I walked into Four Barrel Crossfit in November of 2015 after sitting in the parking lot for 10 minutes convincing myself that I needed to get out of the car. Immediately I was met inside the door by the smiling face of Kristi Eramo . ( google her – she is a Crossfit Games superstar ) She was amazing and took 20 minutes to talk to me , get to know me and ask about my goals . My goals included heavy weightlifting. Lindy Barber ( google her too ) was doing deadlifts just a few feet from me and I was awestruck .. that girl could lift .
I started On – Ramp at Four Barrel Crossfit in December 2015 . Lifting weights wasn’t new to me because I had done a little bit in a bootcamp that I had previously attended. Lifting weights safely and correctly was NEW and I came to realization very quickly that I wasn’t as strong or mobile as I thought I was . I became fast friends with the 5 ft PVC pipe and the 20lb trainer bar. I struggled with so many movements and felt defeated on many days . I had to write workouts on my calendar and went 5 days a week . I could have easily quit but what kept me coming back was the Support and Community at Four Barrel . Its plain and simple , we are a Community . We grind out the workouts together , cheer each other on , provide support in so many ways …
It has been a long long journey in Crossfit for me and I have made huge gains physically and mentally. I owe it to the community support that I have received . I certainly could not grind out the workouts ,especially those mental toughness days , by myself in a local gym. I have changed my eating habits for the better and gained 14 lbs since starting at Four Barrel . The added muscle has enabled me to lift heavier and reach weightlifting milestones. I can backsquat more than my body weight and do a deadlift more than 200# without struggling . I have climbed a rope , learned how to do a handstand and other gymnastic movements. The mental toughness I have gained enables me to set bigger goals for myself .. I would have never signed up for my first half marathon or Spartan race if it wasnt for my morning workout crew ( Hannah, Elizabeth and Lizz ) or my many coaches ( Mallory , Connie , Gabby and Zach ) . I would never have dreamed that I would be attempting to do a 100 mile trail race this year . Crossfit has given me the confidence to believe in myself and the mental and physical strength to accomplish the goals I set .
JanuaryRunr11 