Heather Hodges

I am home from the Level 1 Crossfit Certification in Ft. Worth (I’m in the middle in the black tank top.)  It was a tough, informative weekend with some incredible trainers.  Lisa Ray, Jon Gilson, Chuck Caldwell, Tony Budding, Dutch Lowy, and Major Andrew Thompson of Crossfit Quantico were all phenomenal teachers.

I felt like a pony among thoroughbreds, but it was an incredible experience. We were all instructed on the nine fundamental movements/ technique along with corrections for all of them.  The pattern for the day was instruction, performance, repetition, correction, repetition, more correction. Tired? Lactic acid overload? Good, repetition, more correction. It’s amazing how heavy an 8 ounce pvc pipe can become after holding it over your head for two days. I needed a whole day to recover.  We heard lectures on: What is Crossfit, What is Fitness, Nutrition, Glycemic Index, Sick-Wellness-Fitness Progression, The Nine Fundamental Movements, and Programming.  I am on information overload. I loved the format of experiencial learning, and I’m really looking forward to my Crossfit Kids Certification later this month.

I had another remarkable day at crossfit yesterday.  We did the workout called “Angie” which is 100 pull ups, 100 push ups, 100 sit ups, and 100 squats.  One hundred repetitions of any one of those movements would be a complete and difficult workout by itself.  But combine them and you have a recipe for immeasurable pain and suffering. Now that I can do a real pull up I was able to do the workout as prescribed and posted the third best gym time for a woman - 28:17 (almost 20 minutes was spent on the pull ups alone.)  This morning I’m very proud of myself, but also VERY sore.

I would have not been able to complete this workout if I had been alone.  One of the things that struck me so strongly yesterday is the communal aspect of crossfit.  Five times a week I get together with a group of insane people and we force our bodies to do unbelievable things.  The slogan for crossfit is “Forging Elite Fitness” and of course this is true, but it would not be possible without the community.  I got to pull up number 82 and could have easily quit, but my coach was in my ear spurring me on, he knew I had more in me even though I wanted to stop.  Because I had friends around me encouraging me and believing in me, I completed the workout and posted a good time.  If I had been alone, I would have quit and failed.

Crossfit is such a good example of how ordinary people can overcome enormous obstacles and achieve great things together.  But the only way it is possible is in community.  Our lives as followers of Christ is no different.  Alone, I may set big goals for myself and strive to be faithful to the Lord, but I often fail because there is no one walking beside me.  But in a community of faith when we are working towards the same goal and supporting and encouraging one another we can finish the race together.  We can resist the temptation to doubt and fear because together we are strong.  Without accountability and support I would not only fail in crossfit but in my spiritual walk as well.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. ” Hebrews 3:13

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. ” Hebrews 10:24-25

I’ve been crossfitting for 8 weeks now.  Last week I was able to do my first pull up unassisted.  This is a big deal and I’ve been working towards it for nearly 2 months.  I can’t believe how strong I’m getting; crossfit is amazing. My trainer says pull ups are a life saving skill.  I supposed the next time I’m precariously dangling off a cliff I can pull myself to safety.  Ha.

On Friday, our crossfit workout was a series of Barbell Thrusters and Rope Climbs. Wade is accusing me of being proud of myself for climbing the rope, and I must confess, he’s right.  I climbed a 15 foot rope 16 times, while doing barbell thrusters sets in between sets of climbs. Crossfit is allowing me to do things that I thought was not possible. I realize now why ripped callouses and rope burns are a badge of honor.  Want to see me shin?  There’s a reason I wrapped my sweat shirt around my left shin for the climbs - ouch.

Congratulations to Ethlene who came with me on Saturday for her first crossfit workout.  Way to go !!!!