Improve Everyday & Don’t Listen to the Noise by Susan Morley

Susan Morley , age 64, Climbing Long's Peak

Hey Crossfit for Ladies!  I have been thinking about you these past few weeks and am wondering if you are experiencing some of the same things I did a year ago when I began my crossfit journey.  And what a great journey it has been, with ups and downs that have helped me build character and stay very humble.  When I started crossfit, I thought I was in reasonably good shape because I had been working out an hour a day (doing the same routine) 5 times a week.  I was wrong.  How could that be?

I will never forget my first WOD.  We started with an 800m warm up run.  I about died.  Then came the “scaled down” WOD.  I went home and took a nap and didn’t eat for 2 days.  But I was determined to improve and kept coming back for more.  My form was awful and inefficient in the beginning, making the WODs even harder.   To add insult to injury, my friends (ad nauseam) were questioning my sanity.  Why in the world would you do crossfit, Susan?  You are too old.  You will get hurt.  

Okay – I will admit that I’ve pulled a muscle or two this past year.  But in every sport I’ve taken up, I’ve pulled muscles.  No pain, no gain they say.  But the muscle pulls are now fewer and farther in between.  In addition to significantly improving my form and strength, crossfit has taught me the importance of mobility, nutrition, and rest days.  

Which gets me back to my naysayer friends.  Since I’ve been crossfitting, I am 2 sizes smaller, I am the leanest I have ever been, I am the strongest I have ever been (age 65 next month), and my core is the tightest it’s ever been.  Because of all this, I have more confidence in every thing I do.  I had a PR today in deadlifts – 140 pounds (with a body weight of 115).  I was so excited!!!  And I know I have more in the tank.  As I have increased my crossfit days per week and rested the other days, I have gained so much more strength.  What’s going on here?  Why do I hit the golf ball farther than I ever have in my life?  How could that be?

So congratulations on stepping outside of your comfort zone!  As we said back in the 60s, 'RIGHT ON' CROSSFIT LADIES!!!  You are awesome!  Susan