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A boot camper’s perspective on CrossFit…
By cynthiabrown | June 30, 2009
Mike
My first month of Cross Fit.
I was torn between continuing with boot camp, or taking the plunge into Cross Fit. Should I have stuck with boot camp? I enjoyed it, I think I did well at it, and honestly, it was my time for an hour a night for myself. I was intimidated by cross fit. My ego told me that I have to be great at what I do. Well, not being able to do 8 minutes of the exercises on my own without gasping for air really put things into perspective. My first two or three group classes were ridiculous. I was working out with Batman and Robin. We were told to run a mile after we had worked out. I was lucky if I was able to run to my truck and head home to go throw up. My second week, I realized that I am not really horrible at Cross Fit; I am just out of shape. That’s why I’m here. Now that my third week is over, I know I have made the right choice in joining Cross Fit. I can’t yet do pull-ups right, I can’t yet dead-lift just right, I can’t do 100 push-ups in 4 minutes, I can’t sprint a mile, I can’t clean 350 pounds, I can’t squat one and a half times my weight, I can’t bench press, jerk, thrust, or jump faster or better than anyone………..except me, three weeks ago. That’s how I know that I’ve made the right choice. I am here for me. I will only get out of my exercise what I put into it. And that ego thing, that’s cheap. No one cares how much weight I can lift, because they’re here for the same reason I am. To improve our lives.
Mike Crowley
Topics: Cynergy Central | 26 Comments »
June 30th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Well done Mike!
You have truly embraced all that CrossFit is and offers…..I am proud of the effort you put into your workouts…keep it up man….it looks good on you!!
June 30th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Nice Mike, well said. You’ve hit the nail on the head! It’s great that you’ve got the idea from the start, there are many still who don’t get that we’re all here to improve ourselves not be better than everyone else.
Way to bite the bullet and make the switch, you’re already doing amazing!!!
June 30th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Incredibly well said, Mike! Awesome post and you continue to give it your all at each WOD. I’m so psyched you decided to come and play with us.
June 30th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Mike, Congrat’s and welcome to the family. We all have to start somewhere. I was feeling those exact thoughts 6 months ago and now that the hook has been set, it’s something I look forward to each day..
You’ll advance each week and feel better and better about what your accomplishing. Nicely said!!
June 30th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Very nice Mike! Welcome aboard!
June 30th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Mike,
Welcome aboard! Great perspective. Just finishing my sixth month and believe me it keeps getting better!!!
Your message is what it is all about!!! It’s not just the outstanding crossfit training that makes Cynergy effective and special. It’s the people we train with and the environment in which we train that keeps us coming in everyday with that gleam in our eye. Since we are sharing I’ll continue
I remember month 1. I said to myself after day 5…Just finish January so you get your money’s worth. Couldn’t throw an 8# Wall Ball, Couldn’t do 5 burpees without seeing stars, couldn’t row 500m with a split under 2.30, couldn’t “catch my breath”, couldn’t do ANY lift with more than 75# on the bar, needed more than 1 band just to get through 2 full range pull ups, 93 reps on FGB couldn’t RX a single workout…..the list goes on. But we keep coming back??? Why? Cindy, Keith, Lindsey, Chip, Holly, Steve, Di, Diana, Tully, Jill, Denise, Danielle, Dan P, Bob, Dan B, Buzz, “B”, Lori,Cara Maureen, Suzi, and John, Vicki, Erin O, Eileen and all the rest of the Cynergy family…This is not meant to be like an Oscar’s speech but….
The environment created by this amazing group of people brings you to challenge yourself mentally and physically…The little athletic victories pile up quickly and there are many turning points in our training…..We have an opportunity everyday to better ourselves by simply showing up…success is not measured simply by lifting more or running faster each and every day but to try and do those things that maybe you couldn’t do last week or the week before. We all remember the turning points and inspirations with pride because we should be proud! Holly gutting out Angie with bloody hands and 55 minutes on the clock, Cindy subtly asking if I’d like to try 120 reps KBDLHP with Big Bertha back in March…., Watching Payton’s video from the March Throwdown, My first pull-up without the band or box, RX’ng everyhting since May regardless of the pain endured or time spent..
