Thank Your Cheerleader!

3 rounds for time of:

800 M Run

7 Bear Complex @135/95 (power clean to front squat to push press to back squat to push press)

I was never a cheerleader, nor did I ever want to be grouped with them…

No offense to them.  Many of my current friends are ex-cheerleaders.  It was the high school stigma that followed the title “cheerleader” that  despised (we’ve all seen Mean Girls and Bring it On I, II, III, and IV…Blanco, you know what I’m talking about!).

The term “cheerleader” now has a new meaning to me.  Check out the picture below:

Just another Monday night.  Christine finishes her WOD and hangs around to encourage Ed to finish his last round.

I worked out at a regular gym for 12 years before I found CrossFit…I cannot recall a single time that I saw another person (that wasn’t a paid trainer) stay around AFTER his/her workout was finished and encourage another to complete his/her workout.

We take this for granted at CrossFit.  I witness athletes that weekly CHOOSE to stay for an extra class just to cheer on a fellow athlete…Or, better yet, how about the athlete that finishes his/her WOD an bangs out the last few reps of a CrossFit buddy’s WOD with them??!!  Now, that is some STELLAR cheerleading!

I am not suggesting that CrossFit is changing the world by any means, but I have to believe that this “love thy neighbor” attitude has to carry over into the real world as well.

So, I’ll take the title, “cheerleader,” because now I see past the stigma to the true meaning and realize that this facility wouldn’t be half the “home” it is without it.

Take this blog to thank your “cheerleader”…the person that keeps you motivated on a daily basis during WODs. The person you who urges you to never quit (perhaps by his/her actions).  PLEASE POST IN COMMENTS.

T.J. getting set up for the dead during today's WOD.

Sean B. digging into the deads...

11 Responses for Thank Your Cheerleader!

  1. LP:
    July 12, 2010 08:27 pm

    So, I'm gonna set the commenting off and thank my little Shlee. Without you girl, I'd be WODing alone daily. You always keep me on my toes. Training with you brought me to the the games…I have to fight to not allow you to catch up…even though I know it's inevitable…I'll let you feast on ice cream the day it happens…and it will…just ask Jim Lapia :+)

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  2. mark t:
    July 13, 2010 06:36 am

    Well were do i start!!! First i will thank LP,DP.SHLEE BLANCO AND COACH K YOU GUYS ROCK!!! You have been my cheerleaders from day one and i know i would not be the crossfitter i am without the everyday encouragement you all bring. This is the reason you have created the community we all know and love called “THE SHORELINE”. I will also thank my wife for being all in my grill every chance she gets and to all my peeps who i sweat with week in and out THANK YOU!!!! CALI HERE WE COME !!!!!!!!
    Peace Out

    Mark T

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  3. Cynthia:
    July 13, 2010 09:38 am

    What a perfect day for this post! This morning I heard a quiet “C’mon, Cynthia” from Jess and a “You got it, Cyn” from Chris Cap as I was trying to bang out my last seven. Ray is great for walking by and asking, “How many more have you got?” A nod from a fellow CFer during a run; a critique from coaches Dave and Blanco; Jenny’s enthusiasm when we’re going for a one-rep max; Carl’s encouragement as I finish a WOD; and Colin’s “Good job, Mom” all help me push myself more than I ever would have imagined. I can’t think of a better way to start my day!

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  4. LP:
    July 13, 2010 10:11 am

    Good stuff…I want to thank 3 others as well.

    1st- Blanco. I don't beat him often, but love that I can try! I am so glad to have such a great athlete working/training at our box to REALLY keep me on my toes.

    2nd- Murph. Thanks for training at 3:30 leading up to the games. You are always so positive and that alone is motivational, and you ALWAYS push me on the runs.

    Last- Ray G- The emails are super motivational leading to the games. Thanks for the positive affirmation that I CAN win. I am seriously going to print them and read them on the plane to Cali (along with Dr. Suess' THE PLACES YOU'LL GO"~thanks, Lou!)

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  5. shlee:
    July 13, 2010 01:14 pm

    lauren- all I can say is that I wouldn't be the crossfitter I am if it weren't for you. I strive to be as good as you every time we WOD together. The day will come when I am able to beat you in a WOD(hopefully sooner then later!) but I have to thank you because you push me EVERY day, making me better. So when that days come i owe some of the credit to YOU!…Thank you for cheering me on after every WOD :)

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  6. shirl:
    July 13, 2010 01:57 pm

    The smiles last for miles! Whether we talk or not, I notice so many encouraging smiles from fellow CF-ers. All the coaches have been great cheerleaders and set a great example there, especially for us recent On Rampers. Thanks a TON all of you!

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  7. jess:
    July 13, 2010 02:03 pm

    Everyday its someone different. Today it was Scott who ran with me and then decided we should sprint the last 800m. I would not have done this on my own. Glad you pushed me and believing that we could…and did! Everyone is always so encouraging and supportive.

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  8. Elayne:
    July 13, 2010 02:50 pm

    Great day for this post! I couldn’t make it down there today so I did the WOD at the local “globo” gym. No cheerleaders (lot’s of confused looks), but no cheerleaders. With the kids out of school, I get down at all different times (not my normal 5:30 am). But no matter what time I’m there, I ALWAYS have people cheering me on. LP, you coached me through my first “bandless” kipping WOD last week which left blisters that I proudly went home to show to my husband! LOL! DP, you are always encouraging at 5:30 am and get me through to the end of the WOD! Kelly and Shlee, you guys get right in my face when I’m tiring out to remind me to keep form and get on that bar! LOVE THAT! Blanco, I have not been in one of your classes yet but I see you working hard when I’m there encouraging people on! Aside from an awesome team of trainers, all the members are amazing. We are all in the WOD together and there is such a feeling at the end when someone you just met get’s in your face and starts doing burpees along side you to get you through. What an awesome place, what an awesome family!

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  9. Chu:
    July 13, 2010 03:29 pm

    Everybody is F-ing awesome I <3 SCF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  10. RayG:
    July 13, 2010 04:03 pm

    Thank you all of you for being there to be good examples, good community members, good friends and wonderful company. Each one of you “cheers me on.” And, I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by NOT mentioning you here, in large part because I get something from each of you every day that I am there with you and even when I am not. I think of you and your effort and your commitment and your wonderful disposition and intensity. I also get a serious kick out of the looks of intensity on Blanco’s and Shlee’s faces when they are “teaching.” You all are a special group….I wonder does anyone know what codependcy is? How about enabler?

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  11. Mrs. D:
    July 13, 2010 09:20 pm

    cynthia: genuinely kind and ALWAYS supportive.
    jen: close enough to be attainable, far enough away to keep me pushing
    jess: quiet and fierce. spot-on with her support and guidance.
    cap: solid. you can tell he’s no bs and plays hard too…or did before A.J.
    cap’s brother-in-law’s t-shirts: seriously funny stuff. I look forward to reading them.
    monica: you never quit or stop working.
    Dave: you found a job you love and it shows. Thank God, because where would any of us be if you and the others didn’t get together and bring crossfit here? I don’t even like to think about it.
    I know I’m forgetting people, but it’s 9:17 pm, so it’s past my bedtime if I want to be at 5:30 am tomorrow.
    I second Chu’s enthusiasm and love.

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