Today is the biggest day of the year for Team Catalyst, our friends and members.
Today is more than a measuring stick. It's a celebration of accomplishment.
Beginning at 8am, athletes will compete at 4 events to find the Most Fit. Events are chosen to evaluate aerobic capacity, strength, stamina, agility, and power, as well as technique. Yes, they're hard. They have to be. It's our assertion that the winner of Catalyst Games 2009 will carry the right to call themselves the Most Fit Person in Sault Ste. Marie.
Competitors are broken into categories, just like in a typical CrossFit Group: there are those doing the workouts "As Prescribed" (Rx Class) – using full weights and distances – and there are those for whom some scaling is necessary. Their trials are just as tough, but some of the more technical aspects have been replaced, they're using lighter weights, or perhaps not running as far.
Each event is timed, and the athlete's total time for the four events will determine the winner.
Event #1: 5000lbs Overhead
The athlete is responsible for moving a total of 5000lbs (or 3000 in the Scaled classes) from the floor to overhead. Though this is primarily a measure of strength, they'll be timed, which makes stamina a huge factor. Athletes will use either 75% of their bodyweight on the bar, or 50%, or the weight of their choice, depending on their Class.
Event #2: 2km Trail Run
We're using a trail that combines a bit of agility with two wicked hill climbs. A 1km out-and-back route, the Rx and Scaled 1 Classes will do 2 laps; the Scaled 2 Class will perform 1 lap.
Event #3: "Cherry On Top"
Athletes will perform, for time, a 'chipper': a mixed bag of technical (but very demanding) exercises, in this order:
50 Wall Ball – 40 Pushups – 30 Double-Unders – 20 Knees To Elbows – 10 BCTs – "cherry". The 'Cherry' exercise is a very tough one: for Mens' Rx, it's 3 muscle-ups; for Womens' Rx, it's 3 tire flips with a 250lbs tire.
Event #4: Sandbag Carry
After all is said and done, fitness is defined by your work capacity: the ability, metabolically, chemically, and mentally, to just keep going. This is not a technical event. But it will be thrilling: athletes will go head-to-head with their Class. The athlete leading their Class after 3 events will start first, followed by the 2nd-place athlete, then the 3rd, etc. Athletes who are in a time deficit will have to catch up and pass those in front to win. First to cross the finish line is winner of Catalyst Games 2009.
Prizes: The real 'prize' is finishing. However, athletes are also competing for charity: the winner of the Mens' Rx and Womens' Rx classes will have some of the entry fees donated to the charities of their choice. As a momento, they'll also be given engraved dogtags (bracelets for women) noting their accomplishment.
Events will start at 8am and wrap up around 2pm. Judges will be on hand; spectators and athletes are encouraged to gather around and make noise, jump around, cheer, fall down…but please stay back, out of the way of the athletes and judges. Competitors have worked very hard for a full year to get to this point. You'll see heroism, you'll see triumph, you'll see pain.
If you've ever wondered what it's like to be a part of the Family Catalyst, today's the day to watch and see. Stay in the background (we dare you to try not to get caught up in the excitement!) or ask any athlete or coach. Whatever you like, but be forewarned: last year's spectators are this year's competitors. It's contagious. It's addictive. It's fun.