“The Open is just another workout added to my training program ... My focus is on Regionals, so unless absolutely necessary, there will be no repeats.”
Last year, Kelley Jackson from Saint Louis, Mo., topped the Leaderboard with a 16th-place finish in the Open. Known for her enormous work capacity, she is the first to admit the Open falls squarely in her wheelhouse.
“In the past, the Open Workouts have catered to my strengths. (They’re usually) AMRAPs with light to medium weight where you have to get into that dark place and keep moving,” she says.
This year, she wants to be more than an Open specialist. She’s training hard to qualify for her third North Central Regional and finally reach the podium. In 2012, she came in fifth; in 2013, she’s aiming for third or better.
Although she’s qualified for Regionals twice, Jackson isn’t put off by the challenge. She has been beaten down by CrossFit competition from the start and routinely come back for more.
The former collegiate soccer player discovered CrossFit in 2010, and signed up for the Midwest Sectional on a whim. She came in 57th place and left the competition eager for more.
“I’m insanely competitive,” she explains. “(I) was immediately drawn to the competitive environment and the community.”
After the Sectional, she started training at her boyfriend’s box, CrossFit Gambit. Year after year, she broadened her skill base, work capacity and strength.
This year, she reduces her training strategy to five words.
“Relax, have fun, get stronger,” she says.
Jackson spends a lot of time working on her strength. The petite 5-foot-2, 125-pound competitor can now move heavy weight. She has a 305-lb. deadlift, a 245-lb. back squat and a 185-lb. clean and jerk.
She admits the problem in 2012 wasn’t her strength, but rather, her mental state.
“The 2012 (North Central) Regional became an emotional rollercoaster after my very disappointing Diane,” she says. “Immediately after, I knew that I would need a near-perfect performance the remainder of the weekend to make it to the podium.”
Aiming for perfection on the remaining Regional events was “mentally exhausting,” she says.
“I still have frustrating days and I can even recall a few chalk-throwing, F-bombing moments. But I have had more fun, and seen more improvements in my training in the last few months by removing the expectations and learning to relax,” she says.
Last year, she was so focused on training for the Games, that she lost touch with her gym community.
“Now, I work out with a group of competitors where lifts are being maxed and PRs are being set amidst jokes and laughter,” she says. “I used to think laughter during training would adversely affect my performance. As it turns out, I was wrong. This environment is filled with support, motivation and constructive coaching. Nobody lets you stay down on yourself too long.”
For the next five weeks, she’ll only attempt each Open Workout once.
“The Open is just another workout added to my training program,” she says. “There is no rest day leading up to the event and I have no intentions of repeating any of these workouts. My focus is on Regionals, so unless absolutely necessary, there will be no repeats.”
Jackson knows the Open is just the first step on the long road to California.
“I’d be happy finishing worse in the Open, if it means I could get a place to the Games,” she says.
“I couldn’t imagine my life without CrossFit, and I happen to be pretty good at it,” she adds. “So, while I’m physically able, I’m going to work my ass off to be the best CrossFitter I can be. At the end of the day, I hope my best gets me to the Games.”
