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5 Key Takeaways From the Men's Division at the 2024 CrossFit Games

August 23rd, 2024

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Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up.

In today’s edition:

  • “Super Sunday” and four other quick takeaways from the Men’s Division at the 2024 CrossFit Games.

  • Check out five macros misconceptions that may be keeping you from hitting your nutrition goals.

  • We’ve heard stories from athletes, coaches, media, and others about their decisions to compete or stay in Fort Worth following the tragic events of the first day. But what about the spectators? We talked to some to get their perspectives.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I remember thinking that I’m still here and the reason I’m here is because I don’t know how not to be,” - Elly Trickett, CrossFit coach and 2024 Games spectator on the fan experience in Fort Worth

CROSSFIT GAMES

Credit: Carlos Fleury

5 Takeaways From the Men’s Division at the 2024 CrossFit Games

Once the 2024 CrossFit Games concluded, nearly all the athletes took to social media to share their challenges to compete at a high level while mourning the loss of Lazar Đukić.

As fans watched the events, we could see that athletes weren’t performing at their peak, given the tragic event that had occurred over the weekend.

  • With that in mind, there’s an argument that what happened at the 2024 Games should be taken with a grain of salt and given an asterisk for the entire weekend.

Right or wrong, the Games continued. And with it, there are some interesting takeaways as we head into the off-season.

Fresh Faces Emerged

The 2024 CrossFit Games podium comprised James Sprague, Dallin Pepper, and Brent Fikowski. None of them finished on the podium in 2023. Of course, Fikowski stood on the podium twice previously.

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SPEED READS

Divisional Games First Workouts Announced: The 2024 Masters CrossFit Games by Legends and the 2024 Teenage Crossfit Games by Pit Teen Throwdown released all their workouts for their upcoming events. The Masters will take on ten tests, while the Teens will take on seven.

Good Reads: This has been a heavy news week and in case you missed them, both Men’s Health and the New York Times published articles related to CrossFit, the 2024 Games, and the recent public demands made by the PFAA.

Talking Elite Fitness — Sunday at the Games Series: Tommy Marquez and Lauren Kalil were on the ground at the 2024 CrossFit Games and interviewed athletes, coaches, and managers on the final day of the competition. Check out the series so far to hear their thoughts on the gravity of the events in Fort Worth and how they were navigating it:

Lazar Ðukić Support Funds have been set up here and here for those who are able to give.

ICYMI: Earlier this week, we spoke with the president of the Professional Fitness Athletes’ Association, Brent Fikowski, and the COO, Grace Paulus. Check out five key takeaways from our conversation.

ICYMI, part 2: The CrossFit community is known for coming together to support its members, and in the wake of Lazar Ðukic’s tragic death, that’s been more evident than ever as gyms around the world have taken on a workout he programmed to honor his memory. Learn more.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Credit: Odiseo Castrejon / Unsplash

Macros Misconceptions: 5 Beliefs Keeping You Stuck

Are you struggling to hit your nutrition targets despite meticulously tracking macros? 

You're not alone. 

  • Many people find initial success with macro tracking, drawn to its precision and promise of body composition results. However, over time, they may reach a frustrating plateau where progress stalls, despite their best efforts.

In my nutrition Masterclass, I've worked with countless CrossFitters who once thrived on macro tracking but need a new approach. 

They come in seeking minor tweaks to their macro ratios, believing that subtle changes would reignite progress. However, they leave with an entire paradigm shift in how they view nutrition and how best to achieve their goals. 

What are Macros?

Before we begin, let's clarify what "macros" mean. 

Short for macronutrients, it refers to tracking the exact grams of protein, carbohydrates, and fat you eat each day, usually in pursuit of body composition or performance goals. 

  • Macronutrients are calorie-generating nutrients (this is different from micronutrients like Vitamin C), so focusing on them for fat loss or fueling exercise makes sense. 

CROSSFIT GAMES

Credit: Carlos Fleury

CrossFit Spectators Reflect on Games Weekend Turmoil and the Tough Decision to Stay or Go

Fans across the country flocked to the new location of the CrossFit Games, but soon after arriving in Fort Worth, TX many say they were faced with the decision of whether or not to leave the event entirely after tragedy struck during the first event of the weekend. 

  • Spectators we spoke with felt a collective sense of sadness and confusion as to what to do when it was announced that Lazar Đukić died on Thursday during the swim event. 

Some were in the air at the time, and some had just landed, or decided to catch up on the first event via the livestream at their respective locations. 

No matter where they were they all faced the same painstaking decision whether to stay the rest of the weekend or go home. 

For Elly Trickett and Rudy Chang, long-time fans of the sport, they chose to stick it out. 

  • “Through all of this there was no talking directly to the people who have been there, the people who attend the CrossFit Games…the people who spend a lot of money to be there, they spent time out to be there and there was no communication directly to us,” said Trickett in an interview with Morning Chalk Up. 

Trickett and Chang are both CrossFit coaches at CrossFit 203 in Danbury, CT. This was their fourth year attending the Games and is an event they look forward to each year. 

As big fans, they weren’t quite sure what to do about the competition after Thursday but ultimately chose to stay to support the community and to stay around others who were also grieving.

HIGHLIGHTS

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