Athlete Profile: Chris "Speal" Spealler
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 135
Age: 29
2007 Games Results
Hopper WOD: 3rd
Run: 1st
Total: 22nd
Overall: 4th
Benchmarks:
Cindy: 24 1/2 rounds with 20lb. vest, 36 rounds as rx'd
Fran: 2:05
Linda: 18:39 as if I weighed 155lb (DL 225, Bench 155, Squat clean 115)
Max DL: 358
Max Squat: 314
Max Press: 149
Max pull-ups: 72
Chris's thoughts on the Games:
The CrossFit Games are a bit of a mystery to everyone. No one knows what is giong to be there or what will be pulled for the WOD. It's been said so many times before that CrossFit trains for the "unknown" and "unknowable". That's exactly what the Games are to me, so I just follow the WOD on the site with the 3 day on and 1 day off schedule. I'm also playing a healthy game of CrossFit HORSE with Dutch, Ryan, and Eric O for fun.
When it comes to the Games, I really think it's anyone's game. Once you look at the top 15 competitors or so it's anyones game. I think a lot of it is the luck of the draw with the WOD. If I see a bunch of rowing and super heavy lifting I know I'm in for a tougher go. But if more bodyweight exercises and some technical things come in I think I have a better shot at winning.
The mental aspect is a huge part for anyone. I think we all have expectations of ourselves and set goals to achieve. I remember my dad telling me "never compare yourself to anyone else". Why? For one I think it can be intimidating in a way. There are some super studs out there that are really tough to beat. The other is that you will only be as good as they are. I don't want to limit the potential that I have with the gifts and abilities I've been given. All I can do is leave the Games knowing that I have done the best I possibly could have with my efforts. This way, I can't be discouraged. Frustrated, of course, if I don't meet my goals, but not discouraged by my efforts.
As far as nutrition goes I'm not a strict "zone" guy. I would say that I'm more zone light. It's working for me now (several key PRs in the last month), so I don't want to make any major changes.
15 Comments
Speal-
You got it this year brother! I can't wait to see it all go down! Thanks for all the help and inspiration that you give us all at 801!
Miranda and Tyson
CrossFit 801
Even Rocky had a montage! Awesome stuff Speal!
good job on the thrusters. dutch was not happy. we gonna flip a coin for control of the game? we just have to beat ryan. you have no idea how seriously he is taking this horse thing. :)
Speal- You the man buddy!!
Ken C- You guys all got me on those thrusters....I suck at them!! Good work
It is inspirational watching you crossfit. I love the diversity involved in the participants in the sport of crossfit and you deffinatly represent an impressive extreem. No matter what the hopper delivers I can be sure you will be at the top of your game.
My buddy who I pulled into crossfit about a month ago was saying to me "man if I quit smoking in about a year I swear I think I could be beating some of these best times."
I replied "Hey you are good and I believe it is posible that you could one day be the best. But just really think hard for a couple minutes."
"About what?" he said.
"About a 2 minute and 5 second Fran!"
"Yeah." he said "that is pretty crazy huh."
The EGO dwindles.
Thanks guys, looking forward to seeing all of you there!
Good luck speal, but what you should really be training for is horse.
Speal - could ya be more ripped? In that pull-up pic I'm not entirely certain where the last insertion of your serratus is - can we fix that? Robb might be able to help!
Yikes! Can't wait to hang with everyone too!
Looking forward to meet you Speal. I've been looking forward to meeting the top competitors. Fairly new at this, I began in February. See you at the games when I comete. Watch out though, I think I'll have 96th place locked down, but don't be scared of me, I won't bite. Ha, I'll have my camera ready bud.
Speal, I love the heart, I love the performance, I look forward to shaking your hand again at the Games and watching you go to work. Paul
Speal,
Just thought I'd drop you a quasi line and say good luck at the games. You and I are very similar in size, so your numbers are the ones that usually pop up the most for me. A lot of your preformances are really inspiring. I'll be rooting for you in the Games. I have a lot of respect for OPT as well and a bunch of the big guns, but I kind of feel, with a little luck with the WOD, you could take this thing. Good luck. I'll be at next years East Coast games for sure... already got it locked in with my wife. I'll have time to really work on some techniques as well by then.
Speal can probably go faster on this.
He's racking the bar and steadying there for a couple of seconds after each clean.
Dutch is cleaning into a squat, and saving that time.
It might be that Dutch isn't allowed that, but I think Speal can take 10 seconds off the top easy.
Of all the things that impress me the most is about Speal (and there are PLENTY of impressive things about Speal) it would have to be the meaning behind the tatoo on his chest...
Stand strong and fight hard brother...
Speal,
I also weigh in at 134lbs!
I'm always interested to check out what you're up to - you are an inspiration to wee guys 8-)
All the best for the Games.
Chris Spealler: You are out of sight!!! At age 29 enjoy Crossfit and beat the records!! You have it in you son! BTW-Mate Take care of Sarah my Daughter. Enjoy your health and youth while you have it.
Pops~~~~~~~~~~~Danner