Sisyphus and a bucket of suck

Sisyphus and a bucket of suck

1. You’re wondering why the title of this backblast has an STD in it.
2. On second thought you realize it is Sisyphus  (click his name to the left if you don’t remember who he was) not syphilis (no link because nobody needs to see that).

YHC was EH’d into Q-ing this morning. Thanks Hair Band. I wanted to make this workout different than the “typical” kettlebell workout and it certainly was. Two things showed up at the workout that haven’t been used (or at least I haven’t seen used).

The first was a bucket of suck. It was a 5 gallon bucket filled with rocks. We’ll say it weighed around 50-60lbs, though it certainly felt like more by the end. I was going to weigh the bucket when I got to work, but the PAX was taking out their anger on the poor defenseless bucket and the PAX won the fight. Let’s have a moment of silence for the bucket who gave its life so we could get swole.

The second item of gear were first called “streamers” when the PAX first arriving. YHC works as a Quality Control Manager at a textile company. YHC took an off-quality roll and chopped it into 2″ sections. These “streamers” were lined up on the hill from the parking lot to the sidewalk near the street. These “streamers” were tied to everybody’s kettlebell

Warmup

Mosey around the parking lot and circle up

Side straddle hops IC X20

Imperial walkers IC X20

Mountain climbers IC X20

Everybody warmed up…GOOD let’s start this thang.

Thang

• Round 1 – Everybody takes a turn on the bucket of suck. Pick up the bucket walk about 8 parking spaces. Do 5 burpees. Pick up the suck bucket and go back to the start. While one of the PAX was doing work with the bucket, the remaining PAX was at the top of the hill on the sidewalk. While holding a squat position the PAX at the top of the hill pull their kettlebells to them. Once the bell reached the top of the hill, the PAX did 5 shoulder presses on each arm. Take your bell down the hill to reset. Repeat until all of the PAX has had their go on the bucket of suck.
• Round 2 – Same concept as Round 1. This time, the bucket of suck goes up the hill to the sidewalk. Once at the sidewalk 10 burpees. Bring bucket down the hill for the next guy. This time the PAX pulled their kettlebells up the hill in a seated position like a rowing machine. Once the bell gets to the top do 10 shoulder presses each arm with the bottom of the kettlebell facing up. Modify to regular shoulder presses if you weren’t comfortable pressing the bell upside down.

Mary

ABC’s – on your six hold your feet off the ground. Spell the alphabet with your feet in CAPITAL LETTERS without letting your feet hit the ground

Flutter kicks IC X20

LBCs ICx10

Done.

I’m humbled to lead such a great group of guys. Thanks for the opportunity and for trying something new. Wasn’t sure if everything would work or not.

Announcements

1. Gypsy and the Mint Hill guys are planning an unofficial hike 11/4. See him for details. I don’t believe he is on any social media.
2. Shout out to Nekot and Turnpike. They both have long roads to recovery after their surgeries.

The pelt of a rodent (Moleskine)

•  Attendance was a little light this morning. One was going on a “rode” trip (their words, not mine). One is barbecuing meat for the entire town tonight. More than a couple have gross, disfigured, or dysfunctional feet or ankles. Some probably drank too much White Zinfandel at the happy hour last night. Some might not have been able to find the M’s yoga pants. Whatever your excuse for not being there this morning, you were certainly missed.
• Another moment of silence for the bucket. Luckily his death was quick. I can’t say if it was painless or not.
• From Hair Band: Missed #mumblechatter opportunity this morning…From an article I read:”While normally Uranus is barely visible, you should be able to spot it with your naked eye, even without binoculars.” Plenty of jokes to be made on this one.
• I almost did hillbillies aka the Bernanke (had his real last name listed there, but switched to his F3 name. We know it is for his whole family, not just him) mating call, but did mountain climbers instead. Either way it should have made him happy. Speaking of Bernanke, if you see him let him know he is a wanted man for bucket homicide.
• I think we all have a new respect for that hill. It doesn’t look that long or intimidating until you’re forced to drag heavy(ish) things up it repeatedly.
• Plenty of opportunity for “that’s what she said” this morning. It works with just about anything.
• Some mumble chatter about Duke’s this morning. Not sure if it was the university, the mayonnaise, or the grill in Monroe. Whatever the case, it makes me want a greasy cheeseburger with mayo now. Thanks for that.
• Glass Joe was able to relive some of his teenage angst with a song (don’t remember which one) that came on during the workout.
• Lamont came squealing in on 2 tires with about 10 seconds left.At least he was there and on-time.
• Hoffa admitted when he first got there that he was up way past his 7pm bedtime. Believe it or not, he was at a concert last night that didn’t get out until after 11. Good job showing up and doing work
• It was good to see Arsenal in the gloom. We need you to hand over your VQ card. There is no time like the present to step up and Q. They will only mock (read: help) you a little bit. Arsenal is one of the more quiet guys, but he sure made himself vocal at the end and his displeasure of the workout. That is music to my ears. Once you regain feeling in your arms/shoulders you’ll thank me.
• Edison is another quiet one. Shows up, does the work, doesn’t complain. Looking forward to a workout where he is on Q as well.
• Hair Band mentioned a restaurant opened by GWAR. The menu looks amazing. Will have to check this out if I’m in the Richmond area. http://gwarbar.com/
• When Gypsy arrived and found that I was on Q he was not a happy person. “After eHarmony’s last Q (my VQ by the way) I was sore for a week. It sucked in a good way.” That comment made my day sir. I’m not sorry for that or if you get sore from this one either. Soreness is weakness leaving the body.
• I was glad none of Union County’s finest came by as I was setting this up. A guy at a middle school at 4:45 in the morning throwing what looked like toilet paper down the hill 10+ times would certainly be hard to explain my way out of.