Getting Fit, not Cross

I'm now just over 2 weeks into a new fitness regime called CrossFit, and it's certainly getting me fit and surprisingly not too cross!

I really wasn't sure I'd like it because it's all the things I tend to avoid - squats, lunges, weights, sweating and getting very red in the face. Of course it's all the things I actually need to get me fit enough to be able to manage and also enjoy the trek to Everest Base Camp.

CrossFit focusses on strength, endurance and high intensity work which will improve my ability to cope with the altitude on the trek. It's also very varied and strengthens and conditions the whole body so it'll stop the constant recurrence of injuries that I've experienced with running. At least that's what Pete and Andy, the guys who run CrossFit HG3 in Pannal, near Harrogate - http://crossfithg3.com - are telling me. And from what I've seen and done so far I think they're right.

I'm going 3 times a week. Yes - 3! (And continuing to run, do Yoga, Pilates and aquafit - what a glutton for punishment!). I'm half-way through a 4-week Foundation Course which is all about developing the techniques and skills and learning the basic movements of CrossFit. There are about 10 of us on the course and already there's a real sense of team spirit developing between us.

At the end of each session there's a WOD - work-out for the day - which is a killer.  For example, yesterday we did a 400 metre run, followed by 30 each of kettlebell swings, sit-ups, jumps onto a box, medicine ball throw-ups, burpees, push-ups, then a final 400 metres. Totally exhausting! And it's really hard keeping count when you're completely cream crackered. 

I'm one of the slowest at these WODs and this did bother me at first but I've realised it's about competing with yourself rather than the other people in the group. And we're all starting to support each other. There's lots of 'come on Jackie'  and 'keep going - you're doing really well' from Pete and Andy and I just LOVE praise. We don't get enough praise as adults do we? I'm like a child again - a few gold stars and I'd be glowing with pride!

I'd never heard of CrossFit before but there was an article in the local paper about CrossFit HG3 having just opened so I got in touch. And Andy and Pete have very generously offered to support me with my fundraising for Women for Women International by organising some events in the CrossFit community.  Isn't that fantastic?!?!