I can't focus on this post because my Tribe is so insanely funny. I'm trying to write about their greatness yesterday at the Crossfit Hoboken Winter Challenge, but can't because I'm flipping back to Facebook to read the comments on the 200+ pictures I posted of their beastliness.
It took me a few hours to load the pics up and tag those bitches. The littles were on my lap, reaching for the keyboard and begging for their ice cream as I was trying to git er done. If you read the sweet post of my partner in all that is smuggling beers into fitness competitions aka KTo, you already know that it was completely off the hook. I had a great time trying to capture the right angle and lighting while dodging barbells and burpeeing boys. As always, the eye candy was pretty freaking delicious. And the guys didn't look bad either.
Sharing the pictures with my Facebook Friends (95% Crossfitters) was almost as exciting as taking them. Most Crossfitters LOVE seeing pictures of their pain in action. I truly believe this has nothing to do with vanity and everything to do with knowing what the "moment" really looked like. Because, let's face it. Unless you are Nicole Carroll, most CF pics are anything but pretty. Teeth are clinched, eyes are shut, and if you are not at lower than 12% body fat, usually one body part is not as becoming as you would like it to be.
The aforementioned moment is the one so painful, so pressing, so stressing, that you are not sure if you are even going to take another breath. You are going balls to the wall and your only thought is how to squeak out another rep or round before you rack. The moment only ends when the WOD ends. Some WODs are so painful, the only choice is to lay down and pray to your sweat angel for mercy and hope she gives you the grace you need to stand up after completing Grace.
I watched my graceful friends and the rest of the competitors in their moment three times yesterday. Of course, some young bloods made the beginning of all three WODs look effortless, not hitting their moment until the end. Others struggled from beginning to end giving new meaning to living in the moment. All were warriors and extremely impressive.
Ricky Baylor was one such beast. He made the first WOD of seven rounds of 5 clean and jerks at 135 lbs and 7 burpees look downright easy. Smoking the competition, he flew through this WOD in 5:49. The best part about Rick is he does not roll like your typical Crossfitter. There's no underarmour, no shirtless workouts, and no drama. He walked into our gym last Spring after Crossfitting on his own for a few months. In his first showing, he smoked our biggest guns and posted an insane time for Grace. We knew Ricky had found his new home. I'm glad he's on our side.
Right by his side were Jesse, Pat, Justin, Warren and Darius. They busted their asses and looked good while doing it. In between their moments, their wit was quick and the ball busting was sharp. Pat busted out the movie quotes and goofy voices, and Warren brought the water and his killer smile. Jesse was THE SITUATION and Justin loyally hung tough till the end to support his boys. Darius was our resident pretty boy and was amazingly funny, especially as he housed a spring mix salad in the middle of the competition. That boy is a human trash can.
My single ladies truly had their hands up and came ready to represent. Greengas was nervous as hell and took ninth place over all. Way to go killer! She's amazing. Her drive and dedication inspire me. Erin-1 looked mean and lean as she busted through each WOD. Her moments always look pretty, as she is a true beauty, inside and out. She commented that many women there were inspiring to her, having no idea that she is what we at the Tribe aspire to be.
As a result of his consistency in all three WODs, our own Steve Liberati took third place overall for the men. He won a whopping sixty bucks (that he can use this week to squeeze in his butt cheeks while doing glute bridges). It's no secret that Steve's strength is strength, but through his hard work and dedication to diet and training, his met cons are consistent enough for him to continually represent in all the games he participates in. I am so proud of him and extremely lucky that he's my trainer AND my brother. Cali, here we come.
Lucky for me, the only WOD I had yesterday was the wad of cheese on my pizza and the ten minute walk it took to get to the pizza shop. I only traveled to Hoboken to watch, learn, cheer and capture my cohort's efforts for eternity. As always with all that is Crossfit, I experienced more than I could have ever expected. But don't take my words for it. If a picture is worth a thousand, here's 200,000 for you to see.
Take a moment to enjoy.
