My husband Dave and I opened CrossCut CrossFit in Hayward, Wisconsin in 2012. It was a major lifestyle change after a 35-year career as a journalist at a large metropolitan daily newspaper.
I was 60 when I first walked into a CrossFit box to earn my CF-L1. My introductory workout was “Fran,” a terrorizing choice for one who’d never done a pull up or a thruster. I might have bailed, had it not been for the encouragement of legendary CrossFit Games athlete Chris Spealler, one of our trainers. CrossFit is not about the Games, he told me. CrossFit is about health, fitness and longevity.
I've needed to remind myself of that when I struggle to decide whether to sign up for the Open each year. Like most CrossFitters, I'd prefer to be closer to the top of the leaderboard than the bottom. But now I’m 67, seven years older than the youngest in my age category. Many RX movements remain out of reach for me now and likely forever.
Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Miyoshi Myopathy, a muscular dystrophy that is slowly and progressively atrophying my leg muscles. I’ve likely had it for 20 years or more, and the diagnosis finally explained why movements that required power from the ground, such as like running, jump roping, wall balls, and more seemed unusually challenging for me.
Now I work to find the delicate balance between building muscle where I’m able while not overly taxing my already compromised muscles. Unlike healthy muscle, they won’t rebuild when torn down, and are easily fatigued.
So why bother participating in the Open? Because, thanks to CrossFit and the fitness I've gained over the past seven years, I still can.
