CrossFit- My Story and a 1 Year Reflection

Halloween 2015, was my Crossfitiversary!!!!

I'm so excited about this, I can't contain my excitement. I'll be the first to admit it's a little ridiculous to be so excited, but I am. I just have to share a few things:

My CrossFit Story 

L-sit rope climb

I didn't know what to make of CrossFit before I started. As a physical therapist, I had heard rumors of Crossfit being dangerous and causing injuries. Honestly, I tried not to form an opinion based on that- people will talk, haters gonna hate! haha. But after 17+ years of gymnastics, I was missing the dynamic movements, the team atmosphere, and the competition. I started Taekwondo with some church friends, and I loved it- I found kicking things to be very satisfying and I enjoyed the mind-body challenge. But each day I went to TKD, I walked by this Crossfit gym, Iron Valley CrossFit- they had the garage doors open, music blaring. I walked by slower and slower until one day I finally gathered up my courage and went in. My first real CrossFit class was Halloween! The workout was Fran (21-15-9 reps of thrusters and pull-ups). I had to scale the weight down. The workout took me 6+ minutes and the next day I was so sore I limped around work. It was terrible and wonderful!!  It was game over right there, I was hooked!!!

12 months later I'm proud to say I can RX (do the "prescribed" 65 lbs) Fran in 2:59. I have improved in strength, speed, and endurance. I have learned several new movements. But perhaps the most valuable "gains" I've made are the friendships and confidence I've found.

Hanging out at my first competition- Nick, Travis, Jayme, and me

I love my gym family.  There is something wonderful about sharing the pain and awesomeness of a terrible workout. I'm so grateful Jayme, Travis, Nick, and the whole gang welcomed me in right away. I think maybe the "burpee broad-jump mile" in the freezing cold was a test to see if I could hang ;) I know this crew has my back, and I have theirs.

Photo-bombing a first-dance selfie at Jayme and Travis' wedding

3-person team comp- 2nd Place!

The confidence CrossFit has brought me was a bit of a surprise. Believe it or not, prancing around in a leotard much of my life didn't always make me feel great about my body. Something is different about CrossFit (other than the obvious wardrobe choice) and I'm proud of my muscles now. It feels great to hit a PR and make progress, I feel capable and strong. Also, as a bi-product of the workouts (during most workouts my heart rate hangs out in the "fat burning" zone), I've become more toned than I was during my gymnastics years. That doesn't hurt the confidence either. ;) Plus, there is something amazing about throwing some heavy weight up over your head during a snatch.

Pre-CrossFit 2014             1 Year of CF 2015

Snatch

At my gym, Iron Valley CrossFit, I've seen people transformed- both physically and metaphorically. Numerous members have lost 20+ pounds, are able to run a mile without stopping for the first time in years, are enjoying working out for the first time in decades. I've heard a member say his back pain is gone, another gal was thrilled to share she's no longer pre-diabetic. It's awesome to see people excited about health and fitness, and to celebrate their achievements with them.

Travis coaching the class on rope climbs

Questions People Bring Up

Is CrossFit for everyone? No. Can CrossFit be adapted and modified to fit almost anyone's skill level and goals? Yes. You should see some of the masters level athletes... maybe by the time I'm 60 I'll have abs like that! haha. Check out this story of a 76 year-old with multiple joint replacements and a cardiac condition (76 year-old CF). I challenge you to take a few minutes and watch this awesome video by CrossFit from the Working Wounded Games or this video from I Am Adaptive. Don't limit someone else. If you are looking for a CrossFit gym to help you achieve your goals, ask questions to make sure the coaches are qualified, let them know of any injuries, pre-exisiting conditions, or concerns you have. Coaches, I challenge you to be able to admit when you aren't sure how to best coach someone. If you have an athlete with needs you're unfamiliar with, discuss it with them, ask for help from colleagues.

Celebrating lifts with Jayme

Yes, Crossfit can be dangerous. Life can be too! In all seriousness, I recognize it's probably more dangerous than some other athletic activities. But, you can minimize those risks- find a good coach who can teach and enforce good form, be a student and study the movements, check your ego at the door- don't lift weight or attempt movements you aren't ready for, and listen to your body. But please, don't knock it if you haven't tried it and please don't discourage others from participating.

Ring muscle-ups during a WOD with Travis

The End...

I'm definitely not the strongest person. Strength remains a weakness, but I'm proud of the gains I've made. A year ago my back squat was 155# and my front squat was 120#, now I can back squat 220#, front squat 190#, and overhead squat 185#. A year ago I couldn't do a single ring muscle-up, last week I did 30 ring muscle-ups in 7 minutes and 7 seconds. Still have a long way to go, so much room for improvement, but I'm loving it. I love the challenge, the environment, the competition, the people... I'm so thankful to CrossFit and my Iron Valley CF gym family including my hubby Corey, Jayme my workout partner, and Travis my coach and the gym owner. You guys all rock!

