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Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Happy almost Fourth of July. There won’t be a Morning Chalk Up tomorrow.
Today’s edition was chalked up while listening to Emily Bridgers’ Road to the Games Spotify playlist. These are some of the tunes she’s listening to while training for the 2017 CrossFit Games. Turn this up next time you’re in the box or garage for a WOD.
Spotify just passed 140 million users making it the leading media platform for music, fans, and brands. Signup for your free account today and starts streaming your favorite songs. Life needs some color, color it with music.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Take hold of your passion and roam to the end of the earth for your happiness. Never become blinded by doubt. You can soar even in the most unusual forces of storm.” — Unknown
CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HIT THE BOX
“My name is Jessica Solomon, and I’m a plus-size CrossFit athlete.” This is her story.
Here’s the first look at the CrossFit Games schedule. Scott Panchik and Jeb Simmons redo the beach WOD from the 2014 CrossFit Games. Logan Aldridge has only one arm and he climbs a rope. If your kid plays basketball, have them try this dribbling drill from Jamie Hagiya. Chyna Cho hits a snatch PR. Ben Benson celebrates his birthday. Andrea Ager’s top five brands every CrossFitter should know…#1 Morning Chalk Up! Carleen Mathews does Barbara in a weight vest. Sara Sigmundsdottir gets a new pair of custom Nike Metcons. Maddy Myers hits a 325 pound pause squat.
With your second cup of coffee…If you’ve been enjoying the Morning Chalk Up, review us on Facebook.
Mattie Rogers opens up about missing the clean and jerk that would have sent her to the Olympics…”It came down to my final lift of the competition to try and reclaim the 2nd position…We had to take a 9kg jump to this lift. 8kg over the current American record…and if I’m being honest, only 4kg less than the most I’d ever DEADLIFTED. For other sport athletes, think about your max deadlift. Now think about trying to clean and jerk it. I simply did not have it in me that day. No excuses, no pity party, I just could not successfully lift that amount of weight on that day. Everything I had been working towards to that point was gone with that one missed lift. I sat in the stands and watched in Rio because of that one missed lift. And yeah, it absolutely crushed me. Still does. It took me MONTHS to get past that. Mentally, physically, emotionally…”
Mattie Rogers opens up about missing the clean and jerk that would have sent her to the Olympics…”It came down to my final lift of the competition to try and reclaim the 2nd position…We had to take a 9kg jump to this lift. 8kg over the current American record…and if I’m being honest, only 4kg less than the most I’d ever DEADLIFTED. For other sport athletes, think about your max deadlift. Now think about trying to clean and jerk it. I simply did not have it in me that day. No excuses, no pity party, I just could not successfully lift that amount of weight on that day. Everything I had been working towards to that point was gone with that one missed lift. I sat in the stands and watched in Rio because of that one missed lift. And yeah, it absolutely crushed me. Still does. It took me MONTHS to get past that. Mentally, physically, emotionally…”
THINGS TO…
WATCH: Update with Val Voboril
After taking fourth place at the California Regional this year, Valerie Voboril will make her sixth trip to the CrossFit Games this August. Tommy Marquez catches up with the full time mother and teacher as she’s training for Madison.
WATCH.
WATCH.
HEAR: Kristen Pedri
A perennial Regionals athlete and one of the older athletes to qualify for the CrossFit Games, Kristen Pedri sits down with Beyond the Barbell about what it’s like to finally qualify at 35-years-old after her fifth trip to Regionals.
TUNE IN.
TUNE IN.
EAT: Tequila Cilantro Lime Chicken
Need something easy you can make on the grill tomorrow for the 4th of July? Try this Tequila Lime Chicken from PaleOMG.
THE GRILLS ON.
THE GRILLS ON.
CHALK UP AFFILIATES
STORY SERIES: How has CrossFit helped you achieve a goal?
“Not only did I 1RM front squat 175 pounds, it’s also a time I realized that I no longer have this warped idea that I have to be this stick figure shape (that I’ve felt most of my life!). I’ve learned to love and appreciate my body the way it is because of what I can do, with proper diet and exercise. I’m not sure I would have found that without CrossFit and I’m so grateful for everyone that I’ve set foot in our ‘box’ with! Such a positive and encouraging environment! Can’t wait for more.” — Tiarra Rexford, Steamboat CrossFit in Steamboat Springs, COShare Your Story.
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“She was smiling the whole time.”When Tiffany Gambill was diagnosed with a neuromuscular condition at age 15, a doctor told her she would need to use a wheelchair within five years and not to do anything too physical in the meantime. Six years ago, her mother Joan joined a CrossFit affiliate in Bridgewater, MA in order to get stronger to help take care of her daughter. Already in a wheelchair, Tiffany joined her mother shortly thereafter to build her upper body strength. When she decided she wanted to do a Spartan Race, five members of her affiliate stepped up to carry her through the five-mile race.
CHALK UP READS
“Declining the Diet Coke Death Wish” by Emily Beers, CrossFit Journal
Mike McManus accepted his fate. “I was going to be just like my father,” he said. Overweight his entire life, McManus’ father died of a heart attack six years ago.
“I’m not blaming my father for why I was overweight, but I just didn’t grow up in a household that drilled eating well and exercising into our heads. So yeah, I just assumed I would grow up and be a fat guy and die young,” 41-year-old McManus said.
By the time he was in his 30s, McManus found himself following his father’s footsteps. “I weighed 340 pounds. My blood pressure was out of control. I was definitely destined for a massive heart attack, just like my father. I wasn’t happy with myself, but at the same time, to a certain degree, I just accepted that that’s the way my life was going.”