First, from his wife, Nancy: "15 years ago Richard was almost killed in a motorcycle accident. He rode off his Harley Davidson, and spent 6 weeks in traction with various injuries. When he was discharged from the Hospital he was told that he would never walk again (unassisted) and would never work again. He refused to accept that, worked his ass off in therapy and refused to apply for disability. He learned to walk without the assistance of crutches and cane’s, went back to university and graduated with his BBA. Richard has had many surgeries over the last 15 years as a result of his accident his last being a full hip replacement in 2000. He is still recovering, still suffers from pain, and may need further surgeries in the future but will not let this get him down.
Before his accident Richard was very active, he was a downhill skier, a wrestler, and was in the Canadian Armed Forces. He could run a mile uphill in full gear without breaking a sweat. After his accident, he wanted to get back in shape so he starting weight lifting. He bulked up considerably, and was twice the size he is now. He could not run for that was a dream that died when he had his accident but he was in shape (or so he thought).
Richard ran his first 5k with his son during Mike’s 24 hour challenge, a feat he never thought possible. His strength can muscle through many WOD’s and he has deadlifted over 300 pounds. He is leaner than he has have ever been, his endurance is better than it has been in years, and he has been able to complete many things he thought were impossible."
Preparing for the games I am completing the WOD 5X week and hitting Mike and Chris’ clinics. I am also working on my kipping and after the Running clinic plan on adding that to the routine as much as possible.
My strengths? Although I need much improvement in all areas I would say that right now my strength lays in my upper body or body weight exercises. Push-ups, Sit-ups, Knees-to-elbows, and pull-ups (even better once the kipping comes along)
My weaknesses? Hmmm where do I start? Legs are my weakest area but have come a long way since day one. Oh yeah – DOUBLE UNDERS! What’s with that? Just because I don’t have co-ordination; because I know I can jump and I know I can pick up a piece of rope…just can’t do it twice.
If I were to win, I would donate to the Cancer Society.
Shortly after I saw the 2008 Catalyst Games and thought “these people are crazy, I’ll never do that”, I started my 1 on 1 workouts with Chris in the fall of 08’ with some encouragement from Nancy. I had known Chris for many years whom I met through his wife Robin and now proud to be part of his ramping empire we call “Catalyst”. My mission for him was simple … I want a six pack! He handed me 6 Coors Light and said “Sorry I can’t help you”. Seriously, I quickly learned that there’s more to fitness than just having a 6 pack.
Although I ‘worked out’ like the average person, the fitness level I strived for had always seemed unattainable due to challenges with my physical makeup. I’m faced with the fact of having a left total hip replacement (done 2000), left knee PCL injury, pin in my left shoulder and 3 operations on my right shoulder. I’m an orthopaedic mess! Chris shrugged it off and we went to work on strengthening my areas of weakness … shoulders and legs. Before I went to Chris I had next to nothing for muscle in my left leg but now there’s muscle where I never thought there would be. My right shoulder hasn’t dislocated in the time I’ve been going to Catalyst where before it would pop out at least 1-2 times a year. I never knew then that Chris had other plans for me … oh yes; he told me back then that I would be doing these games and I called him a “NUT”! He then made me do more push-ups or was it squats, either way, he made me suffer- he seemed to get a sense of accomplishment from that.
By the time I felt ready for Crossfit Nancy had already been going for awhile and egging me on to join her. I don’t remember the first WOD I did or even the month I started but I DO remember the great bunch of people at the Saturday 9:00am group that Chris runs. The encouragement, the camaraderie and the laughs were all I needed to know that I was coming back … only on Saturdays to start. From there the days I went grew and to the point where I look forward to going not just to do the WOD but to see who is there to enjoy the WOD with me. For me, the more the merrier, I need the people to help push me.
My next Crossfit milestone is the 2009 Catalyst games where winning for me is giving 110% on every event and finishing. Crossfit and Catalyst has helped to show me that my limitations are not limitations but only hurdles that continually get smaller and smaller as my journey progresses.