Friday is Day 3 in our CrossFit cycle.
**Note: Russ’s reflection is below Kim’s.**
It's been a great ride.
Kim’s Perspective….Russ to follow.
My stomach has a few “flutterflies” going ’round. I still remember that Sunday morning waking up and telling Russ “I think I want to start a CF Affiliate. I think I can help people.” From the beginning he was on board and spent countless hours and dollars helping to create CFP out of our garage. Thank you Russ~ I Love You.
As I reflect on January 17, 2009 to present I believe I can honestly say I helped people. And with that, I REMEMBER WHEN:
Donna and Mel made their first appearance at CFP 1/17/09. They were sick and tired of feeling “frumpy” and made a commitment to themselves. These 2 ladies started with a PVC for barbell work and pull ups in a green band with assistance from me to get their chin over the bar. Today, they have kipping pull ups and confidently load barbells.
Everyone started keeping a notebook to document their achievements. I think athletes feel “lost” without their books now.
Tape grips became kind of our CFP trademark~they certainly do help though!
The rite of passage to a new level of “tough”is when you rip for the first time.
Kathy C. loved posting about S-N-A-T-C-H WODs. Remember when she put “Michael” up on the white board as 4 rounds and it’s only 3!
We got so excited about GOLD, SILVER, & BRONZE podium spots for the new post!
I put Lisa and Jodi through their first “Murph”. At the end Lisa had a headache the size of Yankee Stadium! They both kept hoping a car would run ‘em over on that second run.
McGraw wanted a personal DJ to pump out motivational tunes while she WODed and would blow off a WOD to do “Thong Class”. I also remember her gaining crazy strength gains on the barbell.
Meme got her first kipping pull up and pulled a 210# dead off the ground.
We all had to finish our runs up that God awful hill of a driveway at CFP HQ!
Caleb did his first WOD in the garage~ FGB and nearly died. I also remember him doing his first “Murph” and Ian and I kept cranking the speed on the treadmill in the basement. He nearly fell off the treadmill when he finished and we had a bucket by his side just in case!
Carrie got “caught” doing bicep curls and was then dubbed “Bicep Bowman” by Caleb. I remember Carrie HATING the barbell and now being OK with it and even liking the S-N-A-T-C-H!
Being so PUMPED about our first “Fran” in the garage~ I scared the crap out of Stacy Dykins….she hasn’t been back since!
Tommy V. was suppose to be at work but came to help out on Good Friday 2009~ it was a CrossFit Total and the garage was crawling with sooo many people b/c the had the day off.
On that Good Friday 2009 Animal Control showed up and we all thought it was the police~ Jason Blyler was going for a back squat and very quietly backed away from the squat rack.
There was a sea of pink and white tank tops running the first Bill Landers 5K and Carrie taking first place in her age group!
We borrowed Dave Berger’s Modern Plumbing box truck to move equipment from the garage to CFP’s current location….I was in hysterics with Jason driving! I also remember feeding all the kids a pizza lunch and their dining area was the back of the box truck!
Tommy V. was bench pressing Diana on my kitchen floor at one of our CFP parties.
Gail worked and worked on the timing of a kipping pull up but still resorted to doing dead hangs in a WOD~that’s one strong lady!
I yelled at Barb to get deeper in her squat during wall balls and she turned with daggers in her eyes and did a karate chop to her crotch indicating that the squats were killin’ her!
Mrs. C would yell out loud “C’MON CARLA” when she got pissed at herself during a WOD! You have come so far with CF Mrs. C….keep at it girl!
Rielly did 11 rounds of that pull up ladder summer 2009~ 1 pull up the first minute, 2 pull ups the second minute, etc…until you can’t get the # of pull ups done in the minute.
The kids would make up their own work outs, do them, and then make up more to do at Minnechaug.
Donna bought 2 log books at one time so they matched..wonder what’s going to happen when this one is all used up.
Mel would get confused with some WODs and add/delete reps or rounds~ kind of like I did for “Jerry” earlier this month.
Kimberley faced that barbell and pull up bar conquering them both!
Pam warmed up with various dance skills before WODing.
Carlos did a guest Boot Camp class for us~we were all fired up!
Carlos’s client Don~ age 70 with Parkinson’s did a 16″ box jump!
Caleb took on evening hours and has done really well by his night athletes.
Tommy V. and Russ believed that I would make it to the 2009 Games in Aromas, CA.
Lara did a walking lunge WOD summer 2009 and it was dumping rain outside~ she dug deep and kept on lunging in and out of that garage bay.
Jane & Eileen being 2 of the strongest ladies I know~ talk about raw talent for the barbell!
