These 9 Open WODs Won’t Be Repeated, Probably

Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Today’s edition is powered by RXBAR.

In case you missed the big bold words on Monday, we’re giving away a year supply of bars. Click here to enter. 

“I’m a great believer in luck. And I find that the harder I work, the more I have of it.” — Thomas Jefferson

Brianna Battles Wants to Keep Pregnant Athletes in the Gym

Who is Brianna Battles?

Brianna Battles is the Founder of Pregnant and Postpartum Athleticism, a program designed to help coaches, trainers and practitioners learn how to coach pregnant and postpartum athletes in an online, self-paced course. 

OK, got it. So how’d this whole thing come about?

Six years ago, Battles was pregnant with her first son.

“My doctors told me to listen to my body and do what I’ve always done. Well, if you tell a CrossFitter that it can be extreme in some ways because of the mental approach. It’s a different mentality,” she told us in an interview.

Which is what she did until she had her son, Cade. But when she tried to return to the gym she discovered a whole new set of problems.

A tougher comeback.

“I thought I was exempt. I was not,” she told us in an interview. 

Battles started researching and teaching herself what she needed to know to return to her regular training schedule. She started speaking out on social media about the problems she faced as a postpartum athlete and soon women everywhere were reaching out to share their stories. She realized that there was a gap in addressing the needs of pregnant and postpartum athletes.

So she decided to fill that gap.

Now, Brianna has worked with athletes like Lindsey Valenzuela and Quiana Welch during and after their pregnancies. She’s been on the Girls Gone WOD podcast and the Fed & Fit podcast, an appeared in Shape, W Magazine, and Muscle & Fitness.

And with more than 400 coaches trained as a PPA coach, Battles is seeing the tides turn.

“We’ve seen such an uptick recently in the number of women that have always identified of athletes and fast forward ten or twenty years and they’re thinking of families but don’t want to stop competing. And they don’t have to.

Every week through the 2019 CrossFit Open, Brianna and her coaches are highlighting Open scaling options, strategies and suggestions for pregnant and postpartum athletes on their Instagram page so that pregnant and post-partum athletes can still participate in the sport that they love.

“If we are advocating a lifetime of fitness and inclusivity, then there is a whole population of people who are being left out and being sold a hurtful message. We don’t need to be convinced to work out, the buy-in is already there. We need to be convinced to work out differently when our body is different.”

DATA DUMP.

These 9 Open Workouts Won’t Be Repeated, Probably

As we look towards the announcement of 19.2 on Thursday, we can already eliminate certain workouts from the line-up of possible repeats.

A long as we don’t see a movement repeated in 2019, the following nine workouts are out for possible repeats:

11.5, 12.4, 13.3, 14.4, 15.3, 15.5, 16.4, 17.4 and 18.1.

OK, got it. So what could be repeated?

Predicting Open repeats is a lot like predicting which two teams will compete in the Super Bowl after week 1. That is to say, it’s not that probable we’ll be accurate.

But here are a few helpful facts to keep in mind:

1. There has only been one movement repeated in the same year: bar facing burpees in 16.1 and 16.5. So let’s assume no repeated movements.
2. Every repeat since 2014 has been re-tested the same week it was originally announced. (Ex. 11.1 is 14.1)
3. No WODs from 2013 or 2015 have ever been repeated. 2011 has had three repeats and 2014 has had two.

Continue Reading…

Coffee Break Conversations

Did your 19.1 score leave you feeling less than fulfilled?

No one likes that feeling. So, here is a helpful guide from Laurie Christine King on how to eat before and after the Open WODs, as well as steps to take if you’re planning a re-do. 

Speaking of food…

FNX just released their Reform Vegan Protein, and it’s completely plant-based and organic. Reform comes in vanilla and chocolate flavors and gives you 20 grams of protein and less than one gram of sugar per serving. Everyone loves options, especially when they’re delicious. 

