Have Fitness, Will Travel: San Antonio

May 21, 2014

Kevin Daigle

San Antonio was etched into history by men so tough, one of them had a giant, scary-ass knife named after him.

San Antonio was etched into history by men so tough, one of them had a giant, scary-ass knife named after him.
 

San Antonio was etched into history by men so tough, one of them had a giant, scary-ass knife named after him.

Sounds like my kind of place.

Colonel Jim Bowie was one of the men who died at the Alamo, fighting for Texan independence. The heroism of Col. Bowie and Lt. Colonel William B. Travis along with folklore legend and former Congressman Davy Crockett made for an indelible piece of American history.

More than just a battle for independence, the heroic deaths of those men would lead to the explosive growth of San Antonio and its native creations Fritos, Cheetos and chili. Wait, chili? Although I doubt they intended to create a veritable utopia for stoners, the claim to the invention of chili is clearly one of San Antonio’s crowning achievements.

In just a few days, South Central Region athletes Jason Hoggan, Roy Gamboa, Cassidy Lance, Candice Ruiz and others will fight for qualifying spots to the CrossFit Games. They’ll likely be skipping the chili until Sunday. It all goes down at the Freeman Coliseum, starting this Friday, May 23.

If you’re headed deep into the heart of Texas for the regional, here are some things you’ll need to know.

Affiliates

CrossFit has deep roots in the home of the South Central Regional. There are more than 40 affiliates within just a few minutes of the venue—likely to stave off the effects of too much chili con carne.

One of those boxes is CrossFit South Flores, which is “in a distinct, open space, formerly the Levi Strauss building,” said Heather Schweitzman, co-owner, head coach and program director of CrossFit South Flores. “Members get a great workout in multiple spaces, plus have a comfortable place to sit, relax and enjoy great paleo food post-workout.”

Of course, they’re friendly to drop-ins.

Check out these affiliates as well:
CrossFit Optimistic
Body Armor CrossFit
Bedlam CrossFit

To find all the affiliates in San Antonio, visit map.crossfit.com.

Food

Did I mention chili?

The San Antonio chili culture began its evolution in the 1880s with the proliferation of “chili queens” in the Mercado and other areas. Brightly dressed Mexican-American women sold the delicious stew to people passing by.

Today, you can get a bowl of chili from food trucks or traditional restaurants alike. Who has the best batch in the city? Just as asking that question about pizza in New York or Chicago, it depends who you ask. The choices are immense. The food truck Institute of Chili comes highly recommended, though.

If you’re just plain greedy and need to expand your horizons beyond chili, visit Rudy’s BBQ for the “Best god damned brisket on the fucking planet,” said Dave Re of CrossFit HQ and former Texas resident. Re strongly suggests ordering “moist brisket, outside cut.”                

“Eating clean in San Antonio isn't always the easiest thing given all the great carb-loaded restaurants, but for truly great organic wraps and grass-fed meals, visit The Cove,” Schweitzman said. “You can also check out La Tuna Grill for a delicious meal and fantastic outdoor patio dining.”                     

Jason Schweitzman, co-owner and executive chef of Naked Coconut Eats, is rumored to occasionally indulge in some not-so-healthy food. He recommends Cabo enchiladas from Tiago’s Cabo Grille Mexican Cantina.

Attractions

We’ve already mentioned food trucks, but if adventurous snacking is your thing check out The Point. Schweitzman called it “one of the greater San Antonio area’s best kept secrets. It’s a food truck park in Boerne, Texas, about 10 minutes outside of San Antonio. Awesome food. Don’t miss it!”

Re suggests taking a stroll on The Riverwalk along the Paseo Del Rio. There, you can find great restaurants, shops, entertainment, attractions and beautiful scenery.

Got kids? Love rollercoasters? Six Flags Fiesta Texas is what you need.

If something out of the ordinary is more your speed, take a ghost tour. San Antonio is a city whose residents apparently love it so much they never leave—even when they’re dead.

Remember the Alamo. It’s believed approximately 200 Texans died in defense of the Alamo, the most prominent of which were American legends Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett, and William B. Travis, who’s forces were eventually overcome by the forces of Santa Anna. There is a much debate over the exact details of the events that unfolded there in 1836. What isn’t debated is that we did, in fact, remember the Alamo.

After the South Central athletes walk further on their hands than you want to run, get your fitness on at a local CrossFit affiliate, indulge in the local chili, and take a stroll through history at the Alamo.

They say everything is bigger in Texas. This weekend we’ll find out if it’s fitter, too.

During four regional weekends, Kevin Daigle will choose one city each week to feature in this series.