Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Today’s edition is brought to you by BUBS NATURALS.

What do the World Series Champs, Chris Spealler, Jason Khalipa, Navy SEAL Chris Smith and Becca Voigt all have in common?  They all stock their CrossFit boxes (or clubhouses) with the very best in Collagen and MCT Oil Powder. 

All BUBS Collagen Protein is NSF for Sport Certified, which means it’s trusted by organizations like the WORLD SERIES CHAMPION WASHINGTON NATIONALS. You can trust in BUBS to deliver the absolute best in quality for muscle recovery, joint health, and more. NO other brand carries that mark across all their collagen. ?

We know you’ve already got a dozen blender bottles so lets up your Protein Mixing Game. 

Use code “DieYoung” for a FREE BUBS Mix Wand with your next order and good luck this week!

“I’m interested in that thing that happens when there’s a breaking point for some people and not for others. You go through such hardship, things that are almost impossibly difficult, and there’s no sign that it’s going to get any better, and that’s the point when people quit. But some don’t.” — Robert Redford

From Evening Gown to Lifting Singlet

It’s dark backstage.

In the distance, the sound of several voices singing melodies blend together into an indistinguishable hum. The smell of hairspray fills the air. The train of an evening gown glides by in her peripheral vision.

But Mackenzie Christie is focused.

With a deep breath, she steps out onto the stage and into the spotlight. She’s ready for her lifts. And although this setup is familiar to her, this is no ordinary weightlifting meet.

It’s pageant night in Hanover, PA. The 51-year-old local tradition gives high school seniors the chance to participate in a traditional beauty pageant competition featuring all the usual areas of focus: interviews (both on-stage and in-private with the judges), evening gown, scholastic achievements, and of course, talent. And while most of the 15 other competitors prepared choreographed dance routines or practiced their best vocals, Mackenzie took the chance to put her passion for the sport of weightlifting on display in a rather unorthodox setting.

“When I registered for the pageant, I knew that my talent had to be weightlifting. Since I’m not a singer or a dancer or anything, the process of introducing Olympic Weightlifting into a pageant that is inherently designed to emphasize the performing arts was daunting. I knew that people didn’t show up to the pageant to watch a sporting event, so the idea of giving the audience a taste of something they didn’t expect got me excited to perform. Not to mention, since female participation in weightlifting is still relatively unorthodox and unique in the sporting world, let alone my small town, I felt that my talent in this pageant would be breaking barriers on a local scale,” Mackenzie said.

“I used to get so, so mad. I hated the duality of my experience in the sport; I want strong, muscular arms, I love the veins in my hands; to me, all these things represent my hard work, and I think it’s beautiful. But at the same time, I used to go beet red and hide myself when others would point it out on me.

Continue reading…

The Freakest Challenge Returns

One of Europe’s fastest-growing, and unique competitions makes its return to Barcelona, Spain, as the 5th edition of The Freakest Challenge will take place February 1st, 2020 at the Palau Sant Jordi. Featuring a tournament style elimination round competition between eight finalist teams, last year’s competition included participation and appearances from athletes like Lukas Hogberg, Laura Horvath, Sara Sigmundsdottir, and the Fittest Man on Earth Mat Fraser.

A little background: founded in 2015, the first year of competition featured 20 teams competing over the course of four months on location at Fittest Freakest, the specialty training and weightlifting retail store in downtown Barcelona. Each weekend two teams would battle head to head until the field was narrowed to eight teams for the final, and one team was crowned champion.

• Fast forward four years, and last year’s edition saw 1,800 spectators (max capacity) pack into Palau Sant Jordi to watch eight teams of two men, and two women from Spain battle it out in the final event alongside some of the biggest names in the sport of fitness. The Morning Chalk Up was onsite and had the chance to witness the competition and excitement first hand.

How you and your crew can compete: New to this year’s competition, teams from all across Europe are invited to participate in the team competition for their chance to throwdown in February alongside superstar Games athletes. The competition in its entirety will consist of two stages – an online qualifier, and the finals.

