Hey guys, it's definitely been a while since my last post! Life has picked up pace with all the celebrations and nice weather recently! It has been a very bumpy few weeks, lots of highs and some lows ( which I'm learning to accept as a normal part of life).
On the positive side, the box I belong to, Marlboro Crossfit
organized an AMAZING event for Autism Speaks on April 13th, the turn out was
beyond words. I work with special needs children on a daily basis, and this
event was very important and close to my heart for a variety of reasons. For
those who are not familiar with Autism here are some facts taken directly from www.autismspeaks.org .
Did you know ...
-Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys
-Autism prevalence figures are growing
-Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the
U.S.
-Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
-Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less
prevalent childhood diseases
-Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
-There is no medical detection or cure for autism
More people are starting to take notice about
what autism is , and becoming more informed about this developmental disability
because people, like all the people who participated or donated to this event ,
made their voices heard and took a stand for Autism Speaks.
The day of the event was filled
with anticipation, nerves, and excitement! My sister and I would finally do our
first Crossfit workout, side by side, in the same heat! My sister has been doing
Crossfit for over a year now, and she is a BEAST! I was nervous because there
were so many people, from so many different boxes watching us, people from all
different levels of Crossfit.
The WOD for the day was a 10 minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) of Thrusters (95/65/45) with a pacer of 5 burpees and 10 kettle bell swings (53/35/25). Seems easy on paper, but
that was BRUTAL! I can remember a distinct moment in the work-out when I looked
at the clock and 7:00 remaining read. I felt a panic, but I reminded myself of
what it meant to be doing that WOD, and I worked my ass off for all those with
Autism, especially my students. It was the first time I did a WOD to raise money
for a cause, I have done volunteer work before, but this was
something...special. Everyone who participated that day left all they had in the
box, it was something I will always remember.
1. When you first decided to do a WOD for a
cause last year, why did you decide on Autism? Why was it important to bring
attention and awareness to Autism, and Autism Speaks?
My cousin Vinnie (no not the
movie, I actually have a cousin named Vinnie) is autistic. He has been
non-communicative and severely impaired from a very young age. Vinnie
communicates through his look and his touch but words are never spoken. When he
was born the prevalence of Autism was 1 in 2500 births, in 2012 statistics show
that 1 in 88 children will be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder by age
8. If that isn't enough to get your fundraising wheels turning I don't know
what will! Nothing in this world is more important than changing the future of
our youth, and their is nothing better than being able to contribute to that!
The mission of Autism Speaks is to change the lives of those who struggle with
autism everyday so the partnership for the event was a perfect fit.
2. After seeing the total
outcome, the amount of people who participated, donated, and even showed up as
support; how would you describe the difference between the Crossfit community
and anything else you've ever been apart of?
3. This being the 2nd Annual WOD
for Autism, what was different about this year and last year?Coach Rick
The difference between this year and last year? Well were talking about
$12,000 difference! But as you know, the monetary stuff is just the surface of
it all. The real difference was the ridiculous amount of people that showed up
to throw down and support the cause. Some of my closest friends from CF908,
Brazen, CF Freehold, CF Westfield, CF KOA, and CF Veracity all showed up (I know
I'm forgetting some of you) and that meant more than they will ever know. I
believe this amount of support also answers the previous question regarding what
makes the CF community different...The growth over a year was substantial and we
look forward to an even bigger event next year, maybe even do it competition
style (hint hint)!!
4. As a Team, the WOD for Autism raised a total amount of $18,000 for Autism speaks. The original team goal was $10,000. How does it feel to know your event raised so much money, for such a great cause?
HUMBLED
5. You work hard every day to be the best
person and coach you could possibly be, what advice would you give someone about
tackling goals and PRing life?
Every single day of our lives (every minute
for that matter) we are faced with life experiences that can often be
interpreted as "circumstantial". F*!k circumstances, they don't exist! Create
your vision, LIVE IT and NEVER EVER GIVE UP!
Rick (and I know several people helped him),
put together a great event that brought cross fitters, and non cross fitters alike
together in solitary for one common goal. Apply this concept to every aspect of
life, and the World is yours for the taking! I feel so honored to be apart of
Marlboro Crossfit, especially after this event. It's one thing to participate in
a event for a cause, but it's another when the cause directly affects you. The
students I work with, and Ricks cousin Vinnie are two examples of people who
beat the odds every single day, and I will stand up and speak for them any day!
I look forward to getting involved in more events like this in the future and
can't wait to see what happens next year at the Third Annual WOD for
Autism!
Big Jay (Brazen) and Tim (Crossfit 908)
Kettle Bell
MCF Family
Today I am grateful for a rest day! I have been non stop the last 9 days,
only missing two WODs , and being on the go constantly. It's nice to just be able
to relax, and catch my breath!
What are you grateful for today?
xxx,
-A
PS: In my next post I will be announcing
the Palo Challenge winner so make sure you stop back and check it out! Believe
me, you don't want to miss it!
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