Blitz: Inside Stories - Simon
Ready for another “Inside Story”? This is a longer read than our usual blogs (around 5 mins) so grab a cool drink, settle down and read on for Simon Cornish’s story…
Give us a quick intro…
As school boy, I was happiest as a sprinter (and I still am - the long distance stuff is still a grind and I’m still waiting to find an endorphin) and played a bit of rugby until injuries became more of a habit than scoring tries.
I’m 59 1/2, have two grown up children, a wife called Sophie and used to be ’something in the City’
I’ve lived in and around south and SW London since leaving home and eventually settled in Teddington nearly 29 years ago. Post LIBOR and subprime banking crises in the late 2000s, my job turned into a slow motion train crash. Sophie’s entrepreneurial career was becoming more of a thing, with two young children approaching exams it was decided that I would become the Stay At Home Dad and guide them through the trauma of exam time. Since then I’ve become an expert in looking busy.
What initially motivated you to start doing CrossFit at Blitz and how has that motivation evolved over time?
Coach Tim was Sophie’s Personal Trainer BB (Before Blitz). She would often come home full of enthusiasm, telling me about this thing called CrossFit and trying to encourage me to watch videos on YouTube (I wasn’t particularly interested). Blitz opened, Sophie was one of the original members and eventually encouraged me to join. Finding myself free at around 9:30, I joined the School-Drop Class...and the rest is history.
What does your day to day routine look like and how do you fit your training into your schedule?
This question make Sophie guffaw, and Christina (Tim’s wife) burst out laughing, and I realise I am not going to make too many friends here… I like to leave the house around 8:30, grab a coffee and walk to the gym listening to a podcast. I consider this to be a very important part of my warm up - once at the gym, I’m early enough to do a bit of mobility, have bit of a chat and give some thought to Question Of The Day. After class, I’ll walk home and think about what I’m going to eat next and then cook for dinner.
What physical or mental benefits have you noticed since you began consistently going to the gym?
I’ve definitely noticed getting stronger, but accepting that this takes time. Being one of the more senior(in age) members of Blitz I realise how important both aspects are as we get older - I always will remember Tim saying he exercised to stay out the Old People’s Home for as long as possible, and realised these are sensible words. Having a chest that’s currently bigger than my waist is an added bonus too. As I mentioned before, I am not aware of the Athlete’s High, but if I don’t have any proper exercise for a long spell, the Black Dog can pay a visit.
Outside of the gym, how do you use your fitness?
Firstly, the basics - walking up escalators and the stairs instead of lifts. I like an an active holiday/break - being able to ski and keep up with the youngsters (on and off the slopes) or a decent long-distance hike, and not having to worry too much about fitness and stamina.
A couple of running challenges have become annual fixtures in my calendar; despite not getting any younger, my times have improved and feel less stress in legs afterwards. Most recently (I’m writing this in Melbourne) I did Park Run this morning after 27 hours of travel and 4 hours of sleep. Hello jet lag…
How does the community aspect of training help with your fitness goals?
This is the best part - I respond better to being in a group and being coached; following instructions rather than doing my own thing where it is easy to cut corners. There are some great athletes in the box, but no one is made to feel inadequate or inferior. The camaraderie, respect and support and encouragement from the coaches and for each other, without a scintilla of intimidation, is excellent. Whether it’s training to compete, or wanting to look after yourself there is something for all.
I guess what I am trying to say is, you don’t have to be a superstar, Blitz really is for everyone. Turn up for any class, and it’ll be the same. It really is the best hour of the day - and I can tell you, there’s a lot to choose from.
