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Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Today’s edition was chalked up while hanging out at CrossFit Jääkarhu watching 17.2 live. Thanks to FitAid for sending a Yeti full of FitAids.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We’re not on this stage just because of talent or ability. We’re up here because of 4 a.m. We’re up here because of two-a-days or five-a-days. We’re up here because we had a dream and let nothing stand in our way. If anything tried to bring us down, we used it to make us stronger.” — Kobe Bryant
17.2 LIVE
DETAILS.
You really should watch this video a couple of times before giving it a go. As we alluded to in the subject line, only the tip of the dumbbell needs to touch the ground.
WE WARNED YA.
Flashback to Monday’s Edition — “Think About This: Dave Castro never said there wouldn’t be two WODs with dumbbells.”
WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT?
Kristi Eramo and Kari Pearce went head-to-head on 17.2. The two were neck and neck throughout the first two rounds, but once they got to the bar muscle-ups, Kari Pearce — the national champion gymnast — took the lead and never lost it.
In the Ro vs Boz saga, Ro dropped another one to Adrian Bozman. He’s now down 2 – 0 and would have to pose an epic comeback to win the series.
FUN FACT #1: Rory McKernan hasn’t won an Open WOD since 2015.
FUN FACT #2: One of the local competitors, Brandon Nolan of CrossFit Legacy, actually beat Adrian Bozman.
FUN FACT #3: CrossFit Legacy was the first box Dan Bailey ever joined.
ANYTHING ELSE?
Jenn Jones did 17.2 live on Facebook last night after a 12 hour nursing shift and beat Kristi Eramo and posted only 7 reps shy of Kari Pearce’s 192.
Sara Sigmundsdottir judged Rich Froning last night at CrossFit Mayhem.
CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HIT THE BOX
Beyond the Whiteboard released a full 17.1 time analysis. Brooke Enceannounced she is withdrawing from the 2017 Games season, citing chronic nerve pain for the past several months that hasn’t gone away. If you’re in the Columbus area, stop in and meet Katrin Davidsdottir, Mat Fraser, Josh Brigdes, Dan Bailey, Rich Froning, and Margaux Alvarez at the Rogue Booth at the Arnold Sports Festival. Jamie Hagiya hits a 195 pound snatch. Brent Fikowski hits a 365 pound push jerk PR. Who wants to watch the Fittest on Earth with Julie Foucher in Cleveland?
THINGS TO…
WATCH: Christmas Abbott with Eleiko Head of Education
If you are an athlete, coach or weightlifter you NEED TO WATCH THIS VIDEO. As a CrossFitter, it’s one of the most excruciating videos to watch as Christmas Abbott is forced to drill down her technique tighter and tighter. If you ever thought your coach was being tough on you, think again; Anders takes Christmas through a mental juggernaut.
HEAR: Diet Dogma
Every diet has its set of invariable truths, it’s “unbreakables.” Stephanie Gaudreau of Stupid Easy Paleo sits down with Barbell Shrugged to talk about some of the negatives of paleo and how to break free and embrace a healthy diet that works for your body.
LET’S DO THIS.
LET’S DO THIS.
WIN: $15K Home Gym
In honor of the 2017 CrossFit Open, FitAid is giving away a $15,000 home gym makeover to one lucky CrossFitter.
ENTER TO WIN.
ENTER TO WIN.
BUY: Caffeine & Kilos Mugs
Right now, you can grab three Caffeine & Kilos mugs for just $35.
GREAT FOR COFFEE.
GREAT FOR COFFEE.
CHALK UP AFFILIATES
CrossFit HQ is gathering up best of the CrossFit Open photos from affiliates around the world into one giant photo album.
CHALK UP READS
I began, scared to walk into the box, unable to complete any workout that required strength, unable to even contemplate the coordination necessary for kipping anything and with zero understanding of any movement involving a barbell. Friday, I walked into Freakin CrossFit (yup, moved again) planning to attempt the craziness that 17.1 promised with a seriously scaled weight. I don’t pick up 35# dumbbells, ever. I’m a runner, we don’t put weight over our heads. Not serious weight anyhow and lifting a dumbbell that’s almost a third of my body weight, over my head, with ONE ARM? Crazy.“Just try,” coach said. What?! I mentioned I’m a runner, not a CrossFit athlete, right? Those people are strong, fit, amazing! Runners aren’t strong, but we do finish things. I wasn’t sure I could complete even 10 snatches at Rx weight. “It doesn’t matter, do what you can.” Really?! First, I will die when I drop this on my head. Second, what happens when I don’t finish? I have to finish. Runners don’t stop before the finish line; I had to scale the weight so I could finish. “NO.”
“Because of 4AM” by Brett Hagler
Kobe Bryant recently shared an all-time great mindset, manifested into a subtle quote that not many people noticed. It’s been three weeks and I can’t get it out of my head, so I wanted to share. You can take it literally or (mostly) metaphorically – both work and can be applied to the dream you’re chasing.
The quote came from Kobe when he was on stage accepting the ‘Icon Award’ at the ESPYS. He was addressing fellow athletes: “We’re not on this stage just because of talent or ability,” Bryant said. “We’re up here because of 4 a.m. We’re up here because of two-a-days or five-a-days. We’re up here because we had a dream and let nothing stand in our way. If anything tried to bring us down, we used it to make us stronger.”
There are thousands of athletes that had similar or even better talent than Kobe. Just like there are thousands of executives, leaders, sales managers, artists, musicians, writers, etc. that have the same and more talent than you and me. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t come down to who has the most talent or intelligence. It comes down to who is willing to make the choices that others are not willing to make.