How Are Games Athletes Doing After 19.3?

Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Today’s edition is fueled by Working Against Gravity.

Want the ultimate tool to up your athletic performance? WAG has teamed up with Brute Strength and The Active Life to create a FREE comprehensive CrossFit Competition Prep Guide loaded with tips from the pros on workouts, recovery and fueling your body for max results! Our custom nutrition coaching program has helped over 15,000 members reach their fitness goals.

“I’ve never seen any life transformation that didn’t begin with the person in question finally getting tired of their own bullshit.” — Elizabeth Gilbert

Battle Cancer Comes to the States

Some news.

Battle Cancer is hitting Los Angeles with a tour of local gyms ahead of its first US event in May this year.

Since its inception in 2017, Battle Cancer has raised over $300,000 for cancer charities worldwide and is delivering seven events across the US, UK, Germany and Spain in 2019.

Battle Cancer is kicking off its launch in the US with a tour of LA CrossFit boxes and attempting 20 WODs in 17 gyms in just five days.

Where will they be?



Co-founders Scott Britton and Pete Williams are on a mission to hit as many gyms as possible in the LA area to spread the word.



They’ll make an appearance at Paradiso CrossFit Venice, Dogtown CrossFit, Reebok CrossFit Lab and others to talk about their cause, hand out freebies and get a WOD in at each gym as they ramp up to Battle Cancer LA at CrossFit Trojan on May 11.

Why a US tour?

Having witnessed his father battle and defeat throat cancer, Co-founder Pete Williams has experienced first hand the destruction cancer can cause and was struck by the care and compassion of cancer charities. This, along with his passion for the CrossFit community, is his driving force for developing Battle Cancer.

“We want to drive a movement that helps those affected by cancer, to inspire them in their darkest moments and support them in recovery. We’re beyond excited to bring our movement to LA and raise money for the American Cancer Society, Co-founder, Scott Britton said.

CHARTS.

How are 2018 Games Athletes Performing in the 2019 Open After Week 3?

We’re three weeks down with only two to go. And unless, Dave Castro introduces a two part workout, there will only be two more scored events for athletes to jump up the leaderboard.

Statistically speaking, the athletes on the first page of the leaderboard are your 2019 CrossFit Games qualifiers given that in the past four years, only six athletes have come from outside of the top 50 after week 3 to finish in the top 30. Given this fact, here are some numbers to consider.

• Eleven men and 14 women currently sit in a qualifying position.
• Rich Froning, who’s not on this chart currently sits in 31st worldwide, and will very likely qualify as an individual.
• 15 athletes statistically have a very low chance of qualifying.

See this broken down in charts. 

MORE CHARTS.

If the Open Ended Today, Who Would Get Sanctionals Invites?

While the worldwide leaderboard is shaping up, we’re also getting a good idea of who is poised to receive the Games invite from the first five Sanctionals that have already taken place: Dubai CrossFit Championship, Wodapalooza, Australian CrossFit Championship, Fittest in Cape Town and Strength in Depth.

Remember, if an athlete qualifies for the Games through the Open and they have an invite to the Games from a Sanctional, that Sanctional invite is passed down to the next athlete without a Games invite.

If the Open were to end today, these are the athletes who’d receive invites via Sanctionals.

Continue reading…

Coffee Break Conversations

What’s on everyone’s minds…

Summer. It’s right around the corner. And we all know what that means. If you didn’t start working on that summer body in winter, you’ve got some work to do and it starts in the kitchen people. Here’s a beginner’s guide to meal prep that anyone can manage. 

And don’t forget…

All the veggies and all the sides. Get those greens in!

Things To…

WATCH: Programming For Endurance

In this video, Dr. Andy Galpin discusses various programming considerations when thinking about endurance training. Specifically various types of endurance, how to train to cause specific adaptations and examples of what this would look like in terms of programming.

DON’T FORGET ENDURANCE.

HEAR: Michael Cazayoux on Mindset Habits

Todd Nief has on guest Michael Cazayoux, co-founder of Brute Strength and President of Working Against Gravity to discuss how to prioritize the things that matter most, his point that goal setting requires crystal clear metrics and the value of personal development and deep work.

COZY UP TO VULNERABILITY.

GET: Mat Fraser’s Doctor With SteadyMD

Why do more than 20 Games athletes have the same doctor? Athletes like Mat Fraser, Cole Sager, Kari Pearce and Josh Bridges all have Dr. Dani Urcuyo, who just happens to be married to Julie Foucher, as their primary doctor with SteadyMD. You can use Dr. Dani too, and be treated to the same top-notch medical care as the top Games athletes. 

PERSONALIZED HEALTHCARE.

EAT: Lemon Poppyseed Energy Bites 

These zesty and creamy lemon poppyseed energy bites are full of flavor and made with only seven healthy ingredients. A quick and easy on-the-go snack, they’re the perfect combination of creamy, chewy, and fluffy. 

