Tom D.’s lovely wife Kelly was kind enough to write up the following heartfelt post for Tom’s birthday:

Happy 47th Birthday Tommy Davoren!  I’m not sure how I missed sending in a birthday post last year for my wonderful husband, but given how much he enjoys reading ones sent in for so many of you (which I lovingly refer to as his “CrossFit Family”), I had to be sure not to miss this year…thank you Ruth!

Tom and I have been happily married for 22 years (yes, I was a child bride !).  I never thought I would marry so young and while it may sound a bit cliche, I truly knew the very first time I met him that he would be my guy always.  We dated for a year, then were engaged for a year, and then our life together truly began on 1/5/91 and we’ve never looked back.  Our life together is filled with many blessings and lots of love and laughter.

Here are some things you might not know about Tom:

• He is number 6 of 8 children (Irish, Catholic…and a Notre Dame fan from birth…his dad watched Notre Dame beat Michigan State while his mom brought him into this world!). He is a “California Native.”

• Tom has a passion for football (too bad he wasn’t born a bit taller!).  He coached high school football for 14 years. One of his years as a head coach for Bishop Amat HS freshman, they not only went undefeated but not even scored against!!!  A few of those players went on to play college ball and one even made it to the NFL!  He patiently awaited many a player interview where one of them might thank him by name!  Just kidding!

• He initially was on course to be a High School English teacher, but instead followed his father and siblings into law enforcement (5 out of the 8 kids became LA County Sheriff Deputies!).  I didn’t realize it back then, but being a police officer is a true calling for Tom and what he is meant to be doing in the world.  Now for a little bragging… He has worked on three departments (LASD; Overland Park PD in Kansas, and LAPD).  During his time at each department he achieved things most officers don’t achieve in a lifetime of police work at one department.  Of particular note are the three medals of valor he has received, one from each department.  Each for the valorous actions he took to save the lives of others in the line of duty (officers and citizens alike).  Finishing-up his law enforcement career being part of LAPD Bomb K-9 (“some of the best partners I have ever had”…many past partners gave him a hard time for that comment following his CBS News interview!) and now Bomb Squad makes for a pretty amazing journey.  I couldn’t be more proud of him!

• He is a “snappy dancer”, despite not really being able to hear the beat! It might have started with our ballroom dance class in preparation for our wedding (what a good guy, huh?) but it has continued throughout our life together. Tom has won several “Twist” contests!!!

• We love to travel and experience the world together (Ireland, Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, and most recently Croatia and Slovenia to name a few).  Someday we will complete our Rosetta Stone “Speaking Italian” and really go far!

• We get “remarried” every 5 years in different circumstances and places just to keep that newlywed feel going!  The most adventurous was on our 15th where we said ”I do, again” just before jumping out of a plane over the North Shore of Oahu!

• Tom is a closet Karaoke fanatic…one of his favorites is “I’m too sexy for my…on the cat walk” (can’t recall the exact name, but it is hilarious to watch…he can be quite the showman!)

• He has always worked to stay physically fit for both his personal safety as an officer and overall well-being. His experience at Intrepid, however, seems to have tapped into his commitment to fitness at a level I don’t recall him having before.  I believe that it has to do with the camaraderie and healthy competition you all instill in him.  Thank you for your friendship my husband and for being such an important part of his life!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!
With all my love,
Kelly

WOD 11.19.13

2 Rounds:
400m Run
35 Ring Push Ups (sub 35 Push Ups)
400m Run
35 Ball Slams

Today marks Alicia’s Birthday. What makes Alicia so special that many of you may not know.

Here are the top 10 facts and reasons Alicia is a special person:

10) She’s a natural public speaker.

9) Alicia is a great dancer, especially Salsa!

8) She’s loves to camp and be outdoors

7) She’s a cool customer in even the most tense and stressful situations. She’s just a natural leader.

6) She is originally from Mexicali, Mexico. From what i understand it is one of the hottest places on earth!

5) She’s a mountaineer! (That’s right folks with her own ice ax and crampons!)

