Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. The 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games are now two days away, and we will have you covered for everything and anything you need to know.
In today’s edition:
Introducing Sammy Moniz’s recipe of the month
Men’s podium and dark horse picks for the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games
Where to get your coffee fix in Madison this week
Adrian Bozman discusses Games programming on The Bottom Line
Diving into the team division for Madison
Amanda Barnhart talks consistency ahead of fifth Games appearance
Note: The Morning Chalk Up will not be publishing the newsletter August 8-12, as we will be taking some much needed R&R, but we’ll be back in action the following week, so don’t go anywhere.
When Mat was training to compete in the CrossFit Games, eating was like a part-time job. He was eating nearly 9,500 calories a day trying to keep up with the demands of training.
When it came to mid-day meals, we aimed to find things that would not only taste dayummm good but something filling that would easily digest before the next training session. Mat always enjoyed sandwiches and so we leaned in and created a variety of sandwiches.
This sandwich however, was one of the firsts and one that got eaten, a lot! Who doesn’t love a turkey sandwich with bacon on it? The addition of the apple, all Mat’s idea. Bacon and apple, an amazing combo of sweet and salty, all wrapped up in a sweet Hawaiian roll to double down on those slightly sweet flavors. Soft and pillowy rolls, lightly toasted, with a bit of crunch from apples and crispy bacon. These flavors are off the charts, textures are on point and your bellies will be full and happy after one of these.
Competing in Madison? Or know someone who is? The Reebok Bonus Program is returning for its second year in Madison and to be eligible for Bonus Program earnings athletes must register and sign a participation agreement prior to an event taking place.
Remind me: The Reebok Bonus Program rewards athletes who win an event in any division with a cash bonus.
To celebrate the launch of the twelfth iteration of Reebok’s Nano franchise, the Nano X2, payouts to athletes who wear eligible Reebok footwear – Nano X2, Nano X1 Froning, Nanoflex Parafit TR – this year will be:
Individual/Teams Divisions: $12,000 for first place finishers
Masters/Teens/Adaptive Divisions: $1,200 for first place finishers
Registered athletes can also go to the Reebok Bonus Program Athlete Seeding Suite (located in the Sheraton Madison Hotel) to receive complimentary Reebok footwear and additional swag from Tuesday (8/2) to Friday (8/5) anytime between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM*.
*Reebok will provide athletes with eligible footwear, while supplies last
SPEED READS
In case you missed it: Lauren Kalil, the host of The Bottom Line, spoke to CrossFit Games mastermind Adrian Bozman about what athletes can expect this week as the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games finally kicks off.
Splash: The CrossFit Games will feature an all-division swim for the first time ever, in a pool, this Saturday.
Event dropped: It appears Adrian Bozman has released one of the workouts via Instagram live, and its “The Capitol”: For time, 20 pig flips, a 3.5-mile run, a 200 meter Jerry bag carry and a 200 meter Husafell bag carry.
Drug testing update: Reports are that Tijger Valley has failed their drug test and thus we won’t see a team from Africa competing in the Games this year.
Super heartwarming: It is impossible not to get emotional here watching Roman Khrennikov meet his family in the US for the first time what must have felt like a long time for the podium threat who will finally get to compete in person on the biggest stage. 🥲
Another signing: Anikha Greer is the latest CrossFit athlete to join the LSKD brand, following in the footsteps of the one and only Khan Porter.
The winner: Colten Mertens crushed Rogue’s The Mule, and he also has one of the most exceptional mustaches we’ve ever seen, bravo. 🥸
Guessing Games: Only 2 days left to get your picks in for the top five men and women at the CrossFit Games. The top guess will win $1000 Reebok giftcard, YETI cooler prize pack, and a FITAID fridge filled with drinks. 🏆
Drops and deals: With so many brands releasing new gear and offering discounts, it’s easy to miss out on the best ones. Check out our top picks for the best deals and drops you need to know about this year.
