Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Posted by: gina

CFLB Athlete Profie: Devorah Allen

• Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
• Age:44
• Occupation: Quality & Metric Mgr/Claims Mgr
• When did you first start CrossFitting? 07/01/2011
• When did you first start training at CFLB? 07/01/2011
• Favorite WOD: Team WODs, rope climb, pullups
• Least Favorite WOD: Doubleunders & front squats

Tell us about you sports & fitness background: Played all sports in high school, nothing competitive after that. Did 24 hour fitness on & off for several years but nothing special.

How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD... what was it, and how did it feel? I watched the regionals at Cal State Long Beach while taking my MBA. I was like, "who are all those buff women & where do I sign up?" I googled "Crossfit" and "Long Beach" & CFLB came right up!  My first free class I was super slow & thought I might pass out. I didn't realize how out if shape cardio-wise I was. I pushed through & finished last, but I was hooked. It was 3 rounds for time of: body rows, kettlebell swings & 12" box jumps x 3 rounds for time. It took me forever to finish but I did it.

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF? (before / after): Well, I started eating Paleo almost from the start. I've lost 20# & gone from a size 10 to a size 5. My overall strength has improved to where I can now do a dead hang pull up & I am close to doing a handstand pushup.

What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected? The endurance factor. I hate running & I recently ran a half marathon with zero training in under three hours. I never would have imagined I could do that.

Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFLB moments: My first kipping pull up & first rope climb for sure & competing this year in the Crossfit Open. 

Any advice for people just getting started? If you can, come with a friend so that you don't talk yourself out if coming. Once you are in the workout you will forget all about his tired you are. Every day you will get better! 

What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? Hiking, biking, reading, bouldering.