MEMBER PROFILE
Name: Carolyn Glah
Age: (optional) 52
Occupation: Home, husband, children and dog manager. I also am a “professional volunteer” giving my time to lots of organizations both in and outside the valley.
Something about you that we really didn't know:
I am a wizard. My nickname (not Caro) is Oz, as in the Wizard of Oz. I have been Oz since before time. However, I do answer to just about anything anyone wants to call me.
I am also a 20+ year ovarian cancer survivor.
How long have you been a member at Aspen Crossfit? I completed my Elements Class at Aspen Crossfit in January 2011 and have been hooked ever since.
What class time do you normally attend? You can usually find me at a Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8 am class with the “mom” gang (Diane Godfrey and Cathy Tierney). However, one of my Crossfit goals is to be at the box three times a week. If my schedule is crazed, I also visit the infamous 6 am and 7 am classes (M,W,F) From time to time, I sneak in a T, TH class. Always morning. That’s when I have the most control over my day.
How did you find out about us? Word of mouth from the “mom network” is always the best for any type of information or news. In this case, the Mom network is NEVER wrong and it didn’t let me down. Over the years, my friend Diane Godfrey has been my inspiration for getting involved with different types of exercise classes. We enjoy classes because they fulfill two important goals – providing exercise and social chat time with friends. We have been part of yoga, Pilates, and breathing classes to name a few. In January 2011, Diane encouraged me to enroll in an Elements Class. She was already an 8 am groupie, so I decided to do it.
Tell us about your first workout and how you felt during/after: Can you say the word squat? NOW can you do one ….OUCH…One of my first work outs was a “team” WOD. However on that day, I was the only “athlete” at 7 am. So Clay was my partner. We had to row, box jump, squat, pull up, sit up, plus more..the mixed bag of exercises with about 100 rounds each. All I can say is that Clay was a sport!!! I think I did 1 move for every 10 of his!! BUT we/I had FUN!! If you consider not breathing, falling off the box, barely squatting 4 inches and executing pull-ups with 2 green bands FUN!!
After the work out, I think I could not move, get on or off the toilet, or pull a shirt over my head for 3 days!! Boy was I SORE! However, I knew that my performance could ONLY get better, so I’ve been back ever since..A glutton for punishment!
What benefits/accomplishments have you seen/ had since joining?
From January to November 2011, I religiously attended cross fit 3 times a week. I saw myself getting stronger and more in shape. Crossfit carried over to other activities – hiking, skiing, tennis, yoga, shoveling….everything. I was proud of myself. I actually wasn’t so sore after each workout. I could have a life after Crossfit. I had more energy (not that I needed any!)
BUT the pounds were not “falling off.” I had talked to Hoover a lot about the “paleo” thing…sounded strange and I was not ready to commit (even though Hoover had the results to show!) On November 1, Clay issued a no sugar – no wheat challenge for 30 days….This was the incentive I needed to go the extra step. November was HARD and Thanksgiving Day a miracle. I had given myself “Thanksgiving day off” Go ahead and splurge, I deserved it..WELL to my surprise, I did just fine…no stuffing or pie crossed my lips..WOW a first. December 1 rolled along and I decided that I should hold off on sugar and wheat another 30 days….Just about this time, Erik subtly handed me “Paleo Solution” by Robb Wolff. No pressure, he just simply said, “Just read this, I think you will like it”. Don’t say that timing isn’t everything!! The message clicked with me. By the time January 1 came around and Erik issued the NO sugar 21 day challenge I was hooked. I’d gone paleo!!
By March I had lost 25 pounds and was (and still am) toning. I feel great.
What are you future goals in the gym? My goals are simple: Just keep at it!! Three times a week or bust! Increase strength and endurance without getting hurt!
My challenges: Double unders…Ugh! I have bruises on my fingers, arms, butt and legs from DU days. My best DU sequence is 7 in a row. My goal is 10!! Somehow I regressed rather than progressed. I even spent a Sunday practice session breaking down the DU and jumping for an hour..I’ll get it!
My favorites:
After my “team” WOD with Clay, I really enjoy the team workouts. It allows each partner to do all exercises but also provides an outlet to cheer on your teammate!
I also love doing sit ups. Sort of ironic..When I was 32, I had a total hysterectomy. I have a lovely scar that runs up and down my belly to prove it. Because the muscle was severely cut, many physical therapists thought that I would never have great stomach muscle control…I’ve proved that one wrong!
Favorite WOD/ workout when you are "thinkin' outside the box:"
I really like “murph”. I like what Murph did and what the WOD stands for. It is really hard and a great challenge. I have only done it twice. The first time was last Labor Day. That was the first time I had run in over 10 years! I beat my time by 20 minutes this Memorial Day.
Personal message to anyone that might be considering Crossfit:
If I can do it, anyone can!! Believe in yourself and believe in scaling an exercise. Do a move correctly with a scale if need be. Don’t be macho, don’t hurt yourself. I have been executing “wall” pushups for 12+ months….It is a good place for me! Crossfit also provides a FUN COMMUNITY in which to work out. There is always a good laugh, story or joke to get you going (and coming back!)
How, in anyway, how CrossFit changed your life?
Attitude, motivation, paleo! All is good! I have thrown away all the “fat” clothes. I won’t be needing or wanting them again.
Additional comments that you feel like sayin':
I am doing things that I thought impossible. I would like to thank Clay, Erik and Jeremy for being amazing coaches and an inspiration for me. They are dedicated, enthusiastic, excellent motivators, creative scalers, and hold athletes to standards. They have made a difference and have been such a positive influence.
"I have thrown away all the “fat” clothes. I won’t be needing or wanting them again."