• For the qualifier: each gym will be allowed to sign up one team consisting of two men, and two women with rosters being confirmed by the gym’s owner or head coach.
• Registration is free, and the online qualifier will consist of three workouts that will be announced on November 25th and whose results must be submitted before December 2nd at 23:59 PM CEST.
• From the qualifier, the six best teams from Europe along with the two best teams from Spain, will comprise the eight teams selected to compete in the finals at the Palau Sant Jordi.
• At the finals, the eight teams will draw to determine the order and matchups of teams that will then compete in a one on one duel, elimination style, until the field is narrowed to two teams going head to head for the championship.

Continue reading…

Only Minor Penalties for 20.3; Heppner Passes Review

CrossFit released the penalty list after completing the 20.3 video review on Tuesday, a day after the conclusion of the Open. The 23 athletes penalized were received only minor infractions but it still affected the overall leaderboard.

• 13 penalties were for “lack of extension in deadlifts.”
• 7 penalties for a false start.
• 2 penalties for “failure to meet range-of-motion standards in handstand push-up.”

Not on the list: Jacob Heppner, after he did the handstand push-ups on his knuckles.

One big thing: Lefteris Theofanidis received only a minor penalty for “failure to meet range-of-motion standards in handstand push-up.” His submission caused a stir after a video emerged of his measuring for the handstand push-ups. Our own Tommy Marquez reviewed the video and presented multiple red flags.

• A majority of online judges rejected the video, while 27% said the score “needs modification.”

Go deeper:

• “Under Fire, Lefteris Theofanidis’ 20.3 Video Receives Backlash”
• “Jacob Heppner Fist Pumps His Way Through 20.3: Will He Get Away With It?”

Things To…

WATCH: Buttery Bros and Invictus for 20.5
The Buttery Bros, Marston Sawyers and Heber Canon, took on 20.5 at Invictus CrossFit in San Diego. Steve Weatherford punts a head of lettuce at Marz, Rasmus Andersson planned his outfit around his socks, and the Buttery Bros play flip cup.
WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE.

ATTACK: Your Weaknesses
Did the Open expose your weaknesses? Invictus programming, lead by one of the most consistently successful CrossFit coaches, C.J. Martin, is here to help you turn those weaknesses into strengths. Don’t let 21.1 sneak up on you before you tackle them. Which Invictus Program do you need?
BE INVICTUS TRAINED.

KNOW: What Supplements to Take for CrossFit
Whether you’re training for peak performance or long-term health, supplements can be a great way to improve your performance to reach our fitness goals. But with so many different types all promising PRs it’s hard to know where to start.
GET THE GUIDE.

EAT: Autumn Butternut and Brussels Caesar Salad
Make this gorgeous brussels sprouts Caesar salad full of tender roasted butternut squash, shaved brussels sprouts, apple, pomegranate, dates, sweet and salty maple pecans and tossed in a savory dressing. This delicious vegetarian Caesar salad makes the perfect lunch or festive side dish.
EAT ALL THE COLORS.

Today’s edition of the Morning Chalk Up is brought to you by

SPONSORED

Get a Free Mix Wand from BUBS NATURALS

What do the World Series Champs, Chris Spealler, Jason Khalipa, Navy SEAL Chris Smith and Becca Voigt all have in common?  They all stock their CrossFit boxes (or clubhouses) with the very best in Collagen and MCT Oil Powder. 

All BUBS Collagen Protein is NSF for Sport Certified, which means it’s trusted by organizations like the WORLD SERIES CHAMPION WASHINGTON NATIONALS.  You can trust in BUBS to deliver the absolute best in quality for muscle recovery, joint health, and more.  NO other brand carries that mark across all their collagen. ?

We know you’ve already got a dozen blender bottles so lets up your Protein Mixing Game. 

Use code “DieYoung” for a FREE BUBS Mix Wand with your next order and good luck this week!

Chalk Up Community

• FREE WODS IN JOSHUA TREE — CrossFit Joshua Tree is holding a free workout on November 16 and 23 for members of their community. Everyone is invited to participate. 
• JAMIE HAGIYA WEIGHTLIFTING CLINIC — Jamie Hagiya is hosting a one-day clinic on the snatch and clean at CrossFit Vibe in Costa Mesa, CA this Saturday. 

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

Eight-year-old Victoria Sobota did 20.3 strict • Arturo Lara gets a 325 pound clean PR • Matilde Garnes hits a 221 pound power clean double for a PR • Mat Fraser did a photo shoot in Paris • Maddy Espinoza does a complex at 185 pounds • Kristin Pope is expecting a baby • Stefi Cohen did five muscle-ups for a PR • Twelve-year-old Mason Alderman snatches 100 pounds. 

