CrossFit group exercises in memory of local hero
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Athletes from CrossFit Presque Isle recently participated in a workout to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project and to remember a local hero.
Hodgdon native Army Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Henderson, who was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), died Oct. 2, 2012, at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device in Zombalay Village, Afghanistan.
For years CrossFit Headquarters has honored fallen heroes from the armed forces, law enforcement and fire departments with Hero WODs, or Workout of the Day, named after those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“Last fall when CrossFit HQ released a WOD in Aaron’s memory, I knew we would need to have our members take it on,” said Nate Berry of CrossFit Presque Isle. “Hero WODs are traditionally made up of running, weightlifting, gymnastics movements which are typically what we program for our workouts. When we saw that there was a swim involved in this case, we had to get a bit more creative than usual.”
The workout, named Rocket, Aaron’s nickname, was 30 minutes of as many rounds as possible (AMRAP) of a 50-yard swim, 10 push-ups, and 15 squats. Prior to the workout beginning, Aaron’s brother Sam Henderson of Houlton told the crowd that the swim was included because of how much time he and Aaron would spend in the water growing up.
“Our athletes loved the workout. I think they really appreciated what it stands for, the chance to honor a local hero, and the fact that it pushed some of them out of their comfort zone by adding in a swim.” said Katie Buob of CrossFit Presque Isle. “CrossFit is all about constantly varied movements, so those who hadn’t spent much or any time doing lap swimming took it as a challenge.”
The workout had 31 participants and raised $1,200 for the Wounded Warrior Project.
“We talk often about how our community of members comes together to workout and push each other,” Berry added “They get equally excited to push hard in a workout when it’s something that gives back to the community as a whole. We will be having another fundraising workout in April for the Aroostook Autism Support Group.”
The Wounded Warrior Project is a charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, service and events for wounded veterans of the military actions following the events of September 11, 2001.
For more information on CrossFit Presque Isle, visit www.crossfitpresqueisle.com or facebook.com/crossfitpresqueisle.
