Stacie Tovar had high hopes coming into the 2011 CrossFit Games. She placed 14th at the2010 Games, 55th in the 2011 Open worldwide, and 1st at the North Central Regional. Feeling confident, she traveled to Carson, Calif., from Omaha, Neb., ready to dominate.
However, Tovar’s performance was not what she expected. “Good ole 2011. It can be summed up in two words. Heartbreaking and disappointing.”
Tovar’s 37th place finish was nowhere near what she had been working, training, and hoping for. “I was disappointed in my performance,” she explained. “Very disappointed. I hold myself to such high standards and I had visions of being extremely successful, and I completely let myself down.”
The big surprise for Tovar, like many athletes, was the ocean swim. Even though she was prepared to swim – she was one of the only athletes who traveled to the Games with a swimsuit – the idea of swimming in the ocean was a new challenge. “I was surprised to learn (the swim) was in the deep blue … something I had never done before.”
Placing 32nd in the Beach Event, Tovar did not have a great start to the weekend. That followed with several more discouraging performances, particularly on the Rope/Clean Eventwhere she placed 42nd.
However, instead of dwelling on the negative, Tovar took this experience for reflection and to move forward. “I learned a gazillion things about the sport, about myself, about my training, and about my nutrition.”
Her training will take a different approach as she gears up for the 2012 season. Currently, Tovar is on the same programming as the other members of CrossFit Omaha and goes to regular classes. “Come November, I will be on a structured training regimen,” she said. “This will always consist of me putting on some more pounds to get stronger, faster, and more powerful, as well as strengthening my areas of weakness.”
Part of that training is also trying new things. Tovar entered her first ever partner competition with CF Omaha training pal, Libby DiBiasie. They competed in Houston at the UFC Fan Expoalongside several Games athletes. The former volleyball player took this time to have fun. “I got a chance to mingle with Games competitors who I don’t get to see but once a year – at the Games. Hats off to (Dave) Castro, who did a great job programming the workouts. It was a lot of fun.”
Training won’t be easy. By day, Tovar works for SimplyWell, a wellness company, doing Marketing & Sales under the Business Development team. After a typical 9 to 5 day in the office, she goes to Skutt High School in Omaha where she works as an assistant volleyball coach. With a full-time job and coaching on the side, Tovar’s training schedule is anything but routine. “It can be pretty challenging for me to find time away from the office and around volleyball practice, games, and travel. I’m thankful I have a pretty sweet boss who I can be open and honest with, take my work on the road with me, and get out every once in awhile to compete.”
Tovar is looking forward to 2012. She said she hopes to see some heavy lifts and, for one specific reason, rope climbs. “I’ll always be a fan of heavy lifting. And I’d really like to redeem myself, so I’m hoping there will be some rope climbs.”
