WOD:

Complete the following in 15 minutes:
800m Run
Then – As Many Rounds as Possible of:
3 Turkish Get-ups each arm (1.5/1.0 pood)
5 Deadlifts (275#/185#)
7 Bar Jumps (20″/16″)

Post number of completed rounds to comments.

Athlete Spotlight: An Interview with Brandy Littler (7/3/10)
By Caroline Roberts

How did you get started in CrossFit?

The owners of Olympic CrossFit were at one time coming to the Bangor Gym. They would talk to me about it, told me about the HQ website …. So I went on the site, I tried it out, I’d try to emulate the moves, watched the movies and did it in the Bangor Gym by myself but not very effectively. 

How did you find Kitsap CrossFit and how does it differ from what you were doing at Bangor?

I found KCF when I was driving to Central Market. I was like, “Oh my gosh!” So when I saw the sign, I immediately wanted to check it out and see what they were doing and I was literally doing Fundamentals that week.

How many times per week do you CrossFit and do you supplement your CrossFitting with anything else on the days you’re not here?

I try to come (to KCF) at a minimum of three times per week but four if I can. I came five times this week! It depends on the week and how I’m feeling. Dan said one of the best things to me when I first came in because I would try to schedule my rest days. Dan said, “Don’t schedule your rest days.” Now I take each week as it comes and see how I feel because one workout may make me more sore than another. I save my rest days for when I need them. I supplement my CF’ing with three days of running. Two days are intense running and on the third, I just leave that one up to the wind – however I feel.

What is your strength in here?

Ahhhh…Hmmmm… probably push-ups. And running.

What’s your favorite WOD?

I don’t think I have one… However, I liked the one we did the other day (Bumper Plate Medley) that I did really well on! That one was cool. I also like longer WODs and I like things that involve pull-ups, pushups, air squats, and handstand push-ups. Even though I can’t do them yet (handstand push-ups), I like the idea of doing them.

Do you think you have a weakness? If so, what is it?

Overhead squats are the death of me. And double-unders! And when they mix up a WOD with OHS’s and DU’s, it is like a chemistry of hell for me!  

What’s your diet/nutrition plan?

I’m following the Zone with mostly Paleo. I’ve been doing that for about 2 months, when the “KCF Zone Challenge” started.

I’ve noticed gains in you. Do you attribute any of that to your nutrition or are you just working harder in the box?

I think the basis of everything is nutrition. I don’t care how hard you work out, if you’re eating is not in check, you’re not going to see the gains that you want. I had tried the Zone before but never a strict Paleo Zone. The Paleo Zone is what I think is responsible for any gains I’ve had in here.

What drives you in here?

The people. I like how everybody here is so encouraging and pushes you to do your best. It doesn’t matter where you are in relation to others, if you’re near the top or if you’re just coming for the first time, you’re going to leave here feeling like a champion. The people here will make you feel that way.

My personal opinion is that you’re a complete rock-star mom! I know that Taylor just finished her first half marathon… So, what’s your philosophy on raising such successful children? Do you think having your daughters watch you do CF has had any effect on them in a positive way?

I believe in structure for kids. It needs to be fun for them too though. I also think role modeling over time is important. Where you really get to see the rewards of positive role modeling is a little bit now but more when they are older. I love that Taylor ran the half marathon and she’ll always have that experience with her. Just after the race, I thought that it could be the only half marathon that she ever does in her life. But later on, when she’s in her 20’s or 30’s she can look back on it and think, “Wow, I did it then. If I did it when I was 13, I can surely do it again now if I want to.” I hope that over time, that will give her more and more confidence. I love the physical things that we do but I’m also big on the spiritual side for my kids. Hopefully as life throws them challenges, they will remain balanced.

What’s your occupation?

I’m an Academic Advisor for Vincennes University on Bangor base.

I know you’re going back to graduate school in the fall. What are you studying?

I start Sept 29^th and I’ll be working towards a Masters in Social Work. My area of interest is in teaching resiliency skills and of course the physical exercise component is part of that. I also really like Random House dictionary’s definition of resiliency which is – The power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity.

Is there anything unusual or something that most people don’t know about you?

I was in the Navy for 4 years working on the administrative side. I have a huge respect for all our armed service members. Since I did experience some of it, it helps when my husband is deployed because I know what he is doing is important. I know how important serving our country is and I appreciate what all service members do to keep us safe.

Is there anything that you want to add?

CF for me is it. Amy and Dan are awesome. The coaching staff is always great. I look forward to waking up in the morning and looking at the WOD and challenging myself.