My father in law just turned 90 this month.He’s had two bypass surgeries and some other issues in the last few years.There’s a couple things that have continued to be true about him, at least frommy perspective and what I can see. He continues to be an amazing, caring,approachable father and grandfather. He continues to love his wife and familyabove all else. He’s an all around wonderful human being.
One other thing about him, after all theseyears, is that he still, at 90 years old, sees himself as an athlete.
In high school, he played basketball, rancross country and track. He went tocollege on a basketball scholarship. According to my wife, he continued to playbasketball well into his 50’s against the local high school kids. After hetransitioned to tennis, he took it seriously. Weekly conversations were hadabout his matches against the “old guys”, gentlemen in their 50’s and 60’s,while he was pushing 80. He shot baskets with his second oldest grandchild, whocontinues to relish the time spent talking basketball with his granddad.
At 90, after several surgeries and otherissues, he has finally given in to the idea of occasionally playing pickleball,instead of tennis, but whatever it is he decides to do, he is an athlete.
Now, what does any of this have to do in ablog about CrossFit? Well, it’s that CrossFit and Trident give us all theability to start being, or continue growing, as an athlete. SeasonedCrossfitter, who’s participated in the games for 10 years? Congratulations!!!You continue to show up and improve your athletic prowess. First time walkingin a gym and you’re overwhelmed by ropes, barbells, kettlebells and whatever aburpee or Turkish Get Up is? Congratulations to you!! You’re an athlete aswell.
CrossFit gives everyone the ability to improvethemselves every day. Mentally, physically, emotionally and, depending on theworkout, you may even have a spiritual questioning of why you’re doing all ofthis to yourself. My father in law set an example of personal growth andimprovement in athletics that has lasted his entire lifetime. CrossFit gives usa chance to do the same thing every day. So let’s get in the gym and be anathlete.
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