When CrossFit Open WOD 14.1 was introduced, everyone practiced their double-unders and power snatches. Due to this fact, several athletes earned their first double-under and snatched better than they ever have.
When 14.2 was announced, everyone practiced their chest-to-bar pull-ups and perfected their overhead squats. Due to this fact, several athletes earned their first chest-to-bar pull-up and overhead squatted better than they ever have.
When 14.3 came up, everyone tested their deadlift and perfected the “games-style” box-jump. Due to this fact, I saw stronger deadlifts and faster box jumps than I ever have.
This is why we compete; competition makes us better.
But I’ve seen this before. I’ve seen the CrossFit Open muscle-up-snatch-chest-to-bar, double-under craze back in 2011 when the Open made its debut. I saw people cling on to that pull-up bar until I literally had to pry them off because their hands couldn’t stand one more blister.
The point of my story is that competition makes us better; it makes us better if our determination to be better lasts longer than five weeks. If after the week’s WOD is over, our practice of whatever it is we’re attempting to perfect for the competition ceases, it’s virtually useless.
So, keep on double-undering, deadlifting, box-jumping, pull-upping, and overhead squatting…Then, and only then, will competition make you better.