Workout Of the Day

Workout Of the Day:
800m run
4 rounds of:
10 Thrusters on each arm, 55/35
10 Burpees
800m run
Post total time.
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Today: Class ONLY at 5:30am, 6:30am, 5:30pm, 6:30pm. All other classes canceled.
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED
Come support our team today at the Santa Clara Fairgrounds!!! You can also follow our live Facebook and Twitter feed for constant updates.
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I asked the members of the 2012 moxie regional team to write a little something answering the question of “why are you representing moxie at regionals?” I wanted them to understand the gravity of the weekend and to let our members know exactly who and what they are cheering for in the arena. We all have different reasons as to why we crossfit. Some do it for fitness. Some do it to lose weight. Some do it to be better at their jobs. And some do it so they don’t feel guilty for eating fast food. But the question isn’t “why do you Crossfit?” It is “why are you working so hard to represent moxie?” Whatever the reason is, we have all decided that it is important enough to sacrifice time and effort. Our two most valuable possessions.

I had an English teacher once tell me to say what you mean and mean what you say. I have taken this to heart and try to live by it when interacting with others. However, I sometimes have difficulty conveying in words exactly what it is that I am trying to say. You may all have noticed this. Sometimes I stutter, or lose my train of thought, or get frustrated and start cussing. However, I have always had a knack for writing. It is the best way I can communicate my message. Therefore, every word is deliberate and heartfelt.

I am representing moxie because I love moxie. I never really knew what I wanted to do after football. And I also never expected that I would land the perfect job for me right out of college. But as soon as I finished playing ball, Ben and Chris adopted me into the moxie family. They also adopted me into their own families and I love them like brothers. What started as picking up towels and mopping floors for a college credit has turned into the most important thing in my life. My life revolves around moxie. It has affected every aspect of my life positively. It has changed my diet, my attitude on life, and my respect for the power of mental toughness. But it comes at a price. I work everyday out of the week between two jobs sacrificing my sleep, a social life, and economic securities because I appreciate the value waking up every morning excited about training and helping people improve their lives. Every penny I earn goes into rent and the things I need to make me a better coach/athlete. This is not a call for pity. I love what I do and wouldn’t have it any other way.  I love watching the joy in people’s eyes when they accomplish something that they never thought they could. It makes me happy. I love competing against myself by pushing my body to new limits. It makes me feel alive. The environment that has been constructed at moxie is unmatched by any other sports team that I have been a part of. I think it is unique and it is special. Nothing brings individuals together to form a lasting bond more then having to suffer through tough times together. And that is what we do at moxie everyday! Every workout is harder than the last and it takes the ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage to persevere through the suck. That is the foundation of our community. We go through the suck together every day and that is what fuels the atmosphere at moxie. Moxie has become my sanctuary and it is a place that is sacred to me. It has become a place where nothing else matters. It has become my home.

I am passionate about the things I love and I love moxie. Therefore the regional weekend is more than just a competition for bragging rights. It is a showcase of my love for moxie. It is a celebration of everything moxie embodies. Of course it is satisfying to beat the guy next to you. Its human nature and competition is in our blood. But what is more satisfying is that as a team, we portray an accurate definition of moxie. As a family, this is our chance to show the rest of the Crossfit community just how special of a place Moxie has become.

-e

Workout Of the Day:
Overhead Squat 1 Rep Max

“Continuous Clock” Squat Snatches, 95/65
Post Max load and total minutes completed.
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Regionals start tomorrow at 9am. They are 9am to 5pm each day, Friday through Sunday. Our first heat is about 10am tomorrow. See you there!
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Chris

If you had asked me last June when I started at Moxie, “Will you be going to Regionals?”, I probably would have laughed. I was a fresh graduate who was pretty strong and a solid beer drinker. I was far from being in the type of shape that would be of any use on a Regional Team. But being a recent grad I was confident I was going to take over the world like all the other 21 year old graduates. I knew the first step towards taking over the world and surviving a zombie apocalypse, was to get in shape.

I was motivated to become a better and more well rounded crossfitter. I wanted to be in better shape so that I could feel confident that I could do anything I wanted. Whether it be hiking Half Dome, riding a dirt bike or going on a run with my dog, I didn’t want to question whether I was going to be able to accomplish it. So I would come in the gym, see what times got posted on the board and set a goal for what I wanted to accomplish in each workout. I was addicted to pushing my limits to see what I could accomplish. I became very passionate about Crossfit because it forced me to step outside my comfort zone. Throughout my life I have always been a very routine person, sticking to the things I know I can do so that I don’t fail or embarrass myself with how terrible I am at something. I quickly learned that if I did want to accomplish my goal of being a better crossfitter, that was going to have to get thrown out the window.

