Now that we are #InTheOpen, let me drop a blog on you that I meant to write last week and then a horrible man cold took hold of my life and I had to cease all blogging operations. I thought about closing down the gym and becoming a professional cougher, if that’s a real thing.
Today’s blog is all about that burning question that comes up in many CrossFit competitors’ minds during the CrossFit Open: “Should I redo that workout?” After all, the workout is announced on Thursday night and you don’t have to submit it until Monday night, so there’s time to redo it after a couple days of rest.
In short, the answer is “No”, you shouldn’t redo it. And of course, the long answer is “No, unless…”
Unless what? Unless one of the following applies to you regarding the workout in question:
– Something unexpected happened during the workout that threw you off, and you could definitely get a better score if that doesn’t happen again this time. Examples: your jump rope breaks; your kid starts crying and needs your attention; you get a text mid-WOD that your dog was attacked by a mountain lion and he’s clinging to life but it’s gonna be real touch-and-go for a while.
– Your strategy in the workout was proven to be misguided. You started breaking up sets of Toes-to-bar too early and in the end you were still fresh. Or the opposite – you kept holding onto the bar for a full set of 8 Toes-to-bar even when you were failing reps and the coach was yelling at you to drop but your stubborn “I know what’s right for me” approach created a severe forearm burnout that couldn’t recover during the workout.
– You are competing for a spot at Regionals and your score was below average compared to your peers.
If none of the above describes your reason for considering a redo, don’t do it. First of all, if you’re redoing the workout you want to be assured of success – an improved result. Don’t put yourself through another 20 minute workout that you just did two days ago just to see if you could squeeze out that one extra rep. A high likelihood of success means that something significant will change about your approach or your circumstances, not that you’re going to try a little harder. If you think you can reach a little deeper into the pain cave, use that as motivation for the next workout coming up next Friday, which will be (spoiler alert!) even harder somehow. Rest up, work on your weaknesses, and come back even stronger and more prepared, ready to go into battle with 18.2!
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