After years of strenuous and competitive athletics I took a much needed break. Still young, I could eat whatever I wanted and do random runs/workouts at local gyms and still remain fit. Time went on and those things didn’t become as easy to do. When I did go to the gym I would definitely go all out, but it became easier and easier to find excuses not to go. I slowly got more and more out of shape and local running events became a lot more difficult. As I was born with a competitive gene I was seeking something to get into that would be realistic and sustainable. I had a few friends that had been doing crossfit in the area and began having incredible results. After heavily researching all the pros and cons I went to my neighborhood box for their weekly free class. After one 60 minute free class I was hooked. I signed up for foundations classes at Ballston Crossfit in February 2013.
After two months of crossfit training I ran in the 2013 Cherry Blossom 10 miler. Although not a great time, I finished in 1:37:10 without having to stop and walk and felt relatively good afterwards, considering I had done zero running training prior to the event. After registering for the 2014 Cherry Blossom I vowed to add running into my training so that I could beat my 2013 time. Well….that didn’t happen. After 14 months of consistent and regular crossfit training (and dropping 25 lbs) I went into the event again with zero running training and stressing that I would again be average and either run the same time or at best a tad better than the previous year. 2-3 miles in I felt great, 6-7 miles in still great! I didn’t start to feel anything other than great until about 8.5 miles but knew that if I got this far I could still finish strong. I shocked myself and running companions by finishing in 1:25:09, a full 12 minutes faster than the previous year.
BCF reminded me that I can push myself and my body to do things that I would never imagine possible. I have gained more confidence, agility, and strength in the past year than I have had in years. The group dynamic and dedicated coaches were the elements that I had been missing since college. I have gained amazing friendships, pride in myself and in my fitness, and will continue to push myself to be better/faster/stronger.
Thank you Tucker and Team BCF!

From Couch Potato to Crossfitter!
On New Years Day 2013 I walked into Ballston Crossfit for my first Foundations class as a 56 year old, out of shape, overweight couch potato with high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I was terrified, feeling like I had no business being in a place that had the words “elite fitness” in their mission statement. I was also VERY determined to find something that would work to help me gain a better level of fitness when nothing had done that for me in 56 years.
I can honestly say I found it!
14 months later, I am fitter, stronger, more mobile and 40 pounds lighter.
When I began, I could do very little and I made major adjustments to each and every workout. But, I showed up for 3 workouts every week, knowing that if I JUST SHOWED UP, I would improve my health and fitness levels.
It all came together when in July 2013 I took a 5 mile hike in Portofino, Italy, up and down the 550 ft. vertical cliffs, a physical task I would never have been fit enough to handle prior to Crossfitting.

In January 2013 when I began Crossfitting, I could not do one air squat.
I could not do one box jump.
I could not do one handstand.
I could perform none of the weight lifting movements.
Currently, My one rep max for dead lift is 145 lbs and just the other day I did 40 deadlifts at 80 lbs.
I can now do 80 air squats.
I can now do 50 box jumps.
And I can now do one handstand (with assistance getting up onto the wall, but hey, it still counts)
I am off all cholesterol meds and aiming to reduce the high blood pressure meds next. Other benefits include more stamina, better food choices, more alertness, and I am down three dress sizes.
With the help of the supportive coaching staff, especially the owner of BCF, Tucker Jones, I conquered my fears and have made remarkable progress! The incredible community of athletes at BCF has also cheered on my success every step of the way.
I also thank my son, Adam, who is a Crossfit coach. Without his encouragement I would have NEVER joined. I thought it was some extreme workout that only highly fit folks could do. I was wrong.
Can’t wait to update you on my progress at the end of year 2! Now I’m off to train towards my 200lb deadlift and handstand!