“You wouldn’t like it if it was easy.”
― Dymmelism

Anne’s Squats (Thoughts)

When I was a kid, I hated running. I carried this attitude into my life as an unfit adult for a long time. Walking, I loved, but running? No way.

When I started at CFPA last year, I couldn’t run 100 meters. Even though I hated it, there was a part of me that wanted to be better at it. CrossFit has a way of doing that–it shows you that you can do things you never thought you could do, so you start looking at the things that you still can’t do and consider, “Well, maybe I could do that after all?” Our 7pm classmate Stephanie was an inspiration by showing me running could look easy and joyful. I think most of us envied her running a bit.

As I got better at other components of WODs, the 400m runs still loomed over me as the thing that I wasn’t able to do, and it made me mad. I got determined and told myself, “I’m going to take a run at this and see if I can do it.”  I picked up a couple of books written by older female Masters runners to help inspire me, at 52 years old, to give running a shot. I knew that I would need to hit a 10-minute mile to be able to do 400m runs as part of the WOD. This seemed like a goal so far away that it might as well have been on the moon, but I could at least start working toward it.

I knew that having a goal would help to keep me motivated, so with trepidation I signed up for the 5K Fun Run at the SF Marathon. I thought doing it around 45 minutes would be a great result. In training, I was lucky to run a mile in 17:15. That would get me over the finish line under the hour cutoff, so I revised my expectations and kept working at it.

Race day! My first ever race. I didn’t know what to expect. There were so many people, all ages and sizes, so I didn’t feel out of place. I set a pace that felt like I wouldn’t get run over. What I learned quickly is that running in a race with people all around you is so very different from running in training. I knew that I was running a little faster but I felt comfortable so I went with it. I glanced at my watch at the mile and was shocked to see that I’d done it in only 14:20! And I wasn’t dying…so that was good, right??

I knew I probably wouldn’t be able to keep up that pace, so I decided not to look at my watch again and just to concentrate on my breathing and running form. Nothing hurt at all and I gained confidence. When the finish line was finally ahead, I found it in myself to “finish strong” and ran as fast as I could. I was shocked and thrilled to finish the race within range of my original goal: 45:44!!!

Takeaways…I didn’t expect finishing to be so emotionally affecting. There’s a crowd at the finish and they’re cheering for everyone who comes in, and it meant so much to me to finish strong, running fast and pain-free, and still feeling good. It’s really motivating to be running with other people, all getting through it together. Kind of like the WOD!

So, thanks to CrossFit, I did something that I had never done before and that I would never have thought I could do. I’ve decided to do another 5K in November, and to actually follow a training program this time. I’d like to finish in 34:30, which is the average time for a woman in my age group who’s a beginner. That would get me closer to that 10-minute mile I need for the WODs, too! I’ll get there someday, I swear!

Big thanks to my 7pm TuThu classmates and Coaches Andrew and Ali for being so supportive! It means a lot.

What’s Going On?

Pickleball was AWESOME!

Definitely going to need more of this.

CrossFit Teens – Late Summer Session

Who: Boys and Girls aged 12-17

Dates: August 1st – September 26th

When: Tuesdays/Thursdays at 4pm

Led by: Coach Rebecca

*Email [email protected] to sign up*

Coaching Opportunities at CFPA

Ever think about coaching? Maybe you know someone that would be a great coach.

Let’s have a conversation.

Send me an email: [email protected]

Overheard in Class:

“It’s almost like this stuff works.”

This episode has some VERY simple and effective methods for improving performance and life. It’s geared towards women, but can be helpful for men, too. I find Huberman annoying at times, so here’s an alternative podcast with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon (HERE) sharing the same information and research from Stacy’s latest book which can be found (HERE).

Thank you for your support.

I look forward to what we will do together.