10 Pax posted at The Ranch on Thursday Jan 19 for a ride out to the foothills and a morning dose of core-focused pain.  It was looking a little lonely when Skinny Jeans sitting in his truck was the sole arrival a few minutes before launch.  Perhaps he was debating whether to stick around while he checked the phone for other posting options?  Then the Springfield clown car arrived, plus MacGyver (never one to post early) and others.  With a quick disclaimer and shout out to Site Q Backdraft who was DR, we set off.

The Thang

COP in the parking lot to lube up YHC’s joints enough to be able to give the you wranglers something to sweat about.

Mountain climbers

Parker Peter

SSH

Windmill

Merkins

Hillbilly walkers

Squats

Mosey over to the middle school with karaoke, butt kicks, high knees, toy soldiers along the way.

In front of middle school, each pax finds a bench (10 benches+10 pax=maximum pain opportunity)

Derkins x10
Dips x10
Run down the grass hill then run back to top
Bear crawl across parking lot to bench & plank up
(Rinse & Repeat)

Circle of Core — Freddie Mercury, Hello dollies, flutter

Repeat 2 rounds of Derkins/dips on bench with hill run & bear crawl

CoC — Makhtar N’Dyae, LBCs, Peter Parkers

Repeat 2 rounds on benches with hill run & bear crawl except change exercises Step ups x10 each leg & Squats x20

CoC — Plank punches, Plank jacks, Stump jumpers

Repeat 2 rounds Step ups & Squats on benches with hill run & bear crawl

CoC — Penguins, LBCs, Superman

Run home

COT

The message today revolved around “The Struggle.”   Ginsu posted in full Clemson regalia (two layers even!), which provided the opportunity to focus on Coach Dabo as an example of a man who leads from the core of who he is.  His leadership and his identity were formed through a personal struggle at his core — no different than any of us.  Each of our struggles is different, but we all struggle in some way.  Embracing that struggle, and engaging in it willingly and courageously is how we form the character that we will be.  “Character” comes in a couple of contexts — “Boy, is he a character!” OR “Man, does he have character.”  Strive to have character rather than be one.

We struggled a lot today through core work.  The pax did an awesome job persevering through the routine, especially when I called for the third round on the benches, and it became very clear to all what was in store the rest of the way.  Excellent job!

Fortunately we had an Aggie on board today to make the “rodeo-themed” tweet from the night before valid.  My first encounter with Dixie Chicken and I look forward to posts with my fellow Texan refugee.

Thanks to Backdraft for the invite (and apologies for the delay on this BB).  Always an honor to be followed by the men of F3.  Until we meet again…