What brought you to CrossFit in the first place?
I started CrossFit by accident when I inadvertently showed up at a gym in Wiesbaden and was asked to drag a sled across a parking lot. It was love at first plight.
For a girl with little athletic aptitude but a dangerous amount of stubborn determination, it seemed like a place where I could work toward improvement without getting killed. Systematically. With structure. And fewer carnivorous animals than my usual sports.
I stayed because I wanted to improve in my other areas (trail running, mountain biking) and avoid injury by developing flexibility and strength. And because everyone swears as much as me. Except Kenny. I think he swears even more.
What was your first impression? Has that changed?
Initially I was like, “Damn that bitch can heave,” and then she high-fived me because I did five knee pushups without puking on my feet and I was like, “I wanna grow up to be like her.” This impression is renewed every day as I am continually in awe at the quality of character and humanity that are so present as people challenge themselves and support each other.
What has changed over time is my appreciation for the family feeling and the sport itself. Regardless of where I am in my perpetual struggle of fit/fat, or how consistently inconsistent I am, I can show up and have successes. Even when my overall performance suffers from neglect, my form improves or my muscle memory improves over time. Sometimes it is just my attitude and self-compassion that improve, but I still call that a win.
What was your first success?
I think my first real “I can do this!” moment was when I didn’t eat shit trying to box jump. I’m not known for being nimble or quick or doing anything with particular grace. The box scared the bejesus out of me and my shins. Now I love those things. They directly impact my running and cycling performance.
What are you working on now?
This is the first year in a long time that I have not competed as a cyclist or runner and I’m working on being okay with that. What has helped me is coming to CrossFit and having small goals (some days just showing up is a goal) – whether it is to finish a workout, keep a steady pace, or try double under and not cry when I lash myself like a Catholic in a red light district.
What’s your favorite CrossFit Sandpoint memory?
Every single day I show up, I make new memories. Most of them are the minutia of good-mornings and laughter, the support I get from others, the gift of witnessing people be their own bad ass. I am constantly humbled and inspired by everyone there.
And once I did an afternoon workout and it was like eight billion degrees and all the boys took their shirts off and did muscle ups. I usually go to the 8:00 class where we’re grateful that doesn’t happen. Shirts off would be fine, but muscle ups would blow a valve or two and then we’d miss our workout trying to resuscitate Rick.