"I don't know if it was genius or cruel to put (the sprints) first." ~Jered Souder, CrossFit Intensify
It was a display of explosive strength followed by slow, steady power as the teams took on the Sprint Relay and Big Bob under cloudy skies and intermittent rain showers.
The first team workouts of this year’s Games were a Sprint Relay (six 415-meter sprints with an 11-minute time cap, worth 100 points) and then a quick switch to Big Bob, where teams had to push a giant sled 100 yards down the field, then pull it 100 yards back up the field. The sled workout was worth 100 points and had a 16-minute cap.
All six team members participated in both workouts.
“I don’t know if it was genius or cruel to put (the sprints) first,” said Jered Souder of CrossFit Intensify.
The day’s weather was welcomed by many teams, as they were able to avoid high temperatures and dry grass when it came time for Big Bob.
Tony Taddeo of CrossFit SoCal called it “perfect.”
The team’s strategy in Heat 1 was to give 80 percent on the relay and have a bit left in the tank to attack the sled, he says. The team did well at the Regional and expects to follow suit at the Games, Taddeo added.
“It’s nice to have two under our belt,” fellow team member Greg Downey said. “We did well for ourselves … that’s as well as we can do.”
Heat 2 was anyone’s for the taking as CrossFit Central, CrossFit Athletic and RAW Training were all in the lead at some point. CrossFit Fort Vancouver won the heat in the end.
CrossFit Kilo won its heat’s Big Bob by a good margin, with RAW Training coming in second.
As Hustle Hard Powered by HEW pulled the sled across the finish line, Pierre Soero roared out, “Go! Go! Go!”
He looked to his left and saw the rest of the heat gaining ground.
“I didn’t want to stop,” he said. “It was a lot of burning, especially after the 400."
At that point, it’s all mental, Soero said.
“Keep pushing even though it’s burning,” he said. “I feel good. I can’t wait for front squats this afternoon.”
Heat 3 began dramatically in the Sprint Relay as CrossFit Maximus and CrossFit Jenks were first and second until the final lap, when Jenks took the lead.
Heat 4 comprised top, well-known teams, including Invictus, Hacks Pack UTE and CrossFit New England. CFNE’s team includes Heather Bergeron, who had a baby roughly eight weeks ago.
The Sprint Relay started with UTE leading much of the time, though SPC CrossFit and Shogun CrossFit gave the team a run for their money. In the end UTE pulled through to win the relay.
On Big Bob, it was CrossFit Dallas Central that won by a significant margin. The team was almost halfway back with the sled before CrossFit Platinum began its return push. For the sled push, Dallas Central was coached by one of their alternates, a former U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team member.
Meanwhile, UTE and defending Affiliate Cup champs CrossFit New England finished Big Bob at the end of the heat.
Hacks Pack UTE was first in the Sprint Relay (6:27.6), CrossFit Jenks was second (6:31.6), and Diablo CrossFit Anejo and Team Butcher’s Lab tied for third at (6:32.4). On Big Bob, it was TJ’s Gym Mill Valley first (3:15.5), CrossFit SoCal second (3:31.2), and CrossFit Kilo third (3:49.0).
Overall, TJ’s Gym is in first after two events with 180 points. Diablo CrossFit Anejo hold second, 10 points behind with 170. Denmark’s Team Butcher’s Lab is third with 165 points.
Next up is the Front Squat and Team Triplet.