MEAT(head) GRINDER: “Wait…..30 more swings?”

MEAT(head) GRINDER: “Wait…..30 more swings?”

8 men met in the humid gloom to get stronger.  After a thorough disclaimer, this is what went down:

THE THANG

As YHC fell asleep last night age 44 and woke this morning age 45, the number of the day was….45.

COP

SSH X 15

IW X 15

Mountain Climbers X 15

Total = 45 reps

MAIN EVENT – LADDERS + SWINGS (THE SWINGING LADDER)

45 swings to get things started

9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 reps of each called exercise, for a total of 45 reps

30 swings after each 7, 4, 1 rung for total of 90 swings to accompany each exercise

(1st 2-Handed, 2nd-1-Handed, 3rd -American Swings)

Called Exercises:

Goblet Squats – 45

Snatches R + L (9 on each side, 8 on each side, etc.) – 45 each (90 total)

Upright Rows – 45

Lawn Mowers (Bent Over Rows) – 45

45 swings to finish things up

Total Swing Count: 450

45 SECONDS OF MARY

Plank-O-Rama for 45 seconds (regular, hands/legs up, 6 inches)

SOUNDTRACK BY BERRY, BUCK, MILLS, STIPE

Wolves Lower, Gardening at Night, Carnival of Sorts, Radio Free Europe, Harborcoat, Driver 8, Begin the Begin, These Days, I Believe, Superman, Finest Working, Orange Crush, Electrolite, (Reserve: Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite, Bandwagon, White Tornado, Tighten Up)

COT

Thanks for the take-out Wild Turkey

YE NAKED MOLESKINE

Well, that was a grinder.  YHC had a heavy leg work-out planned weeks ago.  However, as YHC has his first GORUCK event in 2 days, last minute audible was called to try something less leg-intensive. A partial test drive last night had YHC almost give up around snatch ladder number 6.  Thinking it was just the heat/humidity/late night fatigue/loneliness, decision was made to proceed on today.  Turns out YHC was smoked very early.  The swings were supposed to be a welcome break from the exercises, but YHC had trouble completing the 30 reps called each time.  A goal of 450 was too ambitious.  Would have been much better for a 60 minute work-out.  Honest swing count today was closer to 375, due to running out of time at the bottom of the last ladder, and then minus any modifications that may or may not have been made…

All the PAX were working HARD this morning and the sweat was dripping from the first set.  There wasn’t much rest today so it was a good cardiac work out too.  It was a great group today, with some meathead vets and some F3 vets who chose meathead to get a break from the running.

Welcome to Lulu (FNG) (Dominic), brought out by Witch Doctor.  This was a brutal work out and you did great hanging in there for 45 long minutes.  Keep coming back.  It may not get easier, but you will get stronger, and it get’s more and more fun.  Dominic is a recent biology grad from Boca Raton and currently works at a yoga studio, hence the name.  He admitted to recently buying his first pair of lulu lemon apparel.  I can concur that it was probably worth the money.

There was not much mumble chatter today.  The most visited topic was the BRR.  There is growing interest in forming a Meathead team.  Just 2 weeks to decide…. Oh, and I think I heard the 30 swing count questioned at least 2 or 3 times.  There was, in fact, a good bit of 2nd F after the COT.  Some of the PAX are world travelers.

Hope the R.E.M. soundtrack was ok with the PAX.  YHC chose a birthday Q to be of service and because it’s one of the best ways to start another year – waking early to push physically and mentally  with my brothers, and connect with God spiritually.  The music was admittedly selfish, but hey, YHC wanted to hear R.E.M. today, so there you go.  No apologies.  But next time there will be variety.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Blue Ridge Relay (BRR) in 2 weeks.  Some teams need runners or reserve runners or drivers.