One year ago this month I called Ms. Ali Hennings to sign up for Foundations at Crossfit 701. Never could I have imagined the impact that "box" would have on my life. Not only did Crossfit give me an opportunity to compete, something I had needed since graduating college, it gave me the motivation to lift again on a regular routine. Away from the physical side of things, it opened me up to a whole new group of friends that quite honestly have most likely increased the longevity of my stay here in Fargo, North Dakota as a football coach at Concordia College. While I can not speak in certainty when it comes to my profession, the opportunities given to me by my head coach to continue to pursue Crossfit and Oly are not something I can find at most places. Couple that with the opportunities given to me by both Ali and Nate at the gym to pursue "The Way," it would be difficult to leave anytime soon. The grass would have to be awfully green and tall on the other side of the fence at this current moment.
With all that being said the year has had its ups and downs to say the least. I think anyone who trains for any sport typically see trials and tribulations, highs and lows, and sometimes simply starts running low on energy. Coaching full time is not something that most people truly understand. Most of the time I get asked the question, "Well, what do you do after the season?" It usually brings a smile to my face as the year does get long with the other stuff, particularly recruiting. Often times that is more stressful than coaching games. Some will laugh because summer is a bit of a slow period for me but August through May I am attached to Cobber Football seven days a week, twelve plus hours a day, give or take. This past fall I felt I did a descent job of balancing football and training, still managing to get in multiple times a day, multiple times a week while helping get our boys to an 8-2 record. The off campus recruiting season, November and December, was the biggest challenge thus far. Traveling the state on a weekly basis, living in hotels, and visiting other gyms make keeping my regular routine a bit more of a pain. Also means things, like keeping up with this blog that I once thought was such a great idea, go out the window.
Now that I have began to settle back into my routine because I will be in back yard everyday, I want to throw some thoughts, thanks, and goals out there, as well as get back to tracking my daily work outs.
Quite simply my one major thought, and not to offend others, Crossfit 701 is my one hobby and what I enjoy doing away from work. As I continue with training I see that the other things are less of a priority and being there is fun. Even when my hands feel like they are on fire, I feel at home there. My head football coach jokes that on any given day, even without my cell phone he would only need to drive two places to find me if I was not at work, and he would start at "that place behind Hooters." So thank you Ali and Nate for welcoming my stubborn, bull headed, sometimes jerk ways into that lovely place. And also my off and on again ginger beard.
Way back in March of 2012 this guy who only taught the Strength WOD mentioned to me a blog that incorporated more Oly lifting after I expressed my desire to want to snatch more after the Open Workout 12.2. Garrett said you should look up this "Outlaw Way." Right about the same time, Jenna qualified for Regionals which was very eye opening for me to see the next step. So in prep for that Jenna and I started doing some of Rudy Neilsen's workouts. In June or so Garrett and Tyler jumped on board after the GOMAD and the rest is history. The time has changed from 630 AM to whenever to 530 AM-630 AM and then again nights until finished but the fun never stops. Garrett thanks for the original recommendation and sharing a bar. I love this bar, I hate this bar. Jenna, get healthy. Tyler, stay safe!
Since the start we have added a few to the AM group and I try to get back to see others during the day but sometimes my work schedule really screws with that. So a few other thanks to go around. Thanks Rach for deciding to be my partner for an upcoming competition. She never knew what she signed up for. Coaching girls is not really a strong suit of mine. Thanks to Nick for always out running me. Another thanks to Nate for being a machine that never stops and always yells at me. And with Nate, thanks Ali for the Mom like things you do with Amanda. Thanks to Leann for her lack of feelings in a good way. She never really gets offended by my garbage. Thanks to Marissa for getting offended by my garbage. Thanks to Matt for reminding me how old and pale I am. And thanks to everyone else for being a part of the wonderful Crossfit 701 family.
Now to the good stuff, goals. Two of them. Qualify for the Crossfit North Central Regional and qualify for the 2013 American Open at 85 KG in December. 85 KG means I need to cut about 12 pounds so we will see how that goes. May end up shooting for the 94 KG class. For those unaware of the American Open it is the step below the National Olympic lifting competition, so snatch and clean and jerk total. First qualifying attempt is in March down in MSP and I have to wear a singlet. My singlet arrives next week and will be coming to a gym near you very soon.
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