March 25, 2010Thursday 100325
Kirstyn from CrossFit West Palm Beach (FL). Meet Don at CrossFit Julia (CO) as he attempts to deadlift 200lbs on his 86th birthday: Video. "A calm acceptance of the pain that was to come and the realization that it would not last. We are women who have learned that we are limited only by our own expectations." Kelly Brown, co-owner of CrossFit Agoge (CO), writes about her experience at the CrossFit Games Mountain Sectionals and the fortitude of women who come back to sport later in life. Read more . . . Redefining Motherhood: A Post-Sectional Epiphany
By Kelly Brown
In the aftermath of last weekend's Sectional Qualifier, I find myself repeating the same story again and again. Frequently, with some element of emotion. And so I feel compelled to put it down in words. The story actually begins at the Rocky Mountain Regional Qualifier last year. The video crew was interviewing Kristine Reinking as she battled her way to the final heat of the competition. They asked her if she felt her age (at the time, 37) was a factor in her ability to compete with a field of women who were generally 10-15 years younger. Her response is one of the reasons I had the courage to compete this past weekend. She said (and I paraphrase) that her age likely affected her ability to recover from multiple workouts in one day, but that maturity brings a mental toughness that probably levels the playing field again. It has been 12 years since I traveled home from what I assumed at the time to be my last foray into legitimate athletic competition. Sure, I would do some fun runs, maybe a marathon or triathlon here or there. But this would be my last opportunity to feel like a contender; like a competitive athlete versus a recreational one. It was time for me to grow up. Since then I have gotten married and had two children. I have worked, paid mortgages, and cleaned the house. I traded in two-a-days for trips to the park or a chance to finally catch up the laundry. I retired into married life and motherhood. I cannot blame my husband or my kids. Much of the mental transformation occurred long before I met John. I thought it was inevitable. Then in June of 2006, I walked into CrossFit San Diego and began the resurrection of my past self. We live in an enlightened age when it comes to the societal expectations of women, yet still we fight against ourselves. Ask most working moms if they experience daily guilt about taking their children to daycare. Ask any mother what her goals are and see how far down the list she gets before she says something that doesn't have to do with taking care of her family. Ask most moms if they are athletes and most of them would say no. But, I think this is beginning to change. I believe our primary objective as parents is to instill in our children a sense of responsibility to be a positive force in the world and then give them the tools to accomplish it. I believe we achieve this by showing them that we are not afraid to work hard for something; that we are not afraid to work hard for something and fail, sometimes repeatedly, before we conquer it. We will get pull-ups, muscle-ups, climb a rope, get the job, clear the debt, get the promotion, buy the house. We will succeed because we are not so paralyzed by fear of failure that we fail to try. I was fortunate to compete alongside Kristine this past weekend. The mental toughness that she displayed was mirrored by many of the "older" women in the competition. A calm acceptance of the pain that was to come and the realization that it would not last. We are women who have learned that we are limited only by our own expectations. That we can be mothers, wives, workers, and sometimes many more things in a day without using it as an excuse to give up on ourselves. As we warmed up for that final heat, some of us talked about the value of this accomplishment for us as role models to our children; but more importantly, in that moment, the value of this accomplishment for us as women, as individuals, as athletes, and on this day, as contenders. Posted by Lisbeth at March 25, 2010 12:05 AMComments
I had the pleasure of watching, filming and cheering Kelly on this past weekend at the Mountain Sectionals. She is a truly amazing mom, wife, friend and athlete. Thank you Kelly for sharing this. Comment #1 - Posted by: Paula - CF Overload at March 24, 2010 9:45 PMThank you for sharing your experience as it resonates so close to my own. I have enjoyed my "comeback" and my CrossFit journey. "We are women who have learned that we are limited only by our own expectations." Comment #2 - Posted by: Rachel at March 24, 2010 10:16 PMThank you for that, Kelly. Comment #3 - Posted by: Andrea at March 24, 2010 10:32 PMTruly inspirational Kelly!!! Great job at sectionals. Sarah and I are pulling for you... Comment #4 - Posted by: Wayne - Combat Crossfit at March 25, 2010 12:21 AMJust what I needed to hear Kelly. Comment #5 - Posted by: Donna at March 25, 2010 12:25 AMWell said!! I'm 34, have two children (7 and 8)and just started crossfit last december, after years of dedicating myself to my family! I just finished competing in the South European Sectionals, and as you said: "We will succeed because we are not so paralyzed by fear of failure that we fail to try" I have that exact feeling inside after this amazing experience. We are capable of reaching our goals if only we try and work hard for it! Kelly, well said. By sharing, you inspire. Comment #7 - Posted by: Kelley at March 25, 2010 4:55 AMCool reflections. Comment #8 - Posted by: Dominic Sirianni at March 25, 2010 5:44 AMAwesome reading, I started Crossfit at 48, I am an UltraRunner and Crossfit has helped tremendously with my endurance out there. Age is just a number, I compete and have a healthy lifestyle because I choose to! Thank you Kelly for recognizing these strong women athletes and continued inspiration! Comment #9 - Posted by: Marsha at March 25, 2010 6:24 AMKelly, it was a pleasure competing with you and all the women at the Mountain regionals! I didn't get a chance to meet you personally but did meet Kristine. Embarking on my 40th bday this year has made me reflect on what in the world I'm doing..but being at sectionals this weekend and seeing many other women in their 30s was very exciting to me and