Overcoming Setback: Chris Stowe

March 19, 2013

Katriel Berbert

"I really appreciate the support I got last year. I hope to be a part of a similar situation this year, whether that means I'm on the sidelines cheering, or that I actually get to compete."

In September 2009, Chris Stowe walked into CrossFit 801 weighing 250 pounds. Less than a year later, he was at the Games with the CrossFit 801 affiliate team, weighing 60 pounds lighter.

“I consistently gave it my all and stayed conscious of what I ate,” Stowe explains.

In 2012, Stowe decided to compete as an individual. He placed 12th at the South West Regional.

“Last year at Regionals, it really hit home as to how far I’d come from where I’d been,” Stowe says.

During Individual Event 4 at the 2012 South West Regional, Stowe recalls that he was up against the time cap with 30 reps of the shoulder-to-overhead left. The whole crowd started counting each of his reps, hollering at him to finish.

“I really appreciate the camaraderie in CrossFit,” Stowe says. “People really appreciate your efforts.”

He left the Regional feeling hungry for more. Unfortunately, Stowe experienced a pretty major setback between October and December when 16-hour workdays prevented him from getting any time to train.

When his work schedule lightened again in January, he knew he needed to do something that would get him excited about training and decided to follow the Outlaw Way.

His strength numbers have improved through the programming, but he did lose some of his conditioning following his three-month hiatus.

“The awesome part of CrossFit is there is always room to improve,” Stowe says.

Stowe says he would love to be CrossFit Games bound, but that would require extra focus he doesn’t always have with his current job.

“The large majority of CrossFit Games athletes are also box owners so they have more time to train,” Stowe says. “I work a regular 9 to 5, sometimes longer.”

After 13.2, Stowe sits in 88th place in the South West Region. He says he’s staying optimistic of his chances, but realizes he is scraping for top 48.

“I really appreciate the support I got last year,” Stowe says. “I hope to be a part of a similar situation this year, whether that means I’m on the sidelines cheering, or that I actually get to compete.”