4) She climbed Mt. Rainier during the winter months. Half the mountain was a sheet of ice and I saw a lot of people turn back, where she just kept going with her ice ax.

3) She went to Roosevelt High School on the east side of LA. Back in the early 90′s this wasn’t the easiest school to attend to say the least. She got accepted to Berkley when she was 16 and later moved onto Stanford. To this day Roosevelt teachers still call her to speak and mentor other students.

2) Wonderful to see the way she takes care and raises our son. She has a natural glow when Mason is around.

1) She’s an amazing mom and makes Mason and I extremely happy every day!

I send birthday wishes to the love of my life. To a wonderful woman, wife and mother. Mason and I love you. Have the best day!

WOD 11.18.13

Snatch 3-3-3

3 Rounds for Time:
5 Clusters (135/95#)
10 Pull-ups
10 Burpees

Today is Cicely’s birthday! Ryan has provided a nice post for the bday girl, enjoy!

Okay. Where to begin?  Let me start by saying that if you expect this to be anything close to the amazing post that my loving fiancée submitted for me about a month ago, please don’t get your hopes up – cause this ain’t no competition (and I for one am glad).

So to start – again – Happy 34^th bornday Love Nugget!  May your birthday be filled with barbed wire, electro-shock, underwater caverns, and countless other treacherous obstacles that like the rest of life’s challenges, we will overcome together.

You see, today, on Cicely’s birthday, we will be partaking in Tough Mudder together in culmination of our 100 miles of active events pledge for 2013.  Helluva birthday present huh!  I know, boyfriend of the year points right there…but don’t worry – she is also getting a spa weekend after the race which does include some nice deep tissue, trigger point therapy to help her recover.

So let’s give you a few fun facts and tidbits about Cicely – 9 to be exact:

1)     First things first – the reason that I am doing 9 fun facts and not 1 for each year the she has graced this earth – is because 9 is her favorite number and it shows itself in her life quite often.  It is the date she was born, the date her mother was born, the birth month of her father (and now father and brother -in-law to be) her dad is one of 9 siblings, her parents tried for 9 years for a child until they had her and if you add each individual number of her height and weight it equals 9 (in no particular order 5-2-1-1-0), the amount of letters in her first name and middle name combined equals 9, as does her middle and future last name.

2)     Cicely is an only child – but she has a very large and close knit extended family that throw a party for any and every possible occasion!  It’s really quite awesome.  These parties usually include fantastic games, karaoke, individual stunts and performances by the younger generation, and sometimes even a bit of gambling.  Oh…and tons of food!

3)     She has two black cats, Timmy and Sam, who are the loves of her life.  She is an amazing mother to them and makes sure to give them hugs and kisses every day when she leaves the house and when she comes home.  She also holds birthday celebrations for each of them, and dresses them up in bowtie collars for the special occasions.

4)     Cicely is an absolute animal lover and champion – and is hoping in the very near future to start officially rescuing and fostering animals on a regular basis.  She has already started on an amateur basis beginning with Trap-Neuter-Releases of feral cats, a trap and rescue of a stray little pup with a broken and dislocated hip (Fey), to the fostering of a lost Pit-Bull Simba that won over our hearts quite recently and really opened our eyes to the beauty in that very misunderstood breed.

5)     Cicely is a stickler for the rules…usually.  She didn’t have a drink of alcohol until her 21^st birthday. Although…she was tricked into having some jello shots by her college roommates, and got a little tipsy.  She had no idea that the jello contained any amount of alcohol.

6)     Her favorite ice cream is Thrifty Ice cream. Her favorite flavor is mint ‘n chip.  Her favorite order is a double scoop regular cone with chocolate malted crunch and mint ‘n chip, but the mint ‘n chip has to be on the bottom.  Her favorite part – is when she gets to the bottom of the cone and it has that bit of ice cream that she pushed down to the bottom and she gets to pop the whole thing into her mouth and gets to enjoy that perfect combination of cone and ice cream.

