Chalk talk.

Nick | 07/14/2014 | 8

I’ve had a few conversations at the box recently about excessive use of chalk. No, I’m not talking about chalk for our hands (which is a totally different topic that I’m not going to get myself all riled up on right now…) but the sidewalk chalk we use to help us keep count from time to time.

Notice I said “from time to time”. Sure, if we’re doing “Murph” and we’re trying to keep track of 100 pull ups, 200 push ups and 300 squats sandwiched between 2 one mile runs, chalk might be called for. But for our day to day workouts, it’s actually going to be a detriment.

How, you ask? I mean, it’s just helping you keep score, right?

Wrong. It’s allowing you to mentally disengage from the present moment. It’s allowing you to turn your brain off. I’ll concede this – from time to time we just need to just move, but more important is to build the ability to be mentally present, even when we’re working hard and exhausted. This is why (or at least one of the multitude of reasons why) you are here and not running on a treadmill at planet fitness while zoning out in front of a flickering screen.

Here’s the deal: if you have trouble counting mid-workout, how can you trust yourself to control one of the most complex and beautiful machines on the planet (your body)? I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be in charge of your body, but recognize the importance of the mental portion of our training stimulus. If it’s a weakness, engage it like you would any other weakness. If you’re great at it, make sure you’re great at it. Worst case, you get your score wrong. But you workout at CrossFitSomerville, so you already know that the training stimulus always trumps our “score” in the workout. Even if you mess up your score, the very act of trying to count is better for you than totally checking out and letting the chalk to the counting for you (and let’s be honest, the 5 seconds it takes to find your chalk, steady your hand, find your tally on the ground and mark off another tick is just an unnecessary break from what we’re trying to accomplish). Heck, I’ve even seen 21-15-9 workouts counted off on the floor recently. In those cases, we’re definitely missing the point…

Today is a great day to start! Can you just add “1” to your running total every time you finish your box jumps? I have faith in you… Give it a shot!

STR:

Front squat
5-5-5-5-5

WOD:

AMRAP 10
200m run
10 toes to bar
10 box jumps (24/20)

Union Square Advocacy Potluck: At the last meeting of the Union Square Neighbors Association, they talked about how there are a lot of folks who are concerned about the future of Union Square, and how we are all working towards the same goals – inclusive housing, jobs for Somerville residents, fostering locally owned, independent businesses and the arts community, improved parks and green space. Then they started thinking that we all might be more effective advocates for our beloved Square if we knew each other better. And the best way they could think of to get to know folks better is to have a party. So, this Sunday, July 20th from 5:00 to 7:30, we’re helping by hosting a “Big Tent Potluck” at CrossFit Somerville! Please bring a dish to share, maybe something to grill, beverages (beer and wine would be welcomed!). They are also looking for music to fill the air as we, people who are committed to Union Square, talk about how to shape our shared future.
Party Announcement: Tati is moving to Colorado! She’s hosting a party at her place to celebrate and would love to have CrossFit Somerville in attendance, as her time at CFSV has been a big part of her Boston experience for the past year and a half. On Saturday, Aug 02 starting at 07:30 PM and going until some appropriately-Brazilian ending time/date, she promises Live Music, Drinks, and Food cooked on a custom made Argentinian-style grill. 80 Brighton Street, Belmont MA 02478