As men began to filter in to the lot at The Coop, they soon realized that even the parking lot lights had given in to the Dark Side, and therefore their normal amber glow was not present…

In other words… It was freaking dark. Really dark. Unsettlingly dark…

Like moths to a flame, we moseyed to the only source of light anywhere nearby (yes, even the street lights on AO Jones weren’t on), the traffic light in front of the High School. There we circled up and YHC read the following quote: “No one – not rock stars, not professional athletes, not software billionaires, and not even geniuses – ever makes it alone.” – Malcolm Gladwell
Today was going to be a fair amount of partner work to remind us that we can’t make it alone. With that, we began The Thang:

COP (Since it was the 25th of the month, everything had a 25 count, in cadence):
1. SSH x 25
2. Mountain Climbers x 25
3. Windmill x 25
4. Squat x 25
5. Plank Jack x 25

Indian Run up the winding driveway of the school until we go to the top (not quite a 1/4 mile).

Walk to the band practice field and partner up (size matters).

Wheelbarrow Merkin Madness:
– Partner 1 wheelbarrows to 50 yard line, but every 10 yards adds a Derkin to his travel while Partner 2 holds his legs (1 at the 10, 2 at the 20, etc)
– At the 50 YL, partners switch and head the rest of the way down the field in same fashion
– Once you get to the end, run the 100 yards back to the start

Partner Sit-Ups – Both partners lock legs and sit up together to 25 count

Wheelbarrow Squat Stupidity:
– Much like before, Partner 1 wheelbarrows to 50 YL, but this time every 10 yards Partner 2 adds a squat to his travel (while holding Partner 1’s legs)
– Once again, switch at 50 YL, finish the field and run back

Booyah! Merkins x 15
– Look it up…

Partner Carry to 50 YL, switch and come back to start

Mosey to roundabout and circle up for Johnny Cash/Ring of Fire:
1st round: Everyone planks while, in turn, each Pax does 5 CDDs (e.g. one guy does 5, then it goes to the next PAX, all the while everyone is holding their plank)
2nd round: Everyone on their 6 and hold legs at 6 inches while, in turn, each Pax does 5 Burpees around the circle (on this one we started 2 lines going opposite directions for each exercise so we wouldn’t be there all day)
3rd round: Everyone elbow planks while each Pax, in turn, does 5 Makhtar N’Diayes
4th round: Everyone back to regular plank while each, in turn, does 5 Merkins

Mosey back to the cars for a little Mary…
LBCs x 20
Hello Dolly x 20

About halfway through our HDs, one Pax was getting a little mouthy, so we sped up the Dollies to Ludicrous Speed, then added 10 Burpees OYO to calm the chatter. Someone sarcastically said, “I was hoping for Bombjacks“, so he got his wish x 15. No more takers? Ok, then let’s COT…

So, we then ended our thoughts where we started them. This workout was to remind us that we are NEVER alone. The lie the world tells us is that we are in this on our own, and that no one is here to help us. BUT, we have our M’s, our fellow F3 Pax, our church (if we are inclined that way) and if no one else we have The Sky Q to help us, comfort us, and lift us through what we face on our journey to becoming High Impact Men. We cannot, and should not, try to do it alone. We are better together.