"I am chasing a level of fitness that most people just watch from the sidelines. So to me, I have already won."
December 29, 2003 is a day I will never forget. I was in a deadly car accident. And I survived.
With five transverse processes broken completely off my spinal column, seven fractures in my pelvis and a cracked tailbone, I was told the following:
• You will never be able to run again.
• You will never be able to carry a child full term.
• You will be on bed rest early.
• You will never be able to do strenuous activities.
• You will never be able to have a child naturally.
Needless to say, thinking I had to live my life with restrictions was devastating. For five years, I didn't workout. I didn't run. I didn't lift heavy weights. I restricted myself to an elliptical, a stationary bike or walking. I had it in my head that I was never going to be able to do anything more.
But more than eight years later, I am competing in the 2012 CrossFit Games Open.
Four years ago, my husband, Justin, and I discovered CrossFit. I started following CrossFit.com and doing workouts at home, scaling them to my abilities. I was doing kettlebell swings with a boulder!
Then we found out there was a CrossFit box opening up close to our home and I was ecstatic. We started working out at Desoto CrossFit and I was instantly addicted.
I was scared at first, thinking I wasn’t going to be able to do much. But I worked hard, dealt with the pain and got stronger. And I get stronger still with every workout.
Fast forward to today and I’m proud to say:
• I ran my first 5K in less than 25 minutes in 2008.
• I carried a healthy baby boy, with no bed rest, to full term. I even worked out the week before.
• I delivered him naturally, without any complications.
• I can deadlift 260 pounds.
• I can back squat 200 pounds.
• I can front squat 130 pounds.
• I can flip tires, push a truck, swim, do double-unders, pull-ups, push-ups … get the picture?
• I am pain free.
I have successfully done everything the doctors told me was impossible. And I am not finished.
With the help and encouragement of Justin and the amazing athletes at CrossFit Eastern Shore, I am competing in the Open. I may not be the strongest, the fastest or make it to the Games. I may not make it to Regionals. But I am chasing a level of fitness that most people just watch from the sidelines. So to me, I have already won.
I am living proof that the impossible, is possible. You just have to work for it.