7)     Cic is a regular billie-badass when it comes to shooting a shotgun.  Her first time shooting clay pigeons she showed amazing accuracy and had absolutely no problem wielding the 12 gauge and blowing the pigeons to smithereens. That was until they started with the rolling targets, and our guide described the rolling clay as bunny shooting practice…Cic couldn’t bring herself to shoot the poor little fake Thumpers…until they were updated to zombie killer bunnies that would infect the rest of the bunnies so she slaughtered them all.  Seriously, didn’t miss a shot.

8)     One time in college, Cic broke her tailbone falling off of 2 sticks while dancing on the shoulders of 4 men.

9)     Cicely’s dream in life is to open a sanctuary for any and all of the misunderstood black cats of the world.  To ensure that they all have a chance to receive the same amount of love and happiness that she gives Timmy and Sam, and to educate the world as to why they are not the scary, superstitious, aloof felines that they are cracked up to be.  They are really just looking for someone to love them.

There is really a lot more to Cic, but I am going to keep some of that to myself.  What can I say? I am selfish.  But one last thing that I will share…is that she is absolutely amazing and I am absolutely the luckiest man in world since she entered my life.  I am a better man through and through with her by my side.  I am so looking forward to adding 9 more tidbits each and every year for the next 70 years as we continue our adventures together.  I love you nugget!  Happy born day!

Also a shout out is in order for Mike C., Ryan, and Cicely as they will be competing in a Tough Mudder! Good luck!!!

WOD 11.09.2013

Partner WOD-

In teams of 4 complete

Run 400m as a team then in a ladder do:

• 20 Tire Flips
• 4 Rope Climbs
• Row 500m
• 20 Ring Dips OR 7 Muscle Ups

Then 1600m relay

Birthdays are a natural time to look back and see how much progress we’ve made in achieving our CrossFit goals. So I’m sure Ning won’t mind if I take this opportunity to review what improvements she’s made with respect to some of the Dos and Don’ts revealed on her last birthday.

2012: Don’t use so much chalk that you start asking, “Can inhaling chalk dust give you cancer?”
2013: See picture above.
Verdict: No progress

2012: Do balance your left and right arms when doing wall ball shots, or else you will find yourself gradually moving across the wall to one side.
2013: Ning now only occasionally favors her left arm when doing wall balls. However, now she sometimes favors her right arm instead.
Verdict: She’s no longer a danger to the person to her right, so I’ll declare this Progress

2012: Don’t perform a handstand push-up negative by slamming your head down into the abmat as fast as possible.
2013: Ning no longer slams her head on HSPU negatives. Ning now does full HSPUs by first slamming her head down into the abmat as fast as possible.
Verdict: Partial Progress

2012: Do yell “Hi everybody!” upon completing your first complete rope climb to the ceiling. Even better, do it with a huge grin that makes everybody look up at you and smile in return.
2013: Now that you’re doing rope climbs, make sure you Don’t leave any skin exposed. The rope will find it.
Verdict: Her rope climbs have progressed, but I think her skin would call this No progress

2012: Don’t tell the trainers about which movements you hate, or what your nightmare WOD would be. Anything you say can and will be used against you.
2013: Ning now understands the trainers so well that she’s no longer happy that there’s a rest period in a WOD. She knows it means that you have to run fast.
Verdict: Great Progress

There you have it: Ning’s exceptional ability to focus on achieving her goals has resulted in a great deal of progress in the past year! But, like all of us, she still has some room for improvement (again, see picture above). Happy birthday to my favorite little WOD scout!

Be sure to sign up for the 2013 Intrepid Invitational Weightlifting competition on Saturday, Dec 7th here for $20 entry fee.

Also, reserve your spot for the Jan 11th Strongman Workshop by signing up here for $40.

WOD 11.04.13

Deadlift 1×5

Not For Time WOD
3 Rounds:
5 Good Mornings
10 Front Squats
5 Weighted Pull Ups (45/25)

These kind birthday greetings come courtesy of Sonia and Saulo. Have a great birthday David (P.S. I don’t have any cookies, read on to understand.)

Happy Birthday David!!!!

