Back in the summer we had a young lady new to CrossFit Michiana email me about how she had heard about CrossFit and wanted to give it a try. Lauren, a N.D. Law Student, came in and I can recall one of her first workouts like it just happened......
...it was a clear summer afternoon. Blue skies, warm and no breeze. The workout was finishing up and I was outside by the overhead door leading to the blue room. I was ranting on to a couple poor souls about nutrition (Shelly and G if I recall correctly), when I noticed Lauren out of the corner of my eye squatting to the left of me. The look on her face said it all, "I need help!!"
Seeing her discouraged and ready to quit look, I turned from soap box mode to coach mode and helped her get through the mental anguish from the ungodly amount of squats. Lauren, and I apologize for saying this, literally looked like she was mentally and physically abused. Something every CrossFitter, especially a newcomer has been through. She made it and lived to fight another day.
Last Wednesday I received the following email from Lauren. Originally I was going to edit this because the language gets quite colorful, however the integrity of the emotion of what just happened to her would be compromised. Keep in mind that everything from her "incident" - to her typing this email all happened within 4 hours of her 7:30 a.m. workout. This is truly remarkable!!
"Dear Jim and Carole,
In a previous life I was a horse trainer at an Olympic stable in California. One of my vestiges of that past is my beautiful mare, Maggie, who has an unbelievable pedigree and is extremely well-trained. She's huge (about 1300 pounds and 16'3 hands tall) and black and fabulous, and this morning she almost killed me.
After Crossfit this morning I went to the barn to check in on Maggie, and she was fine. So I decided to go for a bareback trail ride and hopped on her in my sweatpants, baggy green sweatshirt, and my Uggs. It wasn't too cold, so I didn't put on gloves or a hat and my confidence in my riding abilities led me to not put on a helmet. (I haven't fallen off in over 3 years.)Turns out that no saddle and no helmet is not smart.
She walks around fine until we get away from the barn to the far side of a flat field. I'm not really paying attention and just enjoying the pretty white scenery. Suddenly a dog on an invisible fence comes tearing out from behind a shed, barking. (The last time a dog ran at Maggie, I ended up in the hospital with 7 stitches in my face and she had 24 in her ass where the dog bit her.) She's terrified of dogs, spins, rears, and somehow manages to literally back out from underneath my ass. I fly face first over her head into the frozen ground. Tuck chin. Land on my head, roll to my back, but my right arm, due to my baggy sweatshirt and the angle of my fall, is wrapped up in my reins. Shit. Before I can untangle it, Maggie spooks, turns and starts to run as fast as she can the mile back to the barn, me in tow. Double Shit. I can't get my arm free, but her hind feet are coming towards my abs. Pull knees to elbows. Her front feet are flying towards my face. Pull chin up to hand.Now I'm airborne, as I've pulled myself to her face and she's lifting her face to escape the pressure. Holy Shit. I land like a waterskier and pull as hard as I can. Squat-drive through heels. I managed to rip her off-balance and she slows to a canter, but doesn't stop and my arm still isn't free from the tension. I'm gonna die. Grab the reins with my left hand and sprint like hell to keep up while trying to untangle my arm. Have you ever had to footrace a g*damn horse? After about 50 yards, Maggie manages to pull herself together and stops. My friend at the barn saw the whole episode and came running out across the field screaming "Oh my God!! Are you okay? I thought you broke your neck! Where the hell is your helmet? How the hell did you do that?"
All of this happened in about 10 seconds and I obviously didn't consciously think "tuck your chin so you don't break your neck on the fall" and "drive through your heels so you don't faceplant when she pulls you." My body just did it without any conscious thought at all. Now I truly understand the functionality of Crossfit.
My Point:
God Bless Handstand Practice!
God Bless Knees to Elbows!
God Bless Strict Pullups!
God Bless Weighted Squats!
God Bless 400m Runs!
God Bless Callouses!
God Bless the Trainers at Crossfit Michiana who kick my ass every morning so that, even when I do the stupidest shit alive, I still don't manage to kill myself!
Thank you. You saved my life this morning. I should be dead or severely injured. If this happened four months ago, I would have broken my neck on the fall, been dragged until the horse decided to stop, and stomped on numerous times in the process.
From now on, I'm wearing my damn helmet.
Lauren"
It has been a true honor in watching Lauren go from wanting to walk out the door after body weight squats to her now performing the workouts as prescribed. Keep it up Lauren, someday you'll stand in a courtroom, look over at your adversary and laugh as you are now mentally and physically strong.
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Lauren, you are truly the toughest and craziest woman that I know (in a good way). I work out with you 3 times a week and had dinner with you tonight, and had no idea that you got your a** handed to you last week by your 1300 pound Maggie. :) I am obviously thankful that you are alright, and am even more thankful that you wrote to Jim and Carole. Fantastic analogy written by a fantastic person. You are truly my motivation every M-W-F. Keep it up!
Posted by: Paige | November 23, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Great job Lauren!
As a fellow horseback rider who has been stepped on, fallen on,kicked, bitten, jumed on, etc. you are very lucky!
It definately helps in every area of life to be a CFer. You're story is an awesome example of how CF makes a difference in everyday life.
Posted by: Fay | November 24, 2008 at 05:01 AM
Lauren- As I was reading your story I had visions of my own experiences with my horse. I can't imagine the "ride" you must have had. I am so glad to read that the end result was so good. Keep up the good work and stay safe riding.
Posted by: Schantel | November 24, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Lauren - I workout with you at 7:30 almost every day and didn't know about Maggie and your "eventful" ride! I'm so glad you're such a "tough" CFer to take what Maggie dished out! What an awesome story! You are a true inspiration. You give me the courage to keep goin! Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Kim | November 25, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Lauren, Like I said before---everytime I read your story I get the same reaction. Chills and tears! Way to go sister....keep up the good work at CF! We love ya!
Posted by: Carole | November 25, 2008 at 01:37 PM