Asheville News

CrossFit comfort: You can puke in the chalk bucket

Jason Sandford October 28, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Photo by Shanna. Body by CrossFit Asheville.

The CrossFit Asheville workout of the day didn’t appear to be all that difficult, at least on paper. But the series of kettlebell swings and box jumps wore me to the core.

I finished the series of repetitions of kettlebells (21-18-15-12-9-6-3 with a 35 lb. kettlebell) and box jumps (3-6-9-12-15-18-21, with a 20-inch box) in 10 minutes and 23 seconds — 23 seconds outside the goal of finishing in 10 minutes.

That’s the simple telling. The real story is this: the desperate gasp for air; the internal battle to get shut out mind and let body take control; the cheering support of fellow CrossFitters yelling: “You can puke in the chalk bucket. Now get back on it. You’re doing great!”

I flopped on the floor on the floor when I was done. My legs jello, my forehead dewy in cold sweat. My head aching, my leg muscles quivering. One of my CrossFit buddies noted that I looked a little ashen-faced, then gave me a high-five.

That’s what I love about CrossFit. The sweaty smell of a real gym, where people push themselves and push each other. The friends you make simply by working running together and lifting weights together, helping each other with no pretention. The sense of community and comaraderie and real caring. You can puke in the chalk bucket, and that’s OK.

CrossFit, I love you. And I’ll be back for more tomorrow.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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9 Comments

brandi November 3, 2009

thanks for the info! I’ll check into the next intro session and see if i can work it in! 🙂

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Ash October 29, 2009

Brandi, CrossFit is for people of all fitness levels. I’m in good shape, but not the greatest. I still don’t eat as well as I should, and I’m always in the middle of the pack when it comes to finishing the workouts. I apologize for showing off a little here.

My point, though, is that when you start losing a couple of pounds, and feeling stronger, that feeling infuses your whole life. You walk taller. You’re generally more confident, and that’s hot.

I would just say this – give it a try. If you’re not in love with it, no worries. But in my opinion, CrossFit is better than one of those gaudily colored gyms where nobody knows your name and all people do is go through the motions on those fancy machines.

CrossFit gives you encouraging attention and – best of all – results you can see and feel.

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Ash October 29, 2009

FJK, lol!

Bruce, i heard about that! 🙂

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FJK October 29, 2009

You’re scaring me Jason.

And please, please, please don’t puke in a peanut shell bucket at The Wedge.

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brandi October 29, 2009

i was considering doing the crossfit introductory sessions next february, but it seems a bit intense for a chunky, five foot tall girl. is everyone in there already in shape? are there other pudgish bookworms, or is it all athletes?

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Lena October 28, 2009

Check you out! Woo hoo!

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Dad October 28, 2009

BE THE MACHINE. Boooyaaa.

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Health Care Curious October 28, 2009

Hello, Ashvegas, don’t know where to post this question elswhere on your blog, so here goes. Have others in Asheville received calls and then mailers from Blue Cross/Blue Shield asking them to send a message to Senator Hagan opposing "government-run health insurance?" The postage-paid reply card is addressed to "Senator Kay Hagan, 701 Green Valley Road, Ste. 201, Greensoboro." This apears to be the address of Senator Hagan’s husband’s office. Two questions: why does Blue Cross/Blue Shield want these cards to go there, rather than to Senator Hagan’s Washington office? And two, how is Blue Cross/Blue Shield getting Kay Hagan’s husband’s law firm to pay the postage???
A third question. Has anyone else changed the card to read, "Please SUPPORT government-run health insurance. We canNOT meet our health care challenges without the government [crossed out unfairly] competing with the PROFIT-DRIVEN private sector."
Knowing you are a good reporter, perhaps you can find the answers.

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Bruce Mulkey October 28, 2009

Haven’t puked in the chalk bucket yet, but I did spit on Corey, our instructor . . . accidentally, of course.

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