The Community
Sunday, October 11, 2009 at 11:53PM 
I used to train full contact karate. A lot and really hard. I trained in a lot of great dojo, and I also trained in some not so great dojo. What made these not so great dojo not so great? Community. That one word sums ups so much.
The dojo (a dojo is a martial arts box, so to speak) that weren’t great all certainly had hard training and they all had some good fighters with good technique, but they just lacked community. They were the kind of places where no one cared if it was your birthday or knew what your job was. I distinctly remember one place where I would never mention that I had an injury because the other trainees would purposely attack that spot. You would wrap a bad knee before you got to the dojo so no one would see you put on the brace. If you had to say “hey, I have neck injury so don’t grab my neck”, then you just stayed home.
Sure, training at dojo, and with people like that sharpened my technique and honed my fighting spirit. There was an excitement, a kind of edge, about going to those dojo. But, it was not fun, and I never wanted to belong at these places, especially since martial arts, like CrossFit (and most things worth pursuing in life) should be about more than just physical ability.
It’s not that way at CrossFit Los Gatos, or most of the other CF boxes I have been to. This is a place where everyone knows your name. A place where achievements are applauded. A place where birthdays, births, and other special occasions are celebrated. A place where one’s first pullup is as lauded as Greg or Billy's 50 something. It is a place where you are part of a community.
In my mind nothing exemplifies this community more than watching the last person to complete the last run on a WOD. At CFLG that person never does that final run alone. Never. I have seen half a dozen people who have already finished the WOD run with that last warrior Encouraging them, helping them finish hard, letting them know that they are doing great, letting them know that their community is with them. I love seeing that. It makes me prouder and happier than any of the smoking times CFLG has produced.
Community. It really is what separates the merely good from the great.
Please post thoughts to Comments.
Workout:
Split Jerk 7×1
Then:
10, 8, 6, 4, 2
Deadlift 275/185#
Chest Slap Pushup
100m Sprint after each couplet.
Post WOD and score to Comments.
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Reader Comments (14)
Sam's most recent response to Justin--"classic" --was a model of succintness. I say the same of Sam's blog today: "classic"; and I happily forfeit some brevity when I add, "and spot on."
Speaking of great community -- thanks to all who helped organize and kick off the Paleo Challenge. Saturday was a lot of fun...
I am glad we got so many more of you started on the Paleo Challenge today during my 6am and noon classes! Stick with it you will see huge gains and monster results on January 2nd and 3rd. This is a competition but the benefits are the real prize so compete with yourself. For those of you that did the 10-1 clean, burpee today, I applaud you, Billy and I did it this evening, it was rough to say the least.
Also, I want to give a shout out to Eileen! She is one of our newer CrossFit members, so when you see her say hi and congratulate her on the huge 275 lb DEAD LIFT. I think 300 will come very soon ;)
I just wanted to let everyone know that Athlete's Fuel has started carrying all major vitamins which we were only sports supplements before. So you can get major vitamins like you do at Whole Foods now at Athlete's Fuel. The reason why I am saying this, is I got this very cool Gluten Free Baking Mix with our open inventory shipment. I tried a sample in some food I cooked. Being Gluten free is a great thing for Crossfit. Even though I technically can't win the prize for the Paleo Challenge, since Athlete's Fuel is giving away $100 gift certificate to the winner. I am still participating for my own good. Yes, Pat L that means I am gunning for you.
Does anyone have Billy and Shaun's email? Please pass it along. kmcmahon@bcp.org
Kevin,
I believe Billy's is :
Billyapjcc@yahoo.com
I think Shauns is:
shauneagen42@hotmail.com
That is what I have on record for you. Oh and thanks for demoralizing my 255lb thruster! haha
I am the first to say I hate injuries, I hate having them and I cannot stand to see them happen. I am truly sorry that it will take one of our pull up bars completely breaking for them to be made more secure and I am even more sorry that it broke while pull ups were being performed. My thoughts have been with Barry since it happened and I can only imagine his frustration of having an injury that just takes time to heel. I do hope it's not so frustrating that he stops coming to the cage once he can continue work outs.
For the good news in the cage, 6am and noon classes, I gave you all a physically taxing and mentally challenging WOD yesterday and you found it with in yourselves to push through it. I know that it can be a hard thing to do on a Friday but you are all getting better by the day, we can't take steps backwards.
One more thing and I know this is a long one. FOOD! Personally I am a big breakfast person but if I am going to work out I don't like to eat a lot so I can understand those of you coming at 6am not eating a big meal before hand but eat something. A handful of almonds or an apple with peanut butter or even better almond butter. Eating something crunchy with in the first half hour of your day will make you more alert for the rest of your day. But eating just anything is still good, it will boost your metabolism and give you more energy during the WOD then eat something a little heavier afterwards. Remember diet is more than two-thirds the battle!!
All of our thoughts are with Barry, as is my greatest apology for this freak accident ever happening.
Barry,
Sorry to hear what happened. We are thinking of you.
Barry, I'm very sorry to hear of your injury. You have great spirit and determination, and we are all pulling for you.
Chris Kulp
Hey all,
Thanks for all the great thoughts and to my personal coach Billie. I owe a loss of 15 lbs of fat, lots of new muscle, and a my own personal 911 dialer. I miss the team already and I do want the record to show that it was my manlyiness and massive physique that once again proves there is no builiding high enough or pull up bar strong enough to hold back my WWF physique!
Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers and Pat, dont think i wont be back to kick your old ass! Big hugs to all...
: )
Hey Sam. What are the logistics for sunday's competition? We have a great little underdog intermediate team of Me, Pat L, Lindsey and Sarah. Should be fun!
You're the man, Barry!
Barry,
You are most definitely the man! I will eagerly anticipate your return to the box so that we can jointly reclaim our "old guys rule" title. Take care and kick ass on the rehab as soon as you can.