Ally Gurovich
Centereach, New York, United States
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I used to be a competitive gymnast starting the sport when I was in 3rd grade. I joined my school's varsity gymnastics team in the spring of 8th grade-one day at practice in September, I went for a tumbling pass, and knew right when I had landed that I had hurt my knee, badly. I went to the orthopedist and was told I needed knee surgery. This was devastating to me! September 28th, 2015 I had my surgery. Luckily nothing was torn but pieces of my bone and cartilage had broken off in places surrounding my knee forming a golf ball like structure which bounced around hitting nerves causing me to feel pain when I wasn't in pain and my knee to move when I wouldn't actually move it. Recovery sucked! At a follow up visit post 9 months surgery I was told I couldn't do gymnastics anymore. I was experiencing back and hip problems at just 15 years old and this too would have resulted in surgery had I kept with it. I was lost at this point. I went from training at gymnastics 6-days a week 3.5 hours a day to doing nothing but go to school and homework. I had tried tons of other sports like dance, softball, basketball, soccer, and even cheerleading but none was my perfect fit. I even turned to workout videos like Insanity and P90x but...NO! That was an epic fail after about a month! March 2016 my cousin suggested I try a Spartan Race! After hearing about what Spartan was for about 5 minutes, I knew I had to try it! Being able to push myself through something I never thought I could was amazing- and I was hooked! For a while before my first race I had a friend constantly try and convince me to do CrossFit. Each time, I turned the idea down. I was saying every stereo typical thing associated with CrossFit; I don't want to look like a man, I'm not fit enough, I have no idea how to lift weights...you get the point. I don't know how, but he convinced me and I was in my first box (CrossFit gym) May 2016, 1 week after my first Spartan Race. Fast forwarding a few years, CrossFit is my home, Spartan is my passion, and I can't imagine my life without them! I believe everything happens for a reason- I owe where I am now to some very close friends and family in my life knowing that I am where I am because of them. I don't know what I would do without CrossFit 631 and Long Island Barbell Club who have become family and my biggest supporters! I've only been doing CrossFit for 2 years and even after all the setbacks, injury after injury, I keep pushing through knowing that giving up is not a remote option. In my second CrossFit Open ever, I finished 143rd female 16-17 years old worldwide, earning a spot in the Teens Online Qualifier (AGOQ), where I finished 123rd 16-17 year old female worldwide! No, I didn't make it to the Games this year but goals have been set and I intend to reach them one day! Spartan has also become my lifestyle and what I look forward to on my weekends! I am unique, am motivated and very different from most teens my age. As opposed to going to parties, midnight food runs and staying up late with friends; I have given up everything in order to further my training as these activities would hinder on my progression towards becoming the best. I am in the middle of my 3rd Spartan Season and only see leaps and strides from where I started! My first race ever was at Citi Field (2016) where it took me way over an hour to complete; that course today takes me half as much time! I've learned how to master the very obstacles that threatened me and have learned that if I give each race my very best effort, I can achieve what I came to conquer! This year Spartan Race is allowing age group heats, where teens like me, have a shot at events such as the Championship Series! Out of the races I've completed this year, I've finished each and every one of them 1st in my age group, at least top 20 female, some top 5, and about top 10% overall! Spartan has taught me to never give up and that as long as I stay focused I can do it! This season alone, I've set my calendar to compete 27 races in the United States and Canada! CrossFit and Spartan Races have changed my life for the better and I can't wait to see what the future has in store!