Your flags aren’t safe anymore

Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Today’s edition is powered by Working Against Gravity, the Official Sports Nutrition Sponsor of the Morning Chalk Up.

Working hard in the gym but not getting the results you want? Check your food, bro.

“Everything is impossible, until somebody does it.” — Bruce Wayne

Your flags are no longer safe.

The story.

It was 9:00 AM on Memorial Day and Levi Fewell, coach at Oak Strong CrossFit in Muskogee, OK walked outside to hoist up the American Flag. 

You guessed it, he was preparing for athletes to arrive to complete Murph. Like many other gyms across the country, they were using it as a fundraiser. 

Sounds like business as usual, so far…

Three hours later, sometime after the second group finished up, Levi walked outside a noticed that something was missing. 

The American Flag and the ‘Don’t Tread On Me’ flag flying next to it. 

Ummmmm really?

Yes, someone stole Oak Strong CrossFit’s American Flag on Memorial Day. 

“That’s really unAmerican,” Levi told a local news station. 

Seriusly though, that’s pretty sad. 

THE DEETS

Regionals kicks off today.

Because of the 17 hour time difference between California and Sydney, Australia, the Pacific Regionals actually kicks off today at 4:00 PM Pacific. 

Here’s a preview of what to watch for in Sydney. 

How do I watch?

As of late last night, the individual event streaming links weren’t available. However, the CrossFit Games Facebook page will be streaming all events and heats. You can also access them on Games.CrossFit.com. 

Heat Times

To make your life a little easier, and take some of the guesswork out of when athletes are competing, we built these Google Calendars with times and heat breakdowns for each regional so you can synch to Google or iCal. We will update each event with lane assignments daily.

iCal: Pacific

Google: Pacific

We’ll have the Meridian and Atlantic Regionals calendars tomorrow.

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL.

Regionals Reflections.

Becca Voigt — “I am still trying to find the words to express how grateful I am for everything but for now let me just say, Thank You! I love this community.”

Carleen Mathews — “There’s still so many emotions flooding me. One minute I can’t believe I’m not training for the CrossFit Games, the next minute I’m PROUD to say I’m the 7th fittest in the WEST. What’s next? I don’t even know, but I do know this is all just a part of MY journey, I want to continue to inspire others, I want to continue to open doors for those in recovery, I want to continue to grow as a coach, athlete, business owner, wife, and person. The story goes on, the next chapter in this book of life has yet to be written!!!”

Aex Parker — “That was one hell of a weekend. It was, mentally and physically, the toughest Regionals weekend ever for me…I am happy with my effort and performance but disappointed that I fell short again of reaching the ultimate goal of the Games. I learned more about myself and I made valuable personal connections, two things I will never take for granted. CrossFit remains one of the best parts of my life. It brings me so much joy.”

Things To…

HEAR: How CrossFit Fights Disease  

Nicole Carroll, CrossFIt HQ’s Director of Training and Certification, joins the Brute Strength Podcast to talk about CrossFit’s mission to fight chronic disease. As one of the original members of Greg Glassman’s first box in Santa Cruz, CA, Nicole shares some old school stories from the founding days. It had such an impact she even changed careers. 

THE BIG IMPACT.

TRY: Success Means Starting Today 

We don’t know about you, but Regionals always makes us itch to start upping our training. Breaking Muscle lists six things you should be doing to get better in time for the 2019 CrossFit Open.

I CAN DO SIX.

BUY: The One Thing You Love to Hate

Now that you’re looking to train harder for 2019, check out the sale Assault Fitness is running that just might help you hate the assault bike less. 

IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?

EAT: Best Healthy Coleslaw Ever with No Mayo

Not everyone loves mayo, so next time you find one of those odd people over at your place for dinner, have this coleslaw on hand and ready to go. 

MORE MAYO FOR ME.

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

Chalk Up Community

• 29 STUNNING PHOTOS FROM BRAZIL — By now you’ve heard about the challenges CrossFit faced down in Brazil (If not, read here). Here are 29 behind-the-scenes photos that tell the story of how the first Latin America Regional in years all came together. 
• SUCCESS STORY — Hayley Hurst details how she lost 30 pounds in three months by just changing up her nutrition and maintaining her current workout schedule. 
• HEADS UP — For the first time ever, CrossFit Regionals will be live on TV. CBS Sports will be down at the Atlantic Regional covering the event live on Saturday and Sunday. 

