BTSCF Newsletter - September 2020
The days are becoming noticeably shorter, but that doesn’t mean the grind ends. Find the balance in your routine so you can thrive. Keep moving forward with focus and intention and your goals will be within reach. Check out what is happening at BTSCF this month.
Tillman
On Labor Day our members came out in force to tackle the grueling Hero WOD, Tillman. This workout is named after U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman who was killed in Afghanistan. Pat was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 7th Round of the 1998 NFL Draft. In 2000, he would go on to break the franchise record for tackles with 224. In the wake of the terror attacks on 9/11/2001, Pat decided to walk away from his professional football career to join the US Army with his brother.
The workout consists of 7 rounds of 7 Deadlifts (315/220), 200m Sprint, 15 Pull-Ups with a 45 second rest at the end of each round.
Always Remembered
On September 11, we completed our annual remembrance WOD. The events of September 11, 2001 have touched everyone and the heaviest part of this workout is reliving the pain felt as we pay tribute to all who lost their lives that day.
The workout was completed as a partner workout. Together each team completed a buy in of 2,001 meters on the rower to represent the year. They then worked through 4 rounds (representing each plane) of 9 Rope Climbs (month) and 11 Bear Complexes (day). The end of the workout is the toughest part with a cash out row of 2,977 meters. Each meter on this final row represents each life lost 19 years ago.
Scheduling Update
We are shifting our afternoon weekday schedule back to 60 minute blocks, beginning at 4:30 pm. Our afternoon classes will now begin at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30pm. If you have any questions about our schedule, please do not hesitate to contact us.
What Is Coming Up at BTSCF?
Return of the Yoga
We are thrilled to add Recover Yoga back to our schedule. This class will take place on alternating Saturdays at 11am. Taking the time to allow your body to heal and recover from the workouts you put it through is vital to long term health and wellness. We look forward to seeing you in our Recovery Yoga class soon. The first class begins on October 10.
Tonya’s Ta-Ta Throwdown
On Sunday, October 18, we will be hosting an important fundraising workout in support of one of our members, Tonya Addy. Tonya is once again fighting a battle against breast cancer and as a community we will always look to support a member when they need it.
Two important things of note:
1. Thanks to the amazing support of friends and family, SHE’S GOT THIS! She is determined to fight and win, again.
2. Ladies...GET TO KNOW YOUR BREASTS!
On both occasions, Tonya credits the discovery of her cancer to physical breast exams, not fancy imaging. The first was found by her doctor and the second time, she found a lump during her own self-breast exam. Click here to view the 3 Steps to Early Detection.
So for this very important reason, we invite you to “Grab Your Jugs” and join us on October 18th to help raise money and awareness while getting in a good workout.
Halloween WOD & Trunk or Treat
Within our community, we have many members who have young children that are looking forward to celebrating Halloween. Given the unique circumstances of this year, we are bringing our members together to participate in a safe Trunk or Treat Halloween celebration. All members are invited to bring their children after morning classes on October 31 to celebrate. We will also have our annual Halloween WOD where are our members are welcome to dress up and have some fun.
Port Jervis Stone Challenge 2
Registration is now OPEN. Last year many of our members joined trainers Sean Addy and Alex Zahorsky in their creation, the Port Jervis Stone Challenge. It was a lot of fun and a great success to raise money for the Port Jervis Outdoor Club who helps maintain our trail system. So here is what you need to know and how to participate. (It’s really simple!)
Step 1: Sign Up!
Step 2: Find and decorate your stone.
Step 3: Show up on Point Peter in Port Jervis on Saturday, November 7 with your stone.
Step 4: Get your stone weighed and give it to the event volunteers.
Step 5: Run down the mountain, get your stone, carry it back up to the top.
Step 6: Have fun and remember we are raising money for a great cause!
Have any questions? Talk to any of our trainers for more details!
September PR’s
Our members keep on keeping on. Congratulations on all of your victories.
