Read on to see what it requires to be part of my story…
19.4 is 
Burpees are not my favorite so I said I’ll take my best effort on the first attempt and not redo it on Friday. Then I got to reflecting on my inner battle with self-improvement and said I should redo it Sunday. I was lazy Sunday so it didn’t happen. I had travel for work Monday so that wasn’t an option for redoing the workout. I felt unsettled about my effort and performance to an extent.
I had some time to think on my road trip. Just me and some tunes in the car. Jammin’ to a classic song playlist. Funny how music can be therapeutic. My mind was settled. I got creative. It was in that moment of clarity that the rippling effect hit me. Just like that, I rewinded the week. What a week. So much inspiration. A snapshot of highlights in my mind. So many stories to share. Where do I begin?
Then a fluke event happened and my travel plans were interrupted. I had time to make it to the gym Monday night. Fate would have me WOD 19.4 again after many hours crammed up in a car, sedentary. I basically blinked and opportunity knocked. I had to seize the moment. Unplanned events make for the best memories.
Before I break down my workout, I need to explain my version of the rippling effect. You see, people often tell me I inspire them. Whether it be through my physical actions or through my words in books or this blog. That just gets me in the gut. It fuels my soul. It inspires me to keep on going and broaden my reach. My desire to share more and impact many more. The puzzle piece 
of life.
With that being said, I have many people in my life who inspire me. I can’t name them all here but those reading this may know who they are, even if they remain nameless. One person person can inspire another which causes a rippling effect. I inspire to desire better for me and others. Once one person sees how they can inspire another, the benefits are magnified and the rippling begins. One by one.
This week I saw a photo that captivated many. A gym photo shot by the talented Milagros. That photo showed fatigue, grit and passion all rolled into one small photo. That photo reached far and wide and had a rippling effect. This photographer is amazing and she has caught me in action plenty of times already with many more to come. Her storytelling is through pictures and those pictures inspire others to see their value from a lens they don’t normally have the opportunity to view. #inspiring
Due to my schedule mishap, I wasn’t at my regular class time on Monday and I got the pleasure of meeting Jeremy. Jeremy is one cool dude but full of inspiration. He works out with a modified workout each week, but it was amazing to watch. I didn’t plan to watch him. It just happened as I recovered from my death WOD. Jumping rope stationary with bands. Rowing elevated. Dumbbells used strategically. This week’s unplanned event allowed me to meet a new face and a new inspiration. I hope to share more about Jeremy in the future if and when our schedules align again. Jeremy was the cherry on top this week for my rippling effect. #unplannedimpact
Another post from an influencer online took me on a walk down memory lane. How two people can be so different on the surface yet harness the same inner strength. It was a vision that was hidden in plain sight. You almost had to step back to see it. The take away from that post was “Never judge a book by its cover.” We all do that at some point but beauty is within and sometimes you have to look beyond to see what’s hidden in plain sight. Dig deeper inside to see the true story (this includes people). We all have the power to influence and inspire one another directly and indirectly.
Another gal pal at my gym pushed me when I didn’t think I had any push left in me. That person didn’t even have a clue they were inspiring me. That person is nameless for the purposes of this blog because it signifies more than one gal pal throughout the week. But then again, it’s not just gal pals. It’s the dudes. The big muscle dudes that have abs and then more abs. They inspire me to be the best version of me. They don’t see me as a 47- year-old mom tossing the bar weight around like a chicken with her head cut off. They see me as an athlete looking to get to the next level. Just working hard each day to get better. High fives, fist bumps, kudos, smiles, etc. all go a long way. Fostering community is free. Being nice is free. Inspiring others is free. Yet in today’s world some people miss those free opportunities.
Last but not least, I have kids. Three to be exact. Each of them special in their own way. They each inspire me and my desires more than they will ever know or understand. Their perseverance through tough times, injuries and heartache show me hope and wisdom. I recycle the hope and wisdom and share it with others in meaningful ways. Another form of the rippling effect. #lifelessons
All of the inspiration and perseverance this week led me to desire better or more of myself. Time was on my side and a window of opportunity arose for another crack at 19.4. Would I do better? Could I do better? Should I even chance it? Absolutely!
I started out warming up my SNATCH. For those of you who don’t CrossFit, it’s a real thing. From there I went to figuring out my burpee options for getting over the bar without falling on my face. I consulted and practiced with a few people for variations. I still had to figure out what would work for this 47-year-old that had 185 pounds to move over that bar after a burpee. The rest of the time I figured I would stare at the bar and pretend I could do a bar muscle up. I didn’t stare at it actually. I pulled up and failed a few times but my arms and shoulders were toast anyway. #muscleupgoals
That’s it folks, nothing exciting to report this week for this girl. I got inspired. I put in work. I exercised my patience muscles. I made new friends. I didn’t die, but I completed the 19.4 WOD Rx not once, but twice. I know I do much more each week than many my age and I share these stories online. My actions of sharing my story may help one person see their inner beauty and inspire a desire to be their best.
On the flip side, I am super proud that this year I have hit the Rx button for 3 of the past 4 workouts and for the one that I scaled I actually completed it before the time cap. I couldn’t be more happier with my results and as of now I am in the top 20% of my age group which isn’t too shabby for this girl. The OPEN for me is a health check. No different than the fat truck test I do each year. It’s a personal measurement of me, myself and I. See my progress pic from the past three OPENS. It shows hard work does pay off in time.
As I reflect on the OPEN this year I get to look back at how far I have personally come in the past year with regard to endurance, skills and strength. At the same time I get to see how much further I can go and what I need to do myself to level up. This is my OPEN story and it matters to me. One more OPEN post for you next week.
bar muscle-ups
strict handstand push-ups
toes-to-bar
pull-ups
Those are just a few of the skills I am diligently working to master. I am not perfect by any means. I have to work at things to master them. It may take a year or it may take several weeks to learn these skills. I will be chipping away at these and will work on my weaknesses in time. Wish me luck with the final OPEN WOD. Will I be able to Rx it? Will I be able to stay in the top 20%? Will I stay injury free?
Be part of my book: until my next post I challenge you to inspire just one person. Capture the moment and share your story. Most people have social media. Tag 2 Chicks and a Pen (#2CHX) in your post. Your inspiration story might just make my #1095Days project. Submit your story today. You may become part of my upcoming book. I dare you to be different. Post online your inspiration to desire. #1095Days
I guess you will have to stay tuned for my final open post to see how I fare. Working on my top 20% goal.
2 Chicks and a blog 