02/14/2021 - The Complex - How much fun was that?!
AO: The Complex
When: 02/14/2021
PAX:
Number of Pax: 10
Pax Names: atat, Blueprints, Bongo, DJ Sump Pump, Elway, Flush, Leuben, Nair, Rainman, Tang,
DR Names: N/A
Number of FNGS: 0
FNG Names: N/A
QIC: Nacho Libre
Introduction
The weather was awesome! It was about -4 when we started the workout but that’s not bad at all when you consider that Deadhorse, AK was -5 at the same time. So look on the bright side, we are a good 1 degree warmer than the arctic circle.
Despite the fact that it was so damn balmy, 10 PAX showed up with fantastic attitudes. Honestly, it’s not too often that each and every person shows up with a smile on their face and a determined look in their eyes but it definitely happened today at The Complex. Hats off to you guys, I really appreciated it.
Warm-O-Rama
Motivators from 7
Arm circles forward, backward, seal claps, overhead claps
It was too damn cold and snowy to keep standing around so we got right to it.
The Thang
Thang 1 – As you may or may not know, I invented the concept of running sprints in freshly fallen, powdery snow. Yes, it was me and me alone who first said, “I believe we should run in a foot of snow to increase the difficulty.” You may hear rumors or even read about people (cough<Babyhands>cough) claiming that they did it first. No, this was all me and I graciously take full credit and I never complain about it ever.
With that disclaimer out of the way, we did 6 sprints across the outfield in about a foot of untouched snow completing 10 Bonnie Blair’s in between each sprint.
Thang 2 – After moseying back to the parking lot which had just slightly less snow than the damn outfield, we went to work with strength training. We lowered the reps but really focused on unique ways to improve form and keep tension on the muscles. We completed 3 exercises as a super set, rested 30 seconds, went on to the next one. The goal was to position ourselves in a way so that we took any momentum or other muscle groups out of the lifts forcing us to focus on real strength building.
Set 1 – 20 merkins with pauses sprinkled in for fun, 20 sitting shoulder presses, 10 kneeling curls,
Set 2 – 20 squats, 10 reverse lunges with a coupon on your shoulder, 20 rock balboa’s.
Set 3 – 20 single arm chest presses (10 each arm), 10 thrusters with pauses sprinkled in for fun, 10 coupon clean and press
Set 4 – 20 squats touching your butt to the coupon each time (challenged folks to lay it flat), 20 rocky balboa’s, 20 diamond merkins on the coupon
One extra set of side lunges just to round things out.
Thang 3 – Everyone is doing side straddle hops while we once again hold a regional tire throwing competition. Box score and insight will be provided in the Naked-Man-Moleskin.
Instead of a true Mary we did the old Karate Kid. For those of you who don’t know, you do squats constantly while the song “Best around” from the 1984 hit film “Karate Kid” plays only you have to give your best jumping kick anytime you hear the word “Best”. Ended with 25 Imperial Walkers.
Circle of Trust
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it to serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
I just texted this to a group of friends yesterday. In fact, I try and recite this every Friday at the end of a work week to remind myself that, regardless of what happened previously, tomorrow is another day full of opportunity. Their is a funny story behind this quote for me though. I first read this when I was about 23 years old while searching the internet for another job because I was convinced I was going to be fired. At this point in my life, I lived in a horrible ghetto apartment that lacked central heat, was a raging drunk, was flat broke, no girlfriend, and I had just thrown a chair at my boss’ head. Needless to say, I was not looking at the next day “serenely and with too high a spirit” but for whatever reason that quote stuck with me. As I battled my way through life, slowly seeing improvement, I kept thinking about this quote. It’s not just that tomorrow is a new day but that you have to forget about yesterday’s nonsense as well.
With F3, that quote has now morphed into a great reminder of how grateful I am for all of your friendship. I go to bed each night not thinking about the nonsense of the day but excited about what I’ll find at 5:15 the next morning. Thank you and I truly appreciate each and everyone of you.
Naked Man Moleskin
Wow, have I got plenty to say about today! First of all, I have to compliment the PAX one last time for the terrific attitudes today. I saw max effort and tons of mubble chatter which just made for a perfect workout.
- As soon as I get out my car, Nair is standing there and says, “A good friend of mine went to high school with you.” Turns out we both know and are fond of good old Soup Can Johnny. We then reminisced about the time he punched out that cop. I knew that I would love having Nair as my site Q almost instantly. Of course, I mean no offense Smokey. It’s just that we weren’t always the choir boys you know now.
- 4th Qualifying F3 Regional Tire Throwing Competition:
- As the men towed the line, an air of uncertainty was palpable throughout the crowd. There was no hands on favorite this morning so it seemed as though it was anyone’s crown to take. Tang and Leuben (who wore a damn weight vest all day!) started out of the gate with strong showings but it soon came down to a three man race between Blue Prints, Rainman, and At At.
- Though all 3 provided an admiral second throws, it was clear from both rounds that Blue Prints was the cream of the crop. Final standings: At At takes 3rd, Rainman in 2nd, and Blue Prints with a big time 1st place showing.
- Congratulations to Blue Prints as he will join Baby Hands, Blues Clues, and Buttermaker in the F3 Tire Throwing Championship.
- Please note that you still have an opportunity to compete in the Iron Lion, Dark Tower, and Black Panther regions. Keep an eye on that Q sheet for when Nacho Libre Q’s there next.
- I’m looking at At At and, even with all those layers, I’m thinking this dude is getting cut. We often dwell on those new PAX that show up, get dedicated to the work, and see these crazy results early. But how impressive is it when a F3 vet has a 2nd act like this? Through rededication and even more effort, a guy like At At is showing us the way again. Good work, brother and keep it up.
- DJ Sump Pump has shown up to my last 2 Q’s so I can only assume he’s auditioning to be my roady or he’s wants me to bring the tire throwing regionals to Black Panther. Either way, I’m on board.
- Bongo joins that list of HIMS who are part sasquatch (looking at you Mr. Belding and Patchouli) who can run faster through a foot of snow then on flat ground. It was crazy to watch this freak fly through the snow while still having enough air in his lungs to lecture me on my music selection.
- Flush gave me one of his hand warmers as he saw me struggling to keep my fingers warm. He is the epitome of a stand up guy.
- Rainman rules. If you have any question as to why I would randomly just state that out of thin air than you just need to get to know him better. It’s that simple.
- An older gentleman was out walking his dog this morning and stopped to watch us as we ran through the snow. His head cocked to the side in sheer disbelief, he stayed and watched us all the way to the end of CoT before moving on. I couldn’t help but wonder what was running through this guy’s mind as he saw a group of men, dressed in all black, with faces covered, sprinting through snow drifts, throwing tires and cinder blocks, and practicing jump kicks. I think it’s safe to assume that this guy is under the impression that either Al qaeda has a sleeper cell in Naperville or that we are part of a real life Steven Segal movie where a group of kung fu criminals are out to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting rural town. Regardless, I have no doubt that this guy has already listed his house and is looking at real estate in Iowa.