I was sent an E-mail not to long ago with a subject that said "You know you're addicted to CrossFit when..." and then the body of the E-mail listed out various witty examples that supported reasoning for a CrossFit addiction. Most of them were really funny, but if you're really into CrossFit like the members of the GYG, you'd read every statement and say to yourself "Yup, so true. I've done that. That's so me." I know that I don't have the E-mail anymore but I remember 2 statements that stood out to me for 2 completely different reasons. The 1st statement stayed with me because not only is it one that's suitable for me, but I'd challenge any active CrossFitter that claim they don't do it. The 2nd statment reminded me of Garth. I knew that when the E-mail banter began that The Show would make a reference to it. So predictable. Here are the 2 statements to which I am referring:

You know you're addicted to CrossFit when...
1.) You do everything for time.
2.) You use words like "Jerk" and "Snatch" and no longer giggle to yourself.

The 1st one is all me. Truthfully, I was like this before CrossFit. Now? My CrossFit "addiction" has only fueled this twisted, competitive side of me. For example, I used to challenge myself to see how long it would take me to mow the yard and then the next time I would try to better that time while still maintaining the same level of grooming. Now? Because of CrossFit, I not only try to "mow for time" but I add additional work such as multiple rounds of kettlebell swings to up the challenge. Like I said, "twisted, competitive side of me."

For the record, my PR for mowing, bagging and kettlebell swings stands at 1 hour 4 minutes. This means both mowing a 1/4 acre lot and bagging all clippings but also includes 3 rounds of 21 swings with a 1.5 pood (53LB) kettle bell. Good stuff! And yes, the neighbors continue to think I am a whack job.

The 2nd one is all Garth. At 39, the guy says "Snatch" and you see that little boy inside just light up. When we first started training the Snatch lift the jokes were endless. I'll admit, some were funny and creative, but after 37 of them I just wanted them to stop so we could get down to some lifting. Now? The jokes have stopped but that smile is still there. You can just tell, Garth is just dying to rifle off at least one joke to feed the urge. But he doesn't. He knows better.

I'm sure you can (kinda) see where I am going with this by now. We walk into the box today and what do we see on the board as today's special? You guessed it:

Strength: Power Snatch
3, 2, 1, 1, 1

Know what was going through my head? Two words: 1) OH, 2) GOODIE! Personally, and contain yourself and your high school jokes for just a moment, but I love the Snatch. It's one of my favorite lifts! Garth returned from his 800M warm-up run and said "You see the WOD today, Tommy? It's one of my favorites." I looked at him, nodding without saying a word and waited. I stood stone faced looking right at him still not saying a word. He looked back at me stone faced himself and then it happened: THE.GRIN.

No words. No comments. He didn't have to say anything. I knew what he was thinking. It's what makes him so...umm....unique.

We all went through the Burgener Drills with dowells and then headed to get our bars to begin the lifts. The Snatch is not an easy lift. In fact, I'd say it's one of the hardest lifts we do in CrossFit. However, looking around at everyone, it was clear that everyone's technique was improving. Phil, who is our newest soon-to-be active GYG member in his first official class, looked solid. Nate and Pete looked strong. And, Garth was vastly improved. Not like I am some pro here - because my technique is far from good - but it's easy to see the improvement in people you train with every day for over a year. Need proof? Take a look at the quick video below showcasing his lift:

"I don't know what the Olympic standard is but I'm fairly certain it doesn't include struggling with all you have to keep the bar from crushing your face." - Coach Zach

And then it happened again. Garth turns and says: "Let's go heavier! Yeah! Come on." It's one of the reasons why I enjoy training with him so much. He challenges me to challenge myself in more ways than he's probably aware. In fact, I think all of the core GYG-ers would say the same. He challenges us all.

He started with 3 reps at 60K. Then made an aggressive move to 65K for his 2 rep set. He got through the first but on the second, epic fail. He tried again: Epic fail. I even mocked him in saying "FAILED!" He tried again: Epic fail. I turned and looked at both Zach and Pete who both had the same "Holy Shit! What the hell was that lift? You're gonna hurt yourself!" look on their faces. As we talked about mastering technique that conforms to Olympic standard, Garth turned to Zach optimistically asking "How did my technique look?" To which Zach replied: "I don't know what the Olympic standard is but I'm fairly certain it doesn't include struggling with all you have to keep the bar from crushing your face." One word: AWESOME!

When we finished the Power Snatches, we moved onto the METCON which was even more exciting than the Power Snatches. Hard to believe, but here's what lay in front of us:

- 15 Dead Lifts (50% of 1RM)
- 30 Double Unders

(5 rounds for time)

You know what I was thinking? 2 words: 1) OH, 2) GOODIE! I love to dead lift. Even better, I love the METCON dead lifts. We all loaded our bars, steadied ourself and then in some strange attempt to really fire us up, Zach turns up Kanye West's "Stronger." WHAT.THE.F#&K! As expected, this WOD was truly challenging. All of us were working hard, repping off the dead lifts and then spinning the rope as fast as possible. In the end, all of us bettered the goal of coming in south of 15 minutes. Of course, today wouldn't have been complete without the quitissential post WOD photo of Garth, sans shirt of course.

--> Gang Member of the Day: Garth
Seriously. Have you not been reading all this time? We went through the entire WOD with him not having the bar crush his face, but he didn't crack one Snatch joke. That alone is a huge effort. Nice work Show!

Awesome work today, fellas! Thanks for the B-L-A-S-T!

-tmo