Written by: Larry Jones

This winter has been a finicky - is it going to be warm? is it going to be cold? It seems like it can't decide. Personally, the constant change in weather has really screwed me up this season. This past weekend, while tooling around running errands, I noticed that practically every cashier I came in contact with was either coughing, sneezing or wiping their noses. No matter where I went, it seemed like someone was fighting off some kind of cold or virus.

Obviously it's that time of year where people are passing viruses and colds around like free government cheese. Of course, no one likes to be sick but we will all get sick at some point. As athletes we are scheduled with our workouts/WODs and rest days and try to keep to this schedule or routine no matter what. Even when we start to feel sick, and then get sick, and then look like shit while we're sick, we still try to get our workouts in. Part of becoming a better athlete is not only being able to listen to your body but being able to make yourself take rest days.

The old adage that getting a good sweat in will make the sickness go away, is frankly, b.s. If you feel yourself coming down with something or if you have something, do yourself a favor, take a day or two off to rest and recover. Do the rest of the gym members a favor and be courteous by keeping your germs at home. Then come back virus free and rejuvenated from your days of rest, ready to attack the workouts again. And afterwards, ALWAYS remember to wipe down your own equipment when your done. It'll go a long way from keeping our box from becoming a petri dish for H1N1 or any of its cousins.

Just another reminder that the CrossFit Games Open is now open for registration! If you have not registered and would like to compete with athletes from all over the world – now is your chance. Elm City CrossFit will be hosting this judged event beginning this Saturday and every Saturday for the duration of the Open. So sign up or prepare to cheer on your fellow competitors and teammates. You will have two opportunities to participate and compete each Saturday at 9 am and then at 10 am.

· All ECC athletes will be allowed to do the open WOD.

· Open will be Sat @ 9 & 10 am w/ focus for those signed up to compete at 10am.

· Friday @ 430pm will be the scheduled "I can't make Saturday's" time. Email us to confirm. If you don't schedule w/ us for Fridays you're shit out of luck!

· All other concerns will be handled on an individual basis.

· Larry and Kimmie may be traveling to other boxes for some/all of the Open WODs. You can email them directly if that interests you

Now is your opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and compete with similar athletes and individuals from all walks of life. Worried that you can’t perform the workout as prescribed – don’t worry – scaling is always an option. As coaches and owners, we are extremely proud of our Elm City CrossFit community and can’t wait to see all of the new and old faces stepping up for this event. If you have any question – please post in the comments or email a coach directly. Good luck and we will see you on Saturdays!

The turnout was amazing for our ruck march wod on Saturday. What a beautiful day! It was great to see everyone.

What is Elm City CrossFit? – Through the eyes of an average Joe…

Yeah- we have all seen the thousands of versions of the definition of CrossFit which can be found on nearly every single blog site on this planet. But have we ever really decided what the definition really is. In my humble opinion – it is constantly varied! Now of course, I can reference the ten attributes of fitness or talk about general preparedness. But I think it is much more complicated and individualistic.

First of all I think Elm City CrossFit is a state of mind. I find people lost in a world of failed diets, long oxidative running and a general public that is completely misinformed to what true fitness looks like. CrossFit gives us the opportunity to see it first hand. It is a presence. It is excitement. It is a mission only defined by those who make the commitment to participate. It is home to many walks of life. There is no standard body type. There are no prerequisites required. It is by the people for the people who commit to commit.

Elm City CrossFit is our team. I never thought in my wildest dreams that CrossfFit could rekindle the camaraderie that brings us all back to the days of childhood sports. The innocence, the teamwork, the suffering – the kinds of bonds that exists from individuals who suffer together, work together and win together. This winning comes in the form of goal attainment, the exiting of one comfort zone and entering into an arena where hard work is celebrated not by individual accomplishments or finishing times but by the opportunity to participate with your team and hold up your end of the intensity bargain. This celebration is exemplified each and everyday.

Elm City CrossFit is our social network. Where else can you have your own lingo, language and share so much of yourself with your teammates. It is more than a fitness center. It is a platform for continuous interaction, a bond that is shared by like-minded individuals who care less about aesthetics and more about accomplishment and participation. We cannot be bothered with TV – we are our own reality sitcom – setting the stage each and everyday for the struggles and fight that comes with our individual quest for fitness and happiness.

Elm City CrossFit is our political platform. Our arguments do not revolve around foreign policy or the unemployment rate. Our arguments are centered on proper technique and standards. These are the standards that are designed to keep us consistent, safe and uniform. Our allegiance and alliances lie with those who exemplify integrity, consistence and class. It is our opportunity to stand as individuals and educate ourselves on positive choices as it relates to eat habits, movements and general wellness so that we can participate and educate others who are interested in our position.

