Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

The week before I went to Hawaii, I left CrossFit Metropolis, my home since 2010.  I have wanted to collect my thoughts into some more eloquent missive, but they are inchoate, disparate.   So, I list them.

1. I will always love CFM.  
2. It was time for me to leave.
3. When I left, I felt the heady freedom of a kite whose string has been cut.  And it was wonderful.  And then I felt lost.  And now I am calmer and excited to explore the world around me.  But I miss it, and probably always will.  
4. What I miss most is how it was in the beginning.  It's not that I necessarily believe that "Metropolis 1.0" (with its two squat racks, one of which was busted) was a better gym than Metropolis is today - rather, I think that all of us become nostalgic for our first year or so of CrossFit.  That's when the magic happens.  We start to see things differently, and the way we view our potential changes.
5. That is why I love working with newbies.  I will do that again someday.
6. Perhaps in leaving I am chasing my next paradigm shift.
7. CrossFit changed me.  I may be a lousy athlete, but I am an athlete, and I train.
8. I am happiest training.
9. CrossFit changed fitness.  My old globo gym - to which I swore I'd never return - has lifting platforms.  They've ordered a women's olympic lifting bar.  And they like when I lift there.  They're even ok with dropping.
10. CrossFit changed.  When I first discovered CrossFit, it was exercise.  Now, it is also a sport.  
11. Sometimes I feel differently, but if I had to choose, right now, I think I'd choose the sport.  
12. I haven't figured out my next move.  But, for now, I'm CrossFitting, I'm lifting, I'm boxing, I'm yoga-ing.  When the winter vortexes have passed, I'll be running outside again.  
13. Good things are coming.