All the Cool Kids are Rowing Marathons, Are You?

Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Today’s edition is powered by Red H Nutrition, the Supplement Revolution. Be ready.

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“Be grateful for what you already have while you pursue your goals. If you aren’t grateful for what you already have, what makes you think you would be happy with more?” — Roy T. Bennett

AMRAP for Autism

What’s the story?

In November of 2009, Rudy and Becky Thoms learned that their son Landon had ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder. Since then their life has revolved around Applied Behavioral Analysis. They even packed up and moved to be closer to their family, relying on them to be a support system.

In 2012, Rudy Thoms had an idea. What if we do a workout to benefit autism? So they had one at CrossFit S3 and raised $8,000 to donate to Autism Speaks.

Sounds like that was a good idea.

Yes, so they did it again. At the same gym the next year, they doubled it and brought in $16,000 and donated it to Autism Speaks again.

So they did it one more time, right?

That third year they realized they had outgrown CrossFit S3. So they hosted the 3rd Annual AMRAP 4 Autism at the BB&T Ballpark. The morning the event was scheduled, a hurricane warning was issued. Everyone still showed up.

It was then that the Thoms family realized they needed to start a 501(c)(3). So they started Autism Strong, whose mission is to provide the strongest support, community and hope for those touched by autism through four core values: acceptance, encouragement, faith, and hope.

How do they do it?

Through AMRAP 4 Autism, the signature fundraising event of the Autism Strong Foundation. All proceeds go to support the mission of ASF, where funds raised remain local, supporting Charlotte-area families and children on the Autism Spectrum. Which is exactly what they did last year, their fourth year.

Starting the Autism Strong Foundation brought not only more control of the funds but also brought some friends. CrossFit Battalion in Tennessee and also Three Knights in Indiana also hosted AMRAP 4 Autism. They’ll both participate again this year, in the fifth annual AMRAP 4 Autism on 8/25 at Misty Falls Farm. Hoping to raise $100,000 this year, they’ve also included CrossFit Heinz Park in Michigan and a few more big names slotted for the fall.

That’s great news.

They want to keep growing. Next year they’re hoping to get a minimum of ten gyms to participate. Little by little, they’re hoping to see it expand outside of the Charlotte area.

“CrossFit, to me, has been so life changing. It has changed my direction in life. When I reflect back, in 50 or 25 years from now, I can say I know that it was CrossFit that made sure I made a bigger difference in this life and in this world,” said Rudy Thoms, Landon’s father. “CrossFit has really really changed my life.”

Coffee Break Conversations

What to say when Dad says there is just no dang way he could ever do that crazy CrossFit stuff…

False, pops. Just look at Mark, a 60+ masters athlete who got his first muscle-up at the 2018 CrossFit Games. And then he was so pumped to get one he went and did it again. Mark can do it, and so can you, Dad. 

What to tell your super cute friend who only eats bagels when he’s traveling…

Allow us to present to you the Paleo Bagel, a.k.a. the Pagel. No need to wait for the next big trip. Available by mail, you can just come home one day and find any of their four varieties on your porch: everything, cinnamon raisin, plain, sesame and bliss…no wait, that one’s just us. 

Things To…

WATCH: We Cure Type 2 Diabetes

CrossFit Founder Greg Glassman is on a mission to enlist medical professionals to understand what he calls “The Mess.” Octane CrossFit in Phoenix, AZ caught Glassman’s attention when owner Regan Doele boldly posted “We Cure Type 2 Diabetes” on a sign outside.

BECAUSE IT’S TRUE.

HEAR: The World’s Best Obstacle Course Racer

Hunter McIntyre, Tough Mudder X Champion, joins the EPIC Meatcast to discuss his training, nutrition and shares one exercise that’d improve everyone’s athleticism.

TUNE IN. 

KNOW: Macro Counting Made Easy

Ever wondered how to count your macros? These tips will help you track your macros more efficiently and effectively. After coaching more than 10,000 people, Working Against Gravity has seen nearly every macro tracking obstacle out there. Here are 50 tips to overcome them.

NOW YOU KNOW. 

EAT: Chicken Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Delicious, low carb bbq chicken stuffed zucchini boats topped with cheddar cheese. These flavorful, easy zucchini boats are a great way to use leftover chicken and make the perfect weeknight dinner!

YOU’LL WANT SECONDS. 

Today’s edition of the Morning Chalk Up is powered by Red H Nutrition

Chalk Up Community

• RODNEY’S THROWDOWN — Almost 100 local athletes, both professionals and amateurs, participated in the 3rd Annual Rodney’s Revolution Crossfit 12-12-12 International Throwdown Saturday at the Woodbrook Youth Facility in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
• CROSSFIT TO LUMBERJILL — Erin LaVoie, owner of Predation CrossFit, won the 2018 Stihl Timbersports Women’s Division Championship Saturday. 
• CROSSFIT GYM ORDERED TO CLOSE — CrossFit Affirmation in Newton, New Hampshire has been ordered to close after its owner, Thomas Lavinge, committed multiple consumer protection violations. He’s being arraigned today. 
• FIGHT FOR PHILECIA — Red Wolf CrossFit held Fight for Philecia Saturday, a fundraiser to help Philecia La’Bounty in her fight against breast cancer. 
• COACH DONATES HAIR — Sammy Wright, a coach from CrossFit Utopia, just shaved off all his hair and donated it to Official Little Princess Trust, an organization that makes wigs for children that have lost their hair due to illness. 

CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES (a highlight reel around social media of CrossFit pros and average joes)

Carleen Mathews rowed a marathon Saturday • And so did Adrian Bozman • Happy birthday to Brooke Ence and Tasia Percevecz • Jake Floen hit a 325 pound clean and jerk PR • Mat Fraser is on vacation at Sharbot Lake • Julie Hougård Nielsen gets a 85kg/187 pound snatch • Lindy Barber retires from CrossFit Mayhem.

…and synchronized rowing for a partner WOD anyone? 

Cheerleader to CrossFit — Maddie Todd didn’t think she’d make it to the Granite Games. Her coaches at CrossFit Iron Fury pushed her to give it a go and, to her surprise, she qualified. During one of the four weeks of qualifiers, she was on a school trip in Mexico. Not only did she have to find a CrossFit location in Mexico to complete her workouts, but she also had to learn a little Spanish to communicate while there. “I
think I’ve improved, not just physically, but mentally, too,” Todd said. “CrossFit is mental. I went in last year thinking I couldn’t hang. I let a lot of things get in my head and worry me. But I think i’ll do much better this year with a better mindset and more determination.”

“Ashley Horner to Complete 50 Iron(wo)mans in 50 Days” by Jessica Danger, Morning Chalk Up

No joke. The fitness celebrity will start in Haiti on August 8. She’ll make her way through 48 states, completing the 2.4 – mile swim, 112 – mile bike ride, and 26.2 – mile run that comprises a full Ironman every single day. “It is going to take me anywhere from 12-16 hours a day, maybe 18, for 50 days straight, and that’s a lot to wrap your mind around,” Horner said.

Why would anyone do this?

For the Maison Fortune Orphanage in Hinche, Haiti where Horner plans to end her trip. Horner travels to the orphanage often, even taking her kids with her. In fact, this isn’t even the first time she’s done something like this. In April of 2017, she raised $90,000 while completing a grueling 230-mile run from the Haitian capital of Port-Au-Prince to the orphanage.

That’s rad!

It sure is, and she’s hoping to raise even more this time. She’s looking to raise $100,000 for the orphanage by completing the 50 Ironmans in 50 days. Hats off, Ashley. Hats off.

8/18: Bladium CrossFit Fossil Games (Denver, CO) 

​8/18: The Revolution: Articles of Confederation (San Antonio, TX)

8/18: Summer Slam Royal Rumble (Oakdale, CA)

8/18: CrossFit Krypton’s Compete for a Cure (Chesapeake, VA)

8/18: CrossFit Endure Granite Games Throwdown (Windsor, CO)

8/18: MKT CrossFit Granite Games Throwdown (Columbia, MO)

8/18: Rocky Mountain Throwdown (Fort Collins, CO) 

8/18: Crossfit Krypton’s Compete for a Cure (Chesapeake, VA)

​8/18: Mayhem on the Mountain (Pelham, AL)

8/18: Crossfit Charlevoix Granite Games Throwdown (Charlevoix, MI) 

8/18: Battle in the Boro (Washington, NJ)

8/18: Troy CrossFit Granite Games Throwdown (San Diego, CA)

8/18: Babes & Bros ( Grand Rapids, MI)  

8/18: ​CrossFit Shatter 2018 Summer Slam (Albany, NY) 

8/18: CFBD Summer Showdown 2018 (East Longmeadow, MA)

8/19: Battle on Broadway (Garnder, MA) 

8/25: Iron Belle and Femme Royale Women’s Competition (Austin, TX) 

8/25: CrossFit Sua Sponte Summer Slam (Raleigh, NC) 

8/25: AMRAP For Autism (Waxhaw, NC)

​8/25: CrossFit Decathlon (Indianapolis, IN) 

8/25: Best of the West Summer Event (Bend, OR)

8/25: 2018 Firewall Frenzy (Holliston, MA)

8/25: The Hero Games 2018 (Farmington, AR)

8/25: 2018 Rivertown Throwdown (St. Cape Girardeau, MO)8/25 – 26: Battlegrounds Nevada (Reno, NV)

8/25 – 8/26: Battle at the Barn (Ft. Worth, TX) 

8/25 – 8/26: Battle of the Boxes Highland Games (Mt. Airy, MD) 

​8/31: Greece with VoyEdge RX

9/1: Tampa Bay Games (Tampa, FL)

9/1: Battle At The Base 3 (Oklahoma City, OK)

9/7: Koski Training Camp (Lloret de Mar, Spain) 

​9/8: Midwest Fall Classic (Tulsa, OK)

​9/8: The Sugar Skull Showdown (Agawam, MA)

9/8: I Can CrossFit Competition (Georgetown, TX)

9/8: Global Aftermath 2018 (online)

9/8: The Catalyst Games (Bastrop, TX) 

9/8: BoxLife Games (Bunnell, FL)

9/8: Booties in Action (Wilsonville, OR)

9/8: Hookd2Hops 2018 (Newtown, CT)

9/8: Rumble in the Jungle 2018 (LaVista, NE)

9/8: 2018 Battle of the Bluegrass (Louisville, KY) 

9/8: Decima Throwdown (Littleton, CO)

9/8: First Timers Fitness Festival 2 (Burlington, MA) 

9/8: Girls Gone RX (Bridgeville, PA) 

9/8: BoxLife Games at CrossFit James Island (Charleston, SC) 

9/8 – 9: The Vermonster Team Challenge (Berlin, VT)

9/15: Warrior Affiliate League Three Amigos (Pomona,CA)

​9/16: 5th Annual North East Masters Classic (Plainville, MA)