Sunday, June 12, 2011 – Athlete Profile: Julie Straub

Athlete Profile:  Julie Straub

1.  In general, what is your background?

I grew up in Iowa and although I am a University of Iowa Hawkeye at heart, I attended Iowa State University because it was much farther away from home – might have gone through an independent, rebellious state when I was 18. I grew up playing basketball and volleyball and then when I hit college, I water-skied competitively for ISU (Slalom course, Jump, and the Trick event). Iowa has lakes…shocking I know. I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie too – I enjoy skydiving, white water rafting, cliff jumping, etc. After 22 years of long winters, I decided to head south and have lived in Charleston ever since.

2.  Age, Occupation?

28, Business Financial Manager at SPAWAR. Brian works there too and he has definitely busted me eating ridiculously un-paleo lunches as he strolls through the healthy salad bar. Ooops.

3.  How did you get to know about CrossFit and why did you start?

My friend David Cooper (who now lives in DC but comes into Integrity whenever he is back in town) introduced me to CrossFit Endurance. I love triathlons so Crossfit Endurance was perfect because it incorporated running, swimming and biking.  David started doing regular CrossFit in DC and was always talking about it but I wasn’t aware of any gyms around here (and I was too lazy to really check into it) so I kept at Endurance.  Then one of my girlfriends told me about Integrity so I went with her to a Saturday morning class. I fell in love instantly! It was a nice change of pace and refreshing to work out with a group instead of by myself.

4.  How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?

CrossFit has definitely made me stronger, both mentally and physically.  It has made me feel a level of exhaustion and soreness I have never experienced before…a feeling I really enjoy for some sick reason. Overall, I am healthier person now and have a great set of friends that I get to see everyday.

The following is my personal testament to CrossFit:

I competed in my first Ironman swim over Memorial Day.  I jumped in a pool the week before just to see if I still knew how to doggy paddle. Basically, I did not do any swimming-specific training for this 2 ½ mile open water race.  I thought “There is no way I’m physically capable of free styling this entire distance.” I figured I would have to breast stroke intermittently to avoid drowning. Thanks to my CrossFit shoulders, though, I free styled the entire way! And I wasn’t even sore the next day! Thank you Integrity!

5.  Name one goal and/or personal record you would like to accomplish through CrossFit?

I want to become a Bad A$$ at pull-ups. Right now I am just the “bad” part.  I can do 4 consecutive pull-ups but then my kip becomes a sloppy mess. My goal is to knock out 10 pull-ups in a row.

6.  Favorite CrossFit moment so far?

Hmmm….lots of them. Probably the team WOD we did in Marion Square some time ago. I had just started and didn’t know very many people. Everyone was welcoming and encouraging.

7.  What do you like most about CrossFit Integrity?

Ditto to what every other Athlete Profile has said in the past – the people! I look forward to coming into the gym and socializing with the crew but then getting down and dirty (literally really dirty) during the workout.  The cheering and yelling from everyone is awesome, plus the sense of accomplishment after a WOD is incredible.

8.  Favorite WOD?

Any Chipper WOD

9.  Least favorite WOD?

Any “Find your 1 or 2 rep Max” WOD

10. Favorite movement?

Rope climbs and handstand stuff

11. Least favorite movement?

Hang cleans. My thighs turn black and blue after those suckers which means A) I am probably doing them wrong and B) I should spend more time working on those.

12. Favorite place to eat in Charleston?

BBQ Joint and tollhouse pie from Kaminsky’s

Side note:  By the time you read this, I will be in San Diego . I have taken a rotational assignment for work and will be out in Cali until August. Good luck in all your competitions between now and then and if you happen to be out in San Diego this summer, let me know…free place to stay and party!

CrossFit Integrity, Charleston, SC