"DT"

May 12, 2017

This is a quote from my blog post on September 6, 2011, just 4 weeks after I started CrossFitting...

I was going to title this post "Death by DT" since really, I know I have said it before... but, this was the hardest and most challenging workout I have done in my 4 weeks at CFW...

... at 5:30am I pulled into the parking lot. I am still sore, my calves kill. My shoulders were tight, my abs are feeling it... those thrusters did good things yesterday!!
I attempted one hanging power clean, which is like a clean, but rather than starting at the deadlift position you are already at your knees with the weight. Yeah, the 95lb attempt was a fail, as was the 90lb. Well thats not entirely true, I got the 90lb one up for one rep. Um, I have to do 5 sets with 9 of these in each set... lets go with the 85lbs!! The object of the DT is to complete all the exercises with the same weight, so with 85lbs the deadlifts and push jerks would be pretty light... so I thought... 

... Oh.My.God. My shoulders feel like my arms could literally drop out of the sockets. Forget about the calf pain... hahah thats old news! I kept sort of getting a light headed feeling through the sets, but I know it was my mind wanting me to stop, I needed to get out of that comfort zone. It was really hot since we had to keep on garage door closed and I was working really hard. There was no need to stop, a few breaths than back in... was running through my mind. I didnt stop, and I didnt give up, and I did it. 

WOD:
"DT"  5 Rounds for Time
12 Deadlifts
9 Hanging Power Cleans
6 Push Jerks
(my time 24:23)
1 set @ 85lbs, 2 sets @ 75lbs and 2 sets @ 65lbs 

These are my words. These are my feelings. I still remember it, like it was yesterday. Moments like this come flooding back to me often. I will never ever forget the struggles, I will never ever forget where I came from and what it took to get me to the point I am today. I will never forget the fear and the many many times I reached the point of being uncomfortable... when I had to drag myself off the floor. I will never stop fighting and pushing myself to be better every single day. I admire and am inspired daily by the people who are fighting the same fight that I did and still am. I love the feeling of the grind, working hard and nothing feels better than working hard and knowing, regardless of the outcome... I put everything I had on the line. Nothing.

My relationship with "DT" is quite the opposite of that first encounter now. When I see those letters pop up as the workout of the day, I get excited. Any Hero WOD pushes me in a way that I cant quite describe. These workouts are named for our countries Heros, who gave their lives for our freedom. They are children, brothers, sisters, cousins, friends... of every one of us. The short period of time that I am struggling to push myself to perform at 100% they did every day, all day while they fought for our country. That short period of time can not even begin to compare to the hardship and grievance of their family and friends... as they live their life with a hole in it forevermore. I am honored to be able to complete these workouts in their name.  You can read about SSgt Tim Davis HERE.

I have completed this WOD quite a few times over the years since I wrote that first post. My "love" has grown exponentially for it! Its a challenge each and every time... and it drives me to compete with myself. November 11, just 2 months after the original post I completed the whole WOD at 93# in 17:08... and on September 3, one year from the original post, I completed it Rx with 105# in 12:01.

My struggles are all here, in plain sight. I can recall every feeling... every road block and speed bump. I decided when I saw "DT" posted last night that I was just going to go in, head down and lay it out there. I hadnt even looked at my previous times to see what I wanted to beat. I just wanted it to be me against the clock.

The energy at the gym, my excitement for CrossFit and my drive to keep pushing was enough to start this day with a huge PR. I finished "DT" in a time of 6:15, which was a :23 second PR from my last attempt. I thought of SSgt Tim Davis... I thought of his family... I thought of the fight. My "pain" through this workout is temporary. Theirs... is not.

Always remember, everyone started somewhere... its the passion, the hard work and the perseverance that drives us to complete our tasks and achieve our goals.

Never stop.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
WOD:
"DT"  5 Rounds for Time
12 Deadlifts
9 Hanging Power Cleans
6 Push Jerks
(my time 24:23)
1 set @ 85lbs, 2 sets @ 75lbs and 2 sets @ 65lbs

MAY 12, 2017
WOD:
"DT"  5 Rounds for Time
12 Deadlifts (105lbs)
9 Hanging Power Cleans (105lbs)
6 Push Jerks (105lbs)
(my time 6:15)