makes me want to continue forging ahead just to improve myself inside the gym and outside with my family. Best of luck to you at Regionals! Comment #10 - Posted by: Julie at March 25, 2010 7:04 AMKelly - what wonderful words! It was a pleasure meeting and competing with you this weekend. I agree whole heartedly with the message we are sending our children as we enter into each of these endeavors. When I got home after the sectional and my children heard how I did, my 9 year old son looked straight at me and said "And you doubted yourself, Mom! You should've believed in yourself! Good Job!" Nice to hear my own words coming back at me in such an appropriate way. So to all those Moms out there - stick with it. It's hard to find time to fit it all in, but it's worth it! Comment #11 - Posted by: Kim Hagger at March 25, 2010 7:49 AMKim - The pleasure was all mine. Awesome performance this weekend. You were very much in my mind when I wrote this. You are an amazing woman and a stout competitor and I am looking forward to meeting again in Castle Rock! Comment #12 - Posted by: Kelly B at March 25, 2010 7:59 AMReading that gave me chills! So powerful! Being a crossfit woman is so empowering! Thank you Kelly Comment #13 - Posted by: Brittany at March 25, 2010 8:04 AMWe just opened a gym in Gig Harbor, WA and there are so many women that come in ready to start a new chapter in their lives. My mother of 5 kids and now grandmother of 3 is in her 5th month and a son couldn't be more proud. She is not only an example to me but also to everyone who walks past a happier, more courageous and confident woman. This gave me goosebumps. Thanks to ALL the female crossfitters that say screw it to our screwed up social norms. Comment #14 - Posted by: Mike Kelley at March 25, 2010 8:30 AM"I believe our primary objective as parents is to instill in our children a sense of responsibility to be a positive force in the world and then give them the tools to accomplish it." No truer words have ever been spoken. Way to be a role model Kelly, for your kids and for the rest of us! Thanks for writing that, it's wonderful! Laurie Comment #15 - Posted by: Laurie at March 25, 2010 9:47 AMGreat comments by all! I'm constantly surprised and inspired by Crossfitters: young, old, men and women. The competition and attitude of Crossfit falls squarely outside societal norms. Awesome job by all at regionals (but especially Julie and Kim - you two rock!) Comment #16 - Posted by: Mike S at March 25, 2010 9:53 AMThank you Kelly-love to you - Cherie Comment #17 - Posted by: Cherie at March 25, 2010 9:56 AMGreat post Kelly! But I'm taken by the pic of Kirstyn... CrossFitting kids rock! Comment #18 - Posted by: Bob Guere at March 25, 2010 12:39 PMBeautifully stated. Thank you Kelly. Comment #19 - Posted by: Susan at March 25, 2010 1:06 PMGreat job Don. Loved that video. Very inspirational. Comment #20 - Posted by: Joe at March 25, 2010 3:50 PMI really needed this post. The picture and the story from Kelly. Kirstyn is my daughter. Being a mother, 38 years old, trying to run an affiliate, hosting the Florida State Sectionals and prepare for competing in the Regionals has been overwhelming for me. This post has inspired me to stop making excuses and dig down deep and pull out for myself, what I give to others. Thanks you Kelly!! Comment #21 - Posted by: Dana Lynch - CrossFit BGI at March 25, 2010 4:27 PMEnjoyed your article Kelly and that photo is fantastic! Comment #22 - Posted by: Kim Malz~FitMom/CrossFit Persevere at March 25, 2010 4:41 PMKelly--What a beautifully stated post! Thank you so much for sharing so eloquently. It was such a pleasure to see you again this weekend. You continue to be an inspiration of grace to me. See you again soon! Comment #23 - Posted by: Joylyn (Crossfit Verve) at March 25, 2010 8:09 PMKelly - your words are beautiful and so relevant. I loved the part about resurrecting yourself. In this day and age, it is so important to remember who we truly are in our divine perfection. Crossfit is hard and so is life. Our world is getting harder and having courage and pig-headed perseverance and being the example for so many young people truly makes a difference. I look forward to meeting you at the CF Kids cert next month. Aspen Crossfit is coming like a freight train! Peace, Erik Comment #24 - Posted by: Erik Larson at March 26, 2010 7:05 AMWhen I started playing Volleyball, it was somehow clear to me that this activity would stop at the latest at age 30. However, I was fortunate that there was a group of women ca. 10 to 15 years older than I, and they just never stopped! By doing this, they made me question myself why I had this silly idea of stopping competition at 30 - and there was no reason except a wrongly perceived picture of how women at a certain age should behave ... The oldest women I know who are still playing are now between 60 and 65, great inspiration. By the way the same is true for women driving big motorcycles! So thank you Kelly for sharing your story and your thoughts. Comment #25 - Posted by: Lisa at March 31, 2010 1:51 AMGreat writing Kelly! You have certainly not lost any of your skill with words, your drive to complete the task at hand, or the determination to uphold the high standards that you have always set for yourself. Mom and I are immensely proud of you for your success in all of the roles that you have chosen -- student, therapist, wife, mother, and fierce competitor. Good luck at Castle Rock! Looking forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks. Dad Comment #26 - Posted by: CraigT at April 2, 2010 12:18 PMKelly, Great piece of writing!! You have not lost any of your ability to put heart-felt thoughts into poignant words. It has been a pleasure to watch you blossom as physical therapist, wife, mother, entrepreneur, and still very competitive athlete. Mom and I are very proud of your efforts. The comments that have been posted demonstrate that you have struck a respondent chord with many of the blog's readers and you should take pleasure in knowing that you are a positive influence and role model for many women (and maybe a few men) in a world of dramatically changing expectations. Good luck to both of you at the Regionals! Dad Comment #27 - Posted by: CraigT at April 2, 2010 6:52 PMPost a comment |
