Brief personal history and journey toward your CrossFit excursion.
I always enjoyed being competitive in any sport I played. When I was in high school at Neenah in 1973, I was encouraged to try out for football and baseball. Our school had a rule that your hair couldn’t be over your ears, at that time of my life (early 70s) that was a deal breaker. I would have been willing to cut it if I made the team, but you couldn’t even try out.
As I moved into my adult years I got married, had 2 boys and played some softball, bowling and golf but nothing very physical until I was 37 years old. At that point my oldest son Jason decided to go out for Cross Country in 7th grade. I had not run a mile since my gym class in 7th grade. We started by running around the block and gradually built up to a mile.
That was the start of pushing myself athletically, I did my first marathon about 3-4 years later, raced in the WORS mountain bike series for 5 years, and did many small triathlons around the state. In 2001 at 44yrs old, I completed my first of 14 Ironman Triathlons in British Columbia, Canada in 12 hours 15 min. The last couple Ironmans I did, it was obvious my body was starting to feel beat up. During this span of races I never lifted a weight or did any core training. All that my training consisted of, was riding my bike, swimming and running. Injuries were becoming a common occurrence.
In 2013 & 14, I did very little training and was starting to feel old and really soft. I knew there wasn’t much I could do about old but maybe I could solve the soft part.
What brought you to CrossFit Oshkosh?
In the fall of 2014 Jason(my son) and I started talking about getting back in to shape. We knew that just running was not going to be enough. Jason researched some different types of classes we could take. He called me one day and asked what I thought about CF. I was not very familiar with it other than the crazy games I saw on TV. After a few e-mails with Austin and Ben, Jason called me and said, do you want to start Monday?
Your first impression of CrossFit Oshkosh?
When I first walked in, I was a little scared to see there were no weight machines, but weights, bars, large wooden boxes, kettle bells, jump ropes, pull up bars, rowing machines, ab mats, medicine balls and climbing ropes. I had only used a few of these things a couple of times before.
What has been your biggest hurdle since starting?
There were so many hurdles I’m not sure where to start, but I think mobility was tops. After that, the technical aspects of all the Olympic lifts has slowly come along with lots of instruction from Ben and Austin. When you finally do get it right, you know instantly.
What is your favorite aspect of CrossFit?
It may sound strange but, ab workouts, because I now know that your core is where it all starts. Also, I enjoy the variety of WODs we do, constantly testing different parts of your body. I have never felt out of place because of the great group we have, always encouraging and helping each other. It makes some of the tough lifts and WODs a little easier.
What are your current goals in CrossFit?
Keep improving my lifting technique, be able to RX more WODs, do a handstand push up, and finally master double-unders. Basically, I want to get as physically fit as possible.
What is something we don’t know about you?
I’ve been married 36 years to my wife Becky, I was also in the same kindergarten class with her. I have two sons, Jason and Chip (both members at CFO) a daughter in law, and a wonderful 3 year old grandson.
I have bowled 12-300 games in league bowling and once averaged 241 per game for a full season.
In the last year I have dropped in at two boxes, one was CF Breckenridge (Elevation 9,600ft). Next month I plan to drop in to CF Zero in Key West.
Missed the playoffs in both my fantasy football leagues this year.
I Played in the Midwest Cornhole Championships the past 2 summers in Oshkosh.
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