ALBANY CROSSFIT

In the Elements

Clifton Park CrossFit will have Open Gym time from 11am to 7pm on Monday. Come on in, check it out, we're open for the next week, FREE OF CHARGE!

Picture it.  Sun beating down, heat waves floating off the ground in the distance.  Switch gears.  Clouds rolling in, sky gets dark, rain pelts your body, coming down in droves.  Drenched.  Amidst all this, you're running, jumping, pulling, pushing, the works.

Sounds like fun, right?  You know you love it.  This past week we saw the whole spectrum of outdoor workout extremes (thankfully we haven't decided yet to do workouts in the snow during winter time, something to think about next time we have a blizzard....).  One day it was sweltering hot, with the pavement blazing to the touch and there were burpees!  Fast forward to the weekend, athletes sloshing throught the monsoon as they took on one of the more brutal benchmark WODs, "Eva."

It harkens back to a simpler time.  You get to feel the youthful care-free nature of playing and not worrying about getting messy.  As a CrossFitter, it's just one more example of what makes you different from the rest of the ultra-glossy globo-gym crowd.  A willingness to get bloodied and tattered, to emerse yourself in the worst of weather, to embrace the suck.  Enjoy the movement, as mother nature takes her best shot.  That's just plain fun.

For those of you that will be coming to Regionals this weekend, rain or shine, we look forward to representing Albany CrossFit proudly.  We appreciate all warmth and support that the community has shown, especially with our most recent party.  It speaks volumes about the type of people we have the pleasure of spending time with every day and no matter the result, we know that this community is second to none.  Much love

 

"Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course." --William Shakespeare

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“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.” --Vince Lombardi

Purging Some Happiness

written by John Prescott:

These were my thoughts after yesterdays workout and I figured I would share... sort of something I'd rather not make a bid deal out of, but I'm sure part of the process of working with people is understanding how they grow... well my how is answered and I think the people that have helped me deserve some recognition... I didnt say anything to anyone about writing this so do with it what you will but I just wanted to purge my happiness...

It was about six months ago the first time I walked through the narrow hallways of ACF. I was 248lbs, smoked a pack and a half a day and felt tired. More specifically, tired of who I was and what direction my life was headed in.

For 6 months leading up to me joining there was a lot of external driving forces pushing to get me in there, and for that now I am truly thankful. Now I walk in and feel like I am part of something bigger than me, part of something that many enjoy but few really understand. I know that I feel good about where I am now but I feel incredible about where I am going.

Just the idea of my journey always brings me to the same conclusion. My achievements are only in the fore shadow of those who I have pushed me. I am a compilation of successes and failures only to find relief in the fact that I will continue to climb that mountain and never feel ashamed when I fail but also never be over confident when I don’t.

Yesterday I completed what I put into my mind as an impossible mountain to climb. The most humble workout I have done at ACF; “Murph.” The motivation and warmth in the atmosphere was so thick you could actually feel it sticking to you. Well, that and 95 degree temperatures. I would be foolish to think I could ever manipulate myself into completing that workout alone but with the help of the staff, support of the fellow athletes’, and the cause for being there I truly accomplished what I thought to be the Mt. Everest of workouts. For some this might be just another day at the gym but for me it’s a milestone of success that I can truly quantify, not only in numbers but in terms of mental toughness.

I wanted to take a second to just let you know about the specific people who have really impacted me and make sure you are aware just how amazing the people are and the assets you have before you. First of all the entire crew of Morning Mayhem. The atmosphere at 5:45 in the morning is nothing short of dismal until about 5:50 and the entire tone changes your day for the best. Specifically Brett, Sean and Arianna in which both have been incredible inspirations, smart coaches, and all around positive influences for me and my journey. I feel as I am incredibly fortunate to be able to train with and learn from such great people and Murph was just a reflection of that. Not to say the other staff has not helped but I am very accustomed to the morning crew and all it has done for me.

Truth be told I do not know what the end of my journey looks like, and for that matter I may never. I can say with certainty that I am forging it and without all of the internal and external forces helping me along I would never have realized my potential.

