Although Schrader feels highly trained and mentally secure heading into Regionals, he knows the fight to Carson, Calif., will not be easy.
As the Mid Atlantic athletes gear up to face their Regional challengers, North Carolina’s Nate Schrader prepares to fight his way once again toward the podium. Many remember Schrader from the 2010 South East Regional, where he took 5th place after less than a year of CrossFit training.
“I missed [the Games] by one spot. A muscle-up WOD jacked me up,” he says of his 2010 experience. “But I saw how I could have done if I would have trained, and I belonged [at the Games].”
Train he did. The following year, Schrader fought his way well into the spotlight standing toe-to-toe with the top athletes of the 2011 CrossFit Games and finishing 14th in the world.
“A couple of my buddies got me into it,” he says. “When I went to [the 2010] Sectionals and ended up taking 3rd I knew it was something I might really be good at.”
Since the 2011 Games, Schrader has embraced a new role in the CrossFit community. On top of his training, Schrader has opened his own affiliate, Iron Forged CrossFit. His long days are spent deep in study, training and testing various methods that are applied not only to his athletes, but also to himself.
Although Schrader feels highly trained and mentally secure heading into Regionals, he knows the fight to Carson, Calif., will not be easy. Weeks of extensive work days (often 15 hours) combined with a recent injury have provided their share of obstacles. “A lot has gone wrong,” he says. “Before the last Open WOD I sprained my back, and had to wait until that Sunday to do it.”
Schrader has his sights set on the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games. “I want to make it to the Games podium,” he says. “Between my back and work, I’m not in an optimal position, but I’m still going to give it my all.”
