Who is this Ken guy, anyway?!

Often times, I go without mentioning how grateful I am for somebody helping me. A simple, "thank you" doesn't always seem like it's enough. I have had some great running coaches. For me, running is something that I have to dig deep to find within myself. Nobody is there running beside me the entire time yelling down my throat to keep pushing myself until the very last second. I guess somebody could do that, but that would be expecting a lot, right? When I run, it's me who is yelling at myself to keep pushing to the finish line.

Crossfit is different. When your hands are behind your head and that clock beeps, I am fighting my own mind to keep pushing but there are also others there helping to motivate me. Someone yelling (encouraging) me to pick that weight back up, rest in 30 seconds, give more, give more, GIVE MORE!

I have had some good trainers and I have had some GREAT trainers. Nick, my husband, is a great trainer. Do I listen to what he tells me? Maybe 85% of the time. I respect his knowledge and his skill but I always say, "he just doesn't get me" or if he's trying to motivate me, I'm rolling my eyes or talking back. He takes a lot of heat. I give him that much.

But, the one trainer that I hear in my head over and over again is Ken. The picture below was taken at Regionals this year.

Besides his massive beastly structure and his build, he has an attitude. Ken was my trainer at the first Crossfit box I went to. He moved and then we moved shortly after. Ken will give me crap for showing up late, call me out when I'm talking in the back and tell me to add more weight to my bar in addition to his other "training" duties.

About two years ago, I asked Ken a question. I don't even remember what the question was...but his nonchalant response was, "What are you going to do about it?" OOOOOOHHHHH, that mad me mad! I wanted an answer. I wanted to be told exactly what I needed to do to improve whatever it was I was asking him.   Time went on..... he kept giving me a hard time for showing up late, talking in the corner, not adding enough weight, blah blah blah. I roll my eyes (not to his face, like I would my husband) but I kept going to his class.

Something I have realized since that question two years ago: I always ask myself, "What am I going to do about it?" Only I can make something happen. The support, the yelling, the pushing...that happens but I need to show up (and probably stop chit chatting) to do the work.

So, in a round about eye rolling way, thank you Ken for the best words of advice I have ever received. I appreciate ALL of your help. I may not always know what "to do about it" but I know quitting or not giving 100% is not the answer.