Let’s get the mushy stuff out of the way and recognize David as an amazing husband, father and most all, my BEST FRIEND. I can’t imagine my life with out him and I enjoy everyday with him. Now, onto a few fun facts about David that you didn’t know. He enjoys riding his motorcycle, will talk to our 2 English Bulldogs as if they will answer back, will laugh at a commercial again and again like it’s the first time he saw it, swears he grew 1 ½ inches at the age of 32, will claim his Cuban side before he claims his Mexican side, will pop lock in his sleep, plans on buying a drum set because Rock Band has made him into a professional drummer, was Katy Pery to my Russell Brand on Halloween, swears dessert comes before a meal and will cut you for a cookie if he has to.

-Sonia

Where to start… So many stories this post isn’t long enough….

Well I definitely won’t be giving David aka “Puppet” any “mushy stuff”, it wouldn’t be our style. I will say the following, (some may be able to relate): In the very short time I’ve known him as I trusted my brothers in the Corps. Enough of that, David’s top 10 countdown;

10. He literally will cut you if he even smells sweets on you, run!
9. He weighs himself every morning, just to see if he can afford to eat some sweets.
8. If you walk into his office unexpectedly, cover your ears you will hear his “drumming skills” John Bonham rolls over in his grave.
7. Every event in life can be covered by a movie clip.
6. Will eat any food left on his desk without hesitation.
5. Is a prankster till no end, we have a war that has been fuming for 2 years now,(we did call a seize fire, we are currently under negotiations), ask him about the Gorilla-glue and my office -.-
4. Cannot walk away from Ellotes, its a Mexican type donut and apparently crack to him.
3. He loves small paperclips, i don’t know it’s his thing. Everyone should bring him a box.
2. His biggest fear besides women taking over the world… Getting fat.
1. He once scared,(I still say bullied), a guy during his lunch break so much he left his food, and ran from the cafeteria.

-Saulo

11.03.13 REST DAY

Today we have a special guest roast, er post, from Tyler S. in honor of Mulligan’s birthday.  Look out Mulligan, that’s not a bus…that’s a train coming your way!  Happy birthday Mulligan!  

For those of you that don’t know Daniel, He is a 4pm-er most days. He can beast on WODs with the best of ‘em and I find myself chasing down his times at 5pm pretty much every day. I even get the advantage of having a time to try and beat. Still, I’d say the grudge match is about 50-50. Nice and healthy competition for one of the oldest bro-mances around. We have been friends since we were 13 and I was recently the best man in his wedding this past August. I thought about completely decimating him in a roast but I felt that he was undeserving as I got to embarrass him pretty good in my best man speech a few months ago. That being said, his wife, Kylie, has no reservations about backing the bus right over her husband. I thought for this, I would go out of the box for a typical birthday post, and shoot Kylie a few questions that would let everyone familiarize themselves with the birthday boy…..

T: Kylie, at the gym your husband is known as quite the rebel biker (scooter/motorcycle/chopper…same difference), how does it feel to be a ole’ lady or so they say of a bad-ass scooter rider?

K: We like to use the hog on date nights, usually Friday’s to El Gringo in Hermosa. We look more ridiculous than Harry and Lloyd, matching helmets and all. Teeth chattering in the wind, honking the horn at oncoming traffic, we fill our bellies with burritos and plenty of chips and salsa but we better return home before 8:00 to catch Dateline on NBC, Daniel’s favorite murder mystery show! But at 9, lights out so Daniel can get a full 10 hours of beauty sleep. If I decide to stay awake in the living room to continue watching a show, Daniel whines for me to come to bed because he can’t fall asleep without her. His exact words…” Baaaaaaaaaabe!!! I can’t fall asleep without you, I neeeeeeed you, can you come to bed?”

T: Hmmm, a true man’s man. Let’s talk about his dog, Harley. I think everyone might imagine Daniel to have a big, muscular, working class dog. Maybe a mastiff, or pit-bull. However, as a fellow <10 pound dog owner myself, I can’t disagree with his choice in canine companions. Tell us about Daniel and his best friend.

