Sunday, December 20th – Athlete Profile: Chris Pace
Athlete Profile: Chris Pace
1. In general, what is your background?
I grew up in a small town in upstate New York called Cazenovia. I am the oldest of two but never spent a lot of time with each other since we were both continuously involved with sports. I left NY when I was 18 to attend the US Air Force Academy in Colorado. When I was there I played a few college sports including track, cross country, and hockey. I graduated from the Academy in 2002 where I then went to flight school. My first choice was flying C-17’s in Charleston. My hard work paid off and I have been here for 5 years now. I recently married the love of my life, Tara, in November.
2. Age, Occupation?
29, Air Force Pilot
3. How did you get to know about CrossFit and why did you start?
Ever since I started putting on weight when I played college hockey I have been lifting weights and doing whatever I could to get bigger and stronger. I had the same thoughts that every Globo Gym member still has about fitness…if I can bench a lot I must be strong right? WRONG! Last fall I wanted to try something different so I tried P90X. Yea it was different alright…I almost fell asleep during my workouts. I then deployed for 5 months overseas and while I was there people kept showing me videos of these crazy girls doing like 100 pullups and guys doing these crazy barbell complexes. I was a little skeptical and pretty much thought these people were insane….plus some of their workouts were only like 4 or 5 minutes. I didn’t really think too much of it until on my flight home from the desert when another pilot told me how he had been doing CrossFit for almost 4 years and he was in the best shape of his life (he was in his mid 30’s). I decided why not give it a try so I Googled it when I got home and last May showed up to my first CrossFit workout at the old gym. I did Cindy for 10 minutes and threw up. After that I was hooked…I mean how cant you be after throwing up after a 10 minute workout?!
4. How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
I look at fitness a completely different way now. Most people measure your level of fitness by how much you can bench or squat as opposed to how many times can you squat your bodyweight then go do 50 pullups…and do this 3 times as fast as you can! You have to have a different mindset when you step foot into a CrossFit gym, especially Crossfit Integrity. On a white board the workouts look impossible, but CrossFit really supports the fact that you can accomplish anything if you can fight the pain mentally. There has definitely been more than one time where I have wanted to quit, but I muscle thru and end up surprising myself. I have achieved a whole new level of fitness physically and mentally. And to all the Globo Gym meatheads out there…I have honestly never been stronger either. And Crossfit is definitely a lifestyle. There is very rarely a day goes by where I don’t mention it to someone.
5. Name one goal and/or personal record you would like to accomplish through CrossFit?
It’s tough to come up with only one goal or PR to accomplish. I would love more than anything to train hard enough to make it to the CrossFit Games. The competition continues to get more intense which only means the training needs to get more intense. As far as a PR, breaking 3 minutes on Fran would be a great accomplishment.
6. Favorite CrossFit moment so far?
Pretty much any workout I beat Coach Brian. Also, finishing Murph RX with that 20lb vest was a pretty enlightening moment…again mental toughness defeating physical exhaustion.
7. What do you like most about Crossfit Integrity?
Everything! I have been to at least 5 other CrossFits around the country and honestly there is not one that compares to Integrity. The coaches we have, the members, the workouts, the competition, blow all the others out of the water. We have a great group of athletes who have an intense but friendly rivalry, and can also go out and enjoy a few drinks with one another.
8. Favorite WOD?
I like them all…I guess I am crazy. “Fran” is always fun because the workout is literally less than 5 minutes and you are on your back for about 30 minutes in pain.
9. Least favorite WOD?
That one we did with 100 thrusters and 5 burpees on the minute was kind of a b*$#&
10. Favorite movement?
I like the muscle ups because they are such a great workout for your upper body. Also a big fan of Deadlifts.
11. Least favorite movement?
Overhead Squats and Handstand Pushups…sooner or later I will conquer you!
12. Favorite place to eat in Charleston?
This might be the toughest question of them all. I LOVE food, especially good food…and Charleston is filled with it. Consistently good is Basil downtown. Their Basil fried duck is AMAZING! And yes I said fried…one cheat day a week people!
the beast..