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Today I trotted off to strength class, my absolutely favourite crossfit class because it doesn’t include a WOD and I can see myself getting stronger week by week. It’s actually only my third class but I can already see improvements. What I love about it the most is that by really concentrating on skills and technique you really understand how lifting works.

So, in my bag I also had my new-found attitude, my determination to put as much into it as possible and to challenge myself. We started with bench-press, which I’ve really only done once before. So, after trying it out with just the barbell, my barbell was swapped down from 20kg to 15kg, which didn’t make me feel particularly hopeful. Yet, with some second to none coaching from the awesome Shrago, and a little bit of gritted teeth, I finished with two reps of a 32kg bar. Which was a very pleasing result and certainly as good as other girls in the class.

Moving on to back squats, my previous ‘best’ was 40kg’. I have some issues on posture and depth on the front squat, as well as positioning the bar in the right place on my shoulders. The lower position suits be best, so I was hoping to do well. After a slightly wobbly start, and thanks again to excellent coaching from Mr S as well as a classmate who gave me some great tips, I worked up slowly. My last two reps were a bit lacking in depth and I might have sworn a little bit, but I did them. When I realised I had done 50kg I was pretty pleased. Ecstatic in fact.

This is what I learnt today – and it’s a repeat of something I learnt at the beginning of crossfit – you can do or, more rightly, I can do more, than I think I can. And I can’t wait to get back in the gym and making those numbers even bigger.

Why the title? I had thought my relationship with crossfit had run its course, I’d got stale. Perhaps, in the end, we were just too different. A short fling wasn’t going to be more than that.And, having left the gym with a massive smile on my face today I realised I’ve falled in love all over again with it. Long may it continue!

With love

NSGG xx

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Rachael Parkman

Rachael is a late 30s south Londoner, who’s always been bigger than she wants but thinks she’s found the solution. Lives with her husband and cat, and enjoys cooking, gin and tonic and wearing nice shoes.