K: Daniel is Harley’s “Papa”. Not only does he have a very special voice and tone that he uses with his dog, but he has his own language for his adored pup as well. Every day before Daniel leaves for the gym, he says to Harley in the most endearing voice,”Babies, Papa’s going to go to the gym, but I’ll be back soon and then Papa will take you for the longest walks to go see your puppy friends.” I come home each day to find them spooning on the couch together under a blanket.

T: Speaking of naps….Your husband might be the undisputed world champion of naps. The guy can pass out with the best of ‘em. Good thing he doesn’t snore, right?

K: Daniel is narcoleptic. He even makes sure to organize his days in a way that he can fit a nap in. He falls asleep usually with sports absolutely blaring on the TV. I once took a video of his snoring because it was so bad I thought I could submit it to America’s Funniest Home Videos. In the video I successfully plugged his nose and closed his mouth, cutting off all air access. Once I let go, he let out the loudest snore and slept away, NEVER once flinching or waking up!

T: Last but not least, Daniel is a real movie buff/TV junkie. He’s an expert in Breaking Bad, Homeland, Walking Dead, The Wire and all the classic must-see shows. Also he just despises ESPN and really doesn’t watch sports all right?????

K: Daniel HATES watching movies, The guy can’t sit still and is afraid to go to the theater, he has a legitimate phobia of movie theater seats and fears he will get head lice or some disease. I, on the other hand, love going to the movies and usually beg him once or twice a year to go see one. If that happens, he will wear a hat and hoodie covering all parts of his head and will open the doors with the sleeve of his sweatshirt. (T: I agree, BTW, I even tuck my shirt into my pants to seal off everything) The only thing he enjoys watching on TV is Dateline, College Football, The Lakers, Dodgers, Raiders, and occasionally American Idol because he likes to make fun of the people who can’t sing.

(Thanks Kylie)

Daniel- Happy Birthday bro. One day, when we are old and gray. We will watch sports and take naps all day long.

Morgan: Waldo
Jeff: Barney & Knight (two classes, two costumes!)
Marcus: Heisenberg
David & Saulo: Los Cholos
Nathalia: 50 Shades of Grey
Mike C: Ace Ventura
Nat & Kristen: Bacon & Eggs
Cicely: Bridezilla
Avelyne: Pensatucky

Vote for your favorite costume in comments below (write ins accepted as well). The winner(s) with the most votes will have a prize coming their way! Check out all the photos here.

WOD 11.01.2013

Hang Power Snatch 3 x 3

Then, 3 Rounds for time:

• 5 High box jumps
• 10 Handstand pushups
• 400m Run
• Rest 1 min

Today Celina gets the spot light as it is her birthday! Her Partner In Crime and best friend, Amanda, has written a great bday post, enjoy! 

As you have seen around CFI, the bromance challenge has been brought. A month ago, you heard Celina’s side of the story. Well, thanks to Pat’s offer to let me write Celina’s birthday post, it is now time to return the favor. :) (Thanks, Pat!)

For starters, Celina also goes by Bina. While I wasn’t present for that story, I do know its origin – her younger brother called her Bina when he was first learning to speak. The name stuck so well, she even has a jelly bean integrated into her Claddagh ring-inspired tattoo. 

One of my favorite aspects of crossfit and training at CFI is the partnerships you develop with your fellow classmates. You push each other, you challenge each other, and you hold each other accountable for a good lift and correct technique. Bina is right by my side challenging me to do better, lift heavier, use better form. Additionally, she is my goat standard. Every one of my goats is her strength – how’s that for a best friend and WOD partner?!? As such, I thought she deserved the honor of having a WOD named after her. These aren’t her only strengths; these are the highlights. And yes, this will hurt. I am NOT looking forward to Celina…

“Celina” WOD

5 Rounds for Time

• 500M Row
• 25 Wall Balls
• 50 Pistols
• 1 Rope Climb 

Last summer at Bryant’s farewell, we forged our friendship… over beers, brats, and corn hole. And it was also the first night Lali (me) slept on the couch followed by eggs and bacon breakfast the next morning. Quickly, we realized we had a ton in common, and we would become darn close to inseparable. We cook our week’s meals together during the weekends. Celina helped me to learn how to be successful through a Whole30 – she even did it with me! 

