Hearts of Lions

CrossFit Family

What do you think of when you hear "CROSSFIT FAMILY"?

A family who owns/runs a CrossFit box together?
A family who all crossfit and live the code as such?
An extended family at your box or among several local boxes?
The support you feel at CrossFit competitions and while visiting other CrossFit locations?
The extensive online community, support, and wealth of information shared by CrossFitters everywhere?

Many of you already know, I work with my husband (Jeremy)...my sister-in-law (Carey)...my brother-in-law (Zach)...and as of last week my sister (Susan...more on her coming soon!) at CrossFit Central.
Shameless plug for my husband!!! Check out this article: Recently Jeremy was featured in the Austin Business Journal in an article about how to make family and business a successful adventure.

My family is a CrossFit Family not only because we work together but because WE ARE CROSSFIT - we eat Paleo, talk about WODs, check out the "mainsite", or watch SICFIT videos together. CrossFit is our livelihood and our way of life.
But having a CrossFit Family means something more than just seeing my 3-4 relatives at "work" and being able to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner without any 'gluten' brought to our meal!

The spirit of the CrossFit Family is bigger than us! This is a family that shows support for current members and instantly welcomes new comers.
It spreads throughout CrossFit Central, throughout area and other regional CrossFit affiliates, throughout the country and as I was recently reminded - throughout the WORLD! We are part of a global family.

The magnitude of this truth recently hit home during a recent conversation with my mom who lives in Quito, Ecuador. I am tempted to give a long back story of my mom's fitness adventures but I'll keep it short and sweet! While walking thru her neighborhood about 2 months ago Mom stumbled across a sign for "CrossFit Quito" - she instantly thought it must be a fraud or just someone who heard the CrossFit name and liked it.....(I am not sure I did justice in explaining to her that CrossFit is global and that it indeed could be a CrossFit box in her neck of the woods!) The name and sight of a few kettlebells inside peaked her curiosity and she decided to stick her head in the place! Mom was greeted by a woman in her fifties and her husband. It turned out that CrossFit Quito is another CrossFit Family owned business by the couple who greeted my mom and their sons, David and Carlos Andrade.
Once the connection was made and they found out that my mom, Gala, was the mother-in-law to "Jeremy Thiel" and "Carey Kepler" of "CrossFit Central" the Mighty Gala (as they have nicknamed her) received comped classes, rock star status, and all the amenities of our global CrossFit Family.
I've been impressed by my CrossFit Family many times but I can't express how grateful I am to have David and family taking care of my mom - teaching her to use kbells - swing hammers - use Lacrosse balls to cure aches and pains.

These are photos from the "Mighty Gala" album on Facebook :) and a little note from Mom.

"lisa - with that sledgehammer in my hands i'm mentally back on Fines Creek splitting wood for our woodstove - this is my FAVORITE crossfit move! - I totally transport back to a really precious memory. it also conjures up memories of little 7-year-old Lisa running laps around the house while I counted them from the kitchen window - remember that? the start of your athletic career!"

Another great SICFIT production

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Real Life - Laguna Beach

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2010 CrossFit Games

The CrossFit Central crew at our beach house in Laguna Beach, CA.

I can't believe that it's already been 1 week since the CrossFit Games. It's crazy how much 'space' preparing for a single event can take up in your life and then how quickly it passes. Many of us at CrossFit Central (and at CrossFit gyms around the world) have been training - getting bigger, faster, stronger, better - for 6 months. It's been quite a journey - filled with successes and set backs - new friendships formed and relationships tested. This is my 3rd CrossFit Games experience and this year was by far the best.

Why this year was so great?

• This year I felt more prepared for the level of intensity and competitive atmosphere than ever. When I went in 2008 as an individual I was CLUELESS to so many things...including some of the now standard movements like chest to bar pull ups and 185lb deadlifts.
  
• I loved being a part of a team for the 2010 competition. I train with most of my teammates all year round. However, there is something about the heat of the battle that brings people together. I really had FUN.


• The live feed was AWESOME - both my parents and my sister got to see me and many of the individuals (Carey Kepler, Lindsay Smith) complete. Finally, they understood how squats and pull-ups can be a sport. They saw us compete and 'got it'.
  
