CrossFit Regionals Locations Released

Good morning from Tampa, FL and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Today’s edition Is sponsored by Ragnar Relay, which we’re actually warming up for as you read this. Did you know that Ragnar has races all over the globe — and in some pretty spectacular places too like the English coastline or through vineyards in Napa Valley. Start building your team with code “MORNINGCHALKUP” and you can save $80 off your registration. 

“Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.”

— Sam Ewing

THE CATS OUT OF THE BAG

What happened?

After CrossFit HQ released the complete 2018 CrossFit Games season calendar yesterday, the page didn’t include the locations of each of the nine Regionals.

However, a few Internet sleuths who clicked on a link to find hotels noticed a bunch of city and venue information for a majority of the Regionals events. 

So…gimme the deets.

— East Regional: Albany, NY, Times Union Center

— Europe Regional: TBD

— South Regional: Salt Lake City, UT, Salt Palace Convention Center

— Central Regional: Nashville, TN, Music City Center

— West Regional: Del Mar, CA, Del Mar Arena

— Latin America Regional: TBD

​– Atlantic Regional: TBD

— Meridian Regional: Madrid, Spain, Caja Mágica

— Pacific Regional: TBD

What about the rest?

You’ll just have to wait and find out, but for fun we’ll throw out these guesses:

— Europe: London, UK

— Latin America: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

— Atlantic: Miami, FL

— Pacific: Melbourne, Australia

CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES

Ragnar Relay officially kicks off at 12:00 PM. Team Morning Chalk Up and Team Dave Castro All Stars hit the trail at 3:30 PM, which is about the last time we’ll be side-by-side until the finish line.

Is the CrossFit Games the best test of fitness? — From a publication that has found itself at odds with CrossFit over the past few years, T-Nation published an op-ed by their Chief Content Officer, praising the CrossFit Games for being the preeminent test of fitness…”After attending the Games, I’d say that yes, these are the fittest people on the planet. CrossFit’s definition of general fitness is actually very good, and the Games certainly test every facet of that definition…I think that to be ‘the fittest’ one has to have the
best overall combination of all the main physical qualities: strength, power, speed, agility, resilience, endurance, mobility, and coordination. In my humble opinion, CrossFit is – at the moment at least – the only sport where all the physical qualities are tested to a significant extent.”

CA Fire Update — 

— Double Take…No this video isn’t from Dante’s Peak 2, it’s actual footage of the 405 freeway in Southern California.

— Crossfit Oxnard is a drop off point for anyone willing to donate items like clothing, blankets, pillows, hygiene products, baby wipes, diapers, and water. 

— As far as we know, no CrossFit Affiliates have been seriously damaged by the fires (plural, there are multiple).

— Actual Story…A man pulled over on the side of the highway to save a wild rabbit that ran into the fire. 

COFFEE BREAK CONVERSATIONS

What to tell your friend who walked into the gym and Katrin Davidsdottir was there waiting…

That’s not real life. Imagine you’re walking into your CrossFit box after work; just another day, just another WOD, just getting a little fitter. Except this isn’t just another day. Katrin Davidsdottir, and a whole bunch of your WOD buddies, are waiting for you. And your face is plastered all over a bunch of banners. This is real life, and your name is Jamie. #Pinch #Wakeup

What to tell your friend who thinks she’s a total BAMF at rope climbs…

You confident enough to climb this high?

THINGS TO…

HEAR: Conquering Nerves and Taking Action for a Badass Life

Brute Strength podcast sits down with CrossFit athlete, author, TV star and badass Christmas Abbott to talk about creating your passion, finding you life’s purpose and getting off your butt to get things done.

GET DOWN WITH YOUR BAD SELF. 

EAT: Meatza Meatza

It’s just what it sounds like: a pizza, with a meat crust. You’d think this was a recipe from some barbell bashing bro, but it’s actually from Nom Nom Paleo and a lot less heavy than it sounds, but it’s just as paleo. 

NOM NOM.

BUY: VersaLifts

Been on the mobility struggle bus for a little while now feeling like you always need to wear lifters (and then some) for every WOD? We know the feeling. You might wanna try these removable heel inserts to give your heel a little lift so you can squat safely while hammering out thrusters during this year’s CrossFit Open.

GIVE YOURSELF A LIFT.

Today’s edition of the Morning Chalk Up is sponsored by

CHALK UP AFFILIATES

• LEUKEMIA — Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Julie Adams, coach at CrossFit Horsepower Hermosa Beach was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, taken to the ER and immediately began treatment. We don’t know the whole story, but friends and box mates are rallying to support her mounting medical bills and in any other way they can. 

“PTSD and Exercise: How CrossFit is a Perfect Copin Mechanism” by Rachel Ragosa, CrossFit Invictus

Over the last few years, the stigma surrounding mental health has eased up quite a bit. More people are talking about their mental struggles and seeking help and support, which is incredible progress.

I always try to be open with my own challenges. After losing my husband to cancer and my daughter to a rare disease less than a year apart, I was diagnosed with PTSD. Every person’s experience with PTSD is different, but for me, it manifests as anxiety, flashbacks, loss of mental focus, and some very disturbed sleep.

While traditional treatment is helpful, exercise has been my primary coping mechanism. Research shows that exercise can have a tremendous impact on PTSD symptoms. With many suffering in silence, I wanted to provide just a bit of information on how physical activity can help and what you can do if you are struggling with PTSD symptoms.

Brought to You By CrossFit Brickyard — This might be one of the most genius handstand progressions we’ve ever seen, especially for those athletes comfortable and strong standing on their hands but can’t seem to get the walking part quite right. 

12/9: Ho Ho Ho CrossFit Kids Competition (Riverside, CA)

12/9: The 2017 Reindeer Games (Del Mar, CA)

12/9 – 10: WOD GODZ 2017 (Shreveport, LA)

12/18 – 20: 6th Annual CrossFit Invictus Online Competition (Online)

1/6: BrickYard Brawl (South Windsor, CT)

1/11 – 14: Wodapalooza Fitness Festival (Miami, FL)

1/13: Abominable Snowdown II (Orem, UT)

1/13 – 14: War of the Wods (Greensboro, NC)

1/20: Winter WOD’rland 2018 (Bend, OR)

1/27: Winter Chiller (Fairmont, WV)

1/27: NorCal Masters 2018 (Richmond, CA)

1/27 – 28: The Fittest Experience (Austin, TX)

2/3: No Weak Links “V” (Whitesboro, NY)

2/3: Caution Grounds 7 (Hialeah Gardens, FL)

2/3: Output Fitness Trials (Miramar, FL)