Jess F. - 155 lb. Front Squat
Melissa - 85 lb. Overhead Squat
Heather - Sets of 10 Kipping Pull-Ups under fatigue
David - 205 lb. Power Clean & Jerk, 10 Unbroken Toes to Bar
Kristine - 73 lb. Push Jerk
Cathy - 120 lb. Front Squat, 215 lb. x 3 Deadlift
Brandon G. - “Died” with Walter in his first WOD
Coach’s Picks
This month we wanted to give everyone a chance to get to know our newest trainer, Frank Speranza a little better. Here are Frank’s picks for guilty pleasures:
Spirit of the Games
Smoking a Fine Cigar: Yes I like cigars. Not some crappy swisher sweets. I enjoy finely cultivated and hand-rolled tobacco. Like wine, cigars are varied and complex much like me.
Dark Horse
Diet Sunkist Orange Soda: The sweet crisp orange effervescence of Southern California in a can. One of my favorite all-time drinks.
Podium Picks
3rd Place: Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich: A culinary masterpiece of delicious breaded chicken with a spicy twist all wrapped in a potato bun with lettuce tomato and mayo. For me, there is something so comforting about the flavors and the feeling of enjoying this guilty pleasure.
2nd Place: Listening to classic Madonna. I love 80’s Madonna. In the gym or out of it, her tunes are energizing. My favorite song is “Borderline.” Imagine a 15-year-old Frank Speranza in 1988 getting kissed for the first time with “Borderline“ playing in the background.
1st Place: Watching reruns of “The Golden Girls.” Three 50+ divorced, widowed women share a home in Miami in order to make ends meet. Dorothy, a substitute school teacher, Rose a widow, and Blanche a widow who works at an art gallery. Early on in the series, Ma, Dorothy’s Mother moves in with them as well after her long-term care retirement home burns down. This a classic show about life, love, strength in facing adversity, a friendship which can withstand the ups and downs of living together, and absolutely crazy wonderful humor. I love these gals. The magic of their chemistry (the cast members were amazingly talented and believable), the writing, the storylines - including very often a look at social issues of the day. A show that truly was a golden one of a kind production.
BTSCF Feature Athlete
Meet Jon Foley: Staying Grounded
When did you start CrossFitting?
I started CrossFit around when I was 25 off and on to get intense workouts.
If different, when did you start at BTSCF?
I joined BTSCF when it first opened.
What brought you to CrossFit?
I was formerly a Division 1 wrestler so that was very intense. CrossFit was my chance to compete regularly at an intense level and have fun at the same time. Mentally I needed some sort of competition with myself.
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about starting CrossFit?
I would say CrossFit is for all levels of athleticism. Just make it your own and cater it towards you and modify the things you can already do and go from there. First step is getting there. The rest will come over time.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time I do CrossFit and love being a family man so they get all my other free time.
What do you do for work and how has CrossFit impacted how you do your job?
I’m an Elementary PE teacher in PJCSD and I coach 3 sports: Varsity Wrestling, Modified Football, and Girls Varsity golf. I try to take things I learn in CrossFit and sprinkle them into the classroom, mat or field whenever I can.
We put Jon through the lightning round. Here’s what he had to say:
Q: What super power would you give yourself?
A: Teleportation because I hate driving to places and hate being late.
Q: What's your favorite healthy food?
A: If it’s healthy, PB&J all day!
Q: What's your favorite not so healthy food?
A: Tostitos and Salsa
Q: What TV Sitcom family or group would you be a member of?
A: How I Met Your Mother or Cobra Kai
Q: If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
A: A new dance move
Q: If you could write your own fortune cookie fortune, what would it say?
A: Don’t strike the iron when it’s hot, make it hot by striking.
Q: If you were a professional wrestler, what would you finishing move be called?
A: Foley Loaded
Q: Who do you look up to for inspiration at BTSCF?
A: My 5:15 crew and all of the trainers. Pretty much all of the people there. They drive me to get there and get the work done. I feel like I let them down if I don’t go for a day.
Q: What is your favorite and least favorite movement?
A: Favorites are Power Cleans or Burpees. Least favorite is Overhead Squats or Thrusters.
Q: What is the one thing you've done at BTSCF that your old self wouldn't ever believe?
A: I think just getting up in the morning consistently is something the old me would never do. It’s kept me a more grounded person by getting up every morning.