Athlete of the Month: February 2018
Karen Hennegan
A stroke of luck brought Karen to the box, but her love of the sport and CrossFit 718’s community have kept her in the game since 2012… and she’s just getting warmed up! In just the last year, she’s gained new gymnastic skills, including pull-ups, ring dips, and handstand push-ups. (A string of toes-to-bar and RX Fran aren’t too far off.) We seriously recommend WOD-ing alongside Karen (she’s way more fun than her namesake workout), but you’re going to have to set your alarm. She’s a proud member of the #6amStrong crew.
Enjoy our Q&A with February’s athlete of the month!
How did you discover CrossFit?
Tammy and Iz generously donated a basics package to the PS10 annual auction, and I was the winning bidder. I had never heard of CrossFit, but I was in the market for something new and intrigued by what I read. I have always been a recreational runner and I was once pretty committed to yoga, but the former was getting old and the latter had fallen by the wayside after I had kids. Who has time for a 1hr 40-min yoga class?
Why did you end up sticking with CrossFit?
I. Love. It. It’s partly the workouts, which push me and never bore me. But it’s mainly the people. I love my 6amStrong crew to bits.
This month we’re talking about longevity. What are your tips for staying interested after the initial flurry of PRs and new skills?
Longevity is my middle name… because I’m at least a decade over the average box member age, I am sure. One tip is to not avoid the things you hate. You may end up loving them and it’s good to keep adding skills. Like double unders, which I used to loathe. But I still hate wall balls. Why is my namesake workout the WORST? Another tip is to not worry about how much weight is on the bar. I too am guilty of checking the Whiteboard from time to time, but instead of pushing for a new PR, sometimes I like to take it down a notch for some sexytime reps. Right Tammy?
How do you make time for working out?
I get it done early. That’s the only way.
What’s your favorite lift?
I like deadlifting because that’s the most weight I can lift and I like the sound the barbell makes when I drop it. Bang. It’s a very satisfying sound. I also like overhead squats because they engage so many different muscles. And because they are challenging… there’s so much room for improvement.
What recent PR are you most proud of?
Pull-ups, ring dips, and handstand push-ups have all eluded me for years, but in 2017 I worked up to at least one of each. Over five years of work and still improving. That’s another thing I love about CrossFit.
What goals are you working on?
Linking toes to bar… like many other movements, I got one! Oh, and finally finishing the last season of The Americans.
What’s your Fran time?
No idea, but it’s definitely not RX. Another thing to strive for.
What do you do when you’re not at the box?
I have two kids (ages 10 and 12) that keep me busy, along with a job in video post production. I love to snowboard, hike, anything in nature. I sometimes kick ass at pool but always at Karaoke. I like live punk rock and bourbon on the rocks. Oh, and I can balance things on my head really well. And I love CrossFit. Did I mention CrossFit? Let me tell you about CrossFit… 🙂
