I started going to see Joanne Bailey in 2008 for therapeutic massages. I was in a car accident at 18 and damaged the upper cervical spine so have had neck issues for many years. Since I am an accountant, and sit most of the day in front of a computer, I need to keep those muscles loose. So for two years, I went to the Catalyst Queen Street location and felt intimidated by the athletes and thought I would never be where they were. After many talks, Joanne convinced me that I could and recommended that I take OnRamp. I never belonged to a gym before; I only ever played sports, took yoga classes at the Yoga Door or exercise classes at the Y. So this was a large step for me and I am so grateful for Joanne for opening that door.So the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in 2010, I began my crossfit journey.
I remember Whitney trying to get me to run around the Queen Street block and I thought I was going to DIE! I was sore for three weeks and could barely walk up and down stairs or sit down. Whit, you were a great coach and your encouragement is the reason that kept me coming. I started going twice a week and met the most wonderful people, Boo and Laurie! They were another reason that kept me coming and they convinced me to do Murph with them. I could not believe that I finished it and had a beer with Boo after it was all said and done. After Murph, I realized that I had to improve my running skills and took the spring running course with Mike Watson. I wanted to not hate running and I accomplished that. I would have never, ever thought that I would become a runner. That year I ran three races, the Mountain Maple, the Terry Fox run and CIBC run for the cure. The next spring, I convinced my family to take the running course again with me, this time with Cam Wilson. I am not a fast runner, but I can say that I am a runner now.
My mobility has increased tremendously and if I miss going even one week, I began to feel pain in my neck and shoulders. I would like to come even more than twice a week, but I have a very busy life trying to balance work and my family commitments. I feel the best I have since I was 20 years old and love how strong I feel. The power I feel when I am asked, Mam, can I carry that out for you? And I can politely decline. And the fact that I can out drive Paul on the golf course is an added plus!
Jacob started to going to Catalyst Varsity and Riley went last summer too. They run an awesome program and last year Jacob got the gym record for 117 burpees in 7 minutes. I haven’t convinced Paul yet, but I am sure someday I will.
I am totally amazed at how the gym has expanded over the years and how the nightly crossfit classes attendance has dramatically increased. I remember being the only one a few times going to a 7pm class. Now my crossfit partner is Deb King and we motivate each other to come even when we are so tired from the day’s work. I am so glad that Boo and Laurie are going to come on Monday nights with us. I really did miss them this past year. The people and coaches are really the best and it’s what makes Catalyst the most awesome place to come.
I always am working on my overhead lifts. I have mobility issues due to my neck problems and would like to be able to do an overhead squat without any pain. And I really need to master double unders, I can’t link them yet, so this is a priority for the next year.
I won’t be doing the open, as this is the busiest time of the year for me, and with working 50+ hour weeks and running to the hockey rink and dance classes for my kids, I just don’t have the time. Someday, when it’s all about me, I really would like to. This might be a couple of more years before that happens.
I have so many favourite crossfit memories, but they one that always comes back to mind is the first time I did Murph. This was a huge feat for me, and I will never forget Sally Moore trying to encourage me to continue running my last mile. Hopefully I will be able to do it this year!