Testimonial: Making fitness a lifestyle
A lot of us find ourselves unsure of the next step we should take. Where am I being led? Where should I go? Sandy’s words below resonate with all of us. If you have been unsure of CrossFit, or unsure of yourself, read below.
The following is authored by: Sandy
Over the years, my workout routine has consisted of sign up for a session, attend the first couple classes, and never return. Repeat every 6-24 months.
That was until May 2009 when I began attending Chastity Slone’s workout classes at The Avenue. I started going two days a week and every day that I went I felt scared and always finished last. It was because of my respect for Chas and her sweet and caring, yet also tough, way of training that I stuck with it and kept going back. With Chas being an avid CrossFitter, she often talked to our class about it, encouraged us to try it, invited us to the free Saturday and holiday WODs and, with limited equipment, designed our workouts to be as CrossFit-like as she could. I was intrigued and I attended a few holiday WODs. Those seemed “safe” since they were opened up to family members and anyone off the street who wanted to go. The WODs were tough but fun, and the people I met were welcoming, kind and caring. I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of, but I was scared – scared of not being good enough, scared of having trainers other than Chas, scared of quitting if I changed my routine from what I had proven I could stick with.
I began following Practice CrossFit on Facebook. For several months I read about CrossFit online, I read and learned from Josh’s blog, I asked Chas questions, I talked a lot about the Practice, about wanting more from my workouts, about wanting to join PCF, but I couldn’t make myself take that step.
On Christmas morning 2011, I opened a gift from my best friend: a six-month membership to Practice CrossFit. It is the one and only gift I’ve ever received that caused me to cry. I was overwhelmed that even though I couldn’t make the move on my own, he knew me and what I wanted well enough to make the commitment for me. I was excited to make the change and yet still very scared of not being good enough. I went to my first class on January 2, 2012.
I had been at PCF and around some of the people enough to feel fairly comfortable. I had been working out regularly for 2 ½ years and felt like I could keep up with most of what was asked of us. I remember the first week or two seemed fairly easy or at least not as hard as I expected. That didn’t last long and before I knew it the WODs were getting increasingly tougher. I quickly learned that it’s okay to modify movements and workouts. To some degree, I’ve modified every workout I’ve done since I started at PCF. In my mind I’ve been okay with that; I’m not in my 20s or 30s and I’m certainly doing a lot more and working harder than I used to.
Over the past month or so I’ve realized that I want more; I want to finish WODs without an (m) beside my time. It has taken me six months to realize that just showing up and doing the (modified) WODs 3-5 days a week is not going to get that (m) off of my time.
I’ve started going to the Endurance training twice a week. As much as I dislike running and struggle with it, I know it’s something I need to do to get better. I’ve joined two other women who’ve also decided they want more, and we do additional mid-line work each week. I’ve started WODing on Saturdays and strive for every day throughout the week. I’m working on being more serious about eating Paleo. I’ve talked with Chas about what portion sizes I should be eating and have begun preparing my meals in advance. If I said I’m successful at eating only Paleo I’d be lying, but I’m learning from Josh and Chas and I have the desire to be smarter about what I put in my mouth.
I’m still a long way from an unmodified WOD, but I know that if I work hard, eat clean and put in the time and effort it will happen. I often still feel scared, but I remind myself of the wise words trainer Kara Foster told me, “Be Scared and Be Better.”
Strength:
(12) Minute limit
Bent over row
3×5
Close grip floor press
3×5
For Time:
“Daniel”
Compare here
50-Pull-ups
400m-Run
21-Thrusters 65/95
800m-Run
21-Thrusters 65/95
400m-Run
50-Pull-ups
Post impression to comments.
What’s a good modification for those awesome 100 pull ups? My hands are pretty torn up yet!
Renee
Concerning the rest of the weeks programming…push-ups…even ring push-ups…If your hands can take holding just not violence then ring rows would be great…but much less..book ended 20 reps or so….
Great post Sandy!! You are getting better everyday and this will be my inspiration to finish tomorrow’s wod!! Thank you very much for the read
Awesome post Sandy. Keep up the good work!
Sandy- thank you for sharing with everyone! I LOVE hearing your transition from being too afraid to try, to at least showing up, and eventually wanting more for yourself. The amazing thing about Crossfit is that you’re never done growing or progressing, and age will never prevent you from making yourself better in some aspect than you were yesterday. I love seeing you, Vicki, and Debbie come in during the evening sessions to WOD together.
World class competitors are cool, but its everyday people like you who simply want more for themselves that inspire people to get better and try harder everyday.
you know you made me cry, Sandy Maloy…but I still remember that conversation. appreciate you sharing so much and making such a big investment in yourself. in moments like these, others will reap great benefit from both your challenge and achievement. awesome knowing you.
6am….someone said they would have their first pull-up by Aug5th….guess who?
Make sure to check the compare here tab for the last time you did “Daniel”….POST UR TIMES
That’s not exactly how our conversation went, but I’m relying on your advice and confidence in me to give it my best shot!
95#PR Rows
95#PR Floor Press
21:06 M-push ups
Thanks for the multiple push JB!
9am’ers- way to push through a rough wod. Proud of Tyrone and Tamra for gutting out those final pull ups. Jill and Chuck you both looked strong the whole time- nice work!
Not able to do the wod today but was able to do cardio…
Presley’s wod: row 5k… 27:57… 7 min better than my running 5k… will run later this evening..
you’re my hero today. rowing is a goat. lunden last night…you tonight. you youngin’s…xo
15:28 PR
Renee…I had badly torn hands too but I took Josh’s advice he always gave me…”Suck it up and do it!” haha. Glad he did and glad I sucked it up…hand tear on top of hand tear but I feel great to have PR’d!
crap, ash-a-bash. only connor beat you on the board tonight. crazy good.
Ouch Ash that hurt! I did try 12 pull ups & then I tore my other hand. What can I say? I’m a baby. You are my idol;)
Ash….glad u remember….
Pres…5k’s suck….and how bout this…everyone need to do a 5k row before we get home….thats ur on the road challenge…go in with a partner and row 5k…seriously
And post ur times so i can see whats going on while we are away
25:08 m
wow…evening PCF-ers SHOULD be posting as you gave Daniel a good fight.
jonathan…your runs were crazy fast.
shane…you get the student of the night award! you were on top of EVERY question and cue. congrats on workin’ your squat hard and completing your first Daniel!
tom…great to work with you tonight, and great to have you prove me wrong on the run mods. congrats on your first Daniel.
connor…just damn, you pseudo-youngin’.
min…you’re just NOT a quitter, dude. wouldn’t a’ stood for it.
bryan and cobster…amazing thruster form and pace.
ann…outstanding squats on those thrusters tonight (but NEVER look at the instructor while the bar’s overhead! lol!)
enjoyed spendin’ the evening with everyone. blessed to be headin’ to the Games to get inspired for a few days, so see ya’ll next week!
21:46 m
Whew Daniel is a beast!
17:05 ? (m) it was a rough one…thanks Mindy for your help. Did a sled pull after the WOD for the first time, it was harder that it looks!
21:?? (m)
rough one. I too tore my hands – on the 2nd to last PU.