ERIN TAYLOR’S ROAD TO THE CROSSFIT GAMES

I began Crossfit in April 2010. I had heard about it for a long time, and a good friend of mine owns Hillsboro Crossfit, so I finally decided to check it out. In the past, I competed in triathlons, (sprint, Olympic, and one half-Ironman), I lifted at the gym and followed different regimens of traditional programming, ran a marathon, and was always searching for the sport that really “got” me. I fell in love with Crossfit.

2011 was my first competitive season. I competed in the Crossfit Open, in Regionals as an individual, and then on the team for the 2011 games. I got twelfth in Regionals. We got fourth at the Games with Crossfit Fort Vancouver.

I’ve always been very driven, and getting the right training for me was important. I had heard from a friend that Scott Hagnas wrote really great programming that had helped her get to the Games, and so I started to try it out. I wanted to excel, and take the competition to the next level, and I knew that Scott would be able to get me there. I was very happy with his workouts and methodology.

I followed his group Games training starting December 2010 and through the 2011 Open, and then switched to personal programming before the Regionals and the Games. I’m continuing now.

Scott and I get along well. He’s very intuitive about what’s going on, training-wise. Also, I absolutely love that it’s so scientific. I got my undergraduate degree in exercise physiology, so I have a huge interest in the science behind how the human body works during exercise. I think his passion for the knowledge is amazing. We were able to have real conversations, and he knew how to help me achieve my goals.

As for his specific programming, the workouts are varied. There’s a strength component. There are tempos, there are very short, intense workouts with rests, and there are long WODs. He’s always working on different systems in the body. Working my weaknesses, working my strengths.

He’s also extremely diligent about mobility, and really stresses its importance. He programs different mobility exercises and works them into the daily plan. This has continued to help with recovery and tightness as well as the overall health of my muscles and joints. Immproved mobility has also helped me lift more and be faster and more efficient.

Scott’s programming is focused on my particular goal and depends on what the longer goal is, whether it’s an event in a month, the final games competition in four months, or strength-building in a different part of the season.

Also, Scott’s programming is tailored to my life as well my goals. If I’m on vacation, or not able to get to the gym, Scott tailors the program to what I have going on. He takes a look at what I’ve been doing, the weights and the times, and programs accordingly. When I get a workout from him, everything is considered. And if something doesn’t fit, he’ll change it up to meet my needs.

When the time came for the 2011 Games, I felt ready for competition. I had followed the programming and trusted that I would be prepared for the unknown. I felt confident in pacing for longer workouts, and I knew when to push myself to the limit for shorter sprints. And many times, Scott’s programming seemed harder than competition. In training, I had tested the different aspects and different systems of my body to the limits. I was able to have fun when the clock really mattered.

Some of the other big benefits are daily monitoring, accountability, and direction. Also, getting feedback! Learning how to improve. I want to know what I can do to be better, always.
Since the 2011 Games, I’ve been on a strength and technique cycle. I work diligently with Scott and XX on my Olympic lifts twice a week, and then do more Crossfit-style workouts three times a week, with one day a double.

More specifically, I’m working on the snatch, and really honing the technique, which will make things more efficient, and in the long run, faster. I‘ve had some recent PRs, so I know this work has significantly helped me.

I’ve also been working with Scott recently with lactate testing in order to even better specialize training to fit my individual needs. The big goal is to continue to expand my aerobic power and capacity, as well as better utilize the different energy systems for more anaerobic bursts.

As far as competitions, this week I’ll be competing in a two-day competition in Lynnwood. This will be a great weekend with top athletes from our region. I’m competing in the mixed-pairs competition with Adam Neiffer as a partner and looking forward to doing well!

I’m also looking forward to the 2012 Crossfit Games Open, with the goal to get to Regionals and then the Games. I‘ve also very much enjoyed the team aspect of the games, and look to take the Team title this year.

Scott has great knowledge and ability to program specific to the needs of the individual. His kind heart, passion for sport, and ability to really assess how an individual is feeling and doing are all amazing. He’s extremely intuitive as well as personable. He cares a lot for his athletes, and I get to hear his other athletes’ great success stories as well. He’s proud of all those he coaches. He also passes on the knowledge he learns from OPT and all the other courses he takes. He wants to experiment and test out what he’s learning and make sense of all the results.

A story to represent some of this: so, Scott was not able to attend the 2011 Games, and was watching the opening ceremonies on the Internet. Well, we had done two WODs earlier in the day, and apparently I needed to do some mobility work … he saw me walking during the ceremony, and I got a text about an hour after this walk. He told me my hips looked tighter than normal, and that I needed to do some death stretches. I was dumbfounded that he was able to see that during the one second the camera showed me. I of course stretched — and sure enough, the next day, my hips were a bit tight. Amazing intuition.