You Really Gotta Meet… Lauren

I’m fortunate to know some pretty amazing people. Thanks to CrossFit, Weight Watchers, Roller Derby, and other wacky/fun/scary/silly adventures, I’m able to surround myself with best-quality people to humor me when I want to do The Murph and comfort me when my frexcitement gets the best of me. Good things are even better when they’re shared, so you really gotta meet…

Lauren Johnston
Age: 26
Dayjob: Nurse and Graduate Student

Lauren and I bonded over sweaty burpees and planks and sprints at CrossFit Bootcamp about a year ago. She’s a Glamazon (6’1″) with a true heart and great attitude. In addition to tackling CrossFit indoor classes, she’s training for the Capital 10K, the ZOOMA Half Marathon, and the Muddy Buddy. “I also enjoy playing doubles beach volleyball with my hot fiancé Sam, and I don’t like basketball,” she says.

What’s your favorite workout song and why?
I don’t really have a favorite workout song, but I really like listening to Spoon, Phoenix, and the Killers. I’m embarrassed to say that I like running to that “Hips Don’t Lie” song by Shakira, and I might be caught listening to “Womanizer” by Britany Spears 🙂 [Note: I love “Hips Don’t Lie.” – Mel]

What’s your favorite healthy meal/snack?
Sam makes spaghetti sqaush w/ bison tomato sauce that is my favorite meal right now. Never thought I would like it better than pasta!

What’s your favorite food indulgence?
Ice cream and Dark Chocolate. Yum!

Running skirts: yes or no. Why?
I love skirts, but haven’t tried the running skirts. I think there is something sexy about kicking ass in a skirt.

If you could workout with anyone — living or dead, fictional or real — who would it be?
I already workout with the coolest people!

Lauren & I at the Spartan 300 workout | June 2008

OK! You’ve just had the workout/race/competition of your life. Congratulations! How do you celebrate?
After a shower and a nap, I’d love to sit outside by the water and hang out with my closest friends. Basically just relax and be carefree.

What’s your trick for getting motivated when you’re just not feelin’ it?
Well if I’m having a down day, I wear red. It really works. If I’m feeling unmotivated to workout I either try to find a partner or switch venues. Like, maybe try trail running or go to some new spot on the Greenbelt. If I focus on my surroundings and not how I don’t really feel like working out, I usually get really into it.

Do you have any advice/tricks for people who are thinking about working out but need a kick-in-the-pants to start?
Don’t workout alone. Have a partner so you will both be accountable. You won’t feel like working out everyday, but you KNOW you will feel better afterwards. The hardest part is starting, once you get in a routine it becomes almost automatic.

Got a favorite quote?
“Comparison is the killer of all joy.”

Sam told me this and it really helps me think positive and relish in my own accomplishments. I also love this quote my Mother Theresa, “Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier.”

Anything else you want people to know about you?
I am graduating in May and looking forward to marrying my best friend, fellow CrossFitter Sam, next Spring. I feel so happy and thankful for all the wonderful people in my life right now. I’m inspired everyday to do better for myself and others! Hugs to ALL!