Introducing our March Athlete of the Month!
Jason Chamberlin
As a 17 year resident of Federal Hill I was thrilled to see Crossfit join our community. When I moved to Federal Hill, we didn’t have the Harris Teeter, Starbucks, CVS or Green Turtle. The Ropewalk was just one room. We didn’t even have a gym in the neighborhood. So, like Forest Gump, I started running. I ran to Fort McHenry, to Fells Point, to Roland Park and eventually completed nine marathons and numerous triathlons. We didn’t have iPods, Pandora or Spotify to pump up our work outs, so I just hummed as I ran around town. Slowly, things changed and we got our neighborhood gyms and could buy toothpaste without leaving the city. However, life was not complete until we got our very own box!
CFH has re-energized and refocused my workouts. My first day, coach Geo started us off with 15 minutes of handstand pushup skill work. I knew a HSPU was not possible on day one, but the coaches help break down the challenge to manageable increments. To complete a marathon you first have to run a 5k, 10k, half marathon, do track work and hill work. Similarly, the coaches explained that I would have to work on my shoulder flexibility, work off a box, complete wall walk-ups, etc. While I didn’t think it would take 18 months (and still counting) to do a HSPU, I get to PR a lift or metcon a couple of times each month. This positive reinforcement keeps focused on the longer-term goals, like HSPU’s.
Hands down, the best aspects of CFH are the people. The coaches and my fellow participants are so supportive, interesting and friendly. The CFH community keeps me going when I am sore, sleepy and distracted and they deserve all the credit each time I walk in the door for our 5:30 am class. These relationships extend outside the gym, which has deepened my connection with the broader Federal Hill community. I see CFH’ers at our kids’ soccer practice, the neighborhood pool, networking events, and other volunteer activities. I am so proud CFH’s Community of Strength Project (which I encourage everyone to support) and for our members commitment to the broader community. (COSP website)
Happily, I don’t have favorite and least favorite movements. There are movements that I can do well currently (lifting heavy things) and movements that I believe I will do better in the future (any body weight movement). Movements that I preform best on are generally the most painful, like heavy back squats. Whereas, movements that are most difficult are often the most rewarding. For example, I was able to complete 35 toes to bar during the Open 15.1, which was completely amazing!
For those new to Crossfit, I encourage you to simply get through the door as often as possible. It doesn’t matter if you are using the training bar (as I did when I started overhead squats) or if the guy next to you is Strong Paul Bunyan and his 485# squat. Keep coming back and you will get stronger and healthier. You will also make new friends and make your old friends jealous.
Strength WOD
Squat Snatch 2/2/2/2/2/2
Between each set do the keg drill for mobility
(Take 20 minutes, lift heavy)
WOD
2 Power Snatch
4 Overhead Squats
6 Burpees
8 min AMRAP
Fitness 95/65
RX 115/75
RX+ 135/95
