What if you could replace your WOD by taking a pill?

Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Today’s edition is fueled by FITAID, the Official Beverage Sponsor of the Morning Chalk Up. 18.3 is on the horizon. You have your ice-cold FITAID for recovery – now why not add some FITAID swag to the mix? The guys at FITAID have been in a seriously giving mood during the 2018 Open – now they’re giving Chalk Up readers 20% off all FITAID apparel, today through
Sunday. Get 20% off their 2018 Games Season Apparel, joggers and more! Just use the code “FEEDTHENEED20” at checkout.

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” — Mark Twain

WHEN YOU HATE EXERCISING BUT LOVE THE GAINS.

There’s gonna be a pill for that.

No, really.

A lab in La Jolla, California is in the process of developing a pill that tricks the body into thinking it’s worked out without ever lifting a finger so the body burns fat as fast as Rich Froning completes Fran.

UMMMMM, where can I get it?

Not so fast.

Everyone from amateur athletes to elite athletes will want it to cheat the system. Sedentary people all over, looking for that magic pill, will want it. But this exercise pill is actually designed for people that really need it, like people that are actually incapable of exercise, like those with severe muscle disorders.

The FDA doesn’t recognize “the inability to exercise” as an illness so good luck getting it any time soon. But know that the drug is already banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and probably all future versions will be too.

So looks like you’ll still need to WOD.

COFFEE BREAK CONVERSATIONS

What to tell your friend who’s willing to bleed to achieve…

It’s just a saying. Well, not for Mikhail Shivlyakov who’s nose started spurting blood while deadlifting 939 pounds at the Arnold last week, but he didn’t stop. Oh and that wasn’t the winning lift — not by a LOOONG SHOT. Hafthor Bjornsson set a new World Record, deadlifting 1,041 pounds — but no blood so his link comes second. 

“10 Things That Require Zero Talent” from CrossFit Weightlifting.

Being on time.

Making an effort.

Being high energy.

Having a positive attitude.

Being passionate.

Using good body language.

Being coachable.

Doing a little extra.

Being prepared.

Having a strong work ethic.

THINGS TO…

WATCH: Morning Chalk Up’s Founder on…Morning Chalk Up

Our founder, Justin LoFranco, joined the FITAID Morning Show to talk about how he traded in his suit and tie and career in politics to start this newsletter about CrossFit. He also fought us tooth and nail about inlcuding this video, but luckily for you we won out. 

MEET OUR FOUNDER.

HEAR: CrossFit Docs with Greg Glassman

How many of you have a doctor who does CrossFit? Coach Greg Glassman just hosted the first Physicians Level 1 in Aromas, CA and he sat down with Julie Foucher (a physician to be) to talk about this new initiative to fund public health activism.

TUNE IN.

KNOW: WODing on the Road

Whether you travel often for work or pleasure, it can be extremely challenging to keep up with you fitness. Brute Strength’s Nick Fowler offers some of his tips, and also how he tackles eating at the airport. 

TRAVEL FITTER.

EAT: Mediterranean Chimichurri

This Mediterranean chimichurri sauce with olive oil and a blend of the freshest flavors is totally different from any other sauce you’ve used as a garnish lately. Use it over beef, lamb, chicken, seafood, and eggs for the perfect pairing.

GET THE RECIPE.

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

CHALK UP COMMUNITY

• ADAPTIVE CO-OWNER — Nearly four years ago, Jedidiah Snelson was in a motocross race accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Just a few weeks ago, Jed and a partner opened CrossFit Fireside in Meridian, ID. We feel like it’s going to be pretty hard for any athlete to tell Jedidiah “I can’t.”
• PRO TIP — You all got a little taste of unilateral action during 18.1, but here’s a great tip and maybe one of the best explanations of why you should incorporate it into your regular training.
• 6 THINGS — No that you’ve recovered from the fire lung you just suffered through during 18.2, here are six things that will make you forget about all that pain, and smile. 

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

FITAID is now an Official Partner of the U.S. Spartan Race Series • Hafthor Bjornsson broke another World Record at the Arnold, by tossing a 56 pound weight over a 20 pound bar • Lauren Fisher got her own Rogue Fitness branded t-shirt • Tia-Clair Toomey now has her own Rogue socks • CrossFit HQ just launched a new Instagram account @CrossFitHealth to share content specifically about CrossFit’s efforts to impact the health care industry.

