Sir Henry Ravelo of Bridgemoor

Who knew my heart would be melted by an 11lb fur ball?! Okay, who am I kidding, it doesn't take much for me to fall in love with little four legged animals. But I never realized how much I would melt for my strawberry blonde canine, Henry. 

We all experience speed bumps in our lives and I won't try and say that my speed bumps are more difficult than anyone else' but I do think that my husband and I have had to go through more this year than we would have cared to. And while we were some of the lucky ones who clung together in a time of crisis, not everyone does. With that being said, when we began perusing the animal shelters looking for a small dog (because we don't exactly live in a large space) I was a little reluctant as to whether I could give enough - emotionally - to a dog at this time. But those fears dissolved as soon as I saw that little fur ball cling to my other half at the shelter. Yep, that's all it took for me to cave.

Sir Henry, unfortunately, did come with some illnesses and we are addressing those as we speak. And as I have had this week to spend with him (and when I say "spend with him" I mean the following: watching him sleep, walking him, picking up his poo and of course kissing him every second I can) I find myself feeling more grateful every moment that he chose us at the shelter. Because even though he's a canine - a sick canine nonetheless - and obviously doesn't understand the complications that we human beings experience everyday, it's really opened my eyes to how rewarding these little pups can be and I'm so thankful he pranced into our lives!

Proceed With Caution

Recently, I found a quote written by John Wooden that I thought topped all the rest. It read "Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful." And this quote ironically fell on a day that I was feeling especially disappointed in how our, I hate to say it, community of athletes and those thinking they are athletes - sorry to be harsh, but it's reality - are conducting themselves. And unfortunately I find myself back to this very quote and the reason I felt it spoke such volumes.

So as I sit here, I begin to reflect on my love affair with CrossFit, where I was when I started it 22 months ago, why I continue to do it and why I wouldn't have it any other way. December 2009 was a great month - my husband came home from a 12 month deployment and we were reestablishing ourselves in this God forsaken city in Texas. With my husband's return I was eager to find something motivating that would get me away from my never ending homework and career, and into something physically demanding that I would love (that didn't involve a treadmill) I was first introduced to CrossFit in April 2008 when my husband threw me into Karen and for those reading this, you know how horrible that workout is as an experienced athlete, let alone for someone who had no idea what a kettlebell swing was. After struggling through it, I made the decision to never do it again......until December 09. I decided to give it one more shot. I hated it but had told myself to give it thirty days before giving up. Thankfully I was hooked before my thirty days came up and I have never looked back. And I was blessed to be given a CrossFit Level 1 Certification in Jan 2010 where I learned more about this fitness regimen and even more about myself.

I was not only enamored at how strong, fast and capable I was becoming - because let's face it, studying and reading your college textbooks isn't going to do anything for your athletic ability - but as I took the time to read articles, learn what I could from the CF Journal, watch "how to" videos and learn about the "original CF'ers" who started out in this sport, I found that it wasn't just the job performed in the gym that kept me addicted, but it was the community that came along with this amazing sport. I was growing relationships with people I never thought I would be able to hold a conversation with let alone do a WOD with. But it was that struggle, sweat and tears that each of us faces in the WOD that brought us together on a level I could never could have imagined. Because each of us knew that while we may not have been faster than the person next to us, but we were doing the WOD RX and that was ALL that mattered. Additionally, it was the selfless acts of athletes helping each other, offering support, and educating each other on how to be stronger and healthier individuals.

What happened to our local (yes it's true) community? What happened to sincerity and people being less concerned about being the bad ass - unless you actually are a bad ass - and actually being sincere when you tell someone, "You did so great on that WOD!" It's pretty sad that one has to visit other gyms to actually remember what it was that made this community so great.