August Featured Athlete - Mike Kriner
1. What do you study at Cornell?
I'm a PhD candidate in the government (political science) department. My dissertation project focuses on the effectiveness of United Nations peacekeeping operations.
2. We know that you (sadly) moved to Boston. What will you be doing there?
Hopefully finishing up my dissertation in the next 1-2 years! My partner got a job here, and I'm at the point in my program where I just need to write, so we ended up making the move.
3. Have you found a gym yet? We're certainly missing you here!
I know it's only been a few weeks, but I miss Pallas! I haven't found a new gym yet, but have started training for a half-marathon in October.
4. What brought you in to CrossFit Pallas?
I moved to Ithaca for grad school and wanted to get back into CrossFit after a 2 year hiatus. I really enjoyed the programming and coaching.
5. What's your athletic background?
I didn't really do organized sports until I started playing volleyball in 2015. Other than that, mostly basketball, football, and tennis with friends.
6. What are some CrossFit goals you've accomplished?
In the last few months, I've gotten more proficient at bar muscle-ups, "re-learned" ring muscle ups, gotten better at HSPUs, have strung more dubs together than I ever have before, and ran a sub-8min mile while training for Murph. All thanks to Darrin and PRx and the coaches at Pallas!
7. What are some future goals for you in CrossFit?
I've been stuck on 18/19 rounds for Cindy and would love to finally get to 20 rounds. Once I get back into a gym, I also want to work on stringing together ring MUs.
8. If you could write a METCON, what would it look like?
I love Cindy or any workout that involves minimal equipment, so it would probably be heavy on gymnastics/bodyweight movements.
9. What's your favorite gymnastics movement?
Pull-ups or bar muscle ups
10. Where was your favorite place to eat in Ithaca/surrounding area?
Franco's Pizza is far and away my favorite, and the best pizza in Ithaca.
11. What was your favorite outdoor activity in Ithaca/surrounding area?
I played in a summer volleyball league in Stewart Park which was a lot of fun! Also, does drinking cider outside at Finger Lakes Cider House count as an outdoor activity? :)
12. Do you have a favorite book/series/author?
Ben Macintyre has a series of books (Operation Mincemeat and Agent Zigzag) about British spycraft during WWII that are really fascinating.
13. What's your favorite homemade meal to cook?
Definitely lasagna, but Lauree's instant al pastor tacos are quickly becoming a favorite! My partner and I do a lot of baking as well.
14. What are you looking forward to most about being in Boston?
Live music, breweries, and going to Boston sports venues to root for NY teams :)
15. If you could only use 1 piece of equipment the rest of your life, which one would you use?
A pull-up bar- so many options to take advantage of with just a pull-up bar.
16. If someone was hesitant to try CrossFit, what would you tell them?
It is such a fun atmosphere (especially at Pallas), and the programming can meet you wherever you're at in your fitness journey. It is also an amazing way to expose yourself to different types of movements- weightlifting, gymnastics, etc.- that you probably won't find anywhere else. There's no better feeling than hitting a goal that you've set for yourself... and figuring out what the next goal will be :)