One year ago I walked into CF2a for my first WOD and darn near died. I was struggling to do scaled pushups. Everyone else was long done.
Everyone was cheering me on and encouraging me, but then this one girl jumped on the floor next to me and counted them down as she did them next to me.
Over the upcoming weeks she would do the same thing with wallballs, 200m runs and 400m rows. If I dropped dead, I wasn’t going to drop dead alone.
That was my introduction to Tia. She holds a special place in my heart. Without her personal encouragement and her enthusiasm for my success, I do not know if I would have come back after the first week or two.
As I grew to know her, I found Tia to be a smart-aleck. She is fun to be with. She’s delightful to talk with. She’s intelligent, strong, beautiful, and a fierce competitor. And she’s Mommy’s girl.
During the 2013 CrossFit Open when I was on the verge of despair, it was Tia who comforted me with kind words and a loving kick in the pants. But all good things eventually come to an end, and that time is drawing near.
Today, August 26th, Tia begins her new job as a Director in Marlboro. And this weekend she will be moving further south on 495. CrossFit 2a will no longer be on her way to work. CF2a will no longer be two miles from her job. Though we will still see her on occasion and at CF Competitions, she will no longer be one of the Regular 6:30 Crew.
I am thrilled for Tia as she moves on to bigger and better things in her career and personal life. But selfishly I am saddened to lose her from my daily routine. Seeing her smile every morning was reason enough to come to the gym every day. Tia I am going to miss you more than words can ever tell.
Note: 2017 Update – Tia is back at CrossFit 2a. She is a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, a bride and a mom.
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