STRONG!

Hey friends, I finished another song! This one is called “Strong.”

I started a membership at Cor620 (a crossfit-like gym) last June. I had run consistently through the winter, but I wanted to add strength training in to my routine and develop more endurance. I also needed a coach that could help with some frequent problem areas, like my hip and knee.

I went to the 3 introductory classes and as I attempted several different things. One of the challenges was to climb a rope that was attached at the ceiling. I had earned a gold medal (a butterscotch hard candy that Mr. Olsen used to hand out as a “medal” in gym class) for climbing highest and fastest in the 6th grade! Somehow my attempt didn’t look so pretty at 39 years old. During those first few weeks, my coach would often say, “Use your strength.” She explained to me that my strength was in my core. While I would gain muscle gradually, if I used my current core strength, I could do more than I thought I could. She was right. While my first lame attempts to pull myself up a rope ended in feeling quite silly and very almost-40, by adjusting my attempt so that I was using my strength (pulling the rope in to my chest and holding it there instead of extending my arms out, I could make a jump and hold myself up on the rope a few feet above the floor. By locking out my arms and tightening my core, I did my first adult handstand against a wall. I had built all kinds of limitations around myself, making assumptions about what I was physically capable of, and one at a time the coaches helped me tear down those limiting beliefs. It was so empowering!

I have now been a member of this gym for 9 months. There are days I feel sore, days I feel scared of hurting my body, days I feel excited and empowered, and days I’m yawning and wonder how I can get through the workout and everything in between. It’s been a beautiful journey.

This song is my tribute to the coaches at Cor620 and the community and experiences there that have blessed my life!

Here it is!

“STRONG”

Composition, Arrangement, Backup instrumentation recording, and Vocals: Laura Harper

Audio engineering wizardry (including recording my vocals, mixing, mastering, teaching, supporting…etc): Andy Rumsey at the Spokane Library.