What Has CrossFit Done For You?

REST DAY

I have a story to tell about one of the many things that Crossfit means to me.  This is a bit self-indulgent but I think it's relevance is obvious.

Last February while I was away on business, Jennifer received a call from the Pittsburgh Harlequins Rugby Club.  They had heard about Crossfit and wanted to set up a pre-season conditioning program with us.  I returned home in time to attend their final session at our gym prior to the start of their spring season.

They were a great group of hard working athletes and every one of them said that Crossfit was some of the hardest training that they had ever experienced.  They passed out Team shirts to Jennifer and two of our trainers who had worked with them during their sessions with us and invited us to the Pitch any time so see them play.

Jenn and I took the kids to a Saturday afternoon game a couple weeks later and I can't tell you how proud I was of the impact that Jenn and Crossfit had made on the Team.  The players greeted her like a celebrity and repeatedly told me how hard she pushed them.

After the game one of the players invited me to practice with them on the following Tuesday night.  I told him that I hadn't laced up cleats of any kind since I was 18 years old (26 years ago) and that I had never played Rugby but I certainly appreciated the offer.

The following Monday night the same player came to the gym for the evening session and asked again if I'd come out to practice the next night.  I told him that I'd have to check with Jenn (fully intending to get to her first and tell her to say that we're just too busy, etc.).  Before I could accomplish this, the Love of My Life walked up behind me.  I didn't ever know she was there.  The Player said "hey Jenn, can Mike come to practice with us tomorrow night?"  My beautiful wife smiled that killer smile and simply said, "sure!"

After a quick trip to the nearest sporting goods store I picked up some cleats, a mouth guard and I was off to the Pitch.  I practiced on Tuesday and was invited back to practice on Thursday.  As I was leaving the Pitch at the conclusion of training the president of the club (who had been up on the club house deck watching the session with some of the Old Boys) asked if I was pressed for time or if I could stop in the club house before I left for home.  I said I'd be right up.

After a quick shower I went up to the club house, was greeted at the bar and offered a cold beer.  The president of the club asked me if I was a size large?  I said that I was and off he went.  I'm talking to a couple of the guys, thinking that I'm about to be given a Team t-shirt for coming out when the president returns with a pair of uniform shorts and tells me that we have a game on Saturday night.

The moral of the story?  At 44 years of age, thanks to Coach, Crossfit and my beautiful wife, I'm playing Division 1 Rugby with guys in their 20's and 30's.

Since the spring season Jennifer has been approached by two other Rugby Teams and a Soccer Team to provide them with the same training that she did for the Harlequins.  They must be thinking "if Crossfit can get old men onto the Pitch it's got to be some serious Mo Jo."

So, what has CrossFit done for you?

Please let us know.

And remember ... don't be a DB

Comments

[andy]

Nice post, Mike.

I'm striving every day not to be a DB, but it's hard. What if I'm a DB? Are there resources out there I can use?

Maybe you can post a weekly tip on how to avoid being a DB, or perhaps warning signs, like "You might be a DB if ..."

Just a thought. Love the new page.

And, what has crossfit done for me? In light of my current issues with Fran, I'd rather not talk about it. Sensitive topic. I think, at a certain point, you realize you aren't exercising, and then the question is, why do you train? Everybody's got a different answer, I suppose.

[Adam K]

Great post - and an inspiring story all around.

[Dino]

Hah, sounds just like how I got recruited. I helped out a friend move apartments, and his buddy who was also there asked me how I kept fit. It turned out he was coach of the Kings College rugby club. I told him all about CrossFit so he asked me to explain more at the next practice. Next thing you know, I was in the scrum as an 8 man. Now I play once a week with 20-somethings (I'm 41) and love the hell out of the game.

[Dino]

Hah, sounds just like how I got recruited. I helped out a friend move apartments, and his buddy who was also there asked me how I kept fit. It turned out he was coach of the Kings College rugby club. I told him all about CrossFit so he asked me to explain more at the next practice. Next thing you know, I was in the scrum as an 8 man. Now I play once a week with 20-somethings (I'm 41) and love the hell out of the game.