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

Maddy Myers hits a 215 pound post-surgery squat clean PR • You can go workout with Bethany Shadburne this Saturday from 9 – 11 AM at StoneYard CrossFit in Allen, TX • Happy 41st Birthday to Katrin Davidsdottir’s mom • Tennil Beuerlein recharges in Pisa, Italy before CrossFit Games training kicks off • Brigitte Osborn from
Red Wolf CrossFit hits a 330 pound deadlift for five reps.

…and brace yourselves. Trader Joe’s just announced a new, healthier version of hot Cheetos. You’re welcome. 

CrossFit Mayhem ladies on being treated as equals on the competition floor — At the Central Regionals last weekend “…Across both pairs on both Mayhem teams, it was the women who pushed the barbell forward, as their male counterparts stood still and visibly took a few deep breaths.

“‘They expect more out of us,’ says veteran Mayhem Freedom team member Lindy Barber. ‘They don’t treat women any differently. Most workouts at home, we’ll even do the same amount of calories’ (as the men) continues Barber.”

The Brute Showdown — Two weeks ago, Brute Strength pitted a CrossFitter, a powerlifter, a bodybuilder and an Olympic Weightlifter to see who would prevail after 10 events. Didn’t watch? You can catch-up here.

Now it’s the ladies turn, and Brute Strength wants your help voting on the sports and the athletes. 

“The Unique Qualities of CrossFit” by Rachel Basinger, Miami Herald

Amy Tungate said that the CrossFit program is really a draw for women, which makes up about two-thirds of the members at CrossFit U-Town.

“I think it’s because CrossFit gives them a feeling of empowerment and accomplishment,” she said. “There’s a great support system of females here and I think that’s what really attracts them.

“It’s amazing to see a mom accomplish her first pull-up,” Amy Tungate added. “That sense of empowerment that they have, they take it back to their families and it allows them to be a better mom.”

Both added that during the workouts, even when a person comes in last, that person is still doing way more than the person who is at home sitting on the couch.

6/1 – 6/3: Atlantic Regional (West Palm Beach, FL)

6/1 – 6/3: Meridian Regional (Madrid, Spain)

6/1 – 6/3: Pacific Regional (Sydney, Australia)

6/2: Kegs and Kilos (Manhattan, KS)

6/2: Long Island Masters (Hauppauge, NY)

6/2: Texas WOD Fest (Houston, TX)

6/2: Tacos and Tequila Throwdown (Highlands Ranch, CO)

6/2: Meshugge CrossFit Summer Melee (Overland Park, KS)

6/3: Summer Sizzler Individual Masters Competition (Burlington, MA)

6/8 – 6/9: Bricktown Throwdown (Bricktown, OKC)

6/9: Beastette Bash at CrossFit Ananda (Arlington, TX)

6/9: Gulf Coast Games (Mandeville, LA)

6/9: WOD Wars 6 (Humble, TX)

6/9: Big Orange Brawl (Knoxville, TN)

6/9: Heroes of the Platform (Meridian, ID)

6/9: Triple Crown Fitness Event (Greenville, NC)

6/9: 3rd Annual Masters Main Event  (North Ridgeville, OH) 

6/9 – 6/10: The Heartland Games 2018 (Chicago, IL)

6/9 – 6/10: Alaka’i SUPER Summer Slam (Kapolei, HI)

6/9 – 6/10: The Battle of Amsterdam (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

6/16: Battle on the Creek (Johns Creek, GA)

6/16: Full Battle Rattle (Robinson, IL)

6/16: East Coast War (Wilmington, NC)

6/19: Gauntlett VIII – River Rumble (Portsmouth, OH)

6/22 – 6/24: The Bacon Beatdown (Daytona Beach, FL)

6/23: Garage Girls CrossFit Grit (St. Simons Island, GA)

6/23: 2018 Summer Swolestice (Gresham, OR)

6/23: HAMCO Heat (McLeansboro, IL)

6/23: The Greenville Games (Greenville, SC)

6/23: The Burn Out (New Bern, NC)

6/23: Battle of the Border (Phenix City, AL)

6/23: Battle of a Beauty with a Beast (South Hadley, MA)

6/23 – 6/24: Asbury Park Summer Games (Asbury Park, NJ)

6/23 – 6/24: The Dakota Games (Fargo, ND)

6/30: Summer Stampede (Bethlehem, PA)

6/30: Battle of the Ballpark (Seattle, WA)