Syd’s Memorial WOD put together by, her friend and mentor, Courtney Johnson.

Syd was born on the Fourth of July 1966. We met at 21.

AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) in 21 minutes time:

7 burpee pull-ups

4 snatches 

19 KB swings (odd rounds)/wallballs (even rds)

66 Double Unders

Syd WOD Backstory—Rough Draft

The Syd WOD

Syd Fleming was a self described fitness-enthusiast. She would never have described herself as an athlete--.In fact there are no traces of her athletic accomplishments in our house and yet there were many notable ones including over a dozen marathons, many triathlons, at least 5 Century rides; another 5 Metric Century rides; 14 kayak trips down the 18 mile Na Pali Coast (One particular summer we went three times). She was also an avid hiker, beach walker, and ocean sport enthusiast. She was once accompanying our son to a kayaking nationals and she was asked if she would like to go as a parent chaperone or an athlete--She trained,and has two silver medals from that event (They are in a drawer and not in a shadow box). She also did around five perimeter relay runs around Oahu as part of a team. Last, but in my mind most impressive, she competed in the legendary Bullship regatta (El Toro Regatta--race around coconut island). She was part of a two person crew. I think she did it so her son would know she would try anything. He was doing his first event in the adult division. She wanted to beat him (and me), even though we have been sailing our entire lives.

In fact, by her own design, there is not a single picture of her on display in a competition. She is almost, the anti-hero of social media. She had no accounts, so there were no posts (or boasts) of her accomplishments. For her, the training, and the accomplishing of a goal was enough. She actually ran so much, with our baby jogger, that we went through three sets of tires--I assure you, very few of the miles were mine.

Her under-graduate degree was in Exercise and Physiology with an emphasis in nutrition. She put herself through college with a string of multiple jobs including step-aerobic instructor; Aqua jogging instructor; and stretching coach for a moving company. Eventually she was the spa director at Ihilani Resort, when it was a five diamond establishment.

When she discovered Cross Fit, she was all in. She told everyone she knew, "This is what we are all doing." She was all about being there when someone achieved a personal best, whether it was their first pull up, or the heaviest deadlift of their life. Her first cross fit competition was a co-ed partner event. She was recruited because she could bang out over a hundred double-unders in a row.

She pretty much loved everything about Crossfit, but most specifically meeting people. I can't tell you how many times I have introduced myself to someone who treated me in a guarded way only to discover that my wife was the one and only Syd--The reception was instantly warm. She was truly loved for her wit, enthusiasm, cheerleader personality, and probation officer bad-ass-ery. If you do this workout, take the time to meet someone you didn't already know. Enjoy the process, the outcome will come in time. Put your phone away and live in the moment. Syd lived 10 lives in under 60 years. I can't tell you how many Monday mornings I kept a water bottle close to me (not because I was hung over, but because I needed to rehydrate from doing something intense but cool and life changing).