Time to focus on another one of our amazing member’s here at Temenos Athletics! Here is the scoop on Leigh, a consistent powerhouse athlete at our gym. She is an excellent example on how training can greatly influence quality of life and improve your specialized sport.
Question: How long have you been doing CrossFit?
Answer: I’ve been getting my butt kicked for almost 4 years now!
Question: Since starting CrossFit or an active lifestyle what are some positive changes you have seen in your life?
Answer: I started CrossFit because Russ (my husband) was tired of bringing me to the Emergency Room…no, seriously! I was starting to push my limits on my mountain bike and realized that I had to get stronger to prevent injury.
Approaching 38 years old, I’m in the best shape of my life and that has directly translated into a substantial progression in my riding – an improvement I can credit to CrossFit. Perhaps more important though, I’ve benefited greatly on a mental level. CrossFit helps me deal with stress, fight depression, improve my self-confidence, and gives me the mental strength to push through pain or fear to achieve things that I previously wouldn’t have attempted!
Question: What do you do with your time when you’re not working out (what do you mean, you have a life outside of the gym?!)
Answer: Our life revolves around our dog, sport and the outdoors. Crossfit is a supplement to my one true love (ok, my second true love Russ) – mountain biking! If I’m not on my bike or at Temenos, I’m in a forest hiking or cross-country skiing with our dog Finn.
Question: In the next year what is one personal and one physical goal you wish to achieve?
Answer: I’m still on a high from my achievements last year, so this year I want to focus on being more relaxed and just having fun. Last summer I won my third bike race ever, the Canadian National Enduro Series (open women) in Revelstoke. It was the proudest moment of my life. I have to credit Russ for his years of pushing and encouraging me, but it was also Renee (and her gritty performance at Regionals) who gave me the inspiration I needed to keep going when I really just wanted to quit. Sometimes all you have to do is try.
Question: What class and how many times a week do you come to Temenos Athletics?
Answer: 6:30pm for life!
During bike season I spend 15-20 hours a week on the trails, so 2 days at Temenos is as much as I can muster the energy for.
The off-season is dedicated to increasing strength, but I also need to recover after a busy summer. I try to hit the gym 3 times per week with a cross country ski and some hikes sprinkled in between.
Question: What is your favourite indulgence meal?
Answer: Mmmmm Mac and Cheese…