University of Michigan graduate Julie Foucher wins Reebok CrossFit regional title
Professional CrossFit athlete and University of Michigan graduate Julie Foucher works out at HyperFit USA in Ann Arbor in this 2011 file photo.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The University of Michigan graduate, profiled by AnnArbor.com last May, won three of six events during the three-day competition at the Ohio Expo Center.
She also finished second in two events and third in another to easily outdistance the rest of the 35-woman field. (Leaderboard)
CrossFit athletes compete in a series of workouts that combine aspects of weightlifting, cardiovascular training and gymnastics among other things.
Athletes don’t learn what the events will be until the day of competition, so no competition is ever the same.
Foucher set world records in two different events. Find highlights from each in the videos below:
Comments
smokeblwr
Mon, May 14, 2012 : 1:17 a.m.
I don't think Crossfit's point is to replace traditional endurance running. While I agree the people who do it tend to be the annoying "us vs them" kind (not like endurance nerds aren't either) I think the Crossfit point is to be good at multiple areas of fitness. A runner who just runs by piling miles on probably couldn't lift a bag of concrete into a shopping cart at Home Depot, whilst a power lifter who is 5'8" 300lbs probably couldn't run a mile under seven minutes. Crossfit hits all points of fitness, so for that I respect it no matter how annoying its evangelists are.
djacks24
Mon, May 14, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
I've been an avid 5 day a week, 2-3 hour a day weightlifter for 25 years. I do many of the same exercises as these athletes (minus the heavy endurance work). I've also seen many long distance endurance runners come to the gym and spend hours on the treadmill. I've had my share of injuries (nothing I've ever needed medical attention for or have had to take a prolonged rest to heal) and some things (like my shoulder, and the daily kinks I get in my back) that may never be right or 100% ever again. But even at my age (40s) I'll take my level of fitness over any endurance runner. I know some of these endurance runners personally. They run mile after mile and do little to no kind of weightlifting. Each mile they add on to their workout the more near death they actually look (many an endurance runner has dropped dead during a run). I have very little formal training in any kind of sports medicine, but these endurance runners that run themselves into frailty and look near death cannot be healthy. Furthermore, for day to day tasks, the weightlifting benefits me much more (picking things up, walking stairs, carrying heavy objects from time to time) than being able to run 26 miles at one outing ever would. Also, I am very healthy and feel very healthy. I probably need to do less weightlifting and more cardiovascular work to have any kind of balance, but I've always loathed cardiovascular work and my workouts are always a work in progress. But long story short, I appreciate these athletes level of fitness.
DubiousWorth
Sun, May 13, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.
Ridiculous. Cross Fit is like the Adkins Diet of fitness. I suppose it is better than watching tv. http://www.scienceofrunning.com/2012/01/crossfit-endurance-tabata-sprints-and.html
chubabuba
Mon, May 14, 2012 : 3:01 p.m.
Well, if you ever have done crossfit, you would know that the person who wrote the article also has not done crossfit, but either read about it or tried doing it on their own and not at a gym. A gym that teaches crossfit correctly has more than the Work of the Day, Does modify for those who cannot do all of the movements or weight yet, and does mix high intensity with low intensity. I'd like to see anyone who thinks they are in great shape come and try a crossfit workout- most athletes can barely make it through the warm up the first week. This is a bogus article by someone who obviously has never been coached. Way to go Julie! You have worked incredibly hard to be where you are at!
SMC
Mon, May 14, 2012 : 2:24 p.m.
I'm confused. By referring to Cross Fit as "the Adkins diet of fitness," do you mean that its adherents aren't really getting in shape, they just think they are? I know nothing about fitness, but the people in that video look pretty in shape to me. Or, are they in shape now, but only as a temporary effect?
1bit
Mon, May 14, 2012 : 12:40 a.m.
That was a very interesting link, thanks for posting. With that said, Julie seems to be an impressive athlete in her own right irrespective of any Crossfit hype. So congrats to her on her accomplishment!