• The WODs weren't announced ahead of time = No wasted nervousness!! If I know the WOD I get nervous - fret about it then just go DO IT! If I don't know the WOD, I just go DO IT and skip all the worry and doubt.


• On a more personal note, this year was the best CrossFit Games experience for me with my husband! In the past, the CrossFit Games journey has been a bit of a rocky road for me and Jeremy. Previously, we haven't been on the same page with our training goals, the importance of the event, the sacrifices taken during training months, etc. While, I would have like for him to be competing with me this year - this time it was smooth sailing rather than a rocky road!

What will make next year even better?

• I will be an individual competitor next year! I one move away from it this year (#&*@ HSPU) and will be smarter and more deliberate in my training for 2011. The regional competition will be tough as we will have 6 girls who have already gone to the CrossFit Games as individuals fighting for a spot along with me! I believe....nuff said!


• I would like to see 'something' different for the venue next year. I am one of those who missed the underground appeal that Aromas had - I see both sides of the coin. But I agree that the only thing that felt right about the concrete jungle aka the Home Depot Center was the dirt field were we set up "Tent City".
  
• I will compete along side of many other CrossFit Central athletes. Jen C, Jess, Lindsay - Jeremy and Carey since they won't retire just yet - and any of the many talented athletes we have as a part of our gym....Chardonnay, Crystal N. , Travis, Alex, etc....

Above is probably my favorite photo from the weekend. This was WOD 5 of the Games and the most fun I've had in a long time.
The final WOD was an obstacle course including rope climbs, sandbag carries, scaling a 7' wall, more sandbag carries, muscle ups, more sandbag carries, wall ball, finally scaling the wall you see in the photo.
I loved this WOD because we got to do things I'd never done before. Major props to Crystal Nelson who rocked this wall - and a 30' rope climb - and scaling another wall despite her fear of heights!

Thank you - Andy - Web - Travis -Crystal and Alex for letting me be on your team!

Check out all the CrossFit Central 2010 CrossFit Games Photos
Album 1
Album 2
SICFIT

Dazzling Divas Deput - Garage Gym Throwdown!

The Dazzling Divas and our cheering section!

Dazzling Divas = skirt and sequined tops for the workout of course!

Come on, Jen - can we get a ribbon too??
Tough but strong finish - total time 25:56

This weekend was the first annual Garage Gym Throwdown!  It seriously might have been the best event CrossFit Central (Relentless bootcamps) has ever thrown!  I was supposed to help coach the event but luckily one of Coach Stacey's bootcampers needed a partner and I was honored enough to be recruited! 

Suzette, my partner, started bootcamp with Coach Zach almost a year ago and with his "encouragement" she took on the Relentless Adventure Challenge in February.  It was the first event she committed to since joining CrossFit Central and she dove right it!  Suzette has lost over 40lbs since the challenge in Febraury and gained a world of confidence.  Needless to say she has  ROCK STAR STATUS as far as I am concerned!

The workout for Saturday's event was no joke!  It included 40 tire burpees - 60 sandbag shoulders - 80 swings - 20 wall shots then a "mini WOD" of 3rd 30 tire shoulder press - 30 sandbag sprawls (YUCK YUCK YUCK) and 30 kb front squats - then run uphill to the finish! 

During the event on Saturday, Suzette was excited, eager, and determined!  We were stride for stride as we made our way up and down the LCRA parking garage and finished just 56 short seconds shy of the cut off!

Thank you, Suzette for letting me be your partner!

See all the photos HERE
This is a must see VIDEO of the Garage Gym Throwdown from SICFIT.com

Belief - Grace - Fun!

Day 1 is complete - I feel great - calm - full of belief - focusing on grace! I feel good and had a blast today - although I didn't bring my "A game" I am sitting in 7th right now. Tomorrow is a new day - tomorrow is THE DAY. I am ready and I finally decided!
Check out how all the CrossFit Central athletes are doing on SICFIT.com

Dirty Jersey Tricks Day 1

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See more of what the CrossFit Central crew is up to on SICFIT.

Just in case....

....I need a little extra support this weekend.

(hard to imagine considering the number of CrossFit Central clients who are coming to show their support)

My own personal cheering section just arrived at my door. This is one time I am glad to wear a size 11 - just means more room for my fans :)

If you can't make it to the event but want to check out how the athletes are doing visit SICFIT for live updates.

SICFIT.COM

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