Tag: Bonsai

Spork and Knife

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19 at Laces In, 6 passed on the fun and went Laces Out.

It was nice to break out of the norm and Q at Laces In, thanks Rebel for telling us where it was.

The Thang:

Anchorman Lead:

Mosey around the student parking lot and circle up. SSH x 20, Slow Merkin x 10, Imperial Walker x 20, other misc warm up exercises x 15(ish).

Burpee See-Saw, partner up, one burpee, other burpee, and back and forth x 10 each.

SPORK, one partner runs, the other exercises, combine count.
Squat x100
Peter Parker Peter x 100
Overhead claps x 100
Rosalie x 100
donkey Kicks x 100

Message about Awareness …

Hand off to Barry Manilow:

Jonah Hill (3 broad jump, 3 merkins x 7 times)
Mosey back near the start and find some soft grass
HR Merkins x 15
Low SS x 20
Kneetar Jai x 10
OH Claps x 50
Mahktar Jai x 12
Pause Squats x 10 (hold down for 2 extra seconds each time)
Alt Lunge x 10
Dying Cockroach x 20
JACK WEBB to 10/40
Moroccan NC x 50
Shoulder taps x 15
LBC x 15
Scorpion DD x 10 x 2

Great time, thanks for the opportunity.

Looks like we made it,

Anchorman, Barry Manilow

 

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2

A Return Home to the Colosseum

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This morning was the ideal morning to make a return to the Colosseum to fulfill my opportunity to Q. What made it ideal? I woke up, the temps were cold, I wrote a Weinkie, I had a message to deliver and a few Pax showed up to see where they should direct soreness-induced comments come Wednesday morning. That’s what made it ideal. See, we are blessed with this opportunity to join other men as we get broken down physically. And the byproduct of that beat-down is the chance to learn more about the man to our left and right and reach out a hand to see how you can go beyond yourself.

So 18 other men decided that the Colosseum was where they wanted to spend 45mins this Tuesday morning and for that, I’m humbled. 18 other men brought their gloves (most of them anyways) and wanted to see what I had in store. While only 1 man asked to see the deck of cards, it became evident that 18 men were ready to put in some work. But before we did that, I had to say a few words that were intended to be a disclaimer and brief run down of how what we were about to do was slightly different than the norm yet more of what is to come.

We jogged through the drop-off lanes of both schools and found our way to the line of cones in the back bus lot.  We lined up at the cones for a series of 3-tier suicides to the other end of the lot but only at 50%. Now that we’re a little warmed up, we circled up for some stretching:  Hammies, Hip Flexors, Back, SSH, High Knees and Wind Mills

Now we stepped it up a little:

Clock Merkins 1-12 and let the chatter begin

10 Burpees with an extra squat for good measure (I still have to pay up on my 69 Burpees…GO PACK)

Wave Merkins around the circle (5 rounds)

10 Donkey Kicks with 2 Carolina Dry Docks after each

Single Count Diamond Merkins x 10

10 Burpees with a Jump Tuck on each

Back on the line with your partner.

Partner 1: Bear Crawl the length of the parking lot to Shady’s car and sprint back

Partner 2: American Hammers until #1 returns.

Partner 1: Bear Crawl the length of the parking lot to Shady’s car and sprint back

Partner 2: Toe-Touch V-ups or some modification thereof

On The Playground which turned out to be way more complicated than imagined

Partner 1: 20 Swing Crunches or modify to a bench where necessary

Partner 2: 20 Grave Diggers on the left side

Partner 1: 20 Swing Crunches or modify to a bench where necessary

Partner 2: 20 Grave Diggers on the right side

Mosey to the back entrance road. With your same partner, run to the light post and do 2 merkins. Run to the next post and do 2 merkins. Continue this for 6 light posts and rest at the end.

