To Every Member of Bellum Strength & Conditioning- G City CrossFit:
It’s been just over a year since my first WOD, and I still remember it. I hesitate to reiterate it lest Ann Marie decides to reprogram it, but let’s just say it had a LOT of thrusters and running. It was…intimidating.
That day I did a very scaled version of the workout. As I sat on the floor heaving after, watching many of you finishing up those thrusters, I felt a mixture of excitement and self-doubt. Could I ever do a workout like this? It sure didn’t seem like it.
I struggled to do even one pushup, could barely do a situp, couldn’t keep all the new terminology straight. WOD? AMRAP? And what was the difference between a dumbbell and a barbell?
And so, I determined to just keep coming in and be intentional about learning something new every class. The coaches made it easy, demonstrating movements well and talking through instructions clearly. Some days I would feel confident in my movement, and others not so much. On those days, there was always someone close to lend a hand, give a pointer, or help me in some way.
I remember Melissa helping me with my clean technique. Kelly casually delivering a heavier kettlebell for me to use mid-workout. Jake telling me that the reason I couldn’t get a 20” box jump was all in my head. Laughing (and then eventually commiserating) with Laine as we struggled through her first workout with us, 200m of walking lunges. Cheering for everyone, team Taco Task Force or not during the Open, and celebrating with them when those WOD’s were finally over. The terrifying yet amazing experience of the Rookie Rumble.
I’ve seen great physical changes to myself throughout the past year. I can run farther, lift more, jump higher. I am a healthier, happier person. But it wasn’t just the barbell or the wallballs or the ring rows that did that. It was all of YOU. Your friendship, your conversations, your stories of growth and health, your pushing me outside my comfort zone that shaped the biggest change of all.
To all the members of Bellum – THANK YOU for the last year of cheers, encouraging words, and fist bumps. Thank you for helping me be a better version of myself. Thank you all for being a part of my journey, and for supporting me every step of the way. I am looking forward to stepping up as a coach in the next few weeks and hopefully being a small part of YOUR success stories in the future.
Here’s to another year of CrossFitting with all you amazing people!
