TODAY’S THE DAY! Let’s Meet the Champs.

by Katelyn Block on August 16, 2012 · 21 comments

Currently: On the train to New York and everyone around me is asleep but I kind of feel like doing burpees. I got approximately 2.5 hours of sleep last night and I’m totally cool with that because I came up with a game plan to get Rich and Annie to come to dinner with us FitFlu-awesomes and become best friends. It might be possible to bribe them with steak. We’ll see.

I also realized that being up so early in the morning is amazing for productivity. I answered two whole emails and watched three Jenna Marbles videos on YouTube. Have I ever mentioned that we went to the same high school? Just a few thousand times. School pride. Not ashamed.

I also decided to travel in style today. Because Reebok (the world’s most awesome fitness apparel // gear company in the world, and no they did not ask me to say that) will be supplying my gear for today’s workout with the champs INCLUDING shoes (I love shoes), I’m all dolled up in Sperry’s, thrift store J Crew (!!!) shorts (which I purchased for 4 whole dollars), and a raspberry shirt that just generally makes me happy. Therefore, I didn’t pack any other workout shoes because I knew whatever Reebok gives me would be the best. My feet will be walking on pillows.

Since I’ll be doing some serious bonding (Annie will teach me how to do a muscle-up, according to Jess), let’s have a look at the champs and how awesome they are. Up first, Annie Thorisdottir, because she’s Icelandic and it’s only right that ladies go first.

This woman is a beast in the most literal and serious sense. I watch her work out and I think to myself, this person could probably carry me from America to Beijing (across the ocean and everything) without getting tired. She’s also seriously cool. I love her philosophy about CrossFit, that it’s a lifestyle and it’s play. What’s the point of exercising if you want to hit your head against a wall the whole time? In Iceland, herself and the other athletes take the lifestyle as something that is fun and serves you in all areas of life, as it should be.

Stats: 253 lb. back squat, 205 lb. clean and jerk, 156 lb. snatch, 364 lb. deadlift, 2:37 Fran. She kinda beat me.

Next up, Rich Froning Jr. I like saying the “Jr.” at the end.

I watched a documentary that I randomly found on YouTube (what a fortunate accident that was), that went through a day in the life of Rich and his training buddy, Dan Bailey (who is equally as awesome and broke a world record at regionals — baller). What I liked most about the video was that Rich is just funny. Him and Dan banter back and forth and have small competitions with each other like teenage boys on the football team. Not to say that they act like teenagers, but at least they let out their childlike selves.

Plus, Rich is also a serious beast. He can just lift and lift and lift. And do walking handstands and lift and lift and lift. It’s never-ending and it’s awesome. Plus he’s so humble. One thing I admire in athletes is their humility. The money he won from the Games in 2011 he used to buy a house. I respect that a lot more than the guy who would buy a Lamborghini with the same money.

Stats: 70 pull-ups max (in a row. ONE WORD: respect.), 325 lb clean and jerk, 270 lb snatch, 525 lb deadlift (let’s talk about how that’s half a ton.), 425 lb. back squat, and 2:17 Fran. Again, the champs sorta beat me.

The coolest part about both of these athletes? Yes that they will be hanging with me today, that’s a given. But also that neither of them subscribe to any kind of “diet”. Both athletes eat whole, real foods, but neither of them are paleo, vegetarian, raw, or eat protein powder or nails for breakfast. They just eat real foods. They have both been champions two years in a row, which is proof (at least to me) that being strict in any diet isn’t necessarily the right path for everyone, but eating real, whole foods as close to nature as possible, is the way to go. If you’d like to argue with me, I would like to see you try and beat Rich Froning in any workout.

That’s what I thought.

Who are your favorite athletes and why?
Best (inexpensive!) healthy eats in Manhattan?
Are you an: Early bird or a late riser? 

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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }

nicole @ simply nicole August 16, 2012 at 7:18 AM

Are you an: Early bird or a late riser? Early bird all the way. I get up between 5 and 5:30 every day and I love it that way. I like being able to get in some work in the morning and even stretching a bit. I need to get back into the habit of working out in the morning, but for now after work is what I’ve been doing.