I started working on my lifting technique with Ben on Tuesdays and even got up for a few endurance WOD’s here and there. Fast forward a few months and the Open was around the corner. I wanted to do well. I love competing and the Open really took its toll on me. I’ll be the first to admit that I was far to concerned with how I was ranked and lost sight of having fun while doing all this. I tend become so involved with what I am doing I lose sight of what I originally set out to do. My goal was not to make it to the Games when I started Crossfit, it was to be in better shape so that I could take on whatever the hell life threw my way. I took a few steps back and focused on having fun with while doing these workouts rather than what I was ranked, because to be honest who cares how fit you are, the real question is how long will you last when the zombies are chasing you.

I am honored to be representing Moxie this weekend. It is because of all the awesome people who are part of our gym that make doing these competitions so much fun.You are all part of our team and we wouldn’t be where we are today without you guys. I want to thank all of you for your support and especially want to thank my parents for always supporting me in whatever I do, regardless of how ridiculous they think it is.
Audra 

I CrossFit to live the active life I want to live. I want to be able to do anything that comes my way, whether it is mountain biking, hiking a 14′er or learning to surf. Competing challenges my abilities and lets me see how far I can push my limits. I am excited and honored to represent Moxie at the NorCal CrossFit Regionals! I want to exemplify the world class coaching and community at Moxie. What more can I ask for than to be surrounded by an amazing community and do something I love in a weekend?

Workout Of the Day:
5 Rounds For Reps:
:30 Tire Flips + :30 Rest
1 Minute Rest
5 Rounds For Reps:
:30 Box Jumps + :30 Rest
1 Minute Rest
5 Rounds For Reps:
:30 KB Swings, 24/16kg + :30 Rest 
1 Minute Rest
5 Rounds For Joules:
:30 Bike + :30 Rest
Post total points accumulated.
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As we head in to this weekend’s events, it became important to our Team that some of them share why they CrossFit. Competing in this crazy stuff is far and away from the meaning and point of CrossFit, and is not for everyone, but it can be a ton of fun if it’s important to you. So please, enjoy reading why they like to compete, and what Moxie has meant to them. In the first installment it is with great pride that I introduce my wife, Tina Michelmore. I must stress the fact that less than eight months ago, this is what she looked like…

CrossFitting through pregnancy was extremely difficult.  It took all the “moxie” I had to keep myself moving and not lose sight of my objectives.  In the beginning, I had to force myself to slow down and take the focus of my workout from going as fast as possible, to making each movement as proficient as possible.  I could no longer “snake” my pushups or completely throw myself on the ground while doing a burpee.  Everything had to be slow and controlled, which was really hard because all I wanted to do was to go fast and stay competitive, but it was for the benefit of me and Katherine.  It was not the time to be getting PRs, but to work on technique.

These long ten months forced me to take a step back and realize why I started CrossFit in the first place.  I wanted to be healthier and happier and be able to do this when I was 90 years old.  I was CrossFitting to keep myself healthy and happy throughout my pregnancy so that my labor was less intense, not to mention reap the numerous benefits that exercising has on a baby in utero.  Some of you may remember that at the end I wasn’t able to do much except row, a few pull ups, strict presses, step-ups, and walk.  That pretty much limited what I could do, but I CrossFitted up until the day before I gave birth.

I will never forget September 23, 2011.  Labor was the most intense WOD I’ve ever done.  The nurses kept commenting on how well I was doing and my doctor said that because I was in such good shape everything went smoother than usual.  I pushed all 7lbs 9oz and 20.5 inches of Katherine Ann out in 20 minutes, which was not bad considering the average time for a first time mother to push a baby out is 2 hours.  I knew I had a top time for the event and I had the best prize package of all!

I took a solid 7 weeks off of CrossFitting to let my body fully recover and started back in November of last year.  My first workout was terrible.  I could hardly move and had to stop part way through the workout.  The next day, I did Karen and was mad I couldn’t even make the leaderboard that, at one time, I had the top score on.  I questioned whether or not I would even be back to my old self in time for the Open, let alone Regionals.  Chris reassured me that I would, although at the time I wasn’t sure that I believed him, and I committed myself to doing straight CrossFit for three months before I added in any additional programming.  I took myself back a few steps and again focused on technique and worried less about the clock.  It was hard to keep focused at times because all I wanted to do was to do whatever it took to get a faster time or another round, but I had to put my faith in Chris and Ben, and it worked.

It’s really hard for me to believe, but eight months post pregnancy, I’m a much better CrossFitter than I was before I was pregnant. I’m faster, stronger, healthier, and have a hell of a lot more moxie than ever before.  I cannot wait to represent Moxie this weekend and workout with a team of incredible athletes.

Thank you to Ben, Eric, Evan, and especially Chris.  All the coaching and extra pointers have really made a difference and helped me focus in the past few months.  Also, a little shout out to my CrossFit girls (Terry, Katie, and Audra) you guys have all helped to push a little harder and take it to the next level in the past few weeks I cannot wait to represent us all!