The Thang

Mosey to tennis courts: Thang 1 – The fires

Chariot Race –  IL has 4 tennis courts for reference. 16 PAX split into two teams of 8. Each team of 8 goes to opposite ends of net at one end of the 4 courts to the east and west (approximately 100 yardsish). 8 laps down and back around the nets. If you are the last of the 8 man team to cross on the first lap, move to the side to do SSH, planks, just keep moving. Elimination continues until the final lap between 2 pax. Sulley beat me by a few steps, not sure who took the crown for the other team.

Ladder Up- Run across one tennis court, 10 merkins, run back to start, 10 squats. Run across 2 tennis courts, same exercises, repeat till you have run across all courts. Boxcutter set the pace, nice push. Nacho commented that form, even after my gentle reminder, was subpar after the first two tennis courts. However, he didn’t have his glasses on but right on que he was there with an assessment, which I took into consideration on the ladder down. NEXT,

Ladder Down- Run/sprint/jog/crawl…whatever it takes, across all tennis courts, 10 flutter kicks in cadence, on the line, run back, 10 flutter kicks in cadence. Rinse and repeat until no mo courts to cross. The last PAX across the line on each run was asked to count the cadence for the flutter kicks. The PAX seem to really enjoy this one and it brought great joy to experience it with them. Straight legs, 6 inches, straight legs, 6 inches….was emphasized during the exercise ;).

Thang 2 – The tires

Tire flip race – 16 Pax split into teams of 8, each team was to tire flip the bigger tire around the parking island (about 75 yards). No rules other than it must flip. Its always interesting to see how the strategy evolves, who smashes a finger or leg, who counts 1,2,3 lift and who doesn’t. No surprise, BackDraft carried his team, and I mean like two guys on each shoulder, pulling another tire carried his team to victory.

Heavy carry race – Same track, same teams. Each guy, one at a time, runs 1 lap carrying one of several options (60 sandbag, 35/53lb kettle bell, 5o/70lb weights or double coupons (60 ish lbs). The sandbag seemed to be the favorite on my squad. If not running you’re holding plank. If you break plank, 10 LBCs and return to plank. Good guys won, Sully couldn’t make up the distance this time but was looking to go 2-0 on BH this morning.

BH ring of tire fire – PAX circle around 2 bigger tires, 4 sledge hammers available. IF called out, 5 hits on the tire, if not hitting the tire you are doing exercises in the circle with the other PAX. I called out the first 4 slammers, they chose the next guy after that. I thought this was great, just long enough to get people winded, and the exercises in the circle were strenuous enough that I think most looked forward to the sledge work. One area for improvement. The fire comes from the encouragement of the surrounding PAX to hit that mf’er as hard as you can. This was limited since I could not provide encouragement (leading exercise) and the PAX were focused on counting. I think this works best when PAX are stationary on the outside but tried and learned.