Once we all completed this series, I took advantage of the captive audience to explain what my next venture is. Beginning in January, I’ll be launching a new Black Diamond-inspired AO named, BEYOND. While we typically think physically or geographically when we hear the word, Beyond, I challenge you to think differently. Think Beyond your normal conversations with your family, Beyond your sports-themed conversations with your friends, Beyond your show up and get your job done tasks with work, Beyond your bedtime prayers with kids-type of spiritual relationship and yes, Beyond your typical physical breaking point. Like muscles; our minds, faith, relationships, abilities and comfort zones only improve when stretched BEYOND what they’re used to doing. We grow as men when we’re beaten physically and I’ll use BEYOND as a platform to do just that. Many more details to come but would you consider joining me for a week or more to try it out? This is not to replace any existing AO, purely complimentary

So here’s the walking away assignment. Remember that partner you had? He is now your partner through Friday, December 1. I challenge you to send a text/tweet or call him daily to check in on him. Not simply to say hey or, “Man, I can’t wait to see the Tigers sport their own version of the Turnover Chain” but ask a real question and get ready for a real answer. Don’t ask how he’s doing and expect, “good, you?”.

19 of us responded, “AYE” when I asked if they were willing to do that for their partner.

We then mosey’d back to COT to put a ribbon on this edition of THE COLOSSEUM.

Announcements: Bring the following to Friday’s Christmas Party: a toy, small umbrella, 36″ Duffel Bag and/or alarm clock for CAH and Operation Sweet Tooth. Longshanks can also accept gift cards for OST.

Prayer Requests: New positions at work, improved communication at home, Patience, Sandlot’s wife, making time for our M’s and ensuring they’re not the last one in the house to get the time they deserve. Look for ways to help your M’s this season, to include preparing things and taking care of some of the Christmas shopping.

GO BEYOND!!

Maximus

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Crossroads Discussion: Half In, Half Out

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Good discussion this morning on being Half In, Half Out.  Working out with The Fort Nan’tan Monday allowed me an opportunity to benefit from words that while I was feeling them, was not articulating internally.  Plain speak- didn’t know how to put words to what I’ve been feeling lately until Cake Boss did it for me.  He spoke of victory but what resonated was being half in, half out.  Picture having one foot on the boat, one on the dock.

Continuing with that theme we dove into this at Crossroads this morning, a weekly coffee group where any topic that is on the Q’s mind can be batted around for fuller understanding.  If you haven’t been or are an infrequent attendee, consider making it more often.  Really good stuff happening here.

Half In/Half Out

  • What is it, to be all in?  What does it look like?
    • intentional
    • purpose
    • commitment
    • integrity

Focusing in here on the job, task, person here is vital.

  • What are some reasons for it/ why does it happen?
    • overwhelmed
    • Temporary weakness
    • paralyzed- so much to do, don’t know where to start so bail out on task or effort
    • lazy-

It could be men susceptible to this are hurting elsewhere and only committing “halfway” opens door to less accountability.  “If I fail or not as good, I only gave half effort anyway.”  Yet another way is “are these sad clown tendencies preventing me from fully engaging- enjoying life and all its ups and downs?”

  • Solutions
    • being self aware
    • acknowledge small victories and accomplishments
    • recommit- just do it
    • discuss- Spouse/partner, F3 men, Whetstone.
    • going through the process(Tesh)
    • Muscle Memory (Assassin, Twister)

Above are but a handful of opportunities that can lead to reengaging and dropping being half in/half out to be all in!

Couple of quick resources for thoughts associated

  • Lonely
    • Psalm 23
  • Weakness
    • Psalm 18:1-29
  • Direction
    • Psalm 73:21-26
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Kotter Q at the Ranch

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OHHHHH, it felt good to back to a boot camp and thanks to Backdraft and his perfect timing, YHC got to attend as the Q!  After two and a half months of marathon training, YHC could not wait to put in some shoulder work.

As the PAX started to arrive we identified that one of those was an FNG.  He is native from Portugal, to which one insufficiently caffeinated PAX said “ah the Spaniard.”  Um, not the same and we all had a pretty good laugh.  More on that later.

Short disclaimer and we started the warm up.  We started with SSH X30 and then went off on a mosey with stops to do different exercised.  The mosey went past from the front of the middle school drop off and around to the back parking lot.  Exercises were:

  • SSH X30
  • Merkins X40
  • Peter Parker X15
  • Squats X10

YHC loves partner work because it puts someone with you to hold you accountable.  You are also more likely to push yourself when you have a buddy watching and working with you.  This is also true outside of the gloom with you wife, work, and friends.