ALMOST LIKE DONUT HOLES.

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

Chalk Up Community

• GRID LEAGUE COMBINE — CrossFit Cape Coral is hosting the SWFL Sharks semi-pro GRID combine on April 27 in Cape Coral, FL. This event is about using your strengths to contribute to the team. If you can move a barbell, rep out gymnastics movements, or just like to move fast then the SWFL Sharks might be looking for you.
• STAND FAST FOR FREEDOM — CrossFit Papio in  La Vista, NE held Stand Fast For Freedom this past weekend. All funds raised went to Stand Fast, an organization that creates a safe place for victims of sex trafficking to go after they are rescued.
• 2019 Royal Wod-a-Thon — Climate CrossFit in Omaha, NE hosting the 2019 Royal Wod-a-Thon, a free-will donation charity event to support the Royal Family Kids Camp. RFKC is an organization that gives foster children ages six to twelve, who have been abused, neglected or abandoned, a week of positive memories and fun in a Christian camp experience.

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

Brute Strength athlete Albert Naugle Gudiño jerks 341 pounds for a PR • Mitch Spjut does farmer carries in the snow • Jessica Richenbacher and the
Fittest of the Babes are still going strong with the 2019 pull-up challenge • University of Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs hang power cleaned 450 pounds for four reps • Annie Thorisdottir collaborated with King Kong Apparel to design two new bags • Gemma Buggins got her first rope climb.

…and as we brace for St. Patrick’s Day, remember that your fitness translates to many skills. 

On the Minute — Set your alarms for 5:00 PM PT tonight for Episode 14 of On the Minute with Armen Hammer and our Editor-in-Chief, Justin LoFranco, for all the latest CrossFit news in one place. Head over to our Facebook page to catch last week’s edition.

— And their bags are packed: In case you missed our announcement, Armen Hammer and Justin LoFranco are heading to Ireland next week to deliver the live 19.5 announcement pre-show.

19.4 Live Announcement — CrossFit NCR in Ottawa will also be hosting the 19.4 Live Announcement with Pat Vellner and it will be available at Games.CrossFit.com on Thursday at 5:00 PM PT/ 8:00 PM ET / 12:00 AM GMT +1.

ChallengeMe Kickstarter — Join the ChallengeMe global community and turn your fitness into a real life video game. Choose your own campaign by following your favorite athletes, programmers, and gyms. Or go online and create your own challenges and compete with friends.

— There’s free stuff: You get rewarded for your hard work in the gym by redeeming in-app currency for real life merchandise from your favorite brands.

Early Leaderboarding…UNNOFFICIAL Top 10 Worldwide:

1. Jean-Simon Roy-Lemaire | Sara Sigmundsdottir

2. BK Gudmundsson | Amanda Barnhart

3. Lefteris Theofanidis | Brooke Wells

4. Zachery Buntin | Annie Thorisdottir (Tied for third)

5. Mat Fraser | Dani Speegle (Tied for third)

6. Travis Mayer | Mekenzie Riley

7. Frederik Aegidius | Kristin Holte

8. Lukas Hogberg | Jamie Greene

9. Samuel Cournoyer | Kari Pearce

10. Cole Sager | Tia-Clair Toomey

Official 19.2 Winners — Rich Froning and Brooke Wells are the official winners of 19.2. Each athlete won $2,019 for winning the event. 

— Wells on Her Event Win: “I’ve never won an Open workout before and am so excited! Finished 19.2 at 14:20 which is the top time. A little victory, but still focused on the end goal. We still got two weeks left! Let’s do this!”

Android Games App Update — The CrossFit Games app for Android users now has an update available.

“CrossFit’s Recent State Action on Behalf of Affiliates,” by CrossFit

With the help of affiliates across the country, CrossFit, Inc. has identified states with legislation that threatens affiliates’ right to train their clients and fight chronic disease or that imposes onerous financial costs on their small businesses.

Included below is an update on a few states where CrossFit’s government relations team has taken action on behalf of affiliates in recent months. We will continue to provide updates as legislative and policy developments unfold.

Through an ongoing strategy of proactively monitoring and responding to these legislative restrictions, CrossFit is fighting to keep fitness legal.

CrossFit affiliates in Washington contacted CrossFit, Inc. on Feb. 1, 2019, concerned that their state legislature was considering a bill that could harm their businesses with unlimited fees, insurance requirements, and other red tape.

On Feb. 13, the relevant Senate committee held a public hearing on the bill, which would implement sanitation and safety standards for gyms (a one-size-fits-all approach meant to keep large-scale gyms from allowing their pools and showers to become health and safety risks). As initially drafted, the bill meant burdensome fees and extra insurance requirements for affiliates, no matter their size.

