Last First Friday

This Friday was a sad day, but a day of celebration at the same time.
9 months ago I completed my first true CF WOD--on the first friday of March. I completed "Kelly" 400m run, 30 box jumps, 30 20lb wallballs--5 rounds for time. I completed this workout--20lb wallball and all and felt amazing. I was HOOKED.

I came to CFOT when I had eaten my way through months of depression and lonliness due to Chip being deployed for about 6 months at that time. It was not healthy. I got through many of those early workouts thinking of him an all of his commrades serving in harms way, suffering much worse than my measly 30 minute workouts. I felt lucky to be able to do something that he loved and couldn't really do overseas.

9 months later I chose to end my time at CFOT with another classic-"MURPH". And Chip and I did it together.
For Time:
1 mile run
100 pullups
200 pushups
300 squats
1 mile run
Time: 59:09 (no vest)

For me, this was kind of a way to bring Chip's deployment to a close. To honor our fallen heros, to honor my husbands service, and to honor the strength and courage I had gained these past 9 months. I walked in the box not sure what I wanted to do, but when Chip strapped on that weight vest I knew it was what I needed to do.

The first run was awesome. Nice and steady to recover from the 200 squats from the prior day. I took in my last glipse of the DC skyline in the dark--the capitol dome, the washington monument...I love that view. Back in the box, I knocked out five rounds of 5 pullups, 10 pushups, and 15 squats nice and steady. Not fast, just strong! I was able to get all 5 pullups strung together which was awesome. On to round 10...hand were burning, blisters forming, push form waning...a few more rounds found me on my knees on the pushups for all 10 reps. Squats were strong. Round 15 popped the blisters. Ouch. But, Christine came over and counted my reps, and cheered me on through the blood and sweat of those last rounds. I caught my second wind at this point, the adreniline was pumping and next I knew I was done. Damn bloodly, but done. Off for that second mile. I had 11 minutes to finish under an hour. I wanted to walk, my legs were shot, my hands were burning. I would not quit, I would not walk. Men and women in uniform sacrafice their lives so I have the freedom to Crossfit and be healthy and happy and punish myself at 0515. I sprinted the end of that mile and felt AMAZING.

I don't have any great before and after photos after 9 months of effort. I can't claim any great weigh loss. But, I am:
-happier
-healthier
-STONGER
-more toned, (hello triceps and lats! goodbye chicken fat!)
-a better person

I can:
do 8 pullups in a row (started at a hang of less than 10 seconds!)
deadlift 227lbs
run a sub 24 min 5k
OHS 105lb
Back Squat 150 something
strict press 75x3
clean 95lb (and probably more)
jerk 95
snatch 85
and generally just throw down.

In the past 9 months I've:
run 2 10 mile races and ran a PR of 1:30
run a 10k
completed a triathlon
run 2 5ks
run a Turkey Trot 4 miler and inspired the entire family to join me

FOUND THE ME IN ME AGAIN. Thank you Crossfit Old Town, especially Team 0515, for inspiring me, for pushing me, for believing in me, encouraging me, but most of all, thank you for your friendship. Team CFOT is amazing and I feel blessed to have been a part of something so special. CFOT is not just a place where you workout and leave your blood sweat and tears, it is where friendships are born, lasting memories are made, and a COMMUNITY is formed.

This does not end my Crossfit journey. It is only the beginning. I'll be taking a solid week or so off to travel (and avoid creating rancid laudry that I have to transport overseas) and get settled, but I will be back on line in due time and will keep you updated on my adventures from Schweinfurt, Germany.

Thank you CFOT--You are hands down amazing, inspiring, and the best teammates I have ever had! You will be missed.