WEDNESDAY

I have another athlete profile of Maureen Connolly this week.  Most of you know Maureen because she is one of the most determined, hard working CrossFitters at Thor Fitness and stands out amongst everyone else because of her unbelievable drive.  Maureen was a regular 5:30 member but when her schedule changed she now comes to the 8:30 or 9:30 with her roommate Amy.  It’s pretty amazing to see two friends who support each other on a daily basis.  I’m so glad Maureen listened to Amy and gave CrossFit a try.  I’m super proud to be her coach and friend!!!

Where do you live?
Holbrook

What brought you to Thor Fitness?
A lot of you know Amy Schenk…she had been doing CrossFit for about 3 days before she told me I just had to try it. I was about 100 lbs heavier than I am now and I didn’t think I could do it but she assured me that everything can be modified and everyone is encouraging. I didn’t REALLY believe her but got sick of listening to her and was inspired by how different she was physically and mentally with just a few months of CrossFit. I lost some weight in those few months and started obsessing over CrossFit so I finally gave it a shot in January 2013 and haven’t looked back. For her encouragement to give it a shot…I will always be grateful.

What were your goals? Have you achieved them?
Well when I first started I was so out of shape that I didn’t really have any specific goals. I did have a target goal weight that at the time I thought was just a dream and wouldn’t really be able to get there. I’m still about 25-30 lbs away from that goal (depending on the day lol) but now I know it will eventually happen. Along the way I picked up much more important goals. Some I’ve achieved (like doing a 95 lb clean in a workout) and others I’m still working on (pullups, 90lb snatch, being able to hold a handstand against the wall…and like most of us the list goes on and on).

What do you do when you are not at the gym?
I work in the city so that takes up a lot of my time. I produce for a entertainment/celebrity gossip show and I love my job (most of the time). I work nights so my schedule is a little weird. Other than that I spend most of my summer time at the beach. I’m not really sure what I’m going to do with my life this winter.

What CrossFit exercise or lifts are your favorite and least favorite?
My favorite is the power clean. It makes me feel like a badass lol. I also am starting to love squats because when I first started I could barely air squat so I love seeing my weights go up. My
CrossFit arch nemesis is double unders. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to make one happen. I’m also terrified of box jumps. That 20″ one has been haunting me for months.

Any other tid bit of  info…
I can’t say enough good things about Patty and everyone at Thor Fitness. Without the support and encouragement I get every time I need it I wouldn’t be where I am today. I don’t think I could get that from just any CrossFit. I drive past a lot of CrossFits on my way to Thor Fitness but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

STRENGTH:

Bench press

3/3/3/3

PENDLAY ROW

5 x 3

CrossFit WOD:

5 rds:

10 ring dips

10 kb snatch rt. arm 44#/26# RX+ 53#/35#

10 kb snatch left arm

20 double unders

800 meter row cash out (included in total time of wod)

LEVEL 1:

5 rds:

10 bench dips

10 db snatch rt. arm 25#/15#

10 db snatch left arm

30 singles

500 meter row cash out