Things To…

WATCH: Noah Ohlsen Does 19.1 Again.

Follow along with Noah Ohlsen’s second attempt at 19.1 all the way through. Stick around until the end of this video to find out how Ohlsen will be training during these next few weeks.

THAT ROW PACE THO.

HEAR: Todd Nief on the Alpha Hippie Podcast

Coach and affiliate owner Todd Nief joined Angelo Sisco on the Alpha Hippie podcast where the two discuss everything from owning a gym, being an introvert and how Todd applies being a musician to his life now as a coach.

TODD HAS THE BEST SHIRTS.

GET: Two Free Filet Mignon and Free Bacon 

What is better than free steak? A side of free bacon with your steak, of course. ButcherBox Filet Mignons are 100% grass-fed and grass-finished and raised free from antibiotics and hormones and their bacon is uncured, free of sugar and nitrates, non-GMO verified, hormone free, made from pasture raised heritage breed pigs and whole30 approved! 

DINNER IS SERVED.

EAT: Creamy Tart Cherry Smoothie Bowl

This creamy and tart cherry smoothie bowl is full of good fats and a boost of protein for a delicious post-workout breakfast or snack that’s perfect for refueling and recovering. And, best yet, it tastes like cherry pie ice cream.

SWEET CHERRY PIE OH YEAH.

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Chalk Up Community

• SECOND LOCATION — Summit CrossFit which opened almost six years ago just celebrated the grand opening of their second location, Summit CrossFit South in Hendersonville, NC. 
• REPS FOR RESCUES –– The next Reps for Rescues fundraiser WOD is March 30 at CrossFit Hanover in Hanover, PA. All proceeds raised go to Reps For Rescues, a non-profit that works to end the unnecessary killing in animal
  shelters by impeding overpopulation, educating pet parents, and supporting animal shelters.
• LIFEAID AND RPM GIVEAWAY– Right now, if you buy 48 cans of LIFEAID, you get a free RPM rope and you get free shipping. No special code needed, just go get your cans!
• FREE FAMILY FUN — CrossFit Direct Action in Azusa, CA has started a new youth program. On March 2, they are holding a free family event with trial classes and games for the kids as well as food, beverages, and entertainment. You can also learn more about their fundraiser for KidzSpirit Partners which benefits kids of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
• CROSSFIT KIDS PROGRAMS — Beartooth CrossFit in Billings, MT has a twelve-week long CrossFit Kids program starting March 12. CrossFit Platoon in Clinton Township, MI has a teens program also starting in March. 

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

You can win a year’s worth of Gainz Box in a giveaway with Annie Thorisdottir • Guido Trinidad welcomed new daughter Vida on February 6 • Carly Fuhrer cleans 215 pounds from the blocks • Kevin Ogar did 19.1 on Saturday while teaching an Adaptive CrossFit seminar and Becky Harsh joined in with a seated version • John Swolo back squats 460 pounds • Jean Michel Freitas front squats 176 pounds •  Sarabeth McLendon Jumper snatched 176 pounds • You can do 19.4 with Rich Froning • Ben Alderman did ten overhead squats at 225 pounds.

…and remember that one time Mat Fraser got to ride in an F-16?

Week One of Trash Talk Thursday — Pat Vellner was the least fittest this week among the #TrashTalkThursday gang. He took his lumps as promised: flour and water balloon bombs. Good thing he lives in freezing Canada, eh?

A Few Things to Remember Through the Open — Games athlete Amanda Barnhart offers a few words of encouragement for these next four weeks. “Here are some of my thoughts to focus on what is important. You know that not everything will go smoothly the next five weeks. and that is okay. Workouts may not be ideal, sleep may be lacking, sickness may creep in and life happens but you are going to be okay because you are prepared for adversity.
You are expecting it…This time is exciting because you have worked so hard all year, but this time does not define who you are. You are not defined by Open workouts or leaderboard standings. You are already enough and you are LOVED. So just embrace this time, do your best, and have fun because you deserve this.”

