For the third year in a row, Gabe and Kirstie Subry, who married in 2014, traveled from Stockton, California, to compete as individuals at the California Regional (in 2014, they both competed at the NorCal Regional).
Many married couples say working out together gives them a common interest and brings them together, but balancing the needs of two high-level athletes competing in the same sport is not always easy.
In 2014, Gabe stayed with Kirstie the entire time, watching all of her events.
“That exhausted me,” Gabe said. “I was there three hours before my events.”
This year, Gabe dropped Kirstie off at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California, before going back to their rented townhouse to rest. He returned to the venue as she was warming up for Event 1, in time to give her a kiss before she went out onto the floor.
At 5 feet two inches, 120 lb., Kirstie is one of the smaller athletes at the California Regional. She knew the heavy snatches in Event 1 would be a challenge.
“This is the one I was most nervous for. I am small and the snatch weight was heavy, but I got seven (at 135-lb.), which is more than I gave myself credit for,” Kirstie said.
Kirstie said having two high-level CrossFit athletes under one roof can be a challenge.
“It gets exhausting, and it’s hard to have a ‘normal’ life and go out with friends, but I wouldn’t change it for anything,” she said.
“(Training together) makes our relationship stronger because we understand each other,” Kirstie said. “We look forward to waking up on a Saturday and going to the gym together, which takes the pressure off of both of us so we get to enjoy it.”
Gabe, who is a three-time Games athlete, said they both compete for fun and try not to take it too seriously.
They try to train together when they can, but both work full-time—Gabe runs CrossFit 209 Sport and Kirstie is a speech therapist.
Unlike many regional-level athletes, Gabe and Kirstie don’t have coaches. Gabe programs for both of them.
Although they try not to take training too seriously, the stress level in their home does increase the closer they get to the competition.
“(Training) takes a lot of time and dedication,” Gabe said. “You can’t help but obsess.”
Instead of fighting over the last piece of chicken, Gabe and Kirstie share their struggles and successes.
“Every meal, you can’t have wine. It’s nice we both eat the same. She gets it. She understands,” Gabe said.
The only downside, Gabe said, is that since Kirstie started competing as an individual, she can no longer get meals for him. But he smiled, “There is no downside, really.”
They do share the same sport, but make an effort to retain their independence. “We have our own lives, we hang out with our own friends,” Gabe said.
“We are independent, but together we are strong.”