What do you say about the person who is your best friend? We have shared so many laughs, cries, and celebrations just in the past year. I look forward to the many more…Ben & Jerry’s included!
Celina is super-woman. She is in law school – rocking her first year! And yes, I’ll brag, she did so well that she now has a scholarship to attend her top choice law school (Pepperdine)! She is ALL IN – pushing herself and others to excellence in all ways. In top of that, Pat recently returned from Afghanistan, so law school, a two year old, husband in combat – yes, she is super-woman! 

I think the most important story to tell is the friend Celina is to everyone who knows her and especially the friend she has been to me. Celina is the exact opposite of a fair weather friend…Yes, we have celebrated the best of times, and we have mourned the toughest of times, too. Celina is the friend who is there right when you need a friend the most. 

As many know, I had shoulder surgery last year. Celina was there. She  and her wonderful family supported me during the one week she happened to have off from work before she started law school. She dropped me off at the hospital, and she picked me up while I was drugged up. (She and my dad still joke about that…  apparently I sounded really funny.) She cared for me. When I was the most vulnerable I have ever been in front of anyone, she was there with such grace and care, keeping my dignity in my weakness. I will not get into the details, but suffice to say, I needed help, and Celina was there. I cannot describe a more loyal and loving friend. 

That is the amazing friend I have. 

Poor Pat, Roberta, and Land dad (Celina’s parents) have to listen to the “Why do we talk?” as we finish each other’s thoughts, sentences, and (usually without prior planning) pick the same clothes for a WOD or anything else… seriously. Why do we talk? The answer – so everyone else can appreciate our humor, of course! 

Happy birthday to the best friend anyone can hope to find!

WOD 10.26.2013

Partner WOD-

3 Rounds for time- 20 Min time cap

• Row 1200 Meters
• 30 Box Jumps
• 30 Pull-Ups
• 30 Slam Ball tosses (standing at least 4 ft away)

For those of you who have been here a while, you may remember Dan as a noontime regular.   Then, the family moved north for just a short (read: too long of a) time.  Well now, the Akers family is back in the ES ‘hood. If you were at Intrepid Games this year, you might have been lucky enough to see him in action.  You would have marveled at how this superb athlete tore through the agility course.  I know I did!  However, if you blinked, you would have missed him.  He was that fast!  Dan ended up taking 3rd in the Men’s Open Division.  And to think he initially signed up for the Master’s!  Happy Birthday Dan!  You are an inspiration to us all!  

The following is a sweet tribute from Dan’s wife, Alicia:

October 25th marks Dan’s 41nd birthday. In honor of the amazing husband (and father) that he is, here is a post dedicated especially to him.

Top 10 reasons Dan is a special person:

1. He makes me happy. Every day.

2. He is a good dancer. Really. Just put on some James Brown and move aside!

3. He is a good singer-Ask Mason and he’ll tell you that ‘dada’ sings him to him every day!

4. He is not a quitter and won’t let you quit either. Be warned!

5. He never asks for anything. Even on his birthday.

6. I love his faith. I don’t mean his religion. I mean his faith. That we’ll have the things we need no matter how bleak it may look at the moment.

7. He’s a ninja! A black belt in judo, taekwondo and karate ….. My ninja!

8. He hurries home from work to spend time with Mason.

9. He’s a contrast of opposites. Tough as nails on the outside, with a soft gooey center.

10. He can fix anything, or if he can’t, he will learn how and then fix it.

I send my love and birthday wishes to one of the best persons I know, who is a best friend and has given me the best possible time in my life. You are a gift to both Mason and I. Moments spent with you become beautiful memories as you have made our life a treasurable gift! Happy birthday!

WOD 10.25.2013

Dead Lift 1 x 5

Then, 4 Rounds:

• 7 Power cleans (135/95)
• 7 Handstand pushups (sub 14 PSU)

OR

4 Rounds:

• 3 Squat cleans (225/148)
• 9 Handstand pushups

Today we wish one of the first Intrepid members, Stephanie, a Happy Birthday!  Her husband Michael H (aka Ninja, aka Michael Y) has written a post for his lovely wife, enjoy!

