"I'm just going to do all I can to win."
Executing her game plan.
That’s the only thing Alessandra Pichelli paid attention to during the 2014 NorCal Regional. With that game plan came a first-place regional finish and a second trip to the CrossFit Games.
Staying focused, though, proved to be more difficult than she initially thought. On Day 1, she was confident after snatching 170 lb. on Event 1, tying for second, then finishing fourth in both Events 2 and 3.
But on Day 2 she placed 14th in Event 4—a descending ladder of strict handstand push-ups, front squats and burpees. That’s when she changed her plan. Going into Day 3, she precariously sat in third place and she started paying attention.
“Hearing the names of the other athletes being called, knowing they were gaining on me almost made time freeze,” Pichelli said. “Either I can let them pass and afterward be disappointed in myself, or I can turn on the fire and be satisfied knowing I actually fought for something. It makes such a difference to remind myself, ‘I can win this if I just don’t let her pass me.’”
A former collegiate rower, Pichelli, 29, has competed at regionals twice as an individual and once with a team. In 2013, Pichelli surprised herself with a first-place individual finish and a trip to the Games, where she placed fourth overall. In turn, Pichelli felt a great deal of pressure to perform this year.
“My regionals experience made me realize that my head has to be in the game, too,” she said. “I train physically to be the best that I can, but … by the second day of regionals, my head just wasn’t in the game. I didn’t necessarily want the events as much as I should have. So, when I was in third place going into Day 3, I knew I had to want it more. I didn’t want my training to go to waste.”
So she turned in on for Day 3. She dashed through the 50s chipper in Event 6 and powered through Event 7, a couplet of 64 pull-ups and 8 overhead squats, taking first place in both and finishing in first place overall at the close of the weekend.
“I didn’t want to walk away feeling like I could’ve done better, like I could’ve trained harder,” she said. “I can’t control everything that happens, but I can control the work I put into it. It’s very rare that I win anything. I mean, I’m pretty good at a lot of things, but I’m not elite at any one thing.”
Setting her sights on the CrossFit Games, Pichelli believes one of her strengths is having experience. But she still wants to hold onto the lesson she learned at regionals.
“I want to stay aware of these things,” Pichelli said. “I’m going to make all the hard work I put in worth it. I’m levelheaded and can tackle anything, and I just tell myself, ‘This is only going to be painful for a short period. You just have to sacrifice your body and be willing to fight. There will be a reward in the end.’”
Now she has her head right where she wants it. But she may have to deal with a physical setback.
Recently, Pichelli felt a pain in her left shoulder while doing chest-to-bar pull-ups.
Enduring a minor injury, preparing for the Games now includes rehabilitating her shoulder while training for the ultimate test of fitness.
Pichelli is thankful to have the expertise of mobility subject matter expert Kelly Starrett on her side.
“Fortunately, I’ve still been able to maintain my cardio and strength by substituting movements while rehabbing my shoulder,” Pichelli said. “I have a great support system and healthcare resources, including Kelly. My plan hasn’t changed. If anything I have more fire (to win).”
Currently, Pichelli is working at full capacity. She is able to execute technical movements like handstand walks and snatches and will attempt pull-ups and chest-to-bars next.
“I’m being cautious,” Pichelli said. “I’d rather wait a little longer, to give my shoulder more time to heal … . I feel confident I’ll be successful when I do.”
Ultimately, Pichelli wants to walk away from the Games with a win.
“I’m definitely setting my goal a little higher than last year,” Pichelli said. “I want to win, and I’m capable of it. With Sam Briggs being gone, it’s such a game changer. She was an obvious contender. To imagine that she and Lindsey Valenzuela won’t be (at the Games), well, anything can happen.”
Although Pichelli is hungry to win after falling just short of the podium in 2013, she doesn’t underestimate competitors like two-time champion Annie Thorisdottir, as well as newcomers.
“I was a newcomer last year,” Pichelli said, “and I placed fourth. My expectations then were to place in the top 15, so this time I have new expectations for myself. I’m just going to do all I can to win.”
