A Note from Chuck…
With a heavy heart I must admit that, as many of you have heard, the rumors are true. I am going back to school, this Friday July 22nd will be my last day working at Crossfit Southie. I will be going to photography school at New England School of Photography on Com Ave in Kenmore square. The closer I get the harder it is for me to accept, that I will be without this community flower garden of beautiful athletes. I’m not really sure where my path leads or destination lays. Regardless, my journey must continue.
I can remember walking in to the grand opening, alone, anxious, skinny and out of place, not knowing anyone, yet feeling inspired by the opportunity. I found a gym where I needed one, right when I needed it most. I knew I wanted to be a part of this place since before I even showed up. I came in green to coaching but experienced. I trained in garages, parks, beaches and back yards. Ripped my hands many times on my home made pull-up structure, braided my own climbing rope and molded my own gymnastics rings in my mother’s oven. Some of my original tires remain, nauseating overzealous fitness heathens in the strangely beautiful Blue Cross parking lot. Part time was not enough, and as fortune has it I was finished with school and passionate about coaching as opportunity for full time position was presented.
My time here I’ve been many things to many people. While writing this, I see myself as a gardener, a seedsman, horticulturist, a greens keeper. Where’s I’ve had the blessing of cultivating and guiding. Each athlete, a unique flower, a stout sapling, beautifully gifted, delicate and prickly in their own way. I’ve literally kept these grounds, cleaning up debris, dust and equipment. I’ve attended as each bulb watered themselves and sprinkled the floor with their own earned sweat. I patiently pruned off old movement patterns, creating space, strength and new skill. Other times patiently waiting, watching the withered leaves of athlete’s pre conceived notions of themselves was dwindle away. Time and time again, time invested paid dividends. I’ve felt tragedy in missed lifts and inevitable failures. I’ve watched with pride as athletes stand firm and chose persistence. I’ve watched the decision made to place one foot in front of the other, standing up from one more rep, pushing a little bit more, under the omnipotent, ominous presence of smothering fatigue and self doubt. Many times gazed on the glorious achievements were bells sung, and goals were smashed in spectacular fashion. I’ve seen tremendous effort and new milestones surpassed more often where the only accolade for the crowning achievement is the cessation of any further suffering from the WOD.
As for me, now my time in this role as a coach grows short. My journey is long and strange, surely paved with poor puns and odd stream of consciousness preferably narrated by Isaac Hayes, or Gilbert Gottfried. Please know that, I part, carrying with me tremendous sadness and regret that I wasn’t more for, more of you. For I never felt like my job was finished, while I knew it never would be. I want to leave you knowing that I have tremendous pride in each person. From first walking in the door, I hope you feel my admiration for dedication even just to show up. I hope you felt my warm excitement when I would approach you with some feedback or distraction. I hope you felt included, like you had a place here, whenever I saw you. Because I’ll always be in awe that I was blessed with an opportunity to work with some of the most beautiful, hard working, dedicated athletes and wakkos that this dingy part of this old town have ever seen. I’ll always remember no matter how hard I worked guiding you, you all were the real stars in my eyes, ripping your hands, moving the weights, ringing the bells fighting the good fight. I wish you all the best in realizing your journey in finding not what is “Crossfit Southie” but what “Your Crossfit Southie is.”
Day 2 of the CrossFit Games!
Today is Day 2 of the CrossFit Games! Be sure to tune in to check out the Teen and Masters competitions. Our very own Bob Caslin is competing in the 60+ Masters Division. Click HERE for live stream!
WOD (45 Minute Hard Cap)
“Murph”
1 Mile Run
100 Pull-ups
200 Push-ups
300 Squats
1 Mile Run
Level 3- 75 pull-ups, 150 Push-ups, 200 squats
Level 2- 50 pull-ups, 100 Push-ups, 150 squats
Level 1 800m Runs, 30 pull-ups, 60 push-ups,90 squats
Scores/Comments from Murph performed on 7/21/15
Hit this Pre-WOD Mobility Routine
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