Noun
camaraderie (plural camaraderies)

Pronunciation: kam′ə räd ə rē
Function: noun

1. Close friendship in a group of friends or teammates.
2. A spirit of familiarity and closeness.

A few of us were lucky enough to attend this year’s CrossFit Games at the Ranch in Aromas, California.  I’m not a sports fanatic, in fact quite the opposite.  I follow no sporting events, and come playoffs or Super Bowl time, I attend the parties as a bandwagon participant, paying little attention to the actual game.  That’s right…I’m there for the chili and beer.

Having said that, I have attended many a sporting event from kiddie soccer games to friends Ringette games to Box Seats at the Leafs games.  I go to be social, enjoy my time, but feel no real connection to the action.

The CrossFit games however had me hooked.  There was an indescribable atmosphere the second we entered the Ranch.  Thousands of people standing shoulder to shoulder, balancing on dusty hills, riveted by the scenes before them.

It was at the games where I came to realize what separates CrossFit from “other” sporting events – the community, the sense of camaraderie.

Everyone has their favorite athletes, or as I affectionately call them, CrossFit All-Stars.  They are the Jason Khalipa’s, the OPT’s, the Josh Everett’s, the Tanya Wagner’s, and the Jolie Gentry’s.  As spectators we are rooting for our All-Star, nail biting when it’s not looking good, and cheering til we are hoarse when they are in the lead.  This, may be common to all sports.

What you won’t see at CrossFit, is the boo’ing, the name-calling, the jeering.   There are no bad guys.  When one athlete finishes ahead of the pack, spectators move on to the next, encouraging them them to the end…right to the last finisher.  Cheers don’t diminish, they are equally loud for last place as they were for first place.  Sometimes the under-dog, the “loser,” receives even greater respect from the crowd.  Failures are not recognized, instead efforts are celebrated.

This separates CrossFit from the rest… [wmv] [mov]

This community, this incredible display of support, may be unique to CrossFit with regards to sports, but it is not unique to just the Games.  This can be found in each and every affiliate around the world.  It is what makes a CrossFit.  It’s not about the number of members, the location, the fanciness of the box…it’s about the people inside and the strong connection they have.

We are not a “team” in the traditional sense, and yet we have a loyalty that cannot be matched.  It’s not a competition for awards or trophies and yet we give it our all, each and every workout.  We come from all different walks of life, different age groups, and athletic backgrounds, and yet find a common ground when we enter the gym doors.  We are fierce competitors, and yet each others strongest supporters.

If I were to re-write the dictionary and define Camaraderie…number 3 would be CrossFit.

(t-dot sio)

Today we wish Alex farewell, we wish him safe journeys, and we wish him luck.  We are sad to see him leave us, but incredibly proud of his accomplishments here as an athlete and a trainer, and he will no doubt achieve great things in his military training and beyond.  He joins a new community, but will always be a part of our CFTO family.

Be all you can be Coach “Drill Sergeant” Alex!

Workout

“yup, this one is gonna suck folks!”

Complete As Many Rounds as Possible in 15 minutes of:

• Snatch, 9 reps (boys: 95#; girls: 65#)
• Sprint 100m
• Burpees, 9 reps
• Sprint 100m

*There will be a “special” twist in Alex’s honour at the 6:30pm class.  And remember, you’re best Top Gun wardrobes are encouraged!