lights when it was first brought up to me. I thought “what’s the point? There is no chance I can do most of it.” But everyone kept telling me how fun it was so I decided to go for it. I’m really glad I did. The workouts have all been incredibly difficult, but I have been able to do more thank I thought I would. 19.4 specifically was a bit daunting. Looking at the workout I knew I could do the Snatch weight but then after the rest…Bar Muscle Ups. BMU’s have been a goal of mine since before I joined EHP. I really didn’t like the idea of failing, repeatedly, in-front of everyone at FNL knowing I could do scaled and do the pull-ups. Ultimately, I decided to go for it. Wyatt and I both were talking about how we decided to go for the BMU. Watching him knock a couple out gave me a rush of confidence, no turning back now. Despite being tired after the first section of 19.4 I felt good looking at the bar. I went for my first one up and failed but I knew what my mistake was. Attempt # 2 I struggled but got it…or so I thought. My arm had touched the bar, no-rep. hearing people cheering and knowing how close I had just gotten, I knew I could get it. On the next attempt I did. It felt really good to accomplish a goal I’d had for a long time. Even better to have my friends and family see it. I was able to get 2 more before the time cap.

Joey Schmuhl

My first CrossFit open has given me so much including my first pull-up. It marks an important milestone in my fitness. I’ve always felt like a relatively strong person but have never been able to do a pull-up. Decades of running and yoga kept me fairly fit but limited my strength and functional fitness. In my first weeks at the gym, I watched others pull themselves up to the bar and knew I would work towards that goal. However, when I started, it was clear that even one pull-up would require much time and effort. Then halfway through the 19.4 open workout, I pulled myself to the bar. I hadn’t even expected to do it. It was amazing. My girls, ages 6 and 8, were there which made it even more special. And then there was the support of everyone at EHP. I was surrounded by people with shared goals, an understanding of the work those goals require, and the knowledge of the work I’ve done to achieve this. Not only did they cheer me on for my first one but they encouraged me through 9 more. There will always be more goals. Having the support of everyone at EHP and the knowledge of the coaches help to finally make my goals achievable.