…and Devyn Kim takes her handstands-as-extra-credit very seriously.

Pat Vellner on Currently Being in First Place in the Open — Canadian Games athlete Pat Vellner currently sits in first place on the 2020 Open overall leaderboard, with just one point separating him from fellow Canadian Jeffrey Adler. Vellner expressed pride in his performance this year as well as pride in his growth since 2013. 

“I’m happy to have the second open orf2019 behind me and be in a position to qualify for the 2020 Crossfit Games this early in the year. It’s an added bonus to be sitting in first place right now! It’s a fun feather in the cap, but there is lots of video review to come in the next few weeks and things might change. The bottom line is this: I’m proud of my effort, and it’s a great way to start the year. On to sanctionals. Looking forward to the rest of the 2020 season.

— “I hope everyone out there is proud of their effort in the open this year and learned something about themselves. Just remember that at times it can be frustrating but it’s a long road. Look back sometimes to appreciate the progress you’ve made.”

20.4 Livestream Numbers…overall 295,865. 

“The Open is Over, Now What?” by Justin LoFranco, Morning Chalk Up 

The last five weeks have gone by in a flash and the 10th CrossFit Open has now officially closed. Before we dive into the larger ramifications for the CrossFit Games season, here are a few fun facts worth mentioning:

There are now only two movements that have been programmed in their original form every single year: toes-to-bar and double-unders. Thrusters have been programmed in every Open but once with dumbbells (20.2). Muscle-ups have also been in every Open but they’ve switched between bar muscle-ups and ring muscle-ups.

There have been a number of firsts introduced this season: first time thrusters were not programmed in the final workout and the first time they were with dumbbells; first time pistols were programmed; the first time athletes could partition a workout as desired (20.5), and 20.4’s 315/205 pound clean and jerk is the heaviest ever programmed in an Open workout.

A workout from the third week of the Open has still never been repeated.

First time that C2B pull-ups were not programmed.

First time the same time domain has been used three times (20 minutes), which is also the most used time domain in Open history used 9 times now.

11/15 – 11/16: 24 Hours 24 Heroes (Charleston, SC)
11/16: Warrior Affiliate League Delta Force (City of Industry, CA)
11/16: O-Town Throwdown 2019 (Oconomowoc, WI)
11/16: The Garage Games Masters Tour (Blue Springs, MO)
11/16: The Garage Games Masters Tour (Clemmons, NC)
11/16: The Garage Games Masters Tour (Plainville, CT)
11/16: The Pain Cave SD (San Diego, CA)
11/16: 2019 Graveyard Games (Kenosha, WI)
11/16: Mid-Atlantic Masters Classic (Abingdon, MD)
11/16: 3rd Annual Bombs & Barbells (Pooler, GA)
11/16: Mama Said Knock You Out (Canton, CT)
11/16: Olson WOD (Hanford, CA)
11/16: CFP’s 6th annual Fall Brawl (Pittsfield, MA)
11/16: 4th Annual Battle of the Badges (St. Louis, MO)
11/16 – 11/17: 24 Hours of Heroes (London, ON)
11/17: Annual Ghetto Games (Plainville, MA)
11/17: Crews For Brews (Windsor, Ontario)
11/22: Sixth Annual Gobbler Gauntlet (Scottsdale, AZ)
11/23: Kettlebells for Balls (Newburyport, MA)
11/23: Keep Austin W.O.D.ing (Austin, TX)
11/23: CrossFit XLTs 6th Annual Turkey Bash (Chatham, IL)
11/23: Fitness for Ellie Fundraiser (Amherst, OH)
11/23: Rise of the South (Statesboro, GA)
11/23 Vekter Games (Laurel, MD)
11/23 – 11/24: South Loop Games (Chicago, IL)
12/7: New Wods on the Block (Lubbock, TX)
12/7: Warrior Affiliate League Battle Royale (Whittier, CA)
12/7: Game of Rowers (Norwood, MA)
12/7: 2019 Local RIVals Series (Colchester, CT)
12/7: Granite Games Throwdown at Slate CrossFit (Seattle, WA)
12/7: 4th Annual Reindeer Games (Bismarck, ND)
12/15: Strong New York (New York, NY)