A previous Twitter post promising no partner carries had to be honored, but that leaves a lot of options. The big parking lot is about .20 miles long.

Laps around the parking lot:

  • Lap 1 – Wheelbarrow with your partner around the entire parking lot taking turns.
  • Lap 2 – One partner runs, the other partner does an exercise that moves them around the circle.  Continue to alternate doing the exercises until the team has completed the lap around the parking lot.
    • Broad jump burpees
    • Lunge walk
    • Inch work merkins
    • Bear crawl
    • (One thing to note here is the team of Peabody and our FNG were first to finish.  The force is strong with this one.)
  • Lap 3 – Short lap this time because time is running short.
    • Side walking merkins
    • Duck walk
    • Crab walk
    • Reverse bear crawl – not sure if anyone got to this given the short loop

Mosey half way back to the parking lot and stop for Burpee Partner Plank with descending burpees from 8.  One partner in plank, while the other partner does a burpee, jumps over them, does another burpee for an 8 count.  Next partner takes a turn and this continues in descending order until all burpees are completed.  We had to stop after the sets of 5 due to time so look for this on Tuesday at the ruck workout…..

FNG naming – the entire PAX tried very hard to come up with a name for our new brother.  Some good ideas were presented, but in the end, nothing compared to the slight insult and hilarity of how it was born as his name from before the workout started.  Therefore, for the first time in my experience and FNG was named at the beginning of the workout rather than the end.  Please welcome El Spaniardo!!

Announcements:

  • Turkeys for Paradise due to AOs
  • Christmas Party 12/1
  • Thanksgiving convergence at the Ranch

Prayer Requests:

  • Cakeboss and family as they undergo some disruption in their house with some major repair work
  • Marriages

As always, a huge honor to lead a group of guys as strong as those the rise this early.  Thank you Backdraft for the opportunity!

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Pushing through Puddles at Laces In

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17 men (6 for Laces Out at 0500 and 11 for Laces In at 0515) posted in the cold wet gloom this morning to get better. After a quick disclaimer with a repeated reminder to modify as necessary and not sue missionaries, YHC took 10 other PAX (10 + YHC makes 11, for those counting) for some mobility work mixed with a little bit of pain.

Warm up mosey zig-zagging through the big parking lot mixed with high knees, butt kickers, and toy soldiers before circling up for the following:

  • (Really) low (really) slow squats X 10 in cadence
  • Windmills X 10 in cadence
  • Hillbilly walkers X 10 in cadence
  • Peter Parkers X 10 in cadence

Holding plank after the Peter Parkers, we pushed back into Downward Dog to open up the calves, hamstrings, back, and shoulders, then proceeded with a little yoga series.

  • Right leg up for 1-leg downward dog
  • Keeping leg up, go to plank, drop to 6”, back to plank, back to downward dog (X 5)
  • Swing right leg forward into lunge, then come up into high lunge for thighmasters (X 10 in cadence, a real crowd pleaser)
  • Moving through plank then side plank (right arm up), flip over into back plank
  • 10 count with right leg up
  • 10 count with left leg up
  • Flipping to side plank (left arm up) then to plank, bring left leg forward into lunge for more thighmasters (X 10 in cadence)
  • Hands down, press back into downward dog with left leg up
  • Repeat downward dog/plank/6”/plank/downward dog cycle (X 5) with left leg up
  • One final downward dog

Recover and shake it out. Feeling warm and fuzzy, we took up a mosey to the band parking lot for the real fun.

The Thang

Avoiding the cars, two lines of cones were set up 60 yards apart, making a 60 yard x 30 yard rectangle. PAX were to perform suggested (since they’re all suggested, right?) exercises, complete 5 plank circles (names suggested by PAX included “breakdancer” and “pommel horse”), then run at 80% to the other set of cones. Repeat the same exercises, plank circles, and run 60 yards back, completing the lap.

The exercises were:

  • Lap 1: broad jump with 5 yard side shuffle, back and forth for 30 yards
  • Lap 2: 2 Carolina dry docks, then flip over and do 2 double-count crab cakes, moving laterally 30 yards
  • Lap 3: lunge walk for 30 yards with 5 jump squats completed every 10 yards along the way
  • Lap 4: bear crawl for 30 yards with 10 LBCs completed every 10 yards along the way

Lacking time to complete lap 5, we ended with 20 burpees OYO and a mosey back to COT to meet up with Laces Out.

