Though finishing in third place at the 2024 CrossFit Games should have been a moment of validation for team Peak 360, the reality was far different. As members Tola Morakinyo, Noah Ohlsen, Matilde Garnes, and Lena Richter stood on the podium, they were heartbroken and a little dazed over the weekend’s tragedy.
While Garnes headed home to Norway after the Games, Richter, her fellow Scandinavian, chose to stay a bit longer in Miami with her Peak 360 community.
She shared on social media that she was doing her best to take small steps in her emotional recovery and attempt to train and set goals once again.
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Back in the Saddle
In mid-September, Richter posted she was headed to TYR Wodapalooza SoCal to cheer on friends Seher Kaya and Anikha Greer, both of whom would be competing in the TYR Cup and Reps Ahead Pro Showcase 4, respectively.
- “And since I’m there, I’ve decided to do the Indy comp. I want to have fun and if I, in ONE workout, can get [in] that zone and tiger mood, I will be so happy,” Richter wrote.
While she finished the weekend in third place in the Women’s RX Division, it wasn’t a smooth start.
- “I went into the weekend feeling very off,” Richter told Morning Chalk Up in an interview. “I tried doing the rope climbs, but there was nothing there. And I don’t know how I got that engine going during the Games, but after that, it was gone.”
Her mindset for the weekend was just to dip her toe back into competition and revitalize her love of the sport.
- “Going into this weekend, that was the goal: having one or two events that I [felt] good about being on the floor [for] because it was hard at the Games,” she said. “And I did. Being around my people, being around the TYR Cup, seeing everyone. I love TYR Wodapalooza, [Loud and Live] are great organizers.”
A Different Perspective
Unlike Kaya, a three-time Individual Games athlete who was there competing on Team World in the TYR Cup exhibition, Richter, a four-time Team Division Games athlete, competed at TYR WZA SoCal on her own.
Their roles were reversed as they supported one another.
- “As an individual, it’s harder,” Richter said. “I didn’t know these other girls; I didn’t know them going into it. I spent some time getting to know them, building relationships, and getting a sense of safety going onto the floor; it made it better. I had fun. These girls are awesome; I’m proud [to be] competing against them.”
As a spectator, Richter loved the show her friends put on, despite some disappointment at the end.
- “I’m sad Team World didn’t win,” she said with a slight smile. “I was cheering for them. I’m so proud of Seher, a three-time Games athlete, three times! She’s making a name for herself. It was the best moment for me, seeing her there, seeing her do so well.”
Like many of the other athletes, Richter thought the TYR Cup and TYR WZA SoCal overall was an incredible competition and hopes it can continue to grow with more teams and athletes.
Next Up for Lena Richter
In the meantime, Richter feels rejuvenated and inspired as she eyes the full schedule ahead of her.
In November, she’ll be competing at the Beetle Extravaganza in Puerto Rico. That’s followed by TYR Wodapalooza in Miami in January and the Picsil Showdown in Pamplona, Spain in February.
- “It wasn’t about going full gas,” Richter wrote after her weekend in California, “but just lighting that spark to start the engine.”
More From the TYR Wodapalooza SoCal
- Seher Kaya Shines at TYR Cup, Thrives on Team World
- Gui Malheiros Leaves TYR Cup Refreshed, Ready for More
- 5 Things the CrossFit Games Can Learn From the TYR Cup
Featured image: @lenarichter / Instagram
