Definitely the hardest day one in history

Good morning from Morning Chalk Up. Only one more sleep until the 2018 CrossFit Games begin. Today’s edition was built by Working Against Gravity, the Official Nutrition Sponsor of the Morning Chalk Up.

If you want to learn how to upgrade your nutrition, take a look at Working Against Gravity’s FREE 40+ page nutrition guide. Get all your macro questions answered!

“Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.” — William James

Day One Rolls out with a Criterium

A what?



A criterium, aka the Nascar race of cycling.



Dave Castro rode into the athlete briefing on a Trek bike and announced that Individual Event One is a Criterium, a bike race consisting of several laps around a closed circuit. Since Criteriums are shorter than traditional road races, they’re also way faster, more technical and, can be a bit risky.



Risky, eh?!



The golden rule in Criteriums is “Don’t panic.” Since the speeds are much higher, the intensity is higher. Also, the rules are a bit different. Attacking and cornering are common, as are overlapping tires.



Someone will for sure crash.



For sure, and Dave Castro knows it. He warned them, “There is a high probability of crashing. Don’t crash.” So what was the first thing Khan Porter did? YouTubed “worst criterium crashes” of course.



The Crit, as Castro calls it, consists of ten 1,200 meter laps, on a bike for time — that’s 12,000 meters for you mathematically challenged. The race will begin with a rolling start. Once the pace bike has exited the course, racing will begin and will continue for 10 laps. A white flag will be flown to signify the start of the final lap. They’ll be going in heats of 40, meaning that all Individual Men will run in the same heat and all Individual Women will too.



That’s gonna’ be crowded!



But they’ll be ready. All athletes were fitted for their bikes and will complete time trials today. The time trials will designate the start order for Event 1. Dave Castro joined in on the fun, trying to out sprint Nick Urankar on his Trek bike. No such luck.



Later that day, CrossFit posted “Since programming Individual Event 1, Dave’s taken some time to think about what it will take for an athlete to perform well in the CRIT. “Most CrossFit events, you have a safe space, your own lane,’ he says. ‘You get to own your space. You don’t get that in the CRIT. Having 40 athletes in one heat is like putting everyone’s barbells and dumbbells in one lane. Maybe we should try that some time. That’d be fun.’”

MEMORY LANE.

A Brief History of CrossFit Games Repeats

At the very heart of Greg Glassman’s CrossFit methodology is the concept of trackable, repeatable, and measurable tests of fitness. This why every CrossFit Open, athletes redo a past workout to see how far they’ve progressed and whether they worked on weaknesses which held them back.

The CrossFit Games is no different.

While Dave Castro doesn’t always repeat a workout wholesale, several have made their way into the CrossFit Games over the past 11 years. Here’s a brief look back at repeat workouts that have stayed (mostly) the same:

1. The CrossFit Total: 2007 and 2018.
2. Half-Marathon Row (increased to a full marathon row): 2013 and 2018.
3. Fibonacci Final: 2017 and 2018.
4. The Ranch Trail Run: 2009 and 2016; 2007 was a 5K.
5. 1 Rep Max Snatch: 2009 and 2017.
6. Deadlift Ladder (Same structure but weights increased): 2009 and 2016.
7. Amanda (upgraded to Amanda .45): 2010 and 2017.
8. CrossFit Open 17.5 with increased weights: 2017
9. Clean and Jerk Ladder: 2013 and 2015.
10. Murph: 2015 and 2016.

*The Obstacle Course has changed so much from 2012 to 2017 to 2018 that it’s an entirely different event each year, which is why we didn’t include it.

Things To…

WATCH: Fullsterkur; An Iceland Documentary

Iceland, an island with a population of just over 300,000, houses a disproportionate number of the world’s greatest strength athletes. The third in this series, it features some of the modern stars of Iceland strength, including Annie Thorisdottir.

BEAUTIFUL AND STRONG. 

Hear: Alec Smith Back for Round 2

Alec Smith sits down with Robbie Vogler and the Big Red Express Podcast about what he’s looking forward to this year at the CrossFit Games, what it’s been like competing and training with his brother, and the differences between Madison and Carson so far. 

TUNE IN.

EAT: Grilled Fish Tacos 

Bright, flavorful grilled fish tacos piled with homemade slaw, pineapple-mango salsa, and a homemade chipotle crema. You’re going to love how fresh, easy, and delicious these are!

IT’S TACO TUESDAY. 

 

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

CrossFit Games in 2 Minutes

Rogue Outfits the CrossFit Games — As the Official Equipment Supplier for the CrossFit Games, Rogue ships a ton of gear to the Games. Here’s what they sent in 2017:

• 45 tractor trailers of equipment, or 900 tons (1,800,000 pounds)
• 50,000 pounds of Barbells
• 150,000 pounds of Bumper plates
• 300,000 pounds of Rig Components
• 25,000 feet of Rig Uprights, Crossmembers, and pull-up Bars
• Over 100,00 pieces of hardware to build the rigs.

Makes you wonder if the Rogue employees are just as fit and fast as the CrossFit Games Athletes. Maybe a rig assemble for time? 

CrossFit Training Seminars — The CrossFit Training booth inside Vendor Village will feature a number of presentations for the duration of the CrossFit Games. On Thursday, Aug. 2, come and see presentations from the following:

• 9 AM — CrossFit Flexibility
• 10 AM — CrossFit Dumbbell
• 1 PM — CrossFit Gymnastics
• 2 PM — Conjugate Methods
• 3 PM — CrossFit Jump Rope

Around Madison–

— Rogue has teamed up with State Street Brats again this year to bring you drink deals during the CrossFit Games! If you’re in Madison, WI from 7/30 – 8/5, stop by State Street Brats at 603 State Street, for a cold one!

