I didn't need CrossFit.
At least I didn't think I needed CrossFit.
When 2007 rolled around, my 6-foot-nothing frame was 250 lbs. Yeah that would only be a good weight if I were carved out wood. Instead, it was more like butter. And not the good kind of butter, either. Oh yes, it does exist. (Remember this word: "Kerrygold.")
So I did the quick weight loss thing and lost a ton of a weight, dropping to a low 185 lbs. I started running more and I was doing pretty well. I had no problems maintaining the weight even while incorporating the occasional treat back into my life. But the "occasional" became the regular and I was back up to 200 lbs. in no time. 200 lbs. was the original goal I had set for myself, before reaching that mark and going down another 15 lbs. But that's beside the point.
Hitting a wall with my running I knew I needed something more, something different.
Out of the blue I reconnected with an old classmate from college on Facebook and noticed that her status updates at the time included going to a gym called "CrossFit" 30 miles north of me. Seeing how svelte she looked - going as far as referencing an obscure poolshark movie on her then-FB profile pic that she had "body karate" (in that it kicked as--well you get the idea) - I started to investigate this CrossFit. Questions like What is CrossFit? followed by Can I really do this? sprang into my mind.
Finally realizing that talk is cheap, I took my gumption and became a man of action when I walked into CrossFit 1836 in February 2011. Initial impression: Where are all the weight machines? As I quickly learned, CrossFit isn't your ordinary gym experience. Instead of using bulky apparatuses they remove the clutter and leave you as the only machine standing.
It took a while to get my bearings, doing movements that were functional, but also varied and performed at high intensity (look at me, I'm a walking, talking CrossFit salesman), which is the CrossFit credo.
Shortly after starting at CrossFit 1836, I took a small break because I had a half marathon upcoming. It was my first attempt at running a half marathon, and it was my birthday present to myself (I was turning the big 3-0). I did well all things considered. Why does this matter - because I went back to 1836 and cut back my running. I would do the occasional Spartan Race, Warrior Dash, or a few miles here and there in my neighborhood, but I mostly concentrated on getting better at moving heavy objects, focusing on technique first before upping the weight.
The process seems so rudimentary, like in a crawl before you can walk kind of way, but like the old adage goes, "Practice makes perfect." I'm far from perfect, but improving my general physical health (including areas like strength, agility, etc.) has helped me in ways I couldn't have imagined.
As for that half marathon? I ran the same course again the following year. I cut approximately 15 minutes off my time. Is it all CrossFit? Well, let's just say the trainers at 1836 gave me the tools and proper guidance in helping me become that much better as a CrossFitter, and as a person.
Because of CrossFit 1836 I am a man of new friends and acquaintances.
Because of CrossFit 1836 I am humbled.
Ask me again if I need CrossFit and I'll ask you the same.
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