Sep052017

A Goodbye to The Original Gangster

There are many definitions used to describe a “Family.” Obviously, those who are related to you by blood are part of your family, but many of us have people who you are so close to you that you could consider them your own. The members of Parkland Crossfit (PCF) have been mine and Enrique’s second family for several years now. And today (September 4, 2017) we had our final workout in the place we have called home, as they are closing their doors after many many years of blood, sweat, tears….laughter, jokes, victories, failures, parties, competitions, insane workouts, and pure joy!

Many of the “Adventures” that you see me write about would never have happened if it weren’t for Parkland Crossfit, in particular, owner Kenny Warden. The last year and half I have dedicated my life to getting healthy and fit. I’ve lost around 75 pounds, gained an immense amount of strength, a new outlook on life (thus Lagom Adventures), and another family. I’ve always had a love for adventure, but if it hadn’t been for PCF I would have never been able to do some of the things I’ve been doing, especially all the HIKING!

My love affair with Crossfit really started as anything but a “loving” relationship around 3 or 4 years ago. Kenny visited our school to talk health and nutrition and little bit about Crossfit. He offered a discount to any teachers who wanted to come and give it a try. So a few months later, I signed up! Beginners have to go through what is called “Foundations.” It was 3 nights a week and I held my own pretty well. I continued for several more months after foundations, but never made any real progress towards a healthier lifestyle, so I didn’t see the results that I wanted to see. I just wasn’t in the right mindset to come in and do the workouts and disciplined enough to diet like I should. Mentally I just wasn’t “into it.” So I found myself almost dreading going to the gym. I enjoyed the people, but just not everything else. And that’s one thing I tell everybody who wants to give it a try. You have to be mentally prepared to handle what is about to come your way. No it’s not easy, but if you can tell yourself that “it’s fun and not going to kill me,” you will be successful.

So after several months, I quit. I used my busy schedule as an excuse not to go. Of course about the time I quit, Enrique began. And in typical Enrique fashion, he excelled. He became a BEAST!! It became his new obsession. And I was so jealous. Jealous of his ability to physically do things he was doing. But more jealous of the friendships he was making without me.

So about a year after having our last child (hopefully), I decided I was going to have to take back control of my health and fitness, and came back to Crossfit. From the very beginning, I had a different attitude. I opened myself up to the lifestyle and the people there. I figured out that if I couldn’t do something, Kenny would figure out something I could do. And the support I received from all the other members was amazing. They made me feel comfortable, which is half the battle when being faced with working out in front of a bunch of people.

I will never forget the my first WOD (Workout of the Day) back at Parkland. It was a partner WOD and involved box jumps, or step ups in my case. I was thinking “this can’t be too hard.” I’d been doing my own thing in the gym for a few weeks, this one I got to split up the work with a partner, and….step ups, big deal, we step up on stuff all the time!! OMG….was I wrong! Halfway through the workout I could barely step up on top of the box anymore!! If it hadn’t been for my first partner, Ashley Martin, I never would have finished. It was from that moment that Ashley became one of my best Crossfit friends and I started a true love affair with Crossfit.

It was all the people that kept me going. First or last, it didn’t matter, someone was always there encouraging me, yelling at me, sometimes even CUSSING at me (Kenny and Enrique)! The louder they yelled, the harder I tried and often cussed back. I began to crave it! I couldn’t wait to see what the next workout was going to be. I planned my whole day around when I could get to the gym. By the end my first summer back, I was well on my way to reaching milestones I never dreamed I would reach that first year. We even competed in Crossfit competitions against members of other gyms!

Besides Ashley, some of my best friends were at the gym. We would talk with each other, arranging when we would all meet up at the gym. We would laugh until we cried and cry in pain together during a workout. But as soon as we were through, we celebrated together. Many of my most memorable moments involved something at the gym or a special gathering outside of the gym: Halloween and Christmas parties, floating and camping, dinners and evenings out “on the town.”

Kenny created the first actual “Crossfit” gym in the area. Yes, there were several “fitness centers” who did Crossfit style workouts, but Parkland Crossfit was the first true affiliate, thus Kenny nicknamed the gym the “Original Gangster.” “Crossfit” is an actual brand, and to call yourself a “Crossfit” gym you must become an affiliate. PCF was the first.

Kenny and Amy built the gym from the ground up. Not only was Kenny the gym owner and #1 coach, but he became a fitness leader in the community. And it wasn’t all about making money. They would go out of their way to get people to come to the gym and join, not because they wanted more money, but because they cared about people. Many people came for free or on discounted rates. Kenny would take people shopping to help them with their diet plans. If there was something someone needed help with outside of the gym, Kenny would help if he could. He hung the drywall in our new house! It didn’t matter if it was the shirt off his back, Kenny was there.

I couldn’t imagine the number of pounds and inches Kenny helped people lose collectively over his years as a coach. Or the muscle mass, PR’s, or 1RM’s everyone gained. He even got Shannon O’Dell to Crossfit Games….TWICE! You know, the Crossfit Competition you see on ESPN.

People did come and go, but they never forget the impact Kenny had on them. Parkland Crossfit has forever changed my life. And the gym closing its doors has been absolutely devastating for me and many other members. I’ve cried more than once. However, even though the doors the gym may be locked for good, the relationships we’ve built will last forever. When you’ve been through hell and back (because some of the workouts are pure hell…Murph!) you don’t forget the people who helped you get through it. And there’s one title that no one can claim – “Original Gangster.” It doesn’t matter how many gyms bearing the Crossfit name open in the area, Parkland Crossfit was the first. They paved the way and set the high standards.

I’m not sure where I will continue my Crossfit journey, but wherever I go, I will be wearing my Parkland Crossfit gear with pride.