Saturday, August 29, 2015

>> the real superhero.

As long as I’ve known Elena, she has always loved superheroes, specifically Spider-Man. This goes as far back as third grade. Toys. Shirts. Shoes. Hats. Posters. There’s Spidey stuff wherever she goes. Flash forward nearly 25 years, and the guy is still hanging out with us. He’s our third wheel.

I’ve come to accept Spider-Man as part of my friendship with Elena. But what I didn’t realize until recently is how much he’s taken the credit for her heroism.

She’s grown up with tons of hardship, overcome the odds, is the oldest of three sisters and continues to love and uplift her family. Her Spidey web of caring for others, often over the needs of herself, holds many things together.

In recent years, Elena hit a hard spot. She’s always been fit and lean. But as we know, when the villains get the best of us, it’s easy to cope with unhealthy things.

Getting unstuck for her was doing CrossFit, losing weight, then eventually adding bodybuilding, where she cut out all alcohol and implemented an extremely strict diet and workout regiment. She defeated any henchman and evil powers that once made her want to do bad things — and she made them work for good.

Passion. Drive. Commitment. Discipline. Excellence. These became her new sidekicks.

Today, Elena (and Spider-Man, because she has a tattoo that alludes to the cartoon character) will get on-stage and compete in her first bodybuilding competition at 6 p.m. at the Westin Maui. While most are there for different goals, she is there as a symbol, at least to me, of true strength that fights through struggles. Leading up to this, she’s sought, and found, what real health means.

I’m not sure if she realizes that she’s the real superhero — and Spidey has just been a cover (because when you’re a human hero, you have to walk around in public unnoticed and undetected). Elena is an example for all of us to use our evil powers for good; and to fight with everything we’ve got to take down the villains in our life.

We are so proud of you, Elena/Spider-Man! You are already our heroine! (Today is just a day where you can walk around in heels, makeup and a bikini, which I know you love).

Please join us at the event to cheer along our CrossFit friend. She represents CrossFit Upcountry and all the other CrossFit gyms/friends who have helped her along the way.

082915 WOD

A. AMRAP 6:00 with teams up to six

Rower: ME for distance

Others: Plank hold

Switching at minute mark

B. Mobility

C. For time:

300-meter run

30 Russian kettlebell swings (53/35)

300-meter run

30 toes-to-bar

300-meter run

30 lunge steps with plate overhead (45/25)

300-meter run

30 burpees

>> On-Ramp

Cut reps and run in half