Monday, October 26, 2009

Workout of the Day:
Snatch Balance
3-3-3-3
and then,
“Invictus”
For time:
10 Snatches
10 Chest to Bar Pull-Ups
10 Clean and Jerks
10 Chest to Bar Pull-Ups
10 Thrusters
10 Chest to Bar Pull-Ups
(Weight: Men – 135 lbs./Women – 95 lbs.  Scale as needed.)
Compare performance with June 15, 2009.

All Good Things . . .
Written by Mark Riebel

Unfortunately I have to say goodbye to my friends and family at Invictus. As you read this, I’m probably on the road headed for my next duty station in San Antonio, where I’ll be going to physical therapy school.

I remember when I first found out I was accepted into the Baylor program—I was ecstatic knowing that I’d now get to pursue a career that I feel truly passionate about with the Navy picking up the tab. But a few days later, a little melancholy started to creep in. It had been a long time since I had really felt like I was part of something bigger than myself, and that’s exactly what I’ve felt the entire time I’ve been with our crew here. Many times we go through life thinking that we’re not making much of an impact on others, but the clients I’ve worked with at Invictus have made me think that maybe I really am affecting some positive change, and continuing that as a physical therapist is exactly what I intend to do. But I had to face the reality that I’d have to leave a place that I could say I actually had a small part in building, and I knew I’d miss it. CFI is partially responsible for even turning me on to the idea of physical therapy, otherwise I might still be thinking of defusing bombs or something along those lines.

Now, as many of us familiar with the military know, you don’t always get to go where you want, so I’ll ultimately be where the Navy will need me. But with any luck, I’ll make it back to San Diego in a few years and maybe I can again moonlight as a CFI coach. I don’t plan on making this transition a period in the story…hopefully it’s just a comma, or perhaps an ellipse. If I had to paint an ideal picture of my future career path, it’s somewhere along the lines of Invictus Rehab, Strength & Conditioning. I can only hope that’s the way it turns out.

I have far too many of you to thank to keep this to one post, but I do have to call out CJ in particular. CJ Martin is really the desire and drive behind the community that has become CrossFit Invictus, and he was kind enough to give me the chance to learn and teach and become an effective coach. All of the members are truly lucky to have him at the helm along with the team of great trainers he has put together.

Lastly, I couldn’t have asked for a better final coaching slot than last Thursday’s 6AM. The morning crew has always showed up with unbelievable energy at that God-forsaken hour of the day, and they’ve put up with all of my random useless facts and bad jokes giving me smiles in return. I’m truly impressed with you and all the motivation you guys bring into the box with you. I’m going to miss that start to my day for sure. I’ll still be dropping in on the blog from time to time, and I’d be happy to help however I can through email or phone call.

Best of luck to you all, keep pushing hard, and I’ll see you soon.

*** Editor’s Note – We have all known this day was coming for a while, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Mark’s impact on our community is immeasurable. He has been our brains, our brawn and our inspiration since day one. He’s made all of us better, coaches and athletes alike. Mark cannot and will not be replaced. He will continue to be as much a part of this community as ever, albeit from a satellite location. I look forward to learning from Mark as he adds tools to his already vast arsenal for improving athletes’ performance. Until the Navy brings you back to us, and until Invictus Rehab, Strength & Conditioning becomes a reality, know that you have a family in San Diego that misses you dearly.***