Fit to Fight More: Todd's Story

A few weeks ago Todd R shared a work story with me.  I asked him to share his experiences by answering some questions and he provided a wonderful write up.  For those of you that haven’t met Todd, more about he’s a firefighting Captain in Livermore, CA.  He’s one of the nicest, most earnest guys you can hope to meet and he works HARD at CFO.
We are lucky have many athletes at CFO that serve their communities locally, at the state and even the national level.  You guys serve as teachers, cops, soldiers, firefighters, nurses, prison guards, and more.  We are proud and honored by your service.
These are my favorite stories – using fitness to be better – at your job, at your hobby, at LIFE.  Thank you Todd for sharing.  If you have a fitness story that you would like to share, please let me know.
 
Happy Anniversary to me!
What does a guy get himself to celebrate only five months at CFO???  PROOF.
Proof of what CrossFit has provided me.
 
Last Man Standing
Two weeks ago we responded to a Structure Fire in the city of Livermore.  I was the Captain on the Ladder Truck Stationed in Pleasanton for the day, filling in for another Captain away at a training class.  The house was a four thousand square foot home where the fire started on the side yard, burning under the eves and entered the three car garage and eventually into the huge attic.  We responded as part of the Second Alarm due to the volume of fire, the need for additional manpower and the stubborn and deep seated fire throughout the home. The interior temp inside the home below the fire was probably in the neighborhood of 300 degrees.  Mostly all in a days work for a Firefighter.  We did our part to extinguish the remaining fire, exited for air bottle replacement and a quick break and reentered for additional overhaul, final extinguishment and salvage of belongings inside the home.
We worked hard, much of the work was overhead due to the attic fire.  For the first time, my crew that day requested we take another break.
With that I realized I still had more to give, but we exited for rehab of the crew. The three members are good Firefighters, all fit in their own right, but none were CrossFit.  And there it was…my proof to myself, after only five months I was in the best shape I have ever been in after 16 years of Firefighting.  My metabolic conditioning has truly prepared me to be the best I can be.
For that I thank You both.  Thanks to Robin and Jen as well for introducing me to CFO and the great members.
I grew up playing soccer, tried H.S. Football and have played league Softball for the last 15 years. I regularly worked out both on and off duty with weights and exercize machines, and have been running for the last 5 years.  I maintained what I know now as an average level of fitness for myself, but never achieved where I really needed to be..until now.
Last year I had a health scare with High Blood pressure, cholesterol, and just not feeling well.  At 43 it was time for a change, Big change.  My medication became CrossFit.  Did I say Thank You yet?  Thank you.
Now all my numbers are normal. I’m down 30 lbs from last summer, I’m off medication and I look forward to working out again.  Everything I do is easier now. The future looks strong.  The Annual Firefighter Olympics does have a CrossFit competition…Hmmm
 

Workout of the Day
Strength
3 Position Snatch
Conditioning
Max distance over head walk 95/65
How far can you go?