Succeed With Me.

Grit: noun a firmness of mind or spirit; unyielding courage in the face of danger or hardship; fortitude

Training for the 2013 CrossFit Games has already thrown a slew of challenges my way.  After a recent doctor's appointment I called home to Web to tell him of what I had known since February... my meniscus was torn.  Silence on the other end, and then, "How long before you are back?" More silence... and finally I say, "I don't know if I can do this anymore."

However, a pivotal interaction, just a few short days before I went under the knife changed my perspective drastically.  I was working a L1 Seminar and a fellow tall CrossFittin mama came up to me.  She had a wonderful presence, a bright smile, and was eager to learn.  At the end of Day 1 she asked me if she could have my autograph at the conclusion of the Seminar.  I would be honored, I told her.  As I went home that evening I was cleaning out my closet and I came across my Games gear, and while its pretty awesome to wear a shirt with my name on the back at the Games, it always kinda loses its appeal when I get back home.  My jerseys frequently land an eternal spot in the bottom of my closet.  I decided to take one to the gym and offer it to my new found friend, in place of a signature.  When I handed it to her, she burst out in tears and dove in for a sister-like hug.

That night, I got home and told Web this story.  He looked at me and, in the way only a husband could get away with, says, "So, you still thinking about not competing?"  Now, through my own tears, all I could do was shake my head no.

When do I train?  I don't know.  Its hard for me to come up with a plan, because all too often it gets messed up and interrupted by nothing more than life itself.  So, I take it one day at a time.  That's all I can do and therefore that is what I will continue to do.  As I balance my new role as Athletic Director at Columbus School for Girls, I can't help, but to get overwhelmed at times.  I often find myself juggling the 12 different fall sports, determined to see all of our kids perform.  Alexis travels with me from game to game to game.  The court, field, green, and course have become her evening playground.  My playground though, is still the gym.  I know one thing that makes me different from so many others is that I truly love to train.  It doesn't get old to me.  I don't get tired of it.  If it wasn't for the responsibilities of adult life, I could train all day long.  Sometimes I get frustrated at the realization that I don't have the luxury of training mid-day, but then I look around and realize how blessed I am to have a job I love.

As most family members of Games Athletes know, this is not a one-man-show.  The dedication required to train for the Games requires sacrifice from the entire family.  I could not keep moving forward without Web and Lexi on board.  I cannot tell you the last time I emptied the dishwasher (that's love) or the countless dinners that I haven't cooked because I was at the gym.  I appreciate their love and support and promise regular home-cooked meals in days to come.

More than ever I am determined to succeed.  Surgery, schmurgery... it's about time I fine tuned my gymnastics skills anyways.  This will make me better, it has made me better.  For weeks I have sworn Web to secrecy, I attempted to go under-cover with my surgery.  I'm over that now.  Come, succeed with me.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Phil 4:13