It means a lot

7 of F3 Gastonia’s finest were out at the frozen tundra of the greatest AO named after 2 former Nantans, getting in some work before all the events of Turkey Day.  Here’s what I remember:

Holiday workouts can be hard to predict, because a change in the routine changes numbers.  Either no work means no rush means guys are able to post, or no work means nowhere to be means no reason to leave the fartsack.  With the Triple Post coming on Thanksgiving day, it seemed more likely that the crowd would be small.  YHC showed up right at 5:25 to be greeted by 3 cars in the lot and no PAX to be found.  Norwood got out of his car and wondered what if he was in the right place.  Turns out it was his first venture to the AO with 2 first names.  Sargento arrived on foot and Nutria followed, but it was 5:30, so time to get going.

The disclaimer was long, as YHC has a tendency to ramble, and the cinder blocks would be coming out, so proper warning was given of my lack of expertise in the field.  During this time, 3 more PAX showed up, and just like that, we had our group.  Time to get to work.

The Thang:

• 10 x Goofballs (IC)
• 10 x Abe Vagodas (IC)
• 10 x Seal Jacks (IC)
• 10 x Mike Tysons (IC)
• 10 x Overhead Claps (IC)

Mosey 1 lap around the track

To the Footmobile, where the coupons were waiting.  One cinder block for each of the PAX, with Watts Up overseeing the distribution.  Circle back up for the first of 3 rounds of our Tabata work.

• 30 seconds AMRAP x Curls
• 15 seconds rest
• 30 seconds AMRAP x Dirty Hookups/Hand Step-ups on the block
• 15 seconds rest
• 30 seconds AMRAP x Those things like windshield wipers where you raise your feet from side to side over your block that is stood vertically without your feet touching the ground (wasn’t much on naming things this morning)
• 15 seconds rest
• 30 seconds AMRAP x Overhead Presses
• 15 seconds rest
• 30 seconds AMRAP x Squats w/Cinder Block

Wrapping up, we toted our cinder blocks to the next stop – the soccer field.

The theme for the day was to kind of relive and redo my VQ, but in a different (and better) way.  Really, the only 2 things I wanted to incorporate again were the “Two Corners” routine of an exercise on the near side of the field, and stacking exercises on the far side of the field.  Originally, we kicked soccer balls and did burpees, but originally we didn’t have cinder block work to do.  Soccer and burpees didn’t make the cut.  What did?

• 10 x Werkins (OYO)
• Mosey across the field
• 10 x Werkins (OYO)
• Mosey back
• 15 x Plank Jacks (OYO)
• Mosey across the field
• 10 x Werkins (OYO)
• 15 x Plank Jacks (OYO)
• Mosey Back
• 20 x Mahktar Ndiayes (OYO)
• Mosey across the field
• 10 x Werkins (OYO)
• 15 x Plank Jacks (OYO)
• 20 x Mahktar Ndiayes (OYO)
• Mosey back

20 Mahktar Ndiayes is a lot.  They weren’t on the original VQ Weinke, but YHC will call them whenever there’s good grass available.

Back to the flag for Tabata Round 2 (see above)

Load up the cinder block and head to the other side of the parking lot, but en route, YHC got concerned with time, and just did the Dora from the front of the school instead of on the other side of the school like we did in the VQ.

Dora today consisted of

• 100 x Block Hops
• 200 x Rocky Balboas
• 300 x SSH

with the other partner carrying their cinder block the length of the covered walkway and back.  Pace was optional with the carry, and YHC definitely just walked it.  Kudos to Sargento for pushing the pace hard while carrying the cinder block.

Back to the flag for Tabata Round 3 (see above)

With a few minutes left, we took 1 more lap around the track, and that was time.

Strong effort and mumblechatter today. Only one word can summarize my gratitude to the PAX for sticking with me through the workout.

Mucho

Announcements:

• Christmastown 5K
• Christmas Party
• Triple Post
• Friday options
  • Friday AOs
  • LKN Black Friday Convergence – clown car @ 0600 at Starbucks Belmont (Park St)
  • 10 Mile Run/Hike Shortoff Mtn Linville Gorge Area – wheels up @ 0700 at Ingles in Dallas

Prayer Requests:

• Norwood’s mother had a seizure
• Waukesha
• Charlotte Thanksgiving Parade
• South Point Football Friday
• PAX traveling

Moleskin:

Great to see Norwood in the weekday Gloom.  He’s been a big part of the crew at the Yank for a long time now.

My goal today was to just do something different.  Not a ton of running which is unusual for me, so I guess it was different.

I’m a very different Q than I was back in October of last year.  It’s good to look back and see the growth.  I’m very thankful for you all and how you helped me grow.  I’m also looking forward to being part of the growth of others and they push to places they didn’t think they would ever go.

Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

Yabba Dabba Doo