Concept 2 - Rowing Challenge Results!

On September 15, twenty two fitness enthusiasts accepted a challenge to row 100,000 meters on a Concept 2 Rowing Machine (erg) by October 15. Interestingly enough none of the rowers had ever rowed much before, to say nothing about accepting such a challenge. Sometimes you just move ahead on faith.... Our initial incentive was that all the teams having 10 people row over 100,000 meters would be eligible for a drawing for a free new Concept 2 rower. That is cool everyone thought. Then came the blisters, and then the callouses and sore behinds. But in the end - huge success! 17 out of 22 people went over 100,000 meters. Congratulations to Cindy Logan, Chris Giess, Kevin Morgan, Theresa DeRycke, Mike Giess, Deb Iovoli, Adam Henby, Bonnie Venton, Laura Bannister, Bob Beckwith, Laura Benotti, Tricia Cicero, Jeanne Mogauro, Ellen Dockum, Amy Mauro, Chas Bauer, and Ron Gordon.

With a cumulative total of 2,238,163 meters, CrossFit Gordon was 36th place out of 280 groups, 21 out of 188 (if you exclude the virtual clubs), and 9th in the "health club" category. And by the way, the callouses remain, but the smiles and sense of satisfaction accompanies a new level of fitness.

Only time will tell if there is a new rower in our future, but we all have a new appreciation for the sport and our abilities.

Well done everyone!

Wow! Highathlon Finishers!

 Ricky Figueroa, Doug Mauro, and Scott Odorisi. 

CrossFit Gordon athletes were out in force this weekend for the Highlander Cycle Tour and the Rochester Marathon. There were many "firsts" and many PRs (Personal Records)... And then there was the Highathlon.

The Highathlon combines both events - a formidable challenge only for the strongest, toughest athletes. To earn a coveted Highathlon finisher's shirt the athlete must complete the Highlander on Saturday and then the Rochester Marathon on Sunday. The marathon is a 26.2 mile run and the Highlander, extended and renamed this year to Death B4 Dismount, is the Tour’s marquee event - it is a formidable double metric century challenge. The revised tour now visits scenic Keuka Lake and the challenging lake bluff climbs around this Finger Lake. At 128miles, with 10,000 feet of climbing in 16 major climbs, several at grades of up to 23% the DB4D will challenge any rider.

Pictured above and looking very strong at the finish of the marathon, Doug and Ricky, Highlathon finishers! Also pictured Scott Odorisi, who finished his first marathon in less that four hours...Remarkable!

You guys are and inspiration and your accomplishments - awesome! Well done!

New Men's 500 Meter Record Holder

Last week Kevin broke 20 minutes on his first 5k row, so I guess it was no surprise that he rowed a 1:33.3 for 500 meters earlier this week. That performance earned him top position on the CrossFit Gordon leader board for the men's 500 meter row. Well done Kevin!

Wow! A fitness class on Labor day? - In the evening? These people are serious.

People like to do fun things on the holidays and the CrossFit Gordon athletes are no different. But they define fun differently that a lot of people - and it shows.
I have trained people for a number of years and I have never seen people attend a fitness class in the evening on a holiday. Today was different.  The studio, full to capacity, was bulging with energy as the enthusiastic athletes warmed up on the ergs in preparation for the CrossFit workout Cindy. Both the woman's and the men's records were crushed by Mike and Tricia. Congratulations to both of you!

But the fun didn't stop there as the group went on to finish the classic workout "Cindy" with great performances all around. You guys rock! And thank you for the good humor as you watched me demonstrate my healing 
supraspinatus.

I feel like a completely different person..

This is what Randy Hubler told me after finishing a workout this last week. He went on to say that he has lost 18 pounds and feels great. He is stronger now and doing things now that he did as a child and never thought he would do again, like skin-the-cat! He really likes the workouts at CrossFit Gordon and actually looks forward to the homework! Nice Job Randy!

Three Records at Once!

 

Seventeen year-old Katie smashed previous teen record (male and female) and ties the over-all woman's record for the 500 meter row with a time of 1:54.4!

Katie is not a rower, in fact she has only been on the rower a handful to times ever. A graduating senior from Aquinas High School, Katie is an avid soccer player. She has been training with TriFit for about 5 months working towards her goal of becoming a better soccer player, and has shown remarkable improvement in her general fitness skills.

Katie heads to Lemoyne college this fall and we can't wait to hear reports from the soccer field. But then again we would bet on her in any athletic endeavor. Nicely Done Katie!

Reflections from an Ironman Finisher.

It has been a couple of weeks, now, since Jeanne Mogauro finished the Ironman Triathlon in Lake Placid. This was her first Ironman distance triathlon.  One thing you notice right away about Jeanne is her smile. She is always smiling, but since her Ironman accomplishment the smile is even more contagious.  You can’t help but to wonder what she is thinking, so I asked her a couple of questions…

What was race day like?   “I was so relieved the morning of the race.  The day I had prepared for was finally here and I was ready.”

What was the hardest part of the Ironman?   “During the race, the last 6 miles was the hardest.  Up to that point the fear of the unknown was the hardest part.”   The year before she watched the start of the Ironman (2,500 people jumping into the lake all at the same time to start the swim) and sat terrified; so terrified that she started crying!   In reflecting back she realized that if she had not signed up right away she may have never signed up at all and would have missed a great part of life.

What kept you going through the training and the race?   “Encouragement from my friends, especially Debbie Iovoli was very motivating to me.  On race day my friends and family were out on the course and I just kept going to see my next friend.  It was great.”

What would you like to tell people?   “When people secretly dream of doing something, they should just go for it, believing it is possible - because it is!  I hope people can find the courage to chase their dreams.”

Jeanne - what an accomplishment. We are all very proud of you!