This past winter, several CrossFit West Houston members ran the Houston Half or Marathon. Almost all of them reported PR’s and attribute CrossFit helping them!

First Marathon

Reese  ran his first marathon ever. While he did not meet his goal of 4 hours, he did run it in less then 4 hours 30 minutes which is a pretty awesome first marathon. He trained almost exclusive with CrossFit Endurance mixed with CFWH WOD’s. And the week before the marathon he won the Racked and Loaded Scaled division!

Seasoned Marathoner’s

Here is Tara’s story in her on words:

I was part of a running club and had a couple of years of long distance running with several half marathons and one marathon “under my belt”. As an older, but still “novice” runner I had always done an interval run: timed intervals of walking then running. I started Cross Fit for purposes of cross training to improve my long distance running speed. Didn’t really understand when Rob said Cross Fit was “anaerobic”, but seemed like a good compliment to my “aerobic” running training. If I had understood that “anaerobic” meant “weight lifting” and high intensity training, I may not have signed up, but what a mistake that would have been!

Cross Fit has definitely increased my overall fitness level in a challenging, but fun way and the benefits came quickly. The program is also very “scalable” which is important to me as an “older” participant J. So while it can be intense, it is not “impossible” and the trainers encourage proper form and safety. I have since learned that weight training for women is VERY beneficial so Cross Fit has been a plus from that perspective as well.

I joined Cross Fit while training for an October marathon, but due to a family emergency was unable to do the run. I did run the Houston half marathon in the following January and while my overall training schedule suffered due to the family demands, I ran the half without the walking interval and my time was a PR (personal record). I attribute that to great running weather, but also in large part to an overall increased fitness level that was maintained even with spotty training toward the end. I am no longer a “walker-runner” – I am a runner! …..thanks to Cross Fit!!

Half Marathon

Rosa in her own words (pictured)

Hi my name is Rosa C., and I love CrossFit!

With the help of great coaches and effective CrossFit training, I was able to set an unexpected PR of 2:12.40, Pace 10:07 in the 2012 Aramco Houston Half Marathon, thanks to the CrossFit training that provided me with effective ways of getting fit and healthy. The constantly varied functional movements that are incorporated daily are the best “real” workouts. The workouts proved to be effective in helping me achieve my goal. Your goal can be whatever you chose: lose weight, get healthier, look better, stay fit or run a full marathon (did I really just say that?). It requires time, effort and sweat! As for me, hitting a new PR is proof that I am moving in the right direction…thanks to CrossFit!