Athlete of the Month: April 2017

Ross Chapman

Member since: November 2015

Windy City: An accomplished Ironman, triathlete and firefighter, Ross is a true testament to the fact that fitness doesn’t just happen in the gym. Since joining, Ross has become an integral part of the Windy City community, participating in such events as Murph Team Training, Murph, the CrossFit Open and many others. Just this past January, Ross completed the Frozen Otter ultra event on the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin; a 64 mile 24-hour grueling endurance event in the dead of winter. Not many people complete this event; however, Ross became one of the ‘frozen few.’ But… By far, Ross’s greatest contribution to the Windy City community has been bringing in his wonderful fiance, Kate Walsh — January 2017 Windy City Athlete of the Month. Ha! Just kidding Ross. Congrats buddy! 

“You can quit and no one will really care, but you will always know.”

Ross: Fitness has always had a pretty important role in my life. I grew up playing mostly team sports. In high school I was a middle-of-the-pack track and cross country runner. After running a handful of marathons, I got talked into trying the triathlon thing…biggest issue for me was I was a terrible swimmer...terrible, as in, I couldn’t get from one side of the pool to the other. So I swallowed my pride and took swim lessons. In case you ever need a dose of humility as an adult go get a swim lesson and practice learning to float in a public pool. Your ego will never be smaller, I promise. Swim lessons paid off and I haven’t drowned yet.

In late summer of 2015, I found myself walking past WCSC and after hearing my buddy, Jim, rave about it I decided to sign up Kate and me. Walking into the gym for the Level 1 classes, I definitely felt out of my element. I looked at the board and didn’t understand all the bizarre acronyms. I saw people lifting weights in ways I’d never seen or done before. I said to myself, “Well let’s try this for a month. If I commit to it for a month and don’t like it then I’ll go do something else.” At the time I was also reading “Learning to Breathe Fire,” which is an awesome book for anyone who does CrossFit or wants to understand what it’s all about.

A year and a half later, I couldn’t be happier with my decision to join. I love the constant variety of CrossFit and the fact that every day it pushes me in new ways. I definitely underestimated the social element of CrossFit and WCSC, in the last year and a half I’ve made some great friends who I’m fortunate to be able to spend time with both in and out of the gym. One of the most positive things for me has been making friends with people who come from a variety of backgrounds and have much different jobs, interests and passions than I do. Thanks to all you guys for broadening my horizons! Another thanks to the great coaches who’ve demonstrated endless patience—Meg I promise I’ll get that ring muscle up someday!

Recent Adventures

I’ve had the opportunity to run a handful of marathons. I’ve had the opportunity to complete and finish 5 Ironman races which is definitely something everyone should do once, but maybe not 5x. Qualified for nationals in the Olympic distance for triathlon in 2015. This year I did the Frozen Otter Ultra Trek which was neat, but cold. Also, completed the TransRockies 3 Day Stage Race in 2012.

A few years ago, I read an article about a guy that had run at least one mile every day for 7 straight years, so I decided that would be a neat New Year’s resolution. So I started that on 1/1/2015 and I haven’t missed a day yet. It seems a little crazy but really it’s less than ten minutes of your day and it’s a great way to get started in the morning, except for the days where it’s below zero. I’m not really sure how long I’ll do it for but it seems harder to stop than keep going at this point.

Future Adventures

No big races on my schedule for this year, maybe I’ll do the Chicago Triathlon again. I’m planning to take the year off from any long races. I’m excited for this April to be participating as part of a team of three competing in a CrossFit competition at a Firefighters Conference in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Arena. That will be my first CF competition.

Other than that, I’d like to do the do Granite Games in the fall and just keep improving my techniques and skills when it comes to the more complex CrossFit workouts/movements.

Hoping to do a Rim to Rim hike of the Grand Canyon next spring, and I’d also like to try the Bataan Memorial Death March.

Goals

• Fitness: Get better at the gymnastics and Oly movements. Keep improving my flexibility (aka more ROMWOD). Get a ring muscle up.
• Professionally: Keep improving as a firefighter/paramedic. As part owner of a small company, keep building and growing.
• Personal: I’m engaged to a pretty cool chick who may also have been featured here recently. Keep up with her, keep making new friends and trying new things.

Words to Live By

“How many success stories do you need to hear before you write your own?”

Thanks to everyone who’s made Windy City feel like a 2nd home for me, coaches, people in class etc.