Announcements

  • Bonsai needs a sub Q for Saturday at Alcatraz, and encouraged the PAX to go to the Fort at WEP anyway because Olive will be there.
  • Thanksgiving convergence coming up on Thanksgiving.
  • Bring frozen turkeys when you post on the 18th.
  • Beacon is collecting plastic bags to make beds.
  • Christmas party December 1.
  • “We should really have something like a newsletter that contains all these announcements and goes out at the beginning of the week. That would be really nice.”

Praise and Prayer

  • CSPAN noted that 30% of posted PAX were missionaries, which is a praise and a good reminder to pray for missionaries, their ministries, and their families.
  • Prayers for Trucker’s family as they deal with two losses in the family.
  • Veteran’s Day is Saturday (following Marine Corps birthday on Friday). Praises and prayers for those who have or are serving (and good reminder to reach out to and thank veterans in your life).
  • Prayers for families and relationships

This may not have been the most difficult workout ever, but I had fun. I try to incorporate some different skills into all of my Qs to change up from the norm and improve flexibility and mobility and hopefully prevent chronic injury. We may look ridiculous, but you’ll thank me later.

And as always, it’s an honor to get to Q surrounded by a great group of men. Thanks to Lil E for the opportunity, and nice to see Chinito Grande making a cameo during a brief trip Stateside for meetings.

Until next time.

-Jedi

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Campus Tour

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10 joined YHC for a tour of the campus, while 5 others showed up a little earlier and ran in circles.

The Thang

Brief Mosey over to the smooth pavement for COP and the following exercises:

SSHs, Imperial Walkers, Windmills, Merkins, Mtn Climbers, Squats, Peter Parkers, Parker Peters, Sumo Squats.

Mosey around to the front of the school for some ascending curb crawl. Perform 1 derkin, bear crawl to other side and do 2 derkins, bear crawl back for 3 derkins. Continue until you get to 11.

A couple quick sets of abs to catch our breath and mosey to the side of the school for 3 rounds of people’s donkey balls. Each round was 20 sec wall sit, 10 donkey kicks oyo, 10 sec balls to wall.

Mosey to the big hill at the front school entrance. Round of 7s. We did burpees at the bottom and squats at the top

We began our mosey back towards COT, but before we made it stopped in the big parking lot. Lined up on curb and sprinted the 25ish yards to the first light pole. Repeato about 5 more times.

Finish mosey back to start point for a few mins of Mary before meeting up with the LacesOut crew. Really great work from all involved.

COT

Announcements

Prayers/Praises

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Election Day – Do you know about Pennies for Progress???

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Knowing that today is Election Day and that there is an important referendum on the ballot to help continue to improve York County’s roadway infrastructure (since SCDOT has no $$$ to help), YHC figured it would be good to incorporate some very important statistics regarding the Pennies for Progress program into the WO. Further info to come on that….

COP consisted of windmills, good mornings, squats, alternate version of the Rocks up then mossy to….playground where the P4 trivia began.

288 – two pull ups, 8 LBCs, 8 Squats…why this number you ask??

434 – 4 pull ups, 3 LBCs, 4 squats…again why this number you ask?? YHC kept asking and there were a few bites but mostly discussions revolving around PSU football championships, statistics to the PSU-MSU game, but not even close. YHC kept giving hints relating to election day…..

We repeated those two again.

Mossy to first drill bit. Bonsai is celebrating the “originals” of the Fort the month of November at WEP and I would consider myself as one of them since I started 3 months after this greatest thing started in Fort Mill. The first WO Senator Tressel dragged me to at WEP involved the Drill Bit. So I figured we would all have some fun. At each drill but, PAX did 2 merkins, 8 LBC, and 8 squats….see a pattern yet? once the lap was completed, a new series of numbers: 97 (for 1997). YHC considered 97 merkins, but decided 9 merkins and 7 squats was adequate.

Mossy to playground for more history. 03 (for 2003) pull ups per PAX, then 11 (for 2011) pull ups. Bonsai then shouted our that the numbers and sequence related to the Pennies for Progress 4 referendum!! He wins, nothing of course, but is correct.

