Athlete of the Month: Sara H.
Photo: Ken Apodaca
When Sara started at NoCoast, we were excited about all the potential she packed. She moves very well, is coachable, and despite what she might think or say, very athletic! It's a treat for us, as coaches, to watch an athlete come in with a pretty solid foundation to build on. Then it's all about stacking up skills, gains, and finding mental strength and confidence in the gym. She did our first Friday Night Fights last year, did awesome in the CrossFit Open, participated in the Ragnar Relay Race with NoCoast friends, and recently competed with some gym buddies at Girls Gone RX. Sara has been working out on Black Track for the last few months, and the extra work she is putting in is really paying off. She is finding out that she is capable of A LOT more than she might think. We are excited to see what will develop for her, as she continues to invest in her fitness!
Age/Weight:
25 / 125
How long have you been CrossFitting?
I have been at NoCoast for about a year and a half now. I first tried CrossFit back in college... but I was a slacker and didn't go very frequently, so I don't really count that.
Athletic/Sports history/highlights: My career as a tap dancer quickly ended early on when I realized that I have two left feet, so I took up soccer instead. Once high school ended, so did the soccer. When I went off to college I gained the infamous "freshman fifteen" so I decided I was going to run a marathon. I now have 3 full marathons and about 5 half-marathons under my belt. Other than that I dabbled in volleyball, gymnastics, and basketball, too.
How did you get into CrossFit?
When I decided to take up CrossFit, I was brand new to Colorado... Running solo was boring and even though I was no longer a freshman in college, those fifteen pounds had come back to see me so I really needed to find something to do and to meet new people. I contacted three CrossFit gyms to find out how to get started, Leah was the only one who replied.Thanks, Leah!
You just competed at Girls Gone RX last weekend! What was one high and one low of your experience? Do you see yourself doing more competitions?
The High: Witnessing the CrossFit community in full-force - I can't thank everyone enough for all the support!
The Low: Doing kipping pull-ups next to someone doing butterfly pull-ups. Butterfly Pull-ups = October Goal.
Will I do it again?: Yes! But I will want to have butterfly pull-ups and be a bit stronger with my power and Olympic lifts.
What is your favorite WOD/CrossFit movement?
Call me crazy, but I tend to prefer a long chipper / endurance based met-cons.
What is your least favorite WOD/CrossFit movement?
It's a three-way tie between rope climbs, deadlifts, and somersaults.
What is your most memorable CrossFit moment? I would like to say that it was when I got my first pull-up or PR'd a back squat... but my most memorable CrossFit moment was painful one. It came during/after the 15.5 Open Workout. That was, hands down, the most difficult WOD I have ever done and I thought I was going to quit about 3 different times.
How does nutrition play a role in your fitness and recovery?
For the most part I eat my fruits and veggies, but I could definitely benefit from trying harder. My biggest downfall is that I am too lazy to go to the grocery store with any consistency. I could certainly benefit from drinking more water, too. Second October goal??
How has CrossFit improved your overall wellness? I am stronger, happier, healthier, and more confident!
Advice to new people:
If you're anything like me, you spend the majority of your day being a people-pleaser. Know that when you show up to the gym, you don't have to make anyone but yourself happy and that doing your best is enough.