There is no better feeling than your peers cheering you on or the high fives and grins after we “kill” it for an hour in the Box.
Promise I’ll stick to the jokes tomorrow….
Cynergy gives us many things – Outstandng Coaching, Elite Fitness, Superior State of Mind, and maybe most importantly the teammates and family that push us, support us and drive us to reach and exceed levels I bet each and everyone of us thought unreachable.
June 30th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Well Said..Everyone! I am so grateful to be part of all of it!
June 30th, 2009 at 11:34 am
RichB – You’ve only been here for 6 months!! And Mike you should check out his calf muscles when he walks in his pumps!!
June 30th, 2009 at 11:43 am
They are pretty nice aren’t they Di!!!
June 30th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Mike, thanks so much for sharing your story. We all have our reasons for showing up each day – but the encouragement, support and – dare I say it – good time we have is the infectious spirit that makes us say, “where has this been all my life?” All it takes is – “nice push-up”, “great squat” or “nice extension” that makes you push even harder. And the great part is that it doesn’t always come from the trainer – it comes from your peers. That’s when you know we are all in this together and it truly doesn’t matter how much you lift or how fast you run – but that you’re here for YOU and we’re here for YOU too!
June 30th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
goosebumps! Well said to all! Mike welcome and enjoy! Rich love ya!!
June 30th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Anyone else humming or singing “We’re All in this together” from High School Musical?? Thanks B -
June 30th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I would if I knew it Rich!
June 30th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
You know it! Come on fess up….
together together
together everyone
together together
come on lets have some fun
together were there for each other every time together together
come on lets do this right
June 30th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
you’re scaring me now Rich!
June 30th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Rich – you can lead us in song tomorrow a.m.
June 30th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Mike and Rich,
You both have put so many of our thoughts and feelings into perfect words. I joined the ‘family’ to improve my physical fitness, but more importantly, I have stuck with it because it has had a tremendous positive impact on so much more. Thank you, everyone!
June 30th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
yes more singing please Rich!!!
June 30th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I’m kind of an introvert so singing may be out for me
June 30th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Hey Mike…Outstanding post on moving up from Boot Camp to Cross Fit. I’m not to far behind you in joining u in the box. I look at when we started Boot Camp together and totally have seen a transformation and as much as we complain about something we don’t like, we always tell ourselves why we are here and there is plenty of room for improvement. I always feel better after working out and I can’t imagine not being part of the Cross Fit Family. Now,that I’ve finished month 3 of Boot Camp and going on to month 4 I just have to build up confidence and hopefully, I’ll meet my goal and be right there with you soon. Keep up the good work!!
June 30th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
NICE POST! AWESOME JOB…THE CROSSFIT JOURNEY IS SO EXCITING WITH SO MUCH POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH…GOODLUCK!
July 1st, 2009 at 12:00 am
Mike, well done and well said. As a PM’er who has seen you come along I can say that you are not only “showing up” but you are killing it. You don’t quit no matter what, which speaks volumes about your character. With your attitude and drive you will make huge strides. You will be deadlifting, and cleaning like a madman! Keep it up and I look forward to battling the WODs with you as well as cheering you on to fight through them. Welcome to the family and keep killing it!
July 1st, 2009 at 2:19 am
Well written, and that goes to both Mike and Rich. It’s important to never lose the perspective that you are simply trying to improve everyday. It’s doesn’t matter if you have a 2 minute Fran or a 20 minute Fran… there’s always something you can improve that will ultimately make you a better athlete… and more importantly, will improve your life.
“Suck less today than you did yesterday.”
July 1st, 2009 at 8:22 am
Mike, well said every one of us can remember when we first started! No one just jumped in and could do everything it takes time; but before you know it you will be doing things you never imagined possibel! Keep up the good work!
July 1st, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Mike,
As someone who was going to do a third month of bootcamp before I went to Crossfit even though the 6 am time killed me, your write up convinced me that, even though I am not in the shape I want to be, I CAN do crossfit so Foundation/bootcamp here I come.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Thanks for sharing Mike! Your story is very powerful.
Good for you Carol….Go for it girl!