15 – 12 – 9 – 6 – 3 reps for time of:
Power clean, 135# (95#)
Bar-facing burpee
Post time to comments.
The red rocks memorial stair climb, 2011.
Why I Crossfit – By Courtney Shepherd
Today is 9-11-11; the 10th year anniversary of the events that took place on 9/11. About a month ago I was asked if I would like to gather people from Verve to participate in the 9/11 memorial stair climb at Red Rocks. This was something I was happy to do, because of my profession as a Firefighter and because I am a proud American. This day holds special meaning to me, as one of the West Metro Fire Fighters said this morning before the climb “because of their lives I am reminded the importance of more appreciating my own.” A truer statement could not be uttered. I thought what better way to honor their lives and the lives of the 343 firefighters that died that day then walking 110 flights of stairs in their shoes.
I chose to do this stair climb in my bunker gear with an air pack. This morning as I arrived at Verve I was greeted by four eager Ververs ready to take on the challenge and give of their time to remember. As I put my gear on I thought to myself “I’ll be able to keep up with the others, duh I crossfit." During the first few of the nine laps it would take to equal 110 stories I did keep up. Something else the West Metro Firefighter said this morning was “this is not a race, as you walk enjoy the time you have with the people you walk with”, during those first few laps I did just that. I so enjoyed hearing about the lives of my fellow CrossFitters and learning more about who they are outside of the gym.
It did not take long however for my physical abilities to fall behind what my heart and mind were able to push through. As my pace slowed so did that of the people around me. I told them “If you want to go on please do, I don’t think I can move much faster then this”. The response I got was “This pace is great for us… we’re good”. But that pace continued to dwindle down to that of a snail, my now Jell-o legs were finding it harder and harder to walk up those steps. Again I told them “please don’t let me hold you back, if you would like to move faster please do”. Again I heard “We’re doing good, we don’t want to go any faster then this”.
On the last lap I suggested we go big or go home “let’s run it!” . I also said that when I fall behind please keep going, get to the top and feel proud of today’s accomplishments, I will meet you there. So we took off on that last lap and it didn’t take long for me to fail. As I slowed so did everyone else, as I stopped so did everyone else. I heard words of encouragement “I can see the top, we are so close, keep moving”. As we got to the top a lady said to everyone cheering me on “You all are such great trainers”, the response she got was “Well actually she’s our trainer”.
A trainer is present during WODs for multiple reasons including support, encouragement, and to be that voice pushing you, over riding the voice in your head possibly telling you to quit. I would like to thank my trainers today, Jen, Bethany, Michael, Rex, and Darren. I workout so that I can climb 110 stories with an extra 40 pounds, but you are why I CrossFit.