With the help of Washington affiliates, CrossFit, Inc. suggested amendments that narrowed the bill’s scope and limited its ambiguity, mitigating the threat to affiliates. The committee heard the message and has voted to limit the scope of the bill to apply only to large-scale gyms in the state. This is a win for CrossFit’s Washington affiliates, which will be spared the additional fees and requirements.

3/14: Open Announcement 19.4 (Online)

3/16: 2019 Shamrock Showdown (Pittsburgh, PA)

3/16 – 17: The Tactical Games (Burnet, TX)

3/21: Open Announcement 19.5 (Online)

3/23: Down for Donuts (Ocala, FL)

3/24: The Rockwell Championships Series Team Qualifiers (Online)

3/30: Game of Barbells (Houston, TX)

3/30: Row for a Reason 2019 (Nashville, TN)

3/30: Reps For Rescues at CrossFit Hanover (Hanover, PA)

3/30: Crossfit Redoubt Open Competition (Slovakia)

3/30: Cru’s Crusaders Fundraiser WOD (San Clemente, CA)

3/30: Burritt Built Throwdown (Port St. Lucie, FL)

4/5 – 4/7: Iron Sharpens Iron Camp (Nashville, TN)

4/1 – 4/8: Northern California Classic Online Qualifiers (Online)

4/1 – 4/11: The Liege Throwdown Online Qualifiers (Herstal, Belgium)

4/6: Feed, Clothe, Love and Lift (Amarillo, TX) 

4/6: St. Peters CrossFit Fitness Awards (Saint Peters, MO)

4/6: Powerstroke Partner Throwdown 2019 (Fallon, NV)

4/6: Metcon Meltdown (Flemington, NJ)

4/6: Two Peas in a POD Competition (Burlington, MA)

4/6: Rookie Rumble at CrossFit Diversion (Williamstown, NJ)

4/6: Rise of the Machines IV (Austin, TX)

4/6: Bay Area Beatdown 2 (Webster, TX)

4/6: Rookie Rumble at CrossFit Cornerstone (Cincinnati, OH)

4/10 – 4/24: Granite Games Online Qualifier (Online)

4/11 – 4/14: CrossFit Lowlands Throwdown Online Qualifier (Online)

4/12 – 4/13: Capstone Caveman Clash and Cook Off (Lubbock, TX)

4/12 – 4/14: Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge (Washington, D.C.)

4/13: Capacidad De Dos Amigos (San Antonio, TX)

4/13: The Craic Throwdown (Norwood, MA)

4/13: Warrior Affiliate League Deuces Wild (Chino, CA)

4/13: Battle of the Ages (Pineville, NC)

4/13: 5th Annual Battle for the Mountain (Dawsonville, GA)

4/13: The Requisite Masters Classic (Philadelphia, PA)

4/13: HandSTANDUP for Haiti (Smyrna, TN)

4/13: WOD Wars Fit Fest (Dunedin, FL)

4/13: CFL Loganville Lockdown (Loganville, GA)

4/13: CrossFit Katy Team Classic (Katy, TX)

4/13: Rescue Road: Obstacle Course Event (Alpharetta, GA)

4/13: Quad Wars at CrossFit Adversary (Williamstown, NJ)

4/14: To Hill and Back 2019 (Albemarle, NC)

4/15 – 4/27: Top Of The Box Online Qualifier (Clarksville, TN)

4/19 – 5/1: CrossFit French Throwdown Individual Online Qualifier (Online)

4/20: The Wodfather VII 2019 (Keller, TX)

4/20: Rookie Rumble at Bucktown CrossFit (Chicago, IL)

4/20: Barnyard Throwdown (Ohatchee, AL)

4/26: Rookie Rumble at CrossFit Nashua (Nashua, NH)

4/26 – 4/27: Gameday Competition (Mankato, MN) 

4/26 – 4/28: CrossFit Italian Showdown (Milan, Italy)

4/26 – 4/28: The Sun Coast Fitness Festival (Kwa-Zulu Natal, AUS)

4/27: 4th Annual Spring Fever Partner Masters Comp (Souderton PA)

4/27: Rookie Rumble at CrossFit KOA (Cranford, NJ)

4/27: The Gnardog Challenge (Reedley, CA)

4/27: Festivus Games (Worldwide)

4/27: Raising the Bar for Charlotte (Medina, OH)

4/27 – 4/29: Asia CrossFit Championship (Shanghai, China)

4/27: Autism Rocks and Rows (San Clemente, CA)

4/27: Garage Games Xs and Ys (Hiram, GA)

4/27: The Explode Individual Classic (West Chester, PA)

4/27: Fast Times at West Tech High (Las Vegas, NV)

4/27: Tyler’s Voice CrossFit Competition (Jefferson City, TN)

4/27: SWFL Sharks Semi-Pro Grid Combine (Cape Coral, FL)

4/27: Explode’s Independent Classic (West Chester, FL)