CROSSFIT GAMES
MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
2022 CrossFit Games Men's Podium and Dark Horse Picks
It’s finally time. The 2022 CrossFit Games start in a couple of days. All season we’ve been talking about how deep and talented the men’s field is at the Games this year. We’ve tried our best to highlight and showcase as many of the forty contenders for Fittest Man on Earth as we can; but it’s finally time to settle on the most likely men to actually be in contention for that title and the accompanying claim as the fittest.
The Podium
The Podium is a prestigious place to find yourself as a competitive CrossFit athlete, but by no means is it an easy feat to accomplish. Since Rich Froning retired from individual competition in 2014, there have been 21 opportunities to stand on the podium, but only 9 men have done it:
If there’s anything we know for sure, it’s how much our CrossFit community loves coffee. In Wisconsin’s capital city, there’s no shortage of local roasters to help you support small business and caffeinate your way through the weekend. Prepare your hearts and bookmark this list folks — here are the five coffee spots you must checkout while at the CrossFit Games.
1. Cargo Coffee
Address: 1309 S Park St., Madison, WI 53715 (2 miles from venue) and 750 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703 (3 miles from venue)
With two nearby brick-and-mortars, order ahead available (bookmark this page!) and affordable breakfast sandwiches and wraps, this is no-brainer for a group stop on your way to the venue. They’re also open until 5pm for your midday pick-me-up and have live music on Friday night, August 5th.
2. Ancora Cafe and Bakery
107 King Street, Madison, WI, 53703
There’s three locations in Madison, with the one listed being both the original established in 1994, and the closest. Offering a variety of craft drinks, house-made syrups, four non-dairy milk options and a unique variety of fair trade, organic coffees, it’s a Madison staple. They open at 6:30AM and also have an online order ahead option.
This Wednesday, 36 teams will vie to hold the Affiliate Cup overhead atop the podium while champagne is being sprayed on them on “Championship Sunday” at the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games. However as we have learned from past years most of those teams’ dreams of that moment will quickly be dashed as only a select few teams will separate themselves from the pack and give the defending champions from Cookeville, TN a run for their money.
This marks year two of the current format for the division and like in past years, it has brought out more talented teams stacked with superstars of the sport. This season’s team division has been hyped more than ever and for good reason as some of the top teams from last year return and new ones were formed all with the goal of having their names etched on the “Cup”.
The Morning Chalk Up's Top Deals and Drops for Madison
During the CrossFit Games, tens of thousands of fans descend on Madison, WI. As well as getting to see some world-class fitness, they are the first to see dozens of new apparel releases, limited edition drops, and enjoy exclusive discounts as brands use the Games to show off their latest releases.
With so many brands releasing new gear and offering discounts, it’s easy to miss out on the best ones. So, from limited-edition releases, to Morning Chalk Up Exclusive offers, here are our picks for the best deals and drops you need to know about this year.
Sweet sweet Zzzzzs: Beam’s Sea Salt Caramel Dream Powder is packed with zzz-promoting ingredients, like nano CBD, reishi, magnesium, l-theanine, and melatonin. Let swirls of caramel satisfy your sweet tooth and help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed with only 15 calories and no added sugar. Get an exclusive 35% off during the Games with code “MCU”
HIGHLIGHTS
Celebrating a PR, hosting a fundraiser, this, that, or otherwise. Send us a highlight.
🎂 Happy birthday to Morning Chalk Up’s very own Preslie Hirsch.
Games teen Kaiden Hogan back squats 325 pounds/147kg for a new PR.
Congratulations to Charlotte Sparacino from Babylon CrossFit in Long Island, NY on her handstand push up progress. #trusttheprocess
Aaron Smith from GV Athletics in Green Valley, AZ pulls double duty with these toddler-weighted push-ups.
🕺 Noah Ohlsenbusts a move— think we’ll see this in Madison?
Lauren Fisher of CrossFit Reykjavik hits a speed clean ladder at 205, 215, and 225 pounds (93, 98, 102kg).
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