I’ve been a member of the UD CrossFit box for almost 4 years. I make it a priority to be in the gym on a regular basis. I arrange my daily schedule around the classes as much as I possibly can. The shenanigans I’ve gone through to make it to a WOD (workout of the day) are kinda funny from an outside perspective. I’ve worn workout clothes under my ‘professional’ work clothes to run from a meeting straight to the WOD. I have ‘ducked out’ of zoom meetings early to get upstairs to the box (luckily it’s in the same building as my office). My therapist has even rearranged her schedule to find a time to fit me in around my work and workout schedule. Some people think it’s too much like an obsession, I view it as necessary.

I work out with amazing athletes in our box who have also become great friends. They inspire me to keep going, to keep trying to improve. Our head coach has been one of the biggest influences in my appreciation for maintaining my health & fitness level. He has also been a huge help each time I’ve had to go into recovery mode (breast cancer surgery, broken foot, and now this experience).

With most of what we do in any WOD I can’t keep up with the rest of the CF crew, but I’m still trying. I find it beyond frustrating quite often. Luckily my BFF & WOD partner 🐙 will talk me off the ledge when I am ready to quit. I’m grateful for her encouragement to focus on the consistency of showing up, not my scores compared to the scores posted by others.

I have never stayed with one form of exercise for this long without getting bored. When I first started CrossFit my goal was to remain as physically independent as possible as I age. I heard someone in a video mention their goal is to be able to use the bathroom without help when they are 90. I totally grabbed that as a good goal for me.

But now I need this consistency to keep me sane more than anything else. For me CrossFit is something to hold onto, something I have some control over, something to keep me healthy, something to build my strength up before the next round of whatever is next.

Making it to 90?

I was able to lift this weight 10x in a row! I am finally feeling like I am gaining back some of the strength I had before surgery. This is the 3rd time I have had to ‘start over’ with light weight and limited movement due to health issues.

In January 2019 I had surgery for breast cancer, followed by several weeks of radiation. This was setback #1 (that is not a hashtag kids). I had limited range of motion in my arms & also ended up in PT for cording (lymph system trying to reconnect incorrectly). I was fatigued by the radiation, which didn’t affect me until a week or so after it ended. This first experience was my eye-opener – my physical activity is IMPORTANT, especially as something to fall back on when things go awry.

#2 In early 2020 I broke my foot (landed wrong dropping from the rig in the gym – oops) and was in a boot for ~10 weeks. I spent my time in the gym working on upper body stuff (yet still cannot do a strict pull-up). Occasionally I could modify the WOD (workout of the day) and participate with others but most days I was on my own.

#3 Now – full open surgery with a scar from above my bellybutton to almost as low as they could go without starting to slice me in 1/2. This kept me out of the gym completely for 4 weeks, but I was walking daily for short distances. Once I could drive & walk enough to get in the gym I used the treadmill there, usually during a scheduled class. I was released to start back with weights after 8 weeks & have been super slowly getting back to what I could do before surgery. This recovery has taken way longer than I thought it would.

Each of these setbacks has been just as mentally challenging as physical for me. Limiting the stress reduction of exercise causes me stress. This time is the hardest & I am having difficulty being patient with my progress, giving myself enough time to heal. I have a huge fear of ending up in the hospital again for a hernia repair because I pushed myself too much (I’d rather not be a patient again – totally sucked – do not recommend). But I also want to feel normal again – what ever that means now?

My focus has changed. When I started at UDCrossFit (2018), my main concern was survival – followed by how do I keep up with the younglings. My weights, my times, my gymnastic skills were (still are) usually behind most of the class. I used to compare myself to everyone else, fret over my scores not being close to theirs, not being able to Rx a workout (complete it as written) and usually scaling the weight, reps or movements. NOW it is just about me, my health, my own progress and scaling is okay. I won’t give up trying to catch up to the kids and improving but it’s okay now when my score is at the bottom. I just need to keep moving!

I am so grateful for our coach who has worked with me during all these setbacks. I think we could probably write a book “Scaling for All Occasions”. I’m lucky to have tons of support from the other members too.

Get moving and keep going! How I spent my 55th birthday in November 2020

In January 2018 I was dragged into UD CrossFit (University of Delaware) just to try it. I honestly did not like it and there was lots of cursing and some crying during this trial month. I wasn’t planning to continue beyond this first month until another member said she was sticking with it to get out of her comfort zone. CRAP now I can’t quit. Also, as a faculty member we have lower membership rates than other boxes and the UD CrossFit box just happens to be in the same building as my office. By the end of the UD spring semester I was hooked.

I’ve worked out in some form or another most of my adult life – weight lifting, running, step, aerobics, kick boxing, body pump – but nothing has been as challenging yet enjoyable in a really weird way. I have never felt this strong and confident with any other exercise routines. For me, CrossFit is what I need and enjoy. It’s not only a workout but a community of support.

I fully understand it’s not for everyone. I’m not pushing the “cult” on anyone but I am strongly pushing regular movement somehow, beyond normal daily activity. I cannot stress enough how important I think this is!!!!!

My fitness helped me recover faster after breast cancer surgery in 2019. When I broke my foot in 2020 I had the upper body strength to handle crutches and leg strength to handle a knee scooter (eye opening to see how difficult ADA compliant walks and entrances really are). Recovering from my recent cancer surgery (blog post) required the use of my arms and legs while not straining or using my abs to get in and out of beds and chairs.

During all these situations I was back in the gym as soon as I was given medical okays because I know how important it is to recovery. Our coach is always telling us “movement is medicine”.

It has also been a major source of mental recovery and stress relief during these crappy times. It helps me burn off the crazy!

Find what you love to do & keep moving!!