My FIT journey began by accident in the spring of 2017 when I attended an Obstacle Course Day that Chic's Beach CrossFit (formerly Brixx/CF Unparalleled) had organized. After the event I received a tour of “the box”, and knowing I had been thinking of doing additional training to prepare for Tough Mudder later that summer, I joined. At that point I had been running since 2013, and thought I was in good shape.

That first FIT class was very humbling, but at the same time very addicting. I don’t feel I had ever pushed myself mentally and physically the way I did during those classes (and this still pretty much holds true today). I was, and still am, grateful and intrigued at the tips the coaches always have for maximizing power in an efficient, and safe way, as well as for their ability to balance pushing me to do my best but seeming to know when I have hit my limit. I have watched my muscles get more defined, and my shoulder mobility greatly improve. I feel stronger, and I know the classes have improved my endurance as a runner. I have cried tears of frustration within those walls, and made grunts I had never known existed in me, but I have also had an abundance of heartfelt laughs with people I admire for their ability to look past short-term discomfort for something way more long-lasting and rewarding.

I am sure my time at Chic's Beach CrossFit is a key factor in my handling turning 50 with a laugh more than a “what the ???” I strongly believe “if you don’t use it, you lose it”, and my time at Chic's Beach CrossFit is most certainly ensuring I not only don’t lose it, but I continue to build it.