14 in the PAX this fine brisk Valentine’s Day morning to welcome Maximus back to the Q schedule. There was a lot of mumble chatter in the last 48hrs about who would have the best/worst Q this AM so, in line with the rule that you can give yourself a nickname, I’ll let the PAX decide. One of the hardest workouts I’ve been a part of was the 52 card pick-up style beatdown. It seems to lack creativity but it makes up for that with an overdose of pain. So why wouldn’t I bring that back?

The PAX took off for a 1/4mi jog to the parking lot which would be our AO for this nonsense. A quick explanation that went something like, each suit represents a different exercise and the number of the card represents the repetitions.

2=2 and Ace=14

Hearts = Butt Kickers (104 Total)
Spades = High Knees (104 Total)
Clubs = SSH single count (104 Total)
Diamonds = Jump Squats (104 Total)
2 Jokers & 2 other cards = 10 Freddie Mercury’s (40 Total)

3min rest to see if my frozen hands could shuffle. After a failed attempt, I simply rearranged about 20 cards and we moved on to round 2:

Hearts = Merkins (104 Total)
Spades = Burpees (104 Total)
Clubs = Carolina Dry Docks (104 Total)
Diamonds = 3-Way Jumping Lunges (104 Total)
2 Jokers & 2 other cards = 10 Toe Touches (40 Total)

After round 1, Santini questioned which was worse, Jump Squats or Burpees. With a sample size of 104 each, I’ll just reply with…BOTH. You don’t cover great distances with this workout but it is still one of the hardest I’ve attempted. It is humbling and embarrassing all at the same time. Nevertheless, it is still dwarfed by the honor felt when standing in the middle of the PAX. It’s hard to take a breather or slow down when 13 other guys are looking at you to push them. To that I’ll ask, “Who’s Pushing Who?”

Announcements: Obstacle Course Race next Saturday (2/21) at Indian Land AO, BRR teams are forming now, Mud Run 4/11.

Prayer Request: Baby on the way any day now, Boeheim now recovering at home and rehab is to start next week, take care of yourself and keep an eye on your brother. Know when to push yourself and when to say when.

AYE!!!