— P.S. Barnhart is currently 8th in the world after 19.1.

Maddie Sturts Mom Underwent Surgery — On Valentine’s Day, Maddie Sturt’s mother, Lisa, discovered she has breast cancer. Maddie posted yesterday that her mom was headed for surgery and that the only complaint from Mom so far is that she can’t do the Open. We hope for a speedy recovery for Lisa.

Pencil This In — Don’t forget that tomorrow is another episode of On the Minute with our Founder and Editor-in-Chief Justin LoFranco and ArmenHammer TV. Set all your alarms for 5:00 PM PT to catch it when it airs. If you missed the last episode, you can get caught up here.

One Thing You Should Do Today — Write a letter to seven-year-old Emma Mertens, who is fighting a very rare, inoperable brain tumor called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. Emma is currently undergoing daily radiation therapy and hopes to receive letters from dogs to comfort her through her treatment.

— So sit down with your CrossFit pup and help them write something to sweet Emma. (She also welcomes photos of your pup, too!) You can also send an email to EmmaLovesDogs7@gmail.com.

— If you’d like to send a physical letter to Emma, the address is:

Emma Mertens

PO Box 230

Hartland, WI 53029

Why Do Some People Still Demonize CrossFit — Patrick Blennerhassett of the South China Morning Post wrote an opinion piece on why people are still demonizing CrossFit, author Patrick
Blennerhassett writes, “When you look at CrossFit from an objective angle, it’s tough to see anything other than something that is having a positive impact on certain portions of the population.

— “CrossFit takes a small cut for affiliation rights to each gym, however each box is locally owned and operated, and one could argue the branding benefits both parties equally. This can’t be said for many other large scale fitness chains, who simply plop down franchises, hire employees, and rake in the dough.”

— “The hatred seems to stem from people’s disdain for taking fitness too seriously; that Crossfitters are too aggressive, outgoing and unabashed in sharing their WOD stories.

— “If you ask me, that sounds like pretty much every sport or fitness regime on the face of the planet. Tell a diehard football fan you don’t like their favourite team and you’re likely to get a vehement defence thrown back in your face. Ask a cycling fanatic about cycling and you probably won’t be able to shut him or her up for hours.”

“A CrossFit Affiliate was Invited to Facebook,” by Jessica Danger, Morning Chalk Up

A few months ago, Nikole Gessler, owner of CrossFit Recursive in Madison, WI got a notification in her Facebook feed inviting her to apply to the 2019 Facebook Communities Summit. She filled out the questionnaire and promptly forgot about it. Then one month later Gessler got an email requesting a phone interview with several of Facebook’s staff.

In the interview, Gessler told Facebook about CrossFit, it’s unbelievable community of support and fitness, and the CrossFit Recursive was playing in it. By the end of the call, Gessler had been invited to the Summit.

Thousands had been interviewed but in the end only about 300 community leaders were selected to represent themselves at Facebook HQ in Menlo Park, CA.

And Nikole Gessler and CrossFit Recursive were one of them.

Throughout the two day Summit, Gessler heard from speakers like Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s COO, who made a point to reassure everyone that they’ been chosen for a reason. Gessler told us, “She said ‘We deserved to be there. We had proven to be leaders in our communities. Many of us still didn’t believe it yet though.”

She also got to hear from Mark Zuckerberg himself, who made an appearance to welcome everyone to Facebook and thank them for the important work of leading communities.

2/28: Open Announcement 19.2 (Online)

3/7: Open Announcement 19.3 (Online) 

3/14: Open Announcement 19.4 (Online)

3/21: Open Announcement 19.5 (Online)

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

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

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

3/30: Crossfit Redoubt Open Competition (Slovakia)

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

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

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)

4/10 – 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)

4/15 – 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)

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

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

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

4/27: Festivus Games (Worldwide)

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

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