——-

(Intended to be read fast, go!)

Happy Birthday Steph….

Straight to the point.

Steph is a BAD ASS in every way.
Steph is the epitome of strength and beauty.
Steph is awesome.

If you know her, then you know the above is true, if you don’t know her, ask yourself would you trust, me or a politician. I only speak of the truth.

Happy Birthday Steph….

Done.

(Ok slow it down…)

Now on to more important matters, what should I get Steph for her birthday? I could buy her something that’ll probably go out of style, break, or get lost; or I could get her something priceless and last her a lifetime. I’ve already married her so I can’t do that again, I already knocked her up so I can’t use that as a gift. So what’s left? After going through a debate with the demons in my head, I’ve come up with a few options, a gift that keeps giving… a pocket card that she can use at her discretion 24/7/365 but I’m going to twist it a little. I’m going to let the gym decide what she deserves

Having said that, I present to you. The “What should I get Steph poll” 3-2-1-Vote!

1. Steph should never have to change a diaper if we are in the same room.
2. Steph should never have to change our cat litter box.
3. Steph should never have to pick up after our dogs poop.
4. Steph should never have to cover the grave yard shift when the baby cries.
5. Steph should give me a foot massage every day.
6. Some of the above.

Click here to vote!

BTW if you’re curious how old she is, count the periods used in this post.

In other news
Don’t forget, we have 3 Intrepid teams competing today at the Randy Simmons Fitness Challenge! Come out join the cheer squad! Heats start at 08:00, 08:15 and 08:30 AM

WOD 10.19.2013

Partner WOD:

Buy-In with 75 Power Snatches (or Muscle Snatches) (75/55)

Then complete a total of,

• 50 Pistols
• 50 Med ball Toss Sit-ups
• 150yd Bear Crawl

Ryan you’re awesome! Ryan you’re great!
Ryan you’re 7 plus 28!
May you feel special cuz this day’s about you
May you kick ass on today’s WODdie poo

But first come the fun facts and stories galore
So everyone can get to know you some more
Trivia for each year that you’ve been alive
So it’s kind of long because… dude you’re old.

ONE… he grew up in Greece and Spain.

TWO…he doesn’t speak Greek or Spanish.  Well, kind of Spanish.  The usual words like hola, queso, and donde esta la biblioteca?

THREE… his parents own a ranch in Pahrump, NV, where they have 7 horses, 11 chickens, 4 roosters, 3 dogs, 2 cats, and a goat.

FOUR… he’s an aggie at heart.  He wears cowboy boots at his parents’ ranch and listens to country and knows all the words to every. freaking. song.

FIVE… he hates folding laundry.  HATES.

SIX… when he was 2 years old, one of his mom’s friends gave him some water in a glass even though his mom warned her not to.  Ryan ended up biting a chunk out of the glass.

SEVEN… when he was 5 years old, he was walking along a stone wall.  He tripped and fell and hit his head.  He was fine, but his head cracked the wall.

EIGHT… when he was 4 years old, his brother accidentally stabbed him in the eye with a goat jawbone.

NINE… I think Jessica Alba is his #1.  I’m not too sure, because he mainly talks about Ryan Reynolds. And Ryan Gosling.  Ryan <3 the Ryans.

TEN… his favorite movie is The Notebook.

More birthday facts after the jump…

ELEVEN… his favorite ice cream is Thrifty’s Mint Chip, because they’re the only ones that do it right: with small chocolate flakes instead of big ass chip chunks.

TWELVE… he can’t watch a movie without eating popcorn and Milk Duds.  He tosses the Milk Duds into the popcorn and shakes them down to the bottom for delightful little surprises with each handful (except during Whole30, of course).

THIRTEEN… he can’t barbecue a tri-tip without partaking in the Hatley Man tradition of sipping on gin on the rocks with a splash of olive juice and 3 olives (except during Whole30, of course).

