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.

20110406

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011


Army Captain Dan Whitten, 28, of Grimes, Iowa, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, based out of Fort Bragg, NCn died February 2, 2010, when enemy forces in Zabul, Afghanistan attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

Whitten is survived by his wife, Starr Whitten, his mother, Jill Whitten, his father Dan Whitten, and his sister, U.S. Army Captain Sarah Whitten.

First Posted December 12 2010






Day 45 of the Hero WOD Challenge

"Whitten"

Five rounds for time of:

22 Kettlebell swings, 2 pood
22 box jump, 24 inch box
Run 400 meters
22 Burpees
22 Wall ball shots, 20 pound ball

Time: 38 minutes 17 Seconds


This week has been tough.  Everything is mental now.  My body is telling me that it has had enough.  Fortunately, I've learned to ignore the body.  I haven't been overly sore just a dull pain everywhere.  I have to admit, I'm finally letting myself count down the days until this challenge is over.  I knew this week would be rough.  Just have to get through it.  One WOD, one round, one rep at a time.  Just keep moving.  It's only exercise, I can't really complain.  I love CrossFit, love this country.  Stay strong and lets make a difference in people's lives.
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