June 2011 Athlete of the Month: Jason Lane

I first came to CFC a little over a year ago.  I was in, what I thought, was good shape. If you had asked me if I thought I was fit, I would have said yes. I was in better shape than most people I knew who were my age. I was going to the gym five times a week and training to run a half marathon. I had been going to a big box gym for years. Spending 2hrs a day training and sometimes more. It was starting to get old though. Boring. Monotonous.

A couple years back I started doing research, looking for ways to cut down my gym time and add some fun to my workouts. I began to focus more on functional strength training, performed at high intensity. As a result I had to change the time I went to the gym. Mostly because it’s hard to keep up the intensity when the gym is packed, you’re waiting on equipment and lacking the space needed. Not to mention the looks you get from people when you’re doing something other than traditional strength training in a Globo Gym. Next time you’re in a 24hr, try banging out a Crossfit WOD. You’ll understand completely what I am talking about.

In April of last year my good friend Laura told me I should come check out this place she’d been working out at in Campbell. She said she was getting her ass kicked doing this Crossfit stuff and that she really thought I would enjoy what it has to offer. I had never heard of Crossfit before and was a bit skeptical of Laura’s evaluation of how effective it was. Still, always up for a new challenge and learning something, I decided to check out one of the free intro classes.

I was hooked after my first session. I used to frequently say, before coming to CFC, that if you don’t feel like throwing up then it’s not exercise. Those first few months I felt like I was going to puke often. I loved it. I had finally come home. I had finally found someplace where I could continually challenge myself. Where I could push the boundaries of what I think I can do. The best part is, I had found a place where there were people who worked out like me. I could see them all over, on the floor lying in puddles of sweat gasping for air and doing the bacon sizzle after a WOD.

The greatest thing about coming to CFC is the coaching. Courtney is a fantastic coach and he is a stickler about using proper form. I am a bit of a form freak myself. I could care less how much weight you can push around today if you can’t do it again tomorrow because you blew out your back executing a lift with bad form. I have heard Courtney say time and time again“ live to lift another day”. I couldn’t agree more. That’s the main reason I love to workout. I want to live a long and healthy life. Well that, and look to like a sexy mofo.

Seriously though, Courtney has created an environment where lives are changed, real work is done, goals are achieved and fun is had. I am glad to call Courtney my couch and my friend and to be part of the CFC family.

Here’s the bottom line. At 37 I am the fittest I have ever been in my life. I know I said I thought that I was pretty fit when I came to CFC. The guy I am now could wipe the floor with that dude.

Here are the numbers. The data:

May 2010

Dead Lift = 315

Military Press = 115

Front Squat = 175

Bench Press = 220

1 mile run = 8min+

Double Unders = laughable and slightly dangerous to those near by because I used throw the rope in frustration.

OHS = an over head what? (dowel/stick)

May 2011

Dead Lift = 450 (500 here I come)

Military Press =165

Front Squat = 285

Bench Press = 260

1 mile run = 5:45 (holly shit! I couldn't even do that in high school)

Double Unders = Banging those bitches out. Sometimes you can’t even hear the rope hit the floor. Ahhhh yeah, son!

OHS = 135

I could keep adding to the list all things I have gotten better at or, that I can do now that I never would have dreamed I could do a year ago (like muscle ups). I think you get the picture though. As we’ve heard said many times before “This shit works”!

Recently I received my  CF-L1 accreditation and I am hoping to one day open my own box. I love this Crossfit stuff and frankly can’t see any other way of working out.

To Courtney and my CFC fam, thanks for all the support, motivation and direction.

Thanks for making me a fire breather and kicking my ass at least 4 times a week, Courtney. I love it!

 
 

 

Comments

[BCCastello]

Congratulations Jason!!

[Beth]

Yay, Jason! Congrats. Definitely well deserved. You rock! :)

[Mark Westall]

Jason,
Congrats. I was beginning to wonder why you have not gotten a AOM. I am inspired by your gonzo workout ethic and posts on the TypePad.
Mark

[Tony]

Congrats Jason, welcome to the club :) Your push since january has been amazing.

[Mike]

nice job, jason!

[M2]

Congratulations Jason!! The AOM club is glad to have you. Your numbers are amazing..All your hard work shows in all you do. We appraciate all you do here at CFC. We love ya! And in the words of Beth "You Rock"!!