Your Coffee is ready.
Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Today’s edition was chalked up while buying our ticket to the California Regionals. If you’re in the area, grab a ticket for Sunday at the very least. Del Mar hosts one of the best Regionals experiences on the planet.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“No one ever drowned in sweat.” — Unknown
CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HIT THE BOX
Online Qualifier WODs are being released tonight at 5PM.
Kirsten Pedri’s grandmother rows 500 meters for the first time. FloSports grew 92% this quarter and added 58,000 new subscribers. Rowing studiospopping up in major cities like Chicago and New York are now making their way to Omaha, NB and are jam packed. A new report reveals that on average CrossFitters get more and better sleep than those participating in other sports. Cassidy Lance hits a 200 pound push press PR. Thuri Helgadottir renews her contract with Nike. Mathew Fraser does Diane, Fran, Elizabeth, Karen and Isabel all in a row.
WHAT TO TELL YOUR FRIEND WHO WANTS TO GET BETTER AT OLYMPIC LIFTING BUT DOESN’T KNOW WHERE TO GO…
Go follow Jared Enderton. There are exactly ZERO athlete coaches out there who post his caliber of instructional videos breaking down the basics of Olympic lifting techniques. Also, about a month ago he got his Facebook page deleted, losing all his likes and content. So let’s do what CrossFitters do and help him out.
THINGS TO…
WATCH: Video Contest Winner, Jeff Puryear
A few months back, CrossFit HQ launched their second annual video contest where the first place prize is $10,000. Here’s your 2017 winner.
WATCH NOW.
WATCH NOW.
HEAR: Programming for an Affiliate with Competitive Athletes
On this episode of Chasing Excellence with Ben Bergeron they talk about how you keep the community together when you have competitive Regionals level athletes working alongside everyday CrossFitters. At CrossFit New England, competitors like Heather Bergeron and Katrin do the same WOD as the class and even jump into classes from time-to-time.
TUNE IN.
TUNE IN.
EAT: Turkey Sausage with Avocado Lime Sauce
Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or a snack, these are high in protein and healthy fats and super easy to whip up. Plus, if you’re counting macros and prepping meals ahead, they store well for Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
TRY EM OUT.
TRY EM OUT.
BUY: Your New Favorite Sweats
If you’re still going to and from the box wearing old grey sweat soaking sweat pants, you need an upgrade. These Virus active recovery pants are not just for coming back from the box, but when you need something to put on during an outdoor WOD.
GIVE EM A TRY.
GIVE EM A TRY.
CHALK UP AFFILIATES
Affiliates That Care — Introducing Team Jerry Supports, a yearly fundraising event that is organized by CrossFit Prevail in McHenry, IL. The event was originally started four years ago to support a member of CrossFit Prevail that was battling cancer. Unfortunately, Jeremy lost his fight but his girlfriend has continued the yearly tradition in support of a local child with cancer. This year, they’re supporting Cole Nelson, a 6-year-old boy from Algonquin, diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive brain tumor.
Husband and wife co-owners opened CrossFit Linden Hills in Minneapolis, MN. The couple hopes to draw moms’ groups to a lounge that’s already stocked with toys and books. They’ll also offer Wi-Fi and want people to consider stopping in to work, perhaps taking advantage of open gym times to take 10-minute rowing breaks. — Hey CF Linden, can we come write the Morning Chalk Up for the lounge?
CHALK UP READS
“Why Shoulder Surgery is Much Worse than Open Heart Surgery” by DJ Forsyth, Athlete Daily
Shoulder surgery is so much worse than open-heart surgery. I’m not kidding. I know you think that sounds crazy, but it’s true.
I was diagnosed with aortic stenosis, which is a narrowing of the aortic valve in my heart, when I was in my early 20s. The doctors told me there was no way to fix it other than surgery, and we watched it like a ticking time-bomb for nearly 14 years. I started doing CrossFit in 2011 to stay in shape and make my heart more healthy in general, and I found out pretty quickly I was pretty good at it.
I made the regionals in 2012 and 2013, and I never felt one symptom of my bad heart. I never was tired. I never had shortness of breath. Nothing. But, in December of 2013, my doctors told me it was time to replace my aortic valve with a mechanical one. I worked out like crazy right up until the day before my surgery. I figured I may never work out again, so why not?
“Do I Need to Lose Weight to Start CrossFit?” by Hilary Achauer, CrossFit Journal
Frances Mata Monsisvais, 35, drove around the parking lot of CrossFit Uru in Phoenix, Arizona, 10 times before she got the courage to walk in. It was November 2015, and Monsisvais, who weighed 255 lb., wanted to get healthy. The working mom of four kids—aged 4 to 16—had tried other gyms but didn’t feel at home in any of them.
Her husband had encouraged her to check out the CrossFit facility down the street. Once she forced herself to walk inside, she introduced herself to the trainer and got right to the point.
“Should I lose weight before I come in?” she asked. The trainer smiled at her. “No, no. Everything is good. Do it now,” he told her.