Guest Post: The Lessons Hyrox Didn’t List on the Website

This blog post is coming to you from Kristin Menconi, HML member/resident badass, who competed in Boston 2025 Hyrox! 

I pride myself on being pretty decent at a good amount of things. But when it comes to numbers, let’s just say I only took one math class in college. Why am I telling you this? Because when you sign up for a European endurance race, converting meters and kilograms into miles and pounds suddenly feels as tough as the actual training.

If the metrics, or the “European race” reference, didn’t give it away, let me introduce you to Hyrox. It’s an endurance race that’s exploded in popularity worldwide over the past few years. In short, Hyrox combines running and functional fitness: eight 1K runs (that’s about .6 miles each, there goes that conversion math again) and eight workout stations: ski erg, sled push, sled pull, burpee broad jumps, rower, farmer’s carry, sandbag lunges, and wall balls. The race is timed, and your only true competition is yourself as you try to finish cleanly without penalties.

I had followed Hyrox quietly for a while, and when it finally made its way to the States, Kim was the first person I told I might actually want to try it if it came to Boston. Naturally, she was supportive and offered her expertise as both a trainer and a student of fitness. That part was crucial, and here’s why.

As adults, especially active ones, fitness often feels solitary. Gone are the days of team sports when we passed the ball, handed off the baton, or counted on teammates (and coaches) for guidance and support. Now, the competitive side of adulthood can feel like you’re on your own.

My post-team life followed that script. I turned to long-distance running, where finishing times were all on me. Then came boxing, fighting out of my own corner, literally. Everything became about self-discipline and self-motivation, which I value, but I also missed the team dynamic that pushes you further. That’s exactly what I found again through this Hyrox training and the Human Movement Lab.

When I joined 13,000 other Hyrox-enthused athletes, I knew I couldn’t take it lightly. Social media makes it look glamorous, but in reality, you’re running over six miles, tackling stations that test every ounce of your strength, endurance, and willpower-for one to three hours straight. I decided to take it on solo, as my own challenge and personal goal to finish.

A lot of people approach these competitions with cookie-cutter plans from apps or social media. That works for some, but having a coach like Kim and a space like the Human Movement Lab made all the difference for me.

Kim supported and believed in me from the start. She even let me rent the gym at night for extra training (which I was grateful for when I split my pants doing wall balls-privacy was a blessing). She also created FACT: Functional Athlete Conditioning & Training, a class built around the movements used in Hyrox. I mean, seriously, find yourself a friend who will make a whole class just for you.

FACT became a cornerstone of my prep, not just physically but mentally. Training with others in the HML community helped erase that lonely, “it’s all on me” feeling. It reminded me what it’s like to be surrounded by people who are invested in your journey, which I had been missing since my boxing days. That sense of community made the grind so much more rewarding, and having Kim give honest, specific feedback about what to improve on? Total game changer. No app or TikTok plan can beat that kind of real coaching.

When I finally hoisted my 100th wall ball and sprinted up the ramp to the Boston finish line, I felt relief, pride, and gratitude for everything that got me there. I hit my goal time, finished penalty-free, and walked away knowing I’d done the work: early morning long runs all summer to beat the heat, heavy lifting sessions at my conventional gym, Wednesday night solo simulation sessions, and Saturday fine-tuning with Kim and the Lab.

The competitor in me loves crossing the finish line. But knowing you’ve got people in your corner, pushing and believing in you, that’s what makes it all that much sweeter. I cannot wait for the next one!