I still can’t figure out how 45 minutes of muscle pain and gasping for breath translates into such good memories and such food for the journey, but it happens every time. Nothing more heroic than pushing out an extra merkin may happen on any given morning, but I always leave feeling like a million bucks and grateful for such a band of brothers.
After the usual warm-ups at the Vortex, the 18 PAX moseyed to the playground and alternated between 30 seconds of merkins and 30 seconds of jump squats for 11 minutes. That was long enough for each PAX to cycle through two sets of pull-ups (dead hang!–max 10 to encourage excellent form) and two sets of 20 dips. Once back at the field, we divided into three groups of six and rotated (in 6 and 1/2 minute segments) through the following exercises:
1 – Cinder Block Parade: 5 cadence-count shoulder lifts; sprint across the width of the field with the block; 10 military presses; walk back with the block held above the head. Repeat.
2 – Sit n’ Run: In pairs. One PAX does the people’s chair, while the other sprints across both fields and back. Switch. Repeat.
3 – Animal Pinball: Bear crawl from the 18 to half-field; 5 burpees; crab walk back to 18; five burpees; repeat.
Make no mistake; the rotations were hard. PAX only disagreed which one was the worst to start with. Mary was better than it had any right to be with only two exercises: excellent plank-o-rama from Ram Air and signature flutters from Bushwood.
It’s a privilege to be a part of this group. I don’t take for granted the chance to be with guys who somehow manage to push one another without being jerks about it. The chorus of encouragement; the fist bumps; the real concern about injuries and life events; the COT… All good. Not quite running-across-a-wide-open-field-with-talking-animals-and-your-best-friends-in-the-whole-world-to-save-all-of-Narnia good (see the video), but almost.
