by Gene Crawford | Feb 10, 2017
The challenge workout was:
3x rounds EMOM
10x pull-ups
sit-ups
burpees
KB swings
This absolutely scorched everyone. We did some instruction on the kipping pull-up first too. First class played dodge-ball for warm up, the 3rd class I had go outside in the chilly air and we worked on a hard warm up that stretched their mental toughness a little bit.
Regular class was power cleans and box jumps. Kind of slog it looked like.
Pretty good morning of coaching, I really enjoyed working with everyone outside in the warm up.
by Gene Crawford | Feb 1, 2017
Early morning coaching at Workhorse this morning. Early class wasn’t as good with their food journals and we had a couple of no-show’s. So they ran for 20 minutes. Probably a good 2 miles. The middle class was a regular CrossFit class and they did well as expected, but only had 4 of them in class. The 6:30 class did really well on their food journals and got plenty of time to warm up and practice the movements for their workout. We had two bars dropped at the very end of the workout so they got a 20 burpee penalty… not fun. But they got through it.
by Gene Crawford | Jan 25, 2017
Third day coaching at WH. Really enjoyed it and I feel like i’m starting to get it. Had 3 classes to work through this morning: 5am, 6am and 6:30am. Early stuff.
First class was the New You class and my friend was in it. Got to coach him on a bit. Second class was a regular class, they had a tough workout of DL’s and Sprints… 3rd class was another New You and they really pushed it. Good people working hard is a great way to start your day. It energizes me.
by Gene Crawford | Mar 20, 2016
I will go on record and say that this is my single favorite picture I’ve taken all day. Gene, you have been such an INCREDIBLE asset to so many of our youth today in their fighting divisions that it made me so happy (and proud) to see you pouring yourself into your OWN SON!!! Look how he’s looking up to YOU!!!!
– From Sensei
We had another tournament this weekend in Myrtle Beach. It was a bit of a haul to get down there Friday evening. Everyone was getting on each other’s nerves as we drove. Not much fun. We got down there and checked in and then went out for some seafood before checking out the evening’s Karate. We got there to see two of our Blackbelt’s do their synchronized Kata. They did pretty well I thought.
The next day we got up and hit the tournament. It was probably the worst run event i’ve been to so far. It was really a mess. That said we had a good time with the kids competing. Both my boys did pretty well with 2nd and 1st places finishes between them. Overall Team Dojo cleaned house on Forms and Weapons. I coached the youth in fighting as much as I could the remainder of the day. There was some pretty overwhelming competition there from other schools in fighting, but we stayed tough and fought our fights. Some of our kids did pretty well in their divisions in the end.
I had the best time coaching my youngest at the very end of the day when most everyone else had gone home. He was really worried about fighting because there were some other tougher bigger kids in his division. But when his time came, he got his game face on and started stacking wood. I was so proud because he showed no fear and just went at it. He came in 4th out of about 10 boys, many of whom were much, much more advanced and physical. Great end do the day right there.
by Gene Crawford | Mar 13, 2016
Got a note via Facebook from Sensei today:
You are truly the MVP of the day in my eyes. Thank you so much for coaching so many of our youth and pouring your heart into them as if they were yours. Thank you!
Very unexpected acknowledgment for me. He mentioned this during dinner which took me by surprise.
Today was a different type of lesson and one I was completely caught off guard by. My only intention was to take both my boys to the tournament and be there for them as they went through their day. My youngest having just joined team this year. We started off like most tournament days, getting up super early, driving up to it in a big “team” caravan. The kids love it, so do I. We get there and it’s as expected, a total disorganized mess, but again the kids love this tournament. I think it’s because it’s the first of the year, and it’s the first one for so many. Even myself.
As things progressed I found myself coaching some of the kids, then I just kind of stayed with it. The kids started asking for “Sempai” to coach them! I honestly have no idea why, In some cases I barely know them, you’d think they’d ask for one of their regular instructors whom they see every day. At the start of the day, I had zero intention of being a coach for anyone other than my own kids.
I stayed in that ring for over three hours coaching a good portion of our team in sparring and I can honestly say it’s some of the most fun i’ve had in a long time. Including my own sparring in class and such. It’s humbling to see the trust in their eyes as you help them be brave or fight away tears after they’ve fallen or been kicked too hard. Or that look their parents give you that say “I trust you with my kid and I know you know how to make them better at this…” Or maybe it’s just being a small part of the process of these kids’ lives as they start to discover what it is to be a warrior that I love most. Truth is, It’s rewarding as hell.
Very much looking forward to doing it again.