Adele was in the green band for pull ups and now she’s in the red and on the cusp for not needing any band!
Feeney would WOD and help out and get us all laughing. I remember Feeney fulfilling her dream of opening 180 Nutrition~Congrats Sarah and never lose that fire in your belly.
Meme was SO EXCITED about her lifting shoes birthday gift.
My dad had PERFECT air/ back/front/overhead squat and deadlift form back in the garage with no formal training.
Russ taught J.T. how to do a muscle up a few weeks ago.
I saw some of Justin’s weight load numbers posted on the white board~ he is STRONG!
Gram & Poppa worked on press, KB swings, and deads when they visited in September 2010~ 85 and 87 years old tearin’ it up!
Thank you everyone for choosing CrossFit Persevere to help you on your fitness journey. CrossFit isn’t just another work out, it’s a lifestyle filled with genuine support and enthusiasm for each other. 3-2-1 GO! to creating more fun filled CrossFit memories and PR’s at CrossFit 033!
Wishing all of you good health and lots of happiness. Love, Kim/Kimmie
Feel free to add on any of your “Remember When” moments to the comments section.
Russ Comments:
Great post by Kim…. I remember the day it started, and today, the day CFP ends – I went to CFP today and did the final workout as CFP – 30 Muscle Ups for Time (for Kim & her gymnastics excellence) time: 7:34 -PR by over a minute! I picked this workout because when I started I could do zero muscle ups, and at one time, I thought is was impossible to break 10 minutes, and 3 years later – it’s great to continue to improve and end on a personal high note. – and I continue to encourage everyone to keep pushing and improving! I love how CFP started… and while it’s the end in a way, there’s a very good path forward. And for all of us, we can learn more, get stronger, and be fitter together – which is what it’s always been about, and why we all started CrossFit!
Kim was always the heart of CFP – the drive. I always considered myself the “soul”…. much less chatty on the blog, much less of a CrossFit celebrity, and not there dealing with all of the day to day at all. What I liked most about CFP was the opportunity to share my passion for fundamental CrossFit with all of you. Some of my earliest memories were when Kim first tried CrossFit, and how well she did….. and when she started she kind of worked it into her workouts at The Wellness Center…. seems like a lifetime ago! At the time I was working out with my brother who was a great CrossFit partner….. Kim just kept getting better and better – and working with her, and seeing her rise to be a CrossFit Games competitor (and subsequent celebrity) was a real charge for me! Her ability to take a negative, channel her energy, and come through the other side stronger – and then share with people was really what got CFP going, and it’s all be worth it and then some!
The garage was great, and I remember our first member (Tommy V), and he was just scary intense…. and then all these people started showing up, and as they all took to it, I was amazed how hard you all worked, and how well everyone did! Some of my favorite memories include when Kim did her first Muscle Up (ancient history) when all the great people helped us move. There were so many good memories of people just improving their squats, getting a pullup, or learning a technique – and I really appreciate being able to share so many of those moments! I remember Donna getting her pullup, Mel getting her pullup, Meme getting her pullup; working squats with Mrs. C; working squat with Dr. John and Jason Blyler……and so many other milestones…. and some of my favorites were when Caleb, Ian, and JT got their muscle ups!
Overtime I focused more and more on fundamentals – and I’m really proud of how well the people who came and trained perform the basics. I honestly believe the core people who trained consistently with CFP have the heart, and technique and attitude to do well at any CrossFit gym – and that’s a great feeling, and a tribute to Kim and everyone who trained at CFP! In addition, I’ve made some good friends, and we’ve all shared some great moments – so thank you all!
I am also really proud of Caleb. This kid showed up in good shape, but with an overhead squat of about 95 pounds, and over the last 2 years has taken his knowledge and expertise to another level. From a martial arts perspective, one of the greatest things that can happen is when the student’s knowledge exceeds the “teachers”. Caleb has done this, and he’s sought out the best CrossFit people, and continues to take his game higher. He’s really joined Kim as a CrossFit Elite, and I’m sure he’s going to continue to do well. I really wish him success, and I’ll be cheering for him!
When we started, we talked about what people should expect from CrossFit. At some level, all of us share a desire to be fit – and to evolve and improve. Against the backdrop of age, we all push ourselves to the edge of our abilities – and I believe this drive makes us more alive, more engaged – and better people. We all need to measure ourselves against ourselves – and that’s why our motto was – “You are your own yardstick”. To be alive is to grow; when we stop growing we stop living. In many ways, fitness is a metaphor for life – and CrossFit is a great system. I sincerely hope you all continue on your CrossFit Journey, and continue to achieve goals that you at one time thought were not possible.
“There is no finish line”
Best to you all -
Russ