Elm City CrossFit is a theme. It is a position that cannot be defined or contained in a simple Webster definition. It is an answer to your question. It consists of the very matter that makes us all – it is individual. It is a hibernating answer to those questions about yourself that you have been waiting to voice. It is an opportunity – your chance to further your position, your theme, your platform, your network, your team, your state of mind and most importantly your life. What is Elm City CrossFit? Only you can answer that ~ The Average Joe

Elm City Crossfit has decided to try to get involved with the Relay for Life this year. In case you don’t know, the Relay for Life is a 24 hour event where teams camp out around a track and walk in honor of cancer survivors. This year the Relay will be held at Hamden High the weekend of June 23-24th.

At this point we just want to know if anyone would be interested in joining our team. I will be sending out more details once we have a better idea of how many people want to join but if you have questions between now and then you can email me at StaciM7@gmail.com or you can ask Joe to get in contact with me. Comment to this post if you are interested in this summer's ECC team event.

Thanks!

Staci

The Open

The CrossFit Open season is finally upon us. We are all open to the invitation to compete in the same arena with the world’s best CrossFitters. In the quest to crown the “Fittest on the Planet” we are open to the concept that we too can participate and on some level compete against athletes from all over the world in each week’s designated workout. With this participation, comes great opportunity, scrutiny and solitude. The Open is less about how you fare against local heroes or past winners, it is simply another test, another opportunity and chance for you to step out of your comfort zone and onto the mat for a friendly and fierce competition.

Exciting as it may sound, what does the open mean? To me, sometimes it opens up the preverbial Pandora’s box of much criticism, sadness and controversy. Participation gives you a front seat access to all the Open offers. What does the Open mean for an Average Joe? It opens CrossFit and the Games season to more than just weights, times and workouts. It’s not called the Open for nothing!

Open for Image attacks, Open for movement criticisms, Open to critiques on standards, Open to questions of functionality, Open to questions about safety, Open the questionable training regiments, Open to periodization concerns, Open to injury, Open to sports, Open to the question of drug use, Open to the idea that 5 workouts can account and gauge true fitness?

What does the Open mean to Elm City CrossFit? It means our athletes get to sign up and be a part of the CrossFit Games. It is your opportunity to try something new in an environment and community that supports you for who you are and not the score you post. Just like other events we promote and support, it is our hope that our athletes are well-rounded, educated athletes about their preparation and certain expectations for success.

Have you been training specifically for the CrossFit Games? Is your fitness prowess defined by how you perform in only 5 workouts? Does the Open competition know what your goals are? Do your fellow competitors know your goals? Be confident. Be aware. Above all be proud that you will be representing yourself in another test. The only difference between this test and any other test performed daily at Elm City CrossFit is that your score will be posted to a website besides our workout blog. The Open will open you up to another path towards success in your journey with us. We welcome your fight, your motivation, your courage and your commitment towards your journey.

Happy Groundhog Day! Punxsutawney Phil will leave his burrow at 7:20 February 2nd at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He will observe the weather conditions and look for his shadow. He will then make his prediction for the remainder of winter. According to ancient folklore, if it is cloudy when Phil emerges from his burrow on this day, he will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see his shadow and retreat back into his burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.

So what is the significance of this day in relationship to Elm City CrossFit? I think this day is a reflection of our own emergence from our burrow. With the novelty of New Years behind us and the realization that those resolutions are not so easily obtained or maintained, will we come out of our comfort zone to assess and address what our future holds? Regardless of weather conditions or timing, you always have an endless supply of resources here at Elm City. I am not specifically referring to the equipment on the floor or class times. I am talking about the bond that is created from our community and our responsibility to see you through your goals. Our community is counting on you to participate and try your hardest - battle buddies if you will. Feel confident, regardless, if you see sunshine or cloudy weather- you can be comforted by the fact that we will be here. Let the sunshine of our community lead the way towards your goals – may you find confidence and motivation in our burrow -Elm City.

Have you wondered why we hold a pretty firm position on proper nutrition? The answer can be simply made- because it works! I use to train to eat. I felt that as long as I run and workout, I could eat whatever I wanted. Not only was this bargaining approach inaccurate, but it was extremely counterproductive. You have no idea the disservice you are doing to your body when you turn your back on proper nutritional choices. Do you want your efforts to be minimized? Next time you are at the gym, look at the board or ask a coach on how small changes can produce exponential results.

Below is an invitation from our very own Joe and Katie B... Inviting all of ECC to celebrate Katie's birthday - please see below...

ECC Peeps:

On January 28th we will be celebrating Katie Bu's 30th birthday. We will be reliving her younger years, and attempting to show her that getting older isn't necessarily such a bad thing. The party will take place at our condo in Hamden (2390 State St. #5B). Some food and drinks will be provided, and everybody is welcome, just please RSVP to me via email at joseph.bukovec@gmail.com, so that I can be sure we have enough of everything.

Thanks, and hope to see you there.

-Joe B