CrossFit Athletic Group

The workout on Tuesday was completely Katie Bromm's doing. She loves rope climbs, GHD situps, lunges, and double unders, so I mashed them up into a 15-minute AMRAP that looked to be quite challenging. The thing is, Katie B also loves 800-meter runs. So after that quadruplet in the unseasonably muggy weather, there was a sprint to Edge Nutrition and back. Way to go Katie!

...........

Our 11 am session featured JZ, Joe Wonsil, and Khalil Wallace - all on relatively the same level as far as mid-distance running goes. Since JZ is a big pansy, I gave him the ultimatum before the workout that it if he did not win the run, he would have to, immediately, do the run over again. In a session with the other two, I figured it would be doable but, considering JZ's generally weak mental fortitude, a tough challenge.

The timer hit 15 minutes and the three of them took off... at an extremely slow pace - the minimum requirement to be considered a jog. When they hit the G.A. Fuchs sign Joe increased the pace and the other two followed suit. As they closed in on the Edge sign, JZ's mind got in his way and he slowed down to the point of a walk. Upon seeing this, Khalil went out of his way to slow down, grab JZ, and push him forward to keep up with them on the run. "C'mon bro, I got you."

This was the scene roughly two minutes later:

Not only did JZ finish the run, but he actually came back and won by out-sprinting both of them over the last 100 meters with a total time of 18:33. Joe finished at 18:34 and Khalil at 18:35. It was epic!

...........

I often think of our 3rd Quote of the Week in relation to our gym. It's really cool to see how all of these friendships are formed that would probably not happen if not for this place. But I also think you guys are tentative to push each other - literally or figuratively - out of fear of making your friend mad. If only you could understand how much you are leaving on the table by not doing this. Imagine if, in that moment, Khalil decided he just wanted to be nice to JZ instead of being a good friend? JZ would have never won the workout, never learned he had an extra gear, and would've had to repeat the run. But Khalil didn't let a potentially awkward situation stop him from making his brother better. JZ owes him one.

Don't be afraid to challenge your teammates in here. It will make everyone better.