By Ashley Smith

Andi Sadowski and I started chatting about 2 months ago when we realized we were both following CrossFit Invictus programming. I struck up a conversation with her about how she liked the program, and within a couple of days we became like long lost sisters. Only, we had no idea this was just the beginning of an amazing friendship, and as this weekend proved, an amazing team – the A TEAM!

Andi and I tried several times to meet up for a workout prior to entering the CompWOD Tag Team competition this year. However, our excessively busy schedules didn’t allow for a training date. So, we met at 8:15am on Saturday, an hour before the competition started. We both felt like we had known each other for years, regardless of it being just minutes! We went over our strengths and weaknesses and figured out our game plan for the so far known WOD’s.

We went in with one mentality, to have FUN! We weren’t there to just win or crush anyone with anything. We were there to keep CrossFit fun, simple and meet some other awesome girls. Piggy pack partner runs, heavy cleans and Cindy, a neat version of 14.5 that was…. actually fun,  handstand walks, muscle ups and Andi’s killer legless rope climbs brought us to an amazing first place finish in the elite division! What an incredible feeling it was to watch Andi crush the 2nd legless rope climb, tap the red tape at the top and crumble to the floor in complete exhaustion and realization that we just friggin’ won!

Andi, you truly are a competitor with the heart of a lion and I am so proud to have been able to been your partner! Here’s to defending our title next year! 😉 Can’t wait to watch you dominate Regionals this year!

Now… day two at CompWOD, we at CrossFit St. Catharines had two teams compete. Charles and Jamie, “The Woodies”, and our Mad Masters Wendy & Frank “team WTF”, threw down for the very first time. The tension, anxiety and excitement coming from all of them was so much fun for us as coaches to experience! I know I speak for all of us coaches when I say we were just as anxious and excited to be a part of their adventure. To see them talk it out, strategize, figure out how to play each others strengths and weaknesses, and support each other through every single rep was so exhilarating! What stuck with me the most, is how all of them continued to smile from start to finish through each WOD. No bad attitude, no pouting, no poor sportsmanship. Exactly what we push within our community. Stay strong, push yourself, and finish even stronger – with a smile! 🙂

Jamie and Charles finished with a strong 11th place in the Badass Division and Wendy and Frank took the entire stage, literally, for the Masters Division! The photos (on Facebook) speak volumes for the feelings and beauty of the days events!

The guys at CompWOD put on yet another incredible event at CrossFit Cordis. As usual Jamie, Kevin, Andrij, Tate and all of the volunteers were wonderful to every athlete, and to all of the spectators. Thank you once again for allowing everyone to thoroughly enjoy themselves!

After we left CrossFit Cordis on Saturday, we decided to hit up The Works burger joint. I was pumped to eat a bunless turkey burger, covered in bacon, mushrooms and brie cheese. Mmmm.
In the cap of my delicious Jones Root Beer I was so excited to have, I saw a little note inside. That note said;
“You will step on the soil of many countries”

This little message made me smile and I was reminded of just how lucky I am right now. I am lucky enough to have been given an opportunity to do exactly what I love day in and day out at CrossFit St. Catharines. And now, I am thrilled to have accepted an offer to travel, meet other CrossFit enthusiasts, and to teach things that I am always engulfed in. On May 30th I fly off to Mexico, to CrossFit Merida to host my very first Two Day Olympic Lifting and Gymnastics Workshop

Although I have only been a part of the CrossFit Community for two years, I have set my goals and self expectations very high. Watching where certain individuals started, how they began their personal journey as athletes and some venturing out as business owners and coaches. To see how they put themselves out there, took major risks and pushed themselves to new lengths. Two female individuals that stand out for me are Andrea Ager and Christmas Abbott. Seeing how excited they are about CrossFit and their life within this community has been very motivating for me. Their connection with the community, their knack for engaging people in every workshop they do has fuelled me even more to pursue these dreams!

I am unbelievably excited to being taking my first step, or flight, towards making my dreams a reality, and having CrossFit my full time career. Taking big risks… for true happiness. 🙂 Second stop… Costa Rica? 😉

Thank you, as always to my kick ass supportive sponsors, ReEvolve, 3SixtyAthletics, Beyond Yourself Canada and FitAID. Your constant encouragement and belief in me as a person and an athlete keeps me hungry for more!

And more than anything thank you to my wonderful CrossFit St. Catharines Family who is always there everyday, my crazy girlfriends, and my very loving Kevin. I couldn’t do any of this without you 🙂

Here’s to an amazing weekend of CrossFit, friends, family, blood, sweat & tears, new beginnings and inspired dreams!