At the 2014 SoCal Regionals Jamie Hagiya finished in 5th place overall with three 1st place finishes. When the Games scoring system was implemented to the new Super Regionals in 2015, a retrospective application of the scoring system would have seen her qualified for the 2014 CrossFit Games.

In June of 2014, just about a month after nearly qualifying for the CrossFit Games, she tore her Achilles. About 8 months later she qualified for the California Super Regional, placing 5th in the SoCal Region in the Open. I sat down with Jamie to chat about training for Regionals, how she felt during the weekend, and what's coming up for her.

AA: How long ago and how severe was your Achilles injury? Was your Achilles in the back of your mind at all during training or in competition?

JH: I had a fully ruptured achilles.  Surgery was June 23, 2014 (11 months ago). I definitely thought/worried about my achilles during training when I first came back. Certain movements like squatting/olympic lifting and definitely box jumps/double unders/running I was super paranoid to retear it. But as the months went on I got more confident. I didn't think about it at all at Regionals. I guess it helped I didn't make it to the box jumps in the chipper haha! 

AA: Coming off of such a gnarly injury, how was your training heading into Regionals? How did you feel when the events were first announced?

JH: I only had 4 months of training coming back from my injury. Started mid January, with the majority being conditioning to get my wind back. Oh man, I was sucking wind and almost cried a couple times during 500m row repeats. But as the weeks passed, especially with the Open, I felt like I started to remember how to do this. When the events were announced I wasn't too thrilled. There wasn't one event that I felt was in my wheelhouse per say.  And running on a treadmill... really?! I never expected that one and coming back from an achilles injury wasn't the most excited. But oh well, I guess that's why it's the "Unknown and Unknowable". 

AA: f you tested any of the Regional events, how did you do in training compared to competition? What do you think was the difference there?

JH: I beat my "Randy" time. In practice I got 2:57 and during competition got 2:31. It was all adrenaline and pushing through the pain. That one hurt bad! And then when I practiced Event 7 with 15 muscle ups and squat clean ladder, I did way better in practice. My arms/tris were SHOT from all the deficit hspu's from Event 6 and the rest of the weekend so I felt like I had NOTHING on my muscle ups. 

AA: You placed first overall in the rope climb event in 2014, but didn't do as well in Tommy V in 2015. What do you think lead to that difference?

JH: Honestly the rope climb workout from last year, even though it was tougher with legless, it was one at a time. You do one, and then go for a 100m run or whatever it was, and then come back and do the next one. So putting 12, 9, 6 rope climbs together in a row was super difficult for me and my muscle endurance. I'm more of a short burst of speed/explosive athlete so that gave me all kinds of trouble. Definitely will be working on that for next year.

AA: How do you feel now that you've had a few days to consider the weekend?

JH: I'm obviously disappointed with certain events, like missing my 2nd snatch at 187#, and my overall placing for the weekend (20th). The snatch actually kept me up at night, but reflecting back on the weekend, I'm happy I gave it my all and went for it. You have to take risks sometimes and I had nothing to lose. And even though my handstand walk and deficit hspu weren't good compared to everyone else, they were a huge victory and improvement from last year for me, so I was happy with that. Now that it's all said and done, I'm proud of where I placed knowing I sat out for 7 months and this was my first competition coming back. There's a running saying at my gym every time I'm bummed about how I did, they say, "Hey Jamie, 'member that time you couldn't walk?" and then I laugh and say "Oh Yeah, you're right". 

AA: What's next for you in the world of CrossFit?

JH: I'll be working my weaknesses all year long so I can come back and make a legit run next year. My dream is to make it to the Games one day!  

AA: What are your thoughts on Julie Foucher's Achilles injury this past weekend at the Central Regionals?

JH: Watching Julie Foucher go down on her box jumps, my heart SANK. I knew as soon as she looked over her shoulder (to see if someone hit/kicked her) it was her Achilles. Ugh, gives me chills now. But I was EXTREMELY impressed that she finished the day and weekend. She even moved up a spot after Event 6, that's RIDICULOUS lol! But the upmost respect for her as an athlete and person and wishing her only the best in her recovery and all of her future endeavors. 

AA: What advice would you give to other athletes who are injured or who are recovering from injuries?

JH: For anyone who is injured and going through this now, this is NOT THE END!! It does suck and there are some dark days but it's ok to.. cry, be mad, upset, and get it all out. Only then will you be able to pick yourself back up, stand up and look at your injury face to face, and decide to KICK IT'S ASS!! Your attitude will change to one of determination and you will come back a stronger/better person mentally, physically, emotionally. 

Also, you get one chance to heal, so do it correctly. This is a journey, not a sprint. 

I believe in you all & thank you for all of your support. It means the world to me!

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