18 pax chose the #RedPill at WEP on a cool, breezy, damp morning to jump start their weekend with a dose of hill-infused pain.  Wise choice, gents.  Time to get moving.

The Thang

Warm-up-on-the-go today

Jog out parking lot to Springs lot, karaoke R/L, backward lunge, backward run, forward lunge, walking Imperial Walker, AYG run to UC Synergetic parking lot on 160, Peter parkers x10, Parker peters x10, Merkins x10

AYG run to playground with the Double Ds

Time to climb the first mountain

Derkins x10 along wall at top of hill, run down hill then back up; rinse & repeat (total of 5-7 cycles depending on pace and count)

AYG run to statue along 160 to climb the next mountain

Run to top of hill, 10 wide arm merkins at top, run back down; rinse & repeat (3 cycles total)

AYG run up road to gun shop and across to parking lot

Diamond merkins x10

SSH x26

Mosey to wall of UC Synergetic

People’s chair followed by Balls to the Wall; rinse & repeat (3 cycles total)

Run to WEP parking circle

Time for another mountain

Stairway to Heaven w/Burpees x5 at each lamp post

Run down the hill

Run to top of hill and back down w/LBCs x20 at the bottom; rinse & repeat (3 cycles)

Mosey to other part of same hill

Backwards bear crawl up hill, 10 CDDs at top, bear crawl down hill, Moroccan night clubs x10 at bottom; rinse & repeat w/variations (3 cycles total)

AYG run to soccer field for flatlander mountain workout

Run to 1st light pole, Bomb jacks x5, run to 2nd light pole, Monkey humpers x10, run to 3rd light pole, Sumo squats x15, run back to starting point; rinse & repeat for 10 mins

6MoM — Flutter kicks x13, Dollies x13, Adolph Hitlers x13, Freddie Mercury x13, Maktar N’dyae x20, Dying cockroach x13

Jailbreak run home

COT

Naked man moleskin

The theme for today was “Mountains Beyond Mountains.”  It is a book title taken from a Haitian proverb that says “Beyond mountains there are mountains.”  That is what we experienced this morning in the workout and what we experience in life.  The proverb could be interpreted and applied in many ways.  My workweek this week was characterized by several conversations where colleagues needed to “get something off their chest.”  But, at week’s end, I was left with the question:  Did they actually get the “weight” off through the discussion?  If life is an endless stream of “mountains beyond mountains,” then resting/celebrating at the peaks and healing/recharging in the valleys are both essential to be a successful climber.  When I find myself in a valley and need to get something off my chest, will an emotional dump on a colleague actually relieve the burden before I continue the climb?  Or, is it really a complaining or self-pity party that only adds more weight?  Maybe what I need is to seek out the person who is the source of the anxiety/anger/frustration and seek or offer forgiveness and establish reconciliation.  Then, the weight will be released and I can climb freely.

Take a few moments this week and think about the proverb…what meanings come to mind for you?

Outstanding effort by all pax today!  I intended to bring a Garmin to see how much ground we covered, but as usual I forgot it at home.  All I know is we covered the steepest terrain The Fort AO has to offer and proved our mettle through speed, strength and endurance.  #ISI

Welcome to Juan Valdez for his 2nd outing (an 0727 posting still counts in the score sheet).

T-claps to Red Banjo for his successful and inspiring conquest of the Boston Marathon on Monday!

T-claps to Rooney as he celebrates 39 years on the Big Ball!

Good luck to Hipper and the FMHS LAX team as they compete today for the SC State title!

Prayers for those suffering from loss and those with much heavier burdens than ours who continue to climb life’s mountains.

Thanks to McGyver for the opportunity to Q and for his continued leadership of the pax on Saturdays at WEP.

Great 2nd F at Coffeeteria today!

Aye!