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Danielle @ Clean Food Creative Fitness August 16, 2012 at 7:42 AM

Ahhh!!!! So excited for you!!!! Have the best best time ever!!! I want full details tomorrow at HLS!!! Can’t wait to see the reebok gear you get too it’s sure to be awesome! Literally getting butterflies in my tummy for you as I’m writing this! Have the best time with the champs :)

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Mindy August 16, 2012 at 9:50 AM

Crazy awesome you get to MEET them AND workout with them today. I can’t imagine your excitement right nowwww. It’s been two and half weeks since I moved cities (and was forced to leave my box) and I miss it so much. I live (Crossfit) vicariously through you, Clare, and Tina though :) Good luck today!

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[email protected] August 16, 2012 at 10:01 AM

I love that those athletes don’t do anything unusual with their diets. Just real food.

Have an amazing time today!!! So exciting for you!

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Jess @ Blonde Ponytail August 16, 2012 at 10:16 AM

Take it all in girl because I will be stalking you and your blog living vicariously though YOU. I love love love Annie’s smile –even during painful workouts. She exudes positivity and energy and all things CrossFit. She and Rich and amazing ambassadors for the SPORT OF FITNESS!

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Sam @ Better With Sprinkles August 16, 2012 at 10:20 AM

Sounds like you’ll have an amazing time today!!

As much as I’d love to be an early riser, I’m really not. I’m a lot more likely to see 2 am than I am to see 6.

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Yellow Haired Girl August 16, 2012 at 10:31 AM

Have fun! Sounds like you’re going to have a crazy good time … I can’t wait to hear all about it!

I LOVE JENNA MARBLES.

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Christine @ Love, Life, Surf August 16, 2012 at 10:56 AM

Have an amazing time today!! Both Rich and Annie are incredibly inspiring and amazing athletes. I too love that they don’t subscribe to a specific diet but focus on whole foods. Can’t wait to hear about it!!

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Ashley August 16, 2012 at 10:57 AM

OMG. OMG. OMG.

Please take a shiz-ton of pictures and definitely touch Rich’s abs (or arms, or butt, or anything!). ;)
Can’t wait to see how it goes!!!

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Kellie @ Compelled To Do So August 16, 2012 at 12:06 PM

You went to high school with Jenna Marbles?!?! What was she like??? I seriously love her so, so much.

By the way, HAVE FUN TODAY! I can’t wait to read all about it!

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Julianna @ Julianna Bananna August 16, 2012 at 12:53 PM

EEK so excited for you girl! can’t wait to hear how it goes!

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Ash Bear August 16, 2012 at 1:38 PM

I LOVE waking up early. In fact, this morning on the West Coast I woke up at 4am so I could log 5 miles on the treadmill before flying back east. :)

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Catherine @ Rabbit Food For My Bunny Teeth August 16, 2012 at 2:28 PM

That’s great Katelyn!!! You are going to have so much fun! Cannot wait for your updates!

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Purelytwins August 16, 2012 at 6:22 PM

that is awesome. they are truly inspiring for us. great about them just eating real foods and having no labels ;)

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Pavement Runner August 16, 2012 at 6:39 PM

Great post… wishing you nothing but a wonderful journey.

and of course. you . you are my favorite athlete. :)

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Amy@spotonwellness August 16, 2012 at 11:08 PM

It sounds like you will have a LOT of fun today! Enjoy!

I am an early riser AND a night-owl. It is a bad combo but it works… For me :)

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Sarah b. August 17, 2012 at 8:35 AM

Bever thought I’d see the day, but I’m an early riser! Ever since I started working full-time I just can’t seem to knock the habit! Have so much fun at HLS!!

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Alex (@alexbridgeforth) August 17, 2012 at 6:08 PM

Who are your favorite athletes and why? —– I really don’t have a favorite Crossfitter (can I pick myself?) But I have many ultrarunners I look up too, on second thought, Brian McKenzie {http://www.iamunscared.com} (head of Crossfit Endurance) he is pretty beast and he does 100 mile runs, Awesome!

Are you an: Early bird or a late riser? Def. a late riser. I have way too much energy at night before bed.

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Staci August 18, 2012 at 12:44 PM

Just FYI, a ton is 2,000 pounds, not 1,000.

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Katelyn Block August 18, 2012 at 3:24 PM

Okay! Cool.

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