Athlete Spotlight: Richard W.
When I think of Richard W., three things immediately come to mind: killer front squat form, serious strength, and even MORE serious assault bike skills…but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Meet Richard. W.
How long have you been a member at 626 and what brought you in?
I’ve been a member since July 2013 – a few months after my twins turned 2. I had stopped exercising when they were born, and immediately prior to that I exercised infrequently since I spent a good amount of time watching our oldest boy, now 5, when he was an infant. In addition to having three kids under 3 years old, I got a new job, accepted a promotion, bought a house, remodeled it, and finally got lasik. (In retrospect I should have planned it out better. The last 5 years is a still a bit blurry although my vision rocks.)
During those years, I frequently injured my body – tweaked neck, aching back, creaky knee – from bending over to pick up my kids, rocking them to sleep, and occasionally tossing them in the air despite the disapproval from my wife. The stress of work didn’t help much either. I didn’t sleep well, ate poorly, and sat most of the day when I wasn’t traveling. I was getting up in weight for my height and after a few chest pain scares figured I need to do something before it was too late.
I started looking around for the shortest route to get healthy and to do so for the long term. As I lazily sat on my sofa, I happened to catch some clips about the Crossfit games on ESPN2. It was oddly entertaining to watch people exercise, but later on I realized it was a fitness program. I finally did some serious planning on when I could take the beginner course and after my twins turned 2, I took the plunge.
Were you active prior to joining the gym? If so, what’d you do?
Yes, I lived a typical midwest life climbing and jumping out of trees as a kid in Minnesota, so my parents sent me to gymnastics as a safer alternative. I did well in the local classes, so they got me into a program for juniors at the University of Minnesota. Little did I know that all those handstand walks and constant stretching as a kid would be useful as an adult.
In high-school, I focused on studying, but finally made time to run the 200 meter my senior year. Repeated the same pattern at college and finally joined the mountain bike team my last year at UC Berkeley. Actually won a race when the 40 other riders dropped out due to poor weather. (Snow and ice didn’t mix well with shaved legs and spandex.) That taught me that mental toughness was as important as physical toughness, which explains some of the appeal Crossfit has for me.
Prior to the kids, I continued to road cycle and mountain bike recreationally.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of since joining 626?
Although I haven’t tried it yet, if needed, I could easily squat my wife and 3 kids. More practically, I haven’t gotten any serious injuries like I did prior to Crossfit. I can easily toss and swing my kids around even though they are now averaging 40 lbs.
How has your training affected other facets of your life?
It’s helped me appreciate the importance of exercise in making me a better father. I’m physically available for them when they want to play and around mentally for them even though I’ve had a stressful day.
Work still hasn’t gotten easier and probably is more demanding than ever, but training has allowed me to work all night if needed or take the occasional last minute day trip to the East Coast without too much of a drain.
I work with a lot of executives at various companies and Crossfit seems to impress them, which oddly makes them more receptive to what I have to say about improving their companies, although I tell them its really meant for anyone.
Advice for new/potential members?
Don’t pay too much attention to the top scores, most of them started where you were. You will be there soon enough. Focus on pushing yourself to YOUR limit – not to someone else’s score. I’ve quit a workout because I pushed it a little too far but that’s how you find your limit. Take a step back and the next think you know, you are already way past your prior limit the next time around.
Discomfort is OK. That awkward hook grip, soreness in the back, burn in the legs is all normal and it’s amazing what happens when your body heals and it never hurts like when you first started CrossFit.
Favorite part of training?
There are many, but pushing beyond what my minds says I should do physically. It’s neat to look back and see how many of those self-imposed barriers and excuses I have overcome.
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WOD: Sn Grip RDL / GHR ; HPC