“Working with Jordan is like working with a racecar driver who knows his machine better than anyone. He knows when to burn hot and when to cool it down. ... the most dangerous position to be in is between him and what he wants.” ~Andrew Killion on Jordan Troyan
Jordan Troyan of CrossFit Rage secured his second trip to the CrossFit Games proving 2013 wasn’t a fluke.
“Last year, I went to have fun and soak up everything,” he said. “This year, I want to place in the top 10. I’m still going to have fun while competing, but I want to improve on my 25th place last year. I will know what to expect this year as far as the media, waiting time before events and overall flow.”
In 2013, Troyan earned his first trip to Carson, California, edging out Kyle Ruth for third place by just 1 point at the Mid Atlantic Regional. This year, Troyan gained more breathing room with 21 points separating him and fourth place. He finished third behind Ben Smith and Nate Schrader.
Wiser and more experienced, Troyan is approaching this year’s Games better prepared and with a different attitude.
“Last year, I didn’t prepare enough and it showed Saturday and Sunday,” Troyan said. “I was sitting in seventh overall after the legless event and it was all downhill after that. My body wasn’t ready for all of the workouts.”
Troyan increased the volume of his workouts and began following programming by Andrew Killion to build strength and hone Olympic lifting technique. He focused on squatting heavy two to three times per week, and heavy deadlifts one to two times per week, as well.
Killion said there’s a significant difference between this year and the 2013 Troyan.
“For a lot of new athletes, there’s a ‘just happy to be here’ mode of thinking. I think Jordan did an unbelievable job overcoming that mindset last year. This year, there’s nothing to overcome,” Killion said.
Another adjustment to Troyan’s Games prep is the addition of morning training sessions.
“I’m not a morning person at all,” he said. “I’m making sure to work out in the morning now since that will simulate the time I will have to perform at the Games.”
Luckily for Troyan, the regional schedule played in his favor with all the events beginning after noon.
“I couldn’t be more proud of his regionals performance,” Killion said. “He went out and executed his game plan perfectly, picking where he knew he could go and staying strong where he knew he needed.”
Troyan’s best finish of the regional weekend was first place in Event 5—10 rounds of 1 legless rope climb and a 200-foot sprint. Troyan considers himself to be a better runner than swimmer, despite his competitive background in swimming. He hopes to see more running and swimming events at the Games.
“I’d like to see heavier, odd object stuff where you just do work, instead of the traditional barbell strength ladder,” Troyan said. “I wouldn’t mind seeing heavy yoke carries, prowler pushes, tire flips and stones.”
Killion agreed Troyan would do well in Games events with more unconventional movements.
“There’s going to be more volume. There’s going to be more unknowns, so the plan is to know how to move so that you can approach anything with confidence,” Killion said. “He may never have flipped a pig or carried a log, but he’s learned how to use his body to his own advantage and the basic movement patterns associated.”
Killion added: “Working with Jordan is like working with a racecar driver who knows his machine better than anyone. He knows when to burn hot and when to cool it down. I’ve learned that if he thinks he can win, the most dangerous position to be in is between him and what he wants.”
