Marsha!!

• Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
• by amy

This is the first installment of some member bios/testimonials.

Meet Marsha.  Everyone wants to be Marsha when they grow up, including me!  She is not only our oldest athlete (in age), but she's also been with us the longest.  She's my role model, and you're lucky, regardless of age, if you have half of Marsha's grit, determination, and enthusiasm!  Thanks for all you bring to CrossFit Blacksburg, and thanks for seeing us through so many changes and growing pains!!

OLD IS ONLY IN ‘YOUR MIND’

CrossFit … sounds like something everyone needs!!  Who wouldn’t want to be “crossfit.” My son sent me to the CrossFit HQ website and told me I could “scale” my workouts to meet my needs … whatever that meant, I had no idea and the workouts looked like sheer agony.  Then Brian told me to call Amy Crawford at “CrossFit NRV,” now CrossFit Blacksburg.   That was two years ago, and I have never looked back.  I remember my first box jump – a 10lb. plate and my single unders.I think I did about 25 and got such a severe headache that Amy named a workout after me!!!  Well now…I can jump on a 16” box and am still doing single unders, but can do 3 rounds of 200 and still be on my feet and no headache.  

For 20 years my fitness goal was to pass the Army PT test … sit-ups, push-ups and the 2 mile run; first in combat boots and then in running shoes (you know that when in battle you will have time to change into your running shoes to chase the enemy!)  I tried the “gym” thing, Curves, jazzercise, self motivated exercise – ha! - And none of it was exciting or long lasting.  So I just vegged out for a couple years!  Then I found CrossFit.

In two years I have lost 18lbs., my cholesterol and triglycerides are significantly lower, no osteoporosis and I feel about 40 – when in reality I am 62.  Oh sure, I do have some arthritis and my recovery time is not that of a 40 year old, but I have only once in two years not finished a workout and almost without fail make my three workouts a week.  

I have always been a competitive person; played softball, field hockey, basketball, golf...and table tennis (don’t laugh…it takes focus and remember Forrest Gump!)…so I have had to struggle with setting realistic goals.  I would love to do what all the young men and women at CrossFit Blacksburg do, but the truth is that I can’t and now realize I don’t need to.  My goal is to maintain my functional movements and strength for the remainder of my life and to be independent.  No way will you see me use a “catapult” chair ... I’m working on those hamstrings Jesse!

And THE PEOPLE!  My only experiences with CrossFit have been CrossFit Blacksburg, CrossFit Rammstein, and attending the 2009 CrossFit Games to watch my son compete.  There is such a strong sense of community everywhere.  Everyone cares about each other, has fun together, and never ever denigrates anyone’s efforts in a workout. Where else can you go that there are people cheering for you till the bitter end and helping you make it through the WOD?  There is nothing better than having someone cheer for your efforts…we all need cheerleaders in this life.

Thank you CrossFit Blacksburg…the coaches who are usually at my 9AM class…Amy, Jesse, and Neil…and to every athlete who comes in that door…you all make my life brighter!!!

Marsha Bowen

Marsha adapting a WOD to work around an injury.