Athlete of the Month: Ed Morton

This month we are excited to feature our first brother/sister duo as the Athletes of the Month! The drive they both have is inspirational and we want to spread that good positive vibe all over the box by showcasing their stories! Give Ed and Dana Morton a chalky high five next time you see them at the box! Here’s to an awesome 2015!

I started CrossFit this past August.  My oldest daughter jumps on team for ETA, so she gets CrossFit once a week with her training.  I watched her gain so much confidence and strength in the time she has done it.  I decided it was time for me to stop watching and start doing when I heard about the Lurong Living Paleo Challenge.

Since I’ve started CrossFit, I would say that my performance has definitely improved. I could hardly move after my first day of On Ramp, and while I still get really sore after a tough WOD, I know it’s because I’m getting stronger, not because I’ve never used those muscles before.

Yes, there are plenty of exercises I can do now that I couldn’t before. In fact, I would say all of the exercises I can do now I couldn’t do before, and if I could they weren’t being done properly.

I’ve lost more than 25 lbs., 2 pants sizes, and 1 shirt size.

So far, the biggest change I’ve seen is in how my daughter Raegan looks at me. She loves asking me about what I did in CrossFit, and commiserate with me when I am exhausted after an especially brutal workout. Also, I have a pretty physical job, and I have noticed that I can work harder for a much longer period of time without needing to take a break.

I tell my friends that don’t know about CrossFit that it’s the hardest thing I have ever done each time I go. I also say that everyone should go to at least one trial class, because if you come to one, you’re hooked.

In the beginning, my motivation was in getting healthy for my kids. While that is still true, I am now also motivated by the almighty PR, in outdoing myself every time I’m working out, and getting every last rep out of my body (no matter how much it might hurt).

My favorite WOD is the 9/11 tribute WOD because I grew up went to elementary and middle school with a guy who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald and was 23 years old when he died that day. As far as lifts go, the deadlift and the back squat are my two favorites.

The only advice I could give to a newbie would be to keep showing up, especially on the days when you look at Wodify and all you see is running (or whatever the thing you hate the most is). Sooner or later, you are going to realize that your weakness has become a strength, and that’s awesome.

Dubs. I really want to kill that goat.

If I could design a Wod, I would want it to be: Fighting 44
For Time
44 backsquats 135/95
44 burpees
44 deadlifts 155/115
44 cal row

When it comes to paleo, I stick with easy, steak with fresh veggies and a sweet potato. My favorite cheat is beer. Bad, right?

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