Congratulations to Abbey Grubb – C3’s February Athlete of the Month! Abbey is an energetic, fun-loving member of our C3 community. What stands out about Abbey the most is her infectious personality and the ability to brighten up any room she walks in.
A proud Nooner, Abbey can be found at the gym four or five days a week, being one of the more consistent, hard working members of Capital City CrossFit. Ms. Grubb has been at C3 for four years now. In the past year she has really stepped up her training, committing herself to becoming a better athlete by working on her skills and technique and the results are definitely showing. She continues to get stronger while also adding many gymnastic skills to her CrossFit repertoire. Abbey has recently put her skills to the test, competing at the CrossFit XLT Turkey Bash last November, and recently she made an impressive showing in our very own IceBreather Classic in a very challenging Intermediate division!
Congratulations Abbey Grubb – our February Athlete of the Month! Keep up the great work and keep bringing that energy!
In general, what is your background?
I am a Springfield native, I attended Sacred Heart Griffin High School- there I played soccer and basketball. Insert fun fact: Sacred Heart Griffin High School Gymnasium is named after my grandfather, Jim Belz. After I graduated from SHG, I played college basketball at LLCC (shout out to the Lady Loggers). Then realizing I was way too small to play forward- I decided to retire the Lady Logger jersey and apply to Western Illinois University. I attended WIU and graduated from there in May 2007! GO Leathernecks!
Age, Occupation?
I am 36 years old, and I work for the Illinois Senate Republican Communications Department as a Community Outreach Coordinator. I plan events for five State Senators in their districts, and help them meet the needs of their constituents.
How did you get to know about CrossFit and why did you start?
I got involved with Crossfit due to some very strong women: Shelley Brown, Katie DeMarco and Sierra Luster! They started at Bent Steel and I soon followed and was completely lost and didn’t quite understand why anyone would want to do this to their body. But, then after a few years there, and then making the jump to Capital City I became more into CrossFit- mainly because C3 peeps do not mess around and I kept wanting to better my technique and form (which I still need to improve). Now it’s crazy to me to think one of the first things I do in the morning is check SugarWOD- I never thought I would be “that person, “ but I am happy I am and I owe it all to my Capital City Family!!
How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
Wow! CrossFit has completely changed my life mentally, emotionally and physically- when I first started I was completely frustrated with not being very good, and I kept thinking how can I be this terrible when I played competitive sports my whole life. But, none of that matters in CrossFit- it’s all about technique, form and taking it day by day. I look back and think how far I have come with certain movements, and I have to believe I will only get better from here and keep working hard. I love that it has made me more competitive with myself, and it has made me feel stronger as a person. (I know I still need to get lower on wall balls, my snatches need work and I need to keep my feet apart more- but that is the great thing about CrossFit you’re constantly learning and working on skills and some days are better than others, but I believe that is what keeps me going and wanting to show up and work out).
Name one goal and/or personal record you would like to accomplish through CrossFit.
I would love to be able to do a bar muscle up and butterfly pull ups!!
Favorite CrossFit moment so far?
Competing in IceBreather 2020 with my girl, Mel! I never would have imagined that I would be able to compete at that level. I remember when I first volunteered at the event, I was in awe of all the athletes, and I thought maybe one day I will be out there- so to be able to say I competed and finished all of the work outs with a phenomenal partner was an amazing accomplishment. *And we now know that we have to make friends with the bike if it’s going to be in the work out.
What is your least favorite WOD to date?
Any WOD that has burpees, rowing or the damn bike – no thank you!!
What do you like most about Capital City CrossFit?
My nooner squad!!!! I know we act like fools 99% of the time, but that is what I love about the nooner peeps- we are a very special breed, just to name a few nooner moments: I love seeing SPM in his jorts, Dana Greene dancing, yelling and screaming, “Hi Michael Greene,” Flip losing his mind and shouting a good F- bomb, Melissa saying she’s not feeling it today and then slays the work out and lifts more than her weight, and I cannot forget a little DT action that makes it all worth it! But, in all honesty- I love everyone at C3, and I get up every day looking forward to seeing each and every one of you!!
Favorite exercise?
I love a good push jerk!
Least favorite exercise?
Anything that requires me to do burpees, woof!
