WOD Monday 05/25/09

Natalie
20:13

Thanks Paul and Newman for the kind words of encouragement. I cannot imagine my life anymore without CrossFit in general, and CrossFit East County in particular. I’ve explored other CrossFit “boxes” in other parts of the country when traveling, and what we have here is special and unique, I can assure everyone. I am a different person from the guy who had to “man-up” and join my girlfriend for her twice weekly workouts with Paul at what was then called “La Mesa Fitness” in October, 2007 (shortly after I started Paul became a CrossFit affiliate). I spent the first 9 or 10 months working out with Debbie twice a week where she routinely kicked my ass and left me in the dust regardless of what we were doing. Both she and I were reasonably sure I was going to die on the floor there at some point. I was 10 months post-op from some gnarly back surgery, and Paul aptly described my initial starting point as totally de-conditioned, or perhaps even more negative than that.
But Paul kept working with me – helping me, coaching me, encouraging me, motivating me, and most importantly, assuring me that if I just kept at it, and gave it my very best every time, things would change. Slowly, they began to do just that. In about the 10th month I added a third day per week of personal training with Paul, and after another 3 or 4 months decided it was time to get serious and started a 5 day per week schedule. I am now stronger, and more fit than I’ve ever been. My stamina is exponentially greater than it was before, and my post-workout recovery time is a fraction of what it was at the beginning. Even my waist size is smaller than it was when I was in high school, at about the same weight.
I admit that I have many “goats” upon which to improve, and certain fears yet to conquer here. I don’t like being upside down very much, so my HSPUs are still very weak, even using the band. I can’t seem to muster enough courage to actually catch the barbell in the squat position when doing a squat clean, or get low enough in my split in a clean and jerk. I have lots of trouble keeping my elbows high and letting the bar roll off of my fingers in a squat. And, the level of my head over the pull-up bar is impressive (to me) for the first four or five pull-ups, and quickly deteriorates from there. But, I know that I will eventually triumph over those and the many other goats, fears and flaws that continue to aggravate me. Because I have Paul and all of you on my team, and because I am a CrossFitter now.
PS: I forgot another motivator, Paul stopped counting my pull-ups if my head does not clear the bar, and I’ll be damned if I want to do 2 or 3 for every one that counts 🙂

Damn you, Lisa and your extra sleep! xoxoxoxox, ~wink, wink~

Some really nice and useful info on this website, as well I believe the design and style has excellent features.