— Don’t forget that the Morning Chalk Up Guide to Events around Madison is a thing that exists and we want you to use it. Stay up-to-date on what’s going on around town during the CrossFit Games. And if we missed something, let us know. 

More Games Event Details —

— Dave Castro announced that the prone paddleboard is coming back for the individuals this year but did not specify which day or event. The only water event formally announced so far is the open water swim for age divisions on Saturday.

— Later in the day, Dave Castro announced Individual Event 4. Brace yourself. It’s a row marathon. We repeat. A row marathon. They will be rowing for 42,195 meters. The time cap is 4 hours. He wasn’t joking, he reminded the athletes. “I told you Wednesday would be the hardest day one in history,” he told the athletes at their welcome dinner.” Annie Thorisdottir agrees, “This is my ninth Games, and yes, Dave’s right that this will definitely be the toughest day one I’ve seen yet. The row alone would probably make it the toughest.”

— FUN FACT: Collectively, all 80 athletes will row a total of 3,373,185 meters, or 2096 miles, which is almost the equivalent of rowing from San Diego to Amarillo, TX there and back again.

Games and Athletes Get Down to Business —

Pat Vellner says he’s ready • Origin Foods saves Sara Sigmundsdottir by delivering all her CrossFit Games meals at the last minute • Scott Panchik tests out the paddleboard. (We’re not sure that’s an “I’m enjoying this very much” type of face.) • Noah Ohlsen documented his last training session at Peak 360 Fitness before leaving for the CrossFit Games • This year in their CrossFit Games swag bag athletes got official CrossFit knee sleeves from RockTape • The Reebok Fit Barge has arrived at Lake Monona • Kara Saunders shared her training Spotify playlist • Paul Tremblay is the Captain of the 2018 CrossFit Games Demo Team, saying “It’s changed how I view the Games” • For the third year in a row, the Eramo mother daughter team get to the Games together. 

…and Ben Bergeron exemplifies his own lesson that there is always always always something new to learn. 

Toughest Day One Ever? We’ll Let Ben Smith Decide — Ten Time CrossFit Games athlete Ben Smith sat down withe Reebok to reflect on the last decade of work, or how he puts it, “I don’t look at it as 10 years. I look at it as a lot of single days of hard work….Dave Castro said it’s supposed to be the toughest day one of the Games in CrossFit history. I’ll be the judge of that. I’ve been here for most of them. I’ll be the one who
can really let him know if it was the toughest.”

P.S. — Did you know that Ben Smith is not the only athlete to come back for his tenth appearance? Becca Voigt is making her tenth return to the CrossFit Games too.

Emily Bridgers Top Games Memories — Yesterday she recalled her favorite games moment, number 10.” Reaching the finish mat on the final event of 2016. Toughest Cf Games to date (in my opinion). Finished on a high note with a little redemption on the pegboard, but I’ve never been so glad to be done with fitness for the week!” 

Noah Ohlsen Has His Eyes on the Podium This Year — Noah Ohlsen, who is returning to the CrossFit Games for his fifth time, sat down with CNN to discuss how he trained differently this year. “There are these small moments throughout the competition that you need to capitalize on, that you don’t realize in the moment. But, when you look back you’re like, man, it was that, it was this, it was that, it was all these little moments.”

Sam Briggs Made it Stateside — “When I thought there was absolutely no way I’d be competing this year all the stars aligned and I made it to Madison just in time for check-in. I’d like to send a massive thank you to the team at the Office of Field Operations within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. They helped me out of a huge jam and got me into the U.S. on time to compete in the CrossFit Games It wouldn’t have been possible without you!”

And We Want You to Know —

Rogue Athletes: Tips, Tweets, and Gear —  Rogue made it too easy for you to lurk your favorite CrossFit Games athlete. Read their profiles, career highlights, favorite and least favorite WODs, and their favorite gear or connect with them via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

“According to Text Messages, Trifecta Coordinated with IHOP During 2017 CrossFit Games” by Justin LoFranco, Morning Chalk Up

Last week, we shared news that two former employees had brought a 141-page lawsuit against Trifecta alleging that Trifecta sourced food for the 2017 CrossFit Games from other restaurants and passed it off as their own.

It’s worth noting that this lawsuit coincidentally was filed on July 18th, and first made it’s way into the press on July 26th, just a week before the CrossFit Games is set to begin.

Trifecta currently is the official food sponsor of the CrossFit Games. They will have a booth at this year’s Games and according to Trifecta counsel, “Trifecta will be providing the raw uncooked food to Centerplate who will be cooking it at their onsite kitchen to be served to the CrossFit staff.”

Here’s what we know.

• Trifecta did source food from other restaurants at the 2017 CrossFit Games.
• Trifecta coordinated with IHOP on some level.
• Trifecta issued guidance to employees to say that when asked: “did you guys provide the food” to say the food served was provided by Trifecta.
• Trifecta will be providing “raw uncooked food” to Centerplate, a catering company, for CrossFit Games staff and volunteers.

81 – 8/5: The CrossFit Games (Madison, WI) 

8/4: Lumberjack Lift Off (Buckley, WA) 

8/4: G-Town Throwdown (Georgetown, MA) 

8/4: US National Parks Tour with VoyEdge RX

8/4: War at the Shore (Neptune City, NJ)

8/5: Sure Shot Shootout (Greenville, OH)

8/11: Red Raider Backyard Brawl (Coatesville, PA)

8/11: 2018 Rimrock Ruckus (Billings, MT)

8/11: Survival Games 2018 (Wooster, OH)

8/11: The Warhorse Games (Kansas City, KS)

8/11: War of the Roses (Pasadena, CA) 

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 – 26: Battlegrounds Nevada (Reno, NV) 

​8/31: Greece with VoyEdge RX

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

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

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