CrossFit provides a method for a personal journey to constantly improve oneself physically, mentally, and spiritually. The intensity of the workouts often makes you question your physical and mental capacity. I heard Greg Amundson say that "The biggest improvement that CrossFit athletes experience is between the ears." The mind can allow us to achieve greatness or cause us to fail. There are only two ways to fail...quit or die.


Since starting CrossFit I have always had a deep appreciation for the Hero WODs. I grew up on various Military Bases as my Father served in the USMC as a helicopter pilot. I remember when we got the news of a helicopter crash involving his squadron while lifting off from a carrier off the coast of Okinowa. He lost good friends, most of which had their families living in Hawaii while they were deployed. I remember seeing these families pack up and move back to the mainland. I often wonder what happened to the children.


I was introduced to CrossFit by a fellow Police Officer back in 2005. "Fight gone bad" on my first day? Really Rochet? Well, I was hooked. "Murphy" came to be my favorite workout. I remember the days when every six months or so we would see a new Hero WOD. Now, I think it's almost three a month. I went to "Randy" Simmons funeral. (Hero Workout #10). I was a new SWAT officer myself at the time and was taken back at how he died. More so, I was incredibly moved by what type of man he was outside of law enforcement. He left two children behind that loved and admired their father. He led a group of inner city youth from his Church who were left without a great mentor.


My personal desire to become a better husband, father, and find some inner peace pushed me to find a way to appreciate life and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to those left behind. Since opening my own CrossFit affiliate with my wife in 2009, I have missed completing many of the new Hero WODS. The Challenge I came up with for myself was to complete all the Hero WODs, as prescribed, in the order they were posted. To add to the challenge, I decided I would do one Hero WOD a day, six days a week, resting on Sundays. When I started the challenge there were 50 Hero WODS.

20110323

Tuesday - March 22nd, 2011


1st Lt. Michael E. Johnson, 25, of the U.S. Marine Corps 7th Communications Battalion, 3rd Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, headquartered in Okinawa, Japan, died September 8, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Kunar province, Afghanistan.

He is survived by his wife Durinda Johnson.

First posted 9 Jul 2010



Day 32 of the Hero WOD Challenge

"Johnson"

AMRAP in 20 minutes

245 pound Deadlift, 9 reps
8 Muscle-ups
155 pound Squat clean, 9 reps

Score: 4 Rounds + 2 Muscle -ups


It was difficult to get myself motivated to start today's WOD.  I allowed myself to feel fatigued.  I was worried about the squat cleans.  Once I got into the workout I felt good and was able to push it.  The squat cleans went better than expected.  I have to admit I am proud of my score.  Squat cleans as prescribed are over my body weight.  This experience makes me excited to see what type of athletes CrossFit will produce in the future.  I never thought I would be able to handle the recent training volume.  I can only imagine what some of the top athletes in community are doing.  I think as we start to see full time athletes we will see remarkable feats.
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