Dani Speegle Doesn’t Settle in 19.2
The story for Dani Speegle in 19.2 could have ended fairly quickly this past Saturday after her first attempt. If you recall from the earlier piece about her looking for redemption the goal was to finish the workout, something she couldn’t do back in 2016.
Speegle finished her first run at 19.2 in a blazingly fast 16:33. it would have been the 5th fastest time in the world back in 2016, and 16th fastest time this year at the time of writing, but in this instance, great just wasn’t good enough.
“I’ll redo Monday,” Speegle stated shortly after her first attempt. “This was more of a make it through and see how I feel after being sick (attempt).”
Speegle finished her first run at 19.2 in a blazingly fast 16:33. it would have been the 5th fastest time in the world back in 2016
As crazy as that statement might sound to the average CrossFitter, Speegle was certain of how she could improve in certain areas of the workout, and began charting out her repeat strategy.
“I know I need to be faster on the 175 [pound] bar and a little faster on the 205 bar,” Speegle said. “I’ll also break my toes to bar a little earlier, thinking 8-7-5-5 from the beginning because I had rounds where I would take too long of a break after doing a set of 10…so I need to be more efficient in those.”
She also made it clear what improvement in those areas would result in time wise. “My goal tomorrow (Monday), is sub 16.”
On retest day her routine leading up to the workout was near identical to her first attempt. Wake up, stretch, coffee, breakfast, and go to the gym to cheer on others before it was her turn. This time, she was armed with information gleaned from her first attempt that would allow her to execute better on the 125 toes to bar.
“I did 15-10 (reps), and then 8-7-5-5 on the rest of the round,” Speegle said. “I had my judge start counting when I would stop so I would know exactly how long I was resting so I would suck it up and move faster.”
Despite the planning, her make or break moment for the workout came all the way at the end during the final set of 25 toes-to-bar. “My first time it took me like 2 minutes to finish them and today it took me a minute.”
“I did 15-10 (reps), and then 8-7-5-5 on the rest of the round. I had my judge start counting when I would stop so I would know exactly how long I was resting so I would suck it up and move faster.”
The plan ultimately paid off, and Speegle managed a 52 second improvement, finishing her second attempt in 15:41. The time places her in 6th overall in the workout when you remove the scores that were clearly submitted wrong, and after week two of the Open, she’s in 3rd place worldwide overall.
Most people can’t fathom the reason behind repeating a workout as grueling as 19.2 after already putting up a world-class time. But for an athlete breaking through to the top like Dani Speegle, every opportunity for improvement can make a huge difference, both physically on on the leaderboard, and mentally in one’s confidence and approach the rest of the way. It also doesn’t hurt when you’re in the top 3 worldwide.
“(I) Did exactly what I wanted and went sub 16,” said Speegle. “And feeling super happy about the repeat score. Can’t wait to see what the next 3 weeks have in store.”