In short, thank you for helping me work towards who I want to be and accomplish what I thought to be impossible.

 

"The difficulties and struggles of today are but the price we must pay for the accomplishments and victories of tomorrow." --William J. H. Boetcker

Live Like Nobody Else

Written by Dean-o-mite

So for those of you that know me well, you understand that faith is a very important guiding value in my life. I recently went to church and heard an amazing and inspiring sermon about living “weird”; the pastor of the church is a bit consume with health and fitness, and constantly relates much of what he discusses about taking care of you body, cool huh? For me I was able to take much of what was said and apply it to any and all parts of my life…

When it comes to life in order to achieve your goals you often times have to be “weird” in order to get the job done or the results we want. Examples, those who are financially well off often have odd, but obviously successful ways in doing business. Great athletes train, eat and sleep, in concordance with their athletic endeavors, sometimes neglecting family and friends, to win the championship, or bring home the trophy. Good relationships take sacrifice and are often thought as being “weird”, bottom line: “Extreme results require extreme sacrifices."

So here is my proposal, let’s stick out, let’s be weird because normal is not working!! The food pyramid has been changed time and time again because it’s broken and isn’t working. However when people eat clean good foods (“weird”, especially at family parties when you get made fun of) that our body was meant to eat, people become healthier. When people train hard (“weird”), lift heavy weights and give their 100% (they get thrown out of their gym or get funny looks) they become more fit, stronger healthier, and a better quality of life.

Bottom line… extreme sacrifices, breeds extreme outcomes.

If you want to reap the rewards, you must be “weird.” There is no choice!! If you want to live like no
one else and become successful, have a better relationship, financially well off, or have a six pack you
have to be willing to make the sacrifices that it takes to get your results.

If you want to live like nobody else, you must be willing to live like no one else!!

 

"Those things that are precious are saved only by sacrifice." --David Kenyon Webster

Cody's CrossFit Close-Up: Day 1

WOD

3 Rounds 15...10...5

200 meter Run
35 LB Kettle Bell
Burpees
5:54 in the sweltering heat

I'm a 38 year old morning show host for Fly 92.3.  I'm engaged to be married to a much younger women who happens to be a professional boxer...and in really good shape! Most of my family battles major weight issues and various eating disorders...I actually enjoy working out, and eating healthy but I'm not pleased with my body.  I came to the conclusion when I turned 38 in the middle of May, that I needed Crossfit to look better, and feel better.  I plan on taking notes weekly to give you a peek into my world...honest and revealing.  The coaches have agreed to work with me one-on-one 4 days a week.  My goal is simple: Get into the best shape of my life as I enter the latter stages of my 30's.  I expect the road to be laborious at times, incredibly rewarding at others.

This is my Albany Crossfit journey...Close Up

6/7/11 "Do NOT post that pic...yet!"

Jay took a picture of me today because he wants a "before and after".  I asked him if he needed for it to be with my shirt off, and he laughed.  "Obviously " he said.  The more misshapen I was, the better...The results would be that much more dramatic.  That was Jay's philosophy and he was right.  I reluctantly agreed.  He snapped the photo of me shirtless and promised me that he wouldn't immediately post it.  I insisted on looking at the picture, but I knew what I was going to see.  

We've all taken pictures of ourselves in the mirror.  We know what we look like.  Our trouble areas glare back at us with venom.  Mine certainly did in that pic that Jay took  Too many chicken wings at Bombers, deep dish from Pizzeria Uno, beer, etc...ugggh.  Not a pretty site.

I've done Crossfit before,  I did it successfully for about 5 months but stopped in the Fall on 2010 because of an injury.  Even when I wasn't going to Crossfit, I still did Crossfit style workouts with friends at other gyms and sometimes on my own.  I obsessively checked albanycrossfit.com to see what the WOD was and I always looked for the Sarah Johnson's paleo recipes.  Even though I wasn't in the Crossfit gym, It was very much a part of my life.

