Outlaw

  When I found out my travels would take me to DC, I'll say I was somewhat more enthusiastic about visiting our nation’s capital than I had been in the past. Being a somewhat recent convert to  The Outlaw Way, I didn't realize what I was missing on past trips to the area. Don't get me wrong there are some great affiliates in and around DC.  (I plan to do some entries on them in the near future.)    I most appreciate Coach Rudy Nielsen’s candid commentary on programming, as well as his Not pulling any punches attitude towards CrossFit in general.  Too often people say/write what they think others want to hear.  Boring!!!  Just like the Honey Badger, Rudy don't give a Fk!  To top it off, he backs it all up with a stable of badass athletes.

So, when I determined I could manipulate my schedule to allow myself a visit to Outlaw CrossFit, I was amped.  Imagine my disappointment when I read the Outlaw Way blog entry detailing, what I believe to be the longest PF Chang's food run ever, would prevent me from meeting the Yoda of CrossFit.  However, I will agree that it is some damn good Mongolian Beef!

Despite the fact that Rudy would not be there, I still wanted to see the gym and get in a workout.  I rolled up (about a 10 min drive from Reagan National airport) and found what, on the outside, looks to be a former auto repair shop.  I knew I had to be in the right place when I saw one of the coolest CF signs ever.

If I was forced to describe the inside of the gym I'd use the word "grunge" as in Nirvana, Pearl Jam ("10" album not the later lame stuff).  Little dimly lit, not dirty but not spit shined like some of the boxes I've been to recently and nothing but the essentials of what it takes to get busy at a CF gym.  There was a couple deep into a squat workout. (The strength portion of today’s wod) Turns out while they (Mike and Elaine) aren't coaches, they are veterans of Outlaw and a couple of the nicest people I've come across in my travels to CF boxes.  Although, I was too late to join the squat portion of the programming, they invited me to do the Met-Con portion of the workout. 

10 Min AMRAP of:
4 HSPU (Regionals standard)
8 Hang Squat Snatches 75/55
16 KBS 24/16kg

After the workout both of them were cool enough to take the time and talk about the box in general, better explain the programming philosophy, etc. A lot of pride showed when they spoke about the gym. 

Even though I didn’t get the opportunity to meet Coach Rudy and ask some of the random questions I wanted to ask.... like why the Owl on the logo? If you were president of the CrossFit nation what would be your first change to the "sport"?,  Deadwood or Walking Dead?,  you know important stuff?
 I hope to coordinate another visit when Rudy and company aren't off satisfying a cross country food craving...