…and this is all the motivation you need to remember that you can do anything you set your mind to. 

18.3 — Dave Castro will probs post a clue today.

The 385 pound clean everyone is talking about — The Internet exploded after the CrossFit Games Facebook page posted a clip of Mathew Fraser cleaning 385 pounds in 18.2a. The only thing is, that’s not the score he submitted. The attempt, which was done at Rogue HQ, likely included a slower 18.2. We’re guessing here, but he probably improved his 18.2 standing
significantly more than five pounds would in 18.2a. After all, from where Mat sits, 10 seconds is equivalent to 98 places on the leaderboard. Ben Smith, on the other hand, cleaned 385 pounds in case anyone wants to know. 

“You Want Small Wins, Not Six Pack Abs” by Brooke Rosenbauer, Gameplan A

As an athlete, would you go from the locker room to full-on sprints? Not if you are smart –because you would perform poorly and probably get injured. Even though setting that PR might be the ultimate goal, get to the top. We all need to warm up for the big stuff and it’s the same for the other areas of our lives, from business to personal finances to adopting new healthy lifestyles. Just like in business, celebrating small wins will help you create a roadmap for where you want to go in the long term.

For those of us who aren’t elite athletes, the early months of the year are often the reset point and a fresh start on our business goals and health ambitions. One of the reasons that people fail at their goals, however, is because they fall victim to the ‘false hope’ syndrome.

We chase the rush, declaring big hopes, big dreams and then abandon all efforts when reality sets in.

3/8: CrossFit Open 18.3 (Worldwide)3/10: Women Who WOD (Barbados)

3/15: CrossFit Open 18.4 (Worldwide)

3/22: CrossFit Open 18.5 (Worldwide)

3/23: The Redeemed and the Dominant: Fittest on Earth is released (iTunes)

3/24: 4th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Competition (Norwood, MA)

4/7: Battle of the Badges (Anaheim, CA)

4/7: The Revolution (San Antonio, TX)

4/7: GenX Masters Comp (Salem, MA)

4/13 – 4/15: The Railyard Games (Albuquerque, NM)

4/14: Battle for the Mountain (Dawsonville, GA)

4/14: Appalachian Games (Asheville, NC)

4/14: Deuces Wild by Warrior Affiliate League (Baldwin Park, CA)

4/14: Atlas Blarney Stone Competition (Denver, CO)

4/14 – 4/15: Mid-Atlantic Affiliate Challenge (Columbia, MD)

4/14 – 4/15: WOD Wars Fitfest (Dunedin, FL)

4/19: Teens and Masters Qualifier (Invitation Only)

4/20 – 4/22: Athens Throwdown (Athens, Greece)

4/21: Festivus Games (Nationwide)

4/21: Mayhem for MSR (Cookeville, TN)

4/21: Loganville Lockdown (Loganville, GA)

4/21: FoxWOD (Panama City Beach, FL)

4/21: Swamp Challenge (Gainesville, FL)

4/28: Battleground SoCal (Wimington, CA)

4/28: Girls Gone Rx (Cincinnati, OH)

4/28: Salem Slaughterfest (Salem, OR)

4/28: 3rd Annual Appletown Throwdown (Cornelia, GA)

4/28 – 4/29: Walter’s Cup Throwdown (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

5/4 – 5/5: Tough As Nails (Lubbock, TX)

5/4 – 5/6: European Masters Throwdown (Budapest, Hungary)

5/5 – 5/6: Tribal Clash (Quarteira, Portugal)

5/5: Cinco de Mayo Classic (San Antonio, TX)

5/5: The Locomotive Games III (Youngstown, OH)

5/5: Granite Games Throwdown (Southaven,  MS)

5/11 – 5/12: Beast Mode Games (Greenville, SC)

5/11 – 5/12: Midwest Monster (Joplin, MO)

5/11 – 5/12: Reebok’s Ready for Action – Fittest in Israel (Israel)

5/12: Barbells for Bullies (Danbury, CT)

5/12: The Mountain Meltdown (Parks City, UT)

5/19: Raising the Bar for Recovery (Medina, OH)

5/19: East Coast Battle (Hanover, MD)

5/28: The HAMMY (Hudson, OH)

5/19 – 5/20: GameDay Mankato (Mankato, MN)

5/26: Beauty is a Beast 2 (Indian Rocks Beach, FL)