FOURTEEN… his first car was a 1962 Volkswagen Bug that he got for free when he was 12 years old.  He spent the next 4 years fixing it up – he painted it a dark green with a purple ghost tint (or whatever it’s called), and turned the back seat into a custom loveseat complete with throw pillows.  For all the leddez, heeeeyyy.

FIFTEEN… he is a human calculator.  When he was in 1st grade, he would add up the items being rung up at the grocery store and call out the total – including tax – before the cashier did.

SIXTEEN… he’s a great and brilliant team leader.  I know because he was my boss for a few years before I finally succumbed to his dimples and his smoldery hazel eyes.

SEVENTEEN… he uses his dimples and his smoldery hazel eyes to get his way.

EIGHTEEN… two years ago he broke his first bone: his wrist.  From jumping off his horse, Thunder, while galloping at full speed.

NINETEEN… his son, Seth, plays ice hockey.  When Seth was 8 years old, a hit knocked one of his teeth loose.  Ryan was coaching the team at the time.  He called Seth off the ice, yanked the tooth out, then made him get back in the game.

TWENTY… another time, Seth dislocated his finger.  Ryan had him bite down on a pencil as he snapped it back into place.  They eventually took him to the doctor, who said it was the best relocation that he’d ever seen.

TWENTY-ONE… one time he showed up to work in the worst mood ever.  When asked why, he super glumly said it was because his daughter, Shelby, had just gotten her period.  All the girls at work squealed and got all excited that she was officially a woman.  Ryan was like, “Oh hell no, she’s officially a woman.”  But at lunch he went out and got a chocolate bar to bring home to her after work, and it made us all go awwwwwww.

TWENTY-TWO… he checks out girls that pass by.  But he doesn’t look at their butts or anything, he looks at their shoes and outfits.  And he’s pretty catty.

TWENTY-THREE… when I go shopping, he helps pick clothes out for me, and a lot of the time they end up being better than the stuff I picked out.

TWENTY-FOUR… he follows @adorable_animals on Instagram.

TWENTY-FIVE… he’s involved in our church community as a Eucharistic Minister (one of the peeps that hand out Communion) and as an active member of the Mens’ retreat group.

TWENTY-SIX… In school he played soccer, baseball, football, and golf, and graduated high school with a 4.3 GPA.

TWENTY-SEVEN… he remembers all the details of the beginning of our relationship…first date, second date, etc.  And he is displeased when he has to remind me what happened when and where.

TWENTY-EIGHT… he’s always on time.  If he’s late, it’s because I’m with him.

TWENTY-NINE… two years ago, he started running.  He’d run 1 min/walk 1 min for 2 miles and would swear he died with every step.  Last weekend, he ran a total of 17.4 miles during Ragnar at an average pace of 9:21 min/mile and never felt better.

THIRTY… he has a goal of running 100 miles of events this year.  He’s completed 91.8 so far, and will finish it off during Tough Mudder in November.

THIRTY-ONE… he has the kindest, most genuine heart in the whole entire world.

THIRTY-TWO… he’s allergic to pincher bugs.

THIRTY-THREE… he’s ambidextrous.  He writes and eats with his left hand, but he golfs and bats righthandedly.

THIRTY-FOUR… he sucks at being discreet.  If you try to mouth something to him or make some sort of gesture without other people noticing, he’ll be like, “WHAT?  Did you say something?”, therefore blowing your entire cover so you’re just like ugh never mind.  And he keeps insisting that you tell him, so by that point everyone else in the room is wondering what you were trying to say and you’re like dude.  I was trying to NOT get everyone’s attention, thanks.

THIRTY-FIVE… he never uses lotion or moisturizer, but he has the softest face and foot skin ever, though his feet are much more impressive than his face.  Seriously, ask if you can feel his foot – preferably preWOD.

Happy 35th birthday Rypie!!!  You are an amazing human being.  I am so unbelievably lucky to have you in my life.  I love you <3

WOD 10.02.13

20 Minutes to find a heavy Front Squat single rep

Then:

800m Run

3 rounds
10 Overhead Squats (135/95)
5 Box Jumps (30/24″)

800m Run