58-Year-Old Pastor Qualifies to Compete in 2011 CrossFit Worldwide Games

CORTE MADERA, Calif., July 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The only Marin County man to compete in the 2011 CrossFit Games (Master’s category), Bill Berry — a 58-year-old pastor — will travel to Carson, CA for the ultimate fitness test. The Reebok CrossFit Games are the world’s premier test to uncover the fittest man, woman and team on Earth. The Games season is a grueling multi-stage journey that culminates on Friday, July 29th – Sunday, July 31st.

According to CrossFit Headquarters, “Fitness means being ready for the unknown and unknowable.” The competition workouts change every year and are not announced before the event starts. To be prepared for the unexpected, Bill has continued his training at CrossFit Marin (412 Tamal Plaza, Corte Madera) where he is also a coach. CrossFit Marin is a training facility, gymnastic and dance studio as well as Parkour playground (http://www.crossfitmarin.com).

CrossFit Marin’s co-founder Roger Harrell is training Bill in the final weeks of preparation. “Bill is a great competitor. He has been training hard leading up to the games in order to be fully ready for whatever is thrown at him. The fact that he’s ranked 20th in the world (ages 55-59) is no small feat,” commented Roger.

Roger’s right; the road to the games started in mid-March with over 26,000 people competing in the Games Open. What is most surprising about Bill’s recognition as a CrossFit Master athlete is that he began this regimen only four and half years ago. In a short time, he lost over 40 pounds and according to Bill, “feels more fit than ever, even as a high school athlete.”

This marks Berry’s third time competing. With the health and fitness recognition Bill has achieved he says, “I only began CrossFit to be able to share fully in the lives of my adult children and be able to play with my grandchildren. I love working out, but what I really love to do most is talk to people about the amazing love God has for them, revealed in Jesus Christ.”

For 31 years Bill served as the Lead Pastor at Epic Faith Church. Currently, Bill splits his time between the Church, CrossFit Marin and 5 weeks in India gathering local pastors, facilitating a “Pastors’ Prayer Summit.”

CROSSFIT MARIN FITNESS TIPS

Get started! Waiting to lose weight before visiting CrossFit Marin upholds the status quo and is self-defeating. Don’t “clean up before the cleaning crew comes.”

Eating better. Get enough sleep (8 hours minimum). It’s critical to athletic performance.

Stretch after workouts.

Play! Training makes recreational hobbies more enjoyable. Train 4 days a week but stay active, being physical on days off.

CrossFit recommends a 3 days on/one day off cadence. Consistency trumps increasing number of weekly workouts.

CrossFit as a regime is a steamroller – physical/mental weaknesses reveal themselves. CrossFit Marin trainers analyze client limitation issues – there is always a viable substitution – keep it safe.

Contact:

Karen LeFurgy
415.717.1241

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SOURCE CrossFit Marin