Mossy to small parking lot to do some Rugby Sprints in honor of Crab Cakes. Included 10 rounds with a few bear crawls thrown in there. Finished with some 5 minutes  of Mary.

Mossy to COT

Why the numbers?? in 1997, Pennies for Progress 1 was approved by York County voters to fund $99M of roadway improvements; in 2003 Pennies 2 was approved to fund $173M; and in 2011 Pennies 3 was approved to fund $161M – all totals $434M of roadway improvements. This program allowed York Co to widen I-77 to 8-lanes!! Without Pennies, York County roadways would be even worse in regards to congestion. This program is extremely essential for York County to TRY to keep up with growth. Its not the only answer, but without it, the roadways would be nothing but a crawl. You can debate that congestion hasn’t gotten better, but remember, York County has grown over 30% since 2000 and projected to grow another 40% by 2045. Since SCDOT is not flush with $$, this program helps mitigate as best of possible.

Today we vote on P4. $288M of roadway improvements, on a 1cent sales tax that York Co residents have been paying since 1997 – This is NOT an additional tax but a continuation. Many of us who moved into York County since then have been paying this tax and haven’t realized it. Without a dedicated tax towards roadway improvements, SC 160 would not have been widened at Zoar Rd, Gold Hill Interchange would not be scheduled to be upgraded, US 21 Bridge would not have been built….

Okay, enough of my soapbox, lots of F3 events, so read newsletter and sign up for Xmas Party, T-Giving convergence, and Joe Davis 5/10k.

Prayers to marriages – lots of struggles within the F3 community; raising our children; to the injured and loss of life; and to Texas tragedy.

Peace out – Trucker

 

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The Coop – Small Victories make the Difference

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15 Men arrived at Nation Ford HIgh School (NAFO) aka The Coop for a Wednesday morning Daily Red Pill. The thing we do not realize is we win more than we lose. We focus on the big monsters in our life but never celebrate the small victories in our lives. Simply getting out of the Fartsack and posting is a huge Victory. Leading a group of brothers in getting better, is a HUGH victory. Getting better physically, socially, spiritually is winning at life!! Celebrate the Victories and learn from the losses.

The Thang:

  • 5 Burpees OYO

Mosey to The Coop Jr ( Elementary school) Playground

  • COP
    • Merkins
    • Imperial Walkers
    • Squats
    • Peter Parker
    • LBCs
    • Parker Peters
    • Flutters
    • Moracan Night Clubs
    • Sumo Squats
    • Side Stradle Hops – Lead by Squeaky (Victory VQ)
  • Line up on baseline and partner up
    • Wheel barrows base to base
    • Swap with partner and back
    • Partner 1 suicides
    • Partner 2 squats
    • Move to sidelines
    • Rinse and repeat above
  • Mosey to school
    • People’s Chair with shoulder press
    • BTW with 10 count
    • 3 rounds
  • Mosey to small hill on side of school
    • Ladder work, adding exercise and reps each round
    • 1 Merkin
    • 2 CDDs
    • 3Leg Lifts
    • 4 Flutters
    • 5 Donkey Kicks
    • 6 Squat Jumps
    • 7 Freddy Murcurys
    • 8 Mak tar Shi
  • Wrap up with Plank and 5 count Mak Tar Shis
  • Mosey to base of hill back to The Coop Sr
    • Partner 1 run backward up the hill, 5 pull ups and run back
    • Partner 2 dying cock roach
    • Whole Group backward run to top of hill
    • Partner 1 10 pull ups
    • Partner 2 calf Raises
    • flapjack
    • 2 rounds
  • Full out run to COT

Great work by the PAX. The encouragement and work was tremendous. We worked hard and found victory in working together. T claps to Squeaky for leading Side Straddle Hops.

I spoke to the PAX about we need to know our objective and what are we trying to win. (Marriage, kids, career, life) and do we have the pieces and parts needed to succeed. My objective is to Glorify my Sky Q and i need to be in the word, prayer, fellowship with fellow believers and be accountable to this objective by my brothers. Find Victory brothers by having the right ingredients for winning!

