Three athletes sent shivers down my spine last night, there work ethic outstanding. This is not to say that people didn't put in 100% because I think everyone pulled something out in every single class we had. This is a story of three athlete's from the Coaches perspective. . .
First Athlete:
She told me running wouldn't ever be in the cards for her. . .
She said that it would be more than difficult, too much work, and her body wasn't up for it. . .
She had subjected herself, time and time again to rowing. . .
She got some courage . . .
She has started to commit. . .
And she has changed.
She is more than accomplished. . .
She didn't set the goal per say, we did, because there was a look in her eyes that meant more to us than she could ever know.
She has pushed herself to exhaustion, she has spent a ton of time stretching and putting her body into a place to face workouts consistently. . .
Her body has started to change, and even if she is not cognizant of it, those who see her make their opinions known. . .
What started as a challenge of a 200 meter warm-up turned into a 400 meter warm-up. . .
Damn proud of you Sam, you have come so far in so little time that it is quite a delight to Coach you day in and day out (or I should say night in and night out).
Second Athlete:
Your first day, you are a little anxious. You ask a bunch of questions, to which the Coaches respond with a enthusiasm and excitement. You meet the entire class outside and the warm-up gets started.
You take the first step, and it isn't timid as you race out the door and begin your warm-up, low and behold it isn't the warm-up that you are used to. By the end you are slightly exhausted, a little frazzled, and wondering exactly when the workout is going to be over. The skill session gives you time to breath as you work between dips and pull-ups.
You glance more than once at the whiteboard, blinking as if one of the times you open your eyes back up the workout just might change.
It doesn't. . .
Outside the not so familiar booming voice echoes into the gym and back out, "3, 2, 1. . . GO!"
You race your first 400 meters, it starts quickly but the engine begins to feel a little pressure as you finish, you take a seat and then the first four minutes are up and the second 400 meters start, around the 100 meter mark things start to slow down and some breath needs to be caught. A Coach runs out to assist, we talk, we point out a couple little nuances, anything to get your mind off the feeling your body has and some focus on the task. Second one complete, sit down for a minute to get some breath.
Third 400 meter sprint, the Coach is with you from the get-go, different conversation, some whispers, some yells, a high five from a fellow athlete, and some cheering gets you motivated to finish the third 400 meters, again sit - catch breath.
The fourth and last 400 meter doesn't wait, time never stopped and breathing wasn't exactly an option, everyone takes off, the Coach comes alongside, motivating, pressing buttons to relax and pushing buttons to reach points, two fellow athletes come out to push you to the finish, every single one under 4:00 minutes. . .
Well done Ray, and a shout-out to the Coaches and athlete's from the class for helping him along.
Third Athlete:
You came in because you wanted change, you have always gutted out every workout thrown at you so far. Change has occurred, both mentally and physically, again - in such a short period of time. You have taken direction and never faltered. The workout wasn't in your wheelhouse, but rowing wasn't an option last night. It was time to run.
The tiny Coach pushed you, we couldn't hear - but we could see action. You moved forward, you PR'd your first 400 meters - 3:09!! You finished each 400 meter run in under 4 minutes! You dug deep and got it done! And then went inside without any doubts and started in on the wallballs!
Damn Dennis, you can work - and work friggin' hard!
Every athlete has an incredible story to tell. My favorite thing is when those stories are told. We, as a CrossFit culture thrive on seeing Personal Records, thrive on the accomplishments of others, and thrive on our ability to pursue, and achieve, new levels in ourselves.
Hard work pays huge dividends. Congratulations to everyone yesterday evening. . .
who knows, maybe next time we can all try and scale an 8' wall. . . .
Warrior Dash - Georgia May 14th.
"Happiness depends upon ourselves."
- Aristotle
-Coach Tony
I know the 5 p.m. class was proud of Sam and Ray. Amazing to watch Sam trust in her body and believe she can accomplish anything!!
ReplyDeleteIt's been fantastic to be a part of and to see the progress the 7pm crew has made...Dennis you are an inspiration to the team!
ReplyDeleteSam, as always, fights with tenacity in every rep. It's beautiful. Ray, with the look of, what did i get myself into? Finished with a look of humbleness and victory in the end. Just when I thought Dennis had had enough, he saw the finish and then proceeded to run even faster! He was determined not to slow down and put a hurtin on that last 100m! One of the best nights ever!
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