By: Crystal McReynolds & JeVon Ikner

On March 1st, 2008 Crystal McReynolds and JeVon Ikner attended the CrossFit Level 1 Certification in Ft. Worth, Texas. Here they gained extensive knowledge in the CrossFit Method, nutrition, and were able to meet fellow CrossFitters from across the nation. In the course of two days these two highly talented individuals would go on to learn a few things about themselves including increased awareness of proper form and technique as well as finding a new perspective on an unrelenting WOD. This is the CrossFit Certification from their perspective.

It's 5:15am on a Thursday morning in February. The slightly humid air cloaks the atmosphere - fitting for a Texas winter. Jeremy Thiel pulls up next to me. His car is appropriately adorned with medicine balls, run ladders, and dumbbells. Headlights approach in the distance, their beams of light bouncing from the ground and reflecting through the dewy mist. A car accelerates around the corner, screeches to a halt, is thrown into reverse, and swings into a parking space. A man emerges from the car arms straight in the air with clenched fists in a champion pose. Jeremy leans over, "That's Erik - he's really just a big kid!" I stand back and watch the campers arrive to class. Despite the early morning roll call they're energetic and talkative. It has only been a day since they last saw each other, but they have much to catch up on.

Each person in the CrossFit Outdoor program signed up for different reasons. They are from different backgrounds and lifestyles, have different responsibilities and obligations, and range in fitness capabilities, age, and gender. But, twice a week at 5:30am this all fades into the background as these individuals share their lives with one another, encourage each other, and indulge in the celebration of each other's achievements.