Five-Time Games' Athlete Prepares For The Open
Five-Time Games' Athlete Prepares For The Open
The 2015 Open is sure to bring one of the most competitive years yet with the division of now an RX and Scaled Division, and heightened qualification standards (now only the top 20 finishers, instead of top 48, in the Open will qualify to advance to Regionals).
FloElite caught up with athlete Marcus Filly, a five-time CrossFit Games athlete in both the team and individual divisions.
Filly’s resume boasts:
2014 (3rd NorCal Region- 25th CrossFit Games)
2013 (4th NorCal Region - 37th CrossFit Games)
2012 (3rd NorCal Region - 6th CrossFit Games Affiliate Cup)
2011 (1st NorCal Region- 11th CrossFit Games Affiliate Cup)
2010 (3rd SouthWest Region - 26th CrossFit Games Affiliate Cup)
Filly has obviously had success in the CrossFit Open over the past several years and shared his secrets and tips for helping other athletes to do the same.
What key factors do you think have played into your success with the Open?
Once I started training directly under a coach, my placing in the Open has improved every year. I’ve trained with James Fitzgerald, of OPEX, since 2012, and before that, followed his OPT Big Dawgs blog (http://opexfit.com/blog/)during the 2010-2011 season. Having a clear sense of what you need as an athlete to get to the next level is so valuable. It gives you confidence in the process, and helps you get through the down times of training that we all have.
What have you learned from working with your coaches out of OPEX?
The athletes that do the best in competitions are not always the ones with the best plans or strategies. They are the ones who know how to adapt to adversity and change their plan in the blink of an eye.
What are your thoughts on the change in competition this year, from the top 48 to only the top 20 advancing to Regionals?
I think there will be an even bigger obsession with the leaderboard this year as a result. The key is to try not to get caught up in the craziness of the leaderboard.
What advice do you have for athletes leading up to the Open?
First, if you have been following a thoughtful training program, then not much needs to change about your approach. For most folks, this will mean letting go of your strength gains and simply focusing each week on preparing your mind, body, and spirit to perform at your best. Second, the added stress and intensity of the workouts may leave many feeling much more taxed than a typical training session. You might want to alter your schedule to ensure you are taking sufficient rest days and recovering enough from the workouts. Third, choose an environment that works best for you to perform. For instance, in years past, I know that the Friday Night Lights craziness, and super loud music only made me lose focus during my workouts. Lastly, figure out what about the Open is fun for you, and try to stay focused on that.