Hiking with Corey, Jayme, and Travis

Broken Hearted in a Broken World

Heart is breaking this week. Several things have happened that have reminded me how broken this world is. I guess this is similar to a post a few months ago, but it continues to be on my heart. Kinda just some word-vomit, not particularly organized but felt like sharing...

Today at the gym, a little girl came running in asking someone to call the police because her mom was being beaten by her boyfriend in their home across the street. She was calm and collected, as if this was an everyday occurrence. She something in particular stood out to me- she said, "I have some clothes stashed outside." No little girl should have to go through that.  What has she seen in her few years? What chance does she have if that's the environment she's grown up in and the example she's had of a man? Makes me so sad.

Recently two of my high school classmates died after suffering from drug addiction. I didn't know either of them particularly well, but had classes with one and remember laughing at his jokes.  Absolutely devastating and heartbreaking. Just shouldn't happen.

I work at a hospital near the heart of the city.  A good portion of our patients struggle with one, or any combination of homelessness, alcoholism, and meth, cocaine, prescription drug, or heroin addiction. It's easy to judge, and I've been guilty plenty of times. But I am reminded again and again, I don't know their stories. I honestly feel that under other circumstances, it could've been me in their shoes. I've worked with numerous addicts, rooted for them, hope they've stayed clean, seen some come right back. Our city has a problem with heroin. So much IV drug abuse, so many patients coming in with life and limb-threatening abscesses. The risks are huge. The drug doesn't discriminate. The power and hold it has over its captives is incredible.  I'm not sure what specific resources are available in the community (methadone clinics, treatment programs, etc.), but it seems like there's got to be more we can do as a community. People are dying and it is heartbreaking.

I can only imagine how these things break God's heart. It makes me wonder, what can I do about it? How can I love those around me? How can I spread hope and lift people up? Sometimes I feel so helpless and the world seems hopeless. But it's not true, there is hope because God has overcome the world. In John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

I don't have any answers. I don't think we can understand the world this side of heaven. But I know there is hope. I know I'm called to love. I fail everyday at loving those around me, but God is merciful. So much of my life and thoughts are selfish, but I'm working on it. These events have spurred my heart and sparked conversations with friends, family, and my hubby. How can we become more involved in our communities? How can we utilize our resources to meet the needs of others? How can we love each other better?

We bought a house!

Another super late post... BUT... We bought a house at the end of March! We're enjoying having our own space and continue to make our house our own. Here are a few photos. :)

A delayed post

A few months ago I was driving home after meeting up with a friend. My heart was broken over our conversation, hurting for my friend, and confused. I pulled my car over into the parking lot of a church and I just prayed. I sat there in the dark, talking out loud to God. Crying. Confused. Angry. Sad. Hurt. And then I just felt peace and hope.

Things weren’t suddenly perfect. But it was like God was saying, “Yes, you live in such a broken world. These things sadden me too. But it’s not over. I love you so much. I love your friend. I am in control, trust in me."

I wrote a bit back then, but I never posted it because it didn't seem complete. But I've decided to just post it anyways-

Oh Jesus how we need you.

What a privilege it is to do life with people. Life is messy, we are all broken. There is heartbreak everywhere if you take time to notice. Everyone has a story.  

It is easy to judge, but from my own mistakes I am reminded one piece of the story does not reveal the whole person. Besides, it's not my place to judge, I'm called to love. So that's what I will try to do.
 
Tonight my heart is breaking for several reasons. Romans 12:15 says, "¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Tonight I am mourning with friends who mourn. It makes my heart sad, it hurts, but what an honor it is to get to do that.  For lost friendships, damaged relationships, addictions, lost jobs, disappointments, broken families... What a blessing it is to have people to rejoice and mourn with me, and who allow me to do so with them. 

What strikes me is how much it hurts to mourn with someone else. I am incapable of doing anything to fix or change the situation. My heart is broken for them and I am brought to tears. It hurts, it leaves me with questions and rocks my world. But I am glad to be able to do life with them. I am honored to be trusted with such honest, open hearts and to be able be apart of life. I am reminded of what true community must look like, and reminded that there is One who is bigger than all our problems, sins, and heartache. The Healer hears our prayers, He sees our tears, and He knows our hearts.

In some of these times, I have felt the most loved. Seems a little counter-intuitive, but God’s ways are so beyond my comprehension. In the midst of my own trials or the heartache of a friend, there is peace that rushes over me. And the only thing that makes sense to me is that this is God’s peace and his love. There is hope in Him.