Have you ever noticed how much harder you are willing to work when someone whom you share a connection with is depending on you?

Nearly a year after starting CrossFit I found myself sitting in the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA watching the 2010 CrossFit Games as a spectator and thinking to myself how awesome it would be to be a competitor.  What an accomplishment it would be to achieve such an elite level of fitness, to challenge your limits, and to make it to a place where you are measured against the best in the world.  I dreamed what it might feel like to be in their shoes as I watched them leave every ounce of themselves out there on the competition floor.  The drama was intense.

During that weekend, my friend Alicia – an incredibly gifted athlete and fellow CrossFitter – and I began to talk about fielding a team of 3 guys and 3 girls to make a bid for the 2011 Games.  During that weekend long conversation she would speak as if I was to be a part of the team, but as much as I wanted to be a part of it I would always mentally exclude myself.  There were other girls who were stronger, more skilled, more experienced than I was.  What possible benefit could I bring as the 3^rd girl on the team?

Throughout the fall and early winter conversation died down, but my want to be a part of what was possible grew.  I trained hard and stayed in touch with the fellow CrossFitters whom I knew would be a part of that Games bound team.  And when, in early 2011, the time came to make a decision, I chose to take a risk.  I would work hard, I would push my limits, and I would trust in those who believed in me.

Fast forward through training; all the injuries, the set-backs, the moments of panic and self doubt to June 17 – 19 in Canton, MA at the Reebok CrossFit Games Regional Qualifier.  Place in the top 3 here and you’ve got a ticket to compete at the CrossFit Games.  Would I be good enough when it counted or would I be the weakest link that would keep us all from achieving a dream?

On July 27^th my team, CrossFit Route 1, will fly out of Logan Airport headed to the 2011 CrossFit Games in California.  We placed second over all in the Regional qualifier and secured our bid to the Games.  Instead of realizing my biggest fears, this summer I will be realizing one of my biggest dreams.   What made the difference?  My teammates and the people I chose to surround myself with.   My teammates took me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to grow.  They instilled good habits leading by example.  They helped me to see what I could not see in myself because they would not let me give up.   I put energy into relationships that fed positive and supportive energy back to me.  I cut ties with those who only sought to undermine what I might achieve.

What is your goal this year?  Will the people you spend the most time with support your decision?  Will they give you the positive energy you deserve to turn that goal into an accomplishment?  Take stock, evaluate, and begin the process of change.   You’ll never know what you might have missed if you never begin the journey.

CrossFit Route 1 (Jared, Kendra, Brent, Me, Ryan & Alicia) is headed to the Games!