The 2017 Open is done. As a coach, athlete, and affiliate owner, the Open represents the most challenging and rewarding 5 weeks of the year. It's kind of like getting ready for a wedding. So many moving parts, so many people to consider, at the end all we want is a memorable occasion where everybody had fun. We train hard all year in hopes of performing at our best during those 5 weeks. The Open was once again full of memorable moments, PRs, and personal struggles.
In life, all you can truly measure is your effort level. The truth is there will always be fitter and stronger people at any given moment. 2 x world champion Katrin Davidsdottir didn't even win her region in the Open. However true satisfaction cannot be gained through external validation. Focus on your effort and measure yourself by this metric. Not just during the Open but year round as you go through life. A daily honest effort in all that we do will produce a life full of incredible worthwhile achievements.
Worth mentioning, 306 successfully qualified 4 athletes to the next level. The following athletes all finished in the top 1% of their respective age groups worldwide and will be advancing to their master qualifiers later in April.
Janice Peterson, Sarah Robbins, Bruce Gordon, and myself.
To all our members and coaches, thanks for making the 2017 Open another exceptional experience for all of us. Looking forward to sweating beside all of you for another year!