Momentum Member Update (Annie Ross) – 52 Challenges in 52 weeks

I remember coming in Momentum in January 2015, announcing (not that they cared) to the team that they’d be seeing less of me. Having been introduced to CrossFit in September 2014, my first bit of strength training had gone well and I had regained enough confidence in my body’s abilities to avoid injury that I looking for a challenge.

I got a little carried away and I found myself committing to complete 52 sporting challenges in 52 weeks, a project I called eXerK (a mish mash of exercise and work). Combined with a full time job in the City, the sport I was doing as part of the 52in52, as well as the never-ending organisation, meant that any free time left over was for sleep. 

With a challenge every weekend, my fitness was the best it had ever been.  Week in week out I was swimming, running relays, half marathons, cycling, doing duathlons, triathlons, bouldering, trying (and failing) backflips, flying trapeze, rollerblading, kayaking and hiking. It was an amazing year – over 450 people joined me on the challenges and exploring the fitness scene available to busy Londoners was a hugely rewarding process. 

Not being able to keep going with CrossFit was my loss though. Without the strength training, my body quickly lost its ability to withstand the old injuries that haunt me. I missed goblet squats keeping my glutes in check, wall balls for its cardio-respiratory benefits, ring rows for my posture and box jumps for my hamstrings and quads.

Luckily the 52in52 were designed to be flexible around work and real life so I did some juggling. When I could no longer run, I standup paddleboarded. When I could no longer climb, I swam. It was a work around and I learnt the importance of strength to avoid injury the hard way.

I am now working on my next challenge. With two months to go until the London Marathon, MetCon and the Sunday Movement sessions are a core part of my training schedule. Pounding out the miles and training my body in the endurance necessary to enjoy race day only takes me so far. Core strength and cardio training will be my secret weapon to stay strong and get me over that finish line with a smile on my face.

Who else from the Momentum gang is trying their legs at this year’s Virgin London Marathon on the 24th April?

Get in touch with Annie Ross @eXerKyourself on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and check out the 52in52 challenges on www.eXerK.com.