Romancing the stone

Romancing the stone

Eight of the finest PAX in Union County and the hinterlands of South Charlotte descended on Stallings Elementary for today’s installment of Conviction, ready to rock and roll.

Rock and roll? Yeah, YHC is going to try and limit the rock-related puns going forward.

So, after a heartfelt disclaimer, there was a warm-up mosey, winding through the launch-side parking lot.

Time to circle up:

COP

• Side-Straddle Hops x 20 IC
• Imperial Walkers x 20 IC
• Low, Slow Squat x 20 IC
• Mountain Climbers x 15 IC
• Arm circles, going forward x 10 IC
• Arm circles, going backward x 10 IC

THANG

Head to the rock pile. PAX were instructed to grab a rock, but to choose it carefully. Get a rock that is good for travel, yet will give you a challenge to do exercises. Basically, don’t choose the “Regerts Rock” from last week.

Rocks chosen, mosey to the bus lot.

PAX put the rocks down to receive instructions. Start at the corner by the bench, do the called exercise and number of reps, mosey (with your rock) to the next corner and repeato, mosey to the next corner and repeato, mosey to the next corner and repeato, and recover mosey back to the starting corner and wait for the six.

Pretty easy, right? Well, the reason there so much emphasis on wisely choosing your rock is because there was one little tiny catch …

Once you pick up your rock to start, you can’t put it down for the duration of the workout.

No pavement, no grass, no bench, no sidewalk. YHC has to give it to the PAX, there were many contingencies thrown out, all of which were denied. Now, YHC didn’t say there couldn’t be creative ways to find rest, like resting the rock on a foot or knee or whatever. If you put down your rock, you must do 5 burpees on the spot. Add an extra burpee for any subsequent violation. Modify as needed.

Okay, let’s go …

• Round 1: 20 curls at each corner
• Round 2: 20 squats at each corner
• Round 3: 15 overhead presses at corner
• Round 4: 15 tricep extensions at each corner
• Round 5: 10 flutter presses at each corner
• Round 6: 5 Louganis at each corner

After each round, recite the Rockman’s Creed:

This is my rock. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rock is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

Without me, my rock is useless. Without my rock, I am useless. I must lift my rock true.

Before God, I swear this creed.

Actually, we didn’t do the creed, but, that’s good, right?

After the final round, dump your rock in the gravel area by the playground and head to the wall.

Sit down in the People’s Chair. Arms out and hold it. Then 50 air presses, civilian count. Recover. Repeato.

Alright, grab your rock, mosey back to the rock pile. Throw rock angrily into the pile. Mosey back to launch for some Mary.

• 25 LBCs OYO
• 20 Heels to Heaven IC

Time called.

COT

Count off, name off, announcements, takeout.

-30-

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Run Jen Run 5K this weekend. There’s a beer tent.

Jabberwocky on Q next week.

ROCKSKINE

Do you ever look at your #Weinke in the morning before heading out and just think to yourself, “Man, I really don’t want to do this.”? That was me this morning, as my body was quite sore after a rep-heavy kettlebell workout at Skunk Works the morning before. But, I was locked in.

Before officially starting, there was much discussion of college basketball, given the finish of last night’s UNC-Miami game. There was also gnashing of teeth related to the fact that the ACC Tournament is being held in Brooklyn this year. Being a Gamecock, this is of less concern to me, although my conference faces a similar phenomenon this year …

Bullwinkle: “Where’s the SEC Tournament this year?”

Lois: “The heart of SEC country!”

Bullwinkle: “Atlanta?”

Lois: “St. Louis.”

Now, apparently I wasn’t the only one beat up by the prior day’s workout. There was a lot of mumblechatter about yesterday’s Thrive — something about improper tallying related to the Thrive Challenge. Perhaps there was interference from Russia? #FakeNews

When I said “there’s a catch” before explaining the rule about not putting it down, there was an audible groan. There was an even louder groan when Bullwinkle asked about the penalty.

I think everyone was well oriented with his own rock by the end. Perhaps even an intimate connection made. Jabberwocky and his rock I think were destined for couple’s counseling early on. I myself realized about 10 curls in that I perhaps made a poor decision with regards to my own rock.

Now, I didn’t see any of this, but there were calls of “shenanigans” early on, perhaps levied at eHarmony? Now, of course, “shenanigans” sent me and Bullwinkle into a temporary fit of quoting “Super Troopers.” #Meow #LiterOfCola

Everyone really pushed themselves this morning. It was truly designed to be challenging, but also easily modifiable for each PAX to adjust to his own ability. The catch of not putting it down wasn’t designed so much to increase the difficulty, but just keep you on your toes … or in some cases, the rock on your toes.

Gypsy was out front for most of it, but always going back to make sure everyone was doing well. Sticky Note I gather is still relatively new to F3, but, he was knocking it out. With all of the mumblechatter and grumblechatter, the morning just flew by.

Thanks for the opportunity to lead this group of #HIM.