In the time I was away from Crossfit, I put on about 10 pounds of flab.  I noticed it, my fiancee Sarah noticed, as did people around me.  Even though I was working hard in the gym, I wasn't working smart...plus, I was making poor food choices on the regular.  Today marked my return to ACF and I was raring to go.

Todays WOD was a pretty basic one for me.  3 Rounds 15/10/5 : 35LB KB swings and burpees with a 200 m run in between.  My buddy Javy was there to root me on (is there anything better than having that dude in your corner??) and Jay was filming.  My goal was to finish under 8 minutes...I did it in 5:54.  It felt great to be back at Crossfit, swinging kettle bells, doing burpees on the gravelly concrete, running laps around that lot....dodging cars!

After 5:54 of pretty good work, in the 90 plus degree heat, I was wiped and breathing heavy...but I did manage to face Jay's camera and say "Its great to be back...and PLEEEASE don't post that shirtless pic of me yet." "Don't worry B Codes," Jay said...trying unsuccessfully to hold back the laughter..."Nobody really wants to see it"

Great to be back at Albany Crossfit!!

Brian aka "B Codes"

  

"He conquers who endures." --Persius

It's What the French Call: Je Ne Sais Quoi

There is always the typical question asked “Why do you CrossFit?” But, in all seriousness, what drives you to show up and go through the physical and emotional stress caused by this challenging program? My answer is that a CrossFitter is a different breed of person. Now, I want to be careful not to make it seem like there is a hierarchy and that certain people are less or better than others, but as history has shown their two types of people: those who possess that extra something and those who do not, CrossFitters are those who do!!!

All throughout history, we have seen this happen; civilizations rise and fall all based on an intrinsic value to survive and do more. A great example is America, back when it was just British colonies; a group of rag-tag settlers fought off, at that time, the world’s largest super power, to later become the United States we know and love today!! The Poles (Polish people) defended themselves from the German invasion during WWII with only pitch forks and other farm equipment, stupidity, or something else?

We see this same scenario time and time again, and we wonder what drives people to such ends to achieve their goal or to the grave in some cases. Well, as I said before, some people possess “it,” and some do not. Some people have an internal drive to better themselves, to work hard, and to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals, while some do not.

This is part of the reason you were first attracted to CrossFit , you saw that "X factor" and you wanted so badly to possess it. People sweat and bleed next to each other encouraging that indomitable spirit of man.

The reason why you come back? Well I would assume it’s because you have developed that urge and desire for something more, it’s what the French call "je ne sais quoi" (to have a certain something, an X factor), but only you can answer that…

 

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." --Mohandas Ganhi

May Member of the Month!

I have the pleasure of announcing Melissa Warner as the May Member of the Month!  This amazing athlete has shown more heart and determination than I can possibly ever describe.  Melissa, since day one has refused to back down from any challenge and continues to push her limits every time she steps through the doors.

Melissa came to us with a yoga background, looking to expand her horizons.  In her journey here, she has gained tremendous confidence, and surpassed any and all expectations.  She recently participated in the CrossFit Open, which takes a lot of courage in and of itself.  Despite scaling workouts, she gained valuable experience and showed her determination to better herself.  She came in early on Saturday's for Competitor's classes, putting the extra time to work on skills.  No ego, just hard work.

Injuries.  Not an excuse.  Not an option to miss.  That was actually a direct quote from her.  She still comes in, modifies workouts, and always gives everything she has.  She is a valuable asset to our community, as you could not ask for a more humble person, and she is always quick to encourage other athletes.

Melissa has met every obstacle head on, never quits no matter how hard it gets, and continues to impress us all.  We are lucky to have her as an athlete, and are privileged to know her as a person.  You can expect big things from her in the future, and we're excited to be along for the ride.  Congratulations Melissa!

  

 "Don't be afraid to fail. Don't waste energy trying to cover up failure. Learn from your failures and go on to the next challenge.  It's OK to fail. If you're not failing, you're not growing." -- H. Stanley Judd