Tough Mudder: Part Two

The challenge called “Hold Your Wood.” (Photo by Bonnie Leta)

In Part II of the Tough Mudder Challenge, Team Boom Factor goes off the grid as they navigate the early part of the course where they endure harrowing challenges and injuries. Meanwhile their trusty support team waits anxiously on the mountain side watching other challengers endure the “Hold Your Wood” obstacle, until, at last, Team Boom Factor appears…high?

Norwell Fitness Together Team Takes on The Tough Mudder Challenge

The Braveheart Charge.” This is as clean as they’ll be for the rest of the day. (Photo by Bonnie Leta)

by Martha Hicks Leta

On Sunday, May 6, members from Fitness Together in Norwell, 2 trainers and 3 clients, formed a team with 4 other South Shore residents to take part in the Tough Mudder New England Challenge at Mount Snow, VT.

Client Allison Jones of Team Boom Factor gave herself the gift of finishing the Tough Mudder Challenge for her 36 birthday. She says, “A special thanks has to be made to Joe Caruso, Mike Eaton and Alicia Tasney, the trainers at FT. Without their guidance, encouragement, and challenges, I would never have been able to do TM. They have made FT Norwell the success it is today and they keep us coming back year-over-year to push our physical boundaries. I was absolutely amazed that I could do what I did on that mountain. I give myself lots of credit, but I know it wouldn’t have been possible without FT and my teammates on Team Boom Factor!”

Here are photos and Part I of Team Boom Factor’s epic journey through one of the toughest adventure races on the planet.

FT Norwell’s Lynn Williamson Prepares for Boston Marathon

by Martha Hicks Leta

Lynn Williamson keeps a sign posted on a wall in her house that says, “They will tell you ‘no,’ and you will tell them ‘yes’.”

When she decided to run the Boston Marathon this year, there wasn’t much debate about whether or not she was up to the challenge. Since coming to Fitness Together in Norwell four years ago she’s gotten a bit of a reputation. When she sets a goal for herself you’d best lead, follow or get out of the way, because not much stands between Lynn and her goals. Says fellow FT client and PACK member Lou Leta, “She works her hardest at every workout. She’s completely driven. I never hear her complaining that it’s too hard. She puts some of the men to shame, including myself.“

Four years ago, this was not the case. A three-sport athlete in high school, Lynn had drifted away from her active lifestyle as she moved through college and into the professional world. A demanding full time job meant grabbing meals on the go and left little time for the gym. Before long the unhealthy lifestyle and weight gain were dragging her down.

“I really didn’t like how I looked or how I felt,” says Williamson. “I didn’t have a lot of energy and wasn’t feeling healthy in general.  I went shopping for clothes and was disgusted at the sizes I was buying.  I had driven by FT a few times and just went in one day and signed up.”

Now, 55 pounds lighter and carrying only 22% body fat, Lynn Williamson is committed to several times weekly one-on-one and PACK training at Fitness Together and she says it’s made a huge difference in her life.

“A lot of the activities I do now in the gym I never thought I could do, but I learned as long as I believed I could do it, I could. “

Last May Lynn ran a half marathon with her sister and really enjoyed the challenge. This year she decided to up the ante by running the Boston Marathon on behalf of a local charity, the Kenney/Quinn/Ford Brain Tumor Research Foundation.

“In 2005, Captain John Kenny of the Boston Fire Department was diagnosed with a brain tumor,” Williamson writes in her fundraising letter. “During the same week, Tommy Quinn (age 6 at the time) the son of a member of John’s group in the firehouse was also diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Shortly thereafter, Ann Marie Ford, the wife of Boston Firefighter Bobby Ford, was also diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Since that time, John Kenney and Ann Marie Ford have lost their difficult battles.”

The funds raised for the charity go toward brain tumor research to find a cure.

Not everyone who sets out to run his or her first marathon finishes. Says running coach Shelley Glover, author of The Runner’s Handbook,  “It’s four to six hours of foot slapping, Gatorade guzzling, arm pumping, soul-testing miles and it’s not for everyone.”

Lynn’s trainer Joe Caruso isn’t worried. “Lynn has proven that with hard work and an iron will you can overcome any obstacle and no goal is ever out of reach.”

Lynn agrees, “I have proven to myself that I can do whatever I set my mind to.  I have lost a significant amount of weight and currently am in the best shape of my life. Fitness Together played a huge part in my success. I am happy with where I am today with my body, and continue the hard work and training because I love it.”

To sponsor Lynn Williamson’s run for the Kenney/ Quinn/Ford Brain Tumor Research Foundation go to the following link and click on the “make a donation” button.  Fill out the form and enter Lynn Williamson’s name under “Sponsored Individual”:  www.bosfirecu.com Thank you.

To schedule an appointment with Lynn’s trainers in Norwell go to FTSouthShore | Or call 781-659-0034

To find a Fitness Together training expert near you go to FTGetsResults.com