Cake Boss

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The real gloom at WEP

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What a great Saturday morning. I got out to the AO a little early cause I hadn’t been out to WEP in a very long time. The air was thick with fog, it was dark, it was downright scary  – the perfect type type of gloom that we love to work with.

Men  start showing up about eight minutes before launch, by the time we were ready to go we had a total of 19 PAX ready to get after it . Nomad  brought 3 FNG’s from his youth group and they were excited to figure out what was in store for them this morning.  I bet they felt differently after words.

Maximus were starting us off today so he gave the long disclaimer for new friends and off we went .

It was a nice quick jog and then circle up to do several exercises that I can’t recall individually – but Maximus pushed us to get nice and warmed up.

the Thang

Partner up

partner 1 pull ups AMRAP while partner 2 runs around the playground  perimeter.

Repeat three times

After that we will circle up in the playground dirt and did several of the exercises which included toe touches, LBCs, flutter kicks and chopsticks. Maybe an elbow plank in there as well.

Maximus then turned it over to Royale

Mosey into the grass circled up and picked new partners

Lazy Dora

No running, consists  of the following exercises that are rotated between the two partners until you get to the combined number .

100 merkins

10 each while other partner planks

200 Squats

25 each while other partner holds low squat

300  American hammers single count

30 each  while partner holds 6 inches

This evolution was terrible so I gave the guys a break after it was done and read from Discipline Equals Freedom, a section called “application of discipline ”  from Jocko Willink’s most recent book. I shared his video about the book above.  It’s one of my favorite short motivational videos on YouTube!

The next evolution involved a nice little hill for 11’s

Run up the top the hill- do 10 bomb jacks – run back down – one plank jack until you reverse the cycle down to one Bomb Jack and 10 plank jacks.

Next we moseyed halfway around the park on the running track until we came close to the front road and entrance to the park.

We formed two lines and partnered up with the person right across from you in line- sat down and did two minutes each of big boy sit ups many as you can.

finally spent the last two minutes doing as many as you can burpees – real crowd pleaser

COT with FNG naming, Gomer, Ghost Rider and Chop Block.

Announcements prayers and praises

It was an honor to lead,

Royale & Maximus

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Light Pole Lane – a Colosseum BB for 10/24/17

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Well… it was another day in paradise at The Colosseum.

THANG:
Mosey lap around the pickup loop in front of the school, then circle up at the end of “light pole lane”. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard anyone call it that, but those that have posted there know exactly what I am talking about, I think. We partook of some normal warm-up goodies like Squats, Windmills, Merkins, Moroccan Nightclubs, SSH, etc…

Next it was 1 burpee and add a burpee at each light pole until we get to the end and meet me there, plank for the 6. Then for no fun, we did a few burpees in cadence, which is, I am told, the proper way to do them.

Then we moseyed down the entrance road to the cross street of Patricia Ln, which is about the halfway point between the top of Dave Gibson and the left turn onto Light Pole Lane and to the schools. (If that makes any sense at all) Here, we played “it pays to be a winner” and we hoofed it to the top of Dave Gibson and pack to Patricia as fast as we could. MacGyver (shocker) was the winner, so he got to pick the ab exercise. 30 flutters… Then second place picked the direction to run… up the hill or down the hill… Naturally (I think it was Backdraft who picked) we went up the hill… #choosetheharderthing … then we bear crawled back for the 6.

We repeated this nonsense until about 0552, then we ran down to the corner of Light Pole Lane for a little ab work and an AYG sprint back to COT.

NMM:
A couple of thoughts:
1. Light Pole Lane is longer than I thought and I nearly killed myself trying to stay ahead of Pax until I finally ran completely out of gas and nearly splashed merlot.
2. If you are at a workout with MacGyver, he will most likely be The #King
3. If you are at a workout with Backdraft, he will most likely choose the harder thing, and will push you to do the same.
4. If you are at a workout with Longshanks, he will most likely talk a lot of crap, but he will do it while he is helping you along and making sure you ok. He does that part quietly because he has a rep to maintain.
5. If you are at a workout with Sparkle, he will most likely push harder than you.
6. If you are at a workout with Trucker, he will most likely fake complain a lot, but push harder than you.
7. Finally, if you are at a workout with me, you are not the dumbest guy there, so you got that going for you… which is nice…

Helmet, out.

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