Thursday On The Rocks

Thursday On The Rocks

We had 15 for Hydra on what is hopefully winter’s last stand this morning.  This damp, dreary, drizzly nonsense is a reminder that Charlotte, NC is the northernmost point that is fit for humans to inhabit.  There was not much pre-workout chatter since I suppose everyone was tired from staying up to watch that UVA/Louisville game that ended up something like 39-36.  I’ve seen 12U rec league games that are more action packed.  Anyway, we set off to have ourselves a workout.

The warmup was a hodgepodge of the usual suspects with some Mary thrown in for good measure but omitting side straddle hops since roughly half the pax don’t bother to do them.  After sufficiently warming ourselves we set off for the tables and bleachers near the concession stand at the back baseball fields.  We took a bit of a meandering route because YHC wanted to appease the contingent that insists that every bootcamp should feature copious amounts of running.  Actually, I just got disoriented because I’m typically only at OPE for 10U baseball in the daylight and momentarily forgot where the gate openings were.  Once we reached our destination instructions were given to perform 100 dips and 100 split squats split evenly between both legs.  These instructions were met with some slight pushback, but everyone acquiesced once they realized I was serious.

Next the plan was to go to the open field next to the launch lot, but it was still quite soggy so YHC accepted the group’s constructive criticism and not so subtle suggestions to adjust the location to the parking lot.  Feedback is a gift they say.  Whomever said that must not have ever been to Hydra.  A variant of the Iron Horse merkin ladder was on tap, so we added squats to the merkins and ran back and forth several times across said parking lot, which looks downright silly when seen in print.

The third component of the workout was to take place at the church across Rea Road at the rock pile.  Feeling generous, and since YHC runs slower than a three legged turtle crawling through maple syrup, I offered to let the pax run ahead and do burpees while they waited for me to arrive.  Nobody accepted my benevolent offer however.  I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.  At the rock pile it was time for some bodybuilding because summer bodies are built in the winter.  We did some standard exercises; curls, extensions, presses, etc. and some not so standard ones.  YHC introduced the group to the overhead weighted lunge walk, the Frankenstein rock walk, and the Sots press.  Perhaps it was the fatigue setting in, but at this point it was difficult to tell if the chatter was fawning adulation or spiteful derision.  It’s a fine line.  Spackler and Marge decided to set off on their own, like Hermie and Rudolph because they wanted to get additional running in.  Weirdos.

Back to the launch lot for some outsourced Mary, and a fair to middling takeout by YHC.  Not many announcements save for a beer mile next Friday.  One Site Q was in attendance today, but both made sure to text me several times throughout the week beginning on Monday afternoon.  They needn’t have worried since I’m like a Lannister and always pay my debts, just without the blonde hair and incest.  Not much mumblechatter during and after the workout, so you people didn’t give me a lot of material to work with for this backblast.  Thursdays are a rarity for me since I bowl in a Wednesday night league, but it was good to see some faces I don’t run into nearly enough.  Mostly it was good to catch up a bit with Geraldo, a/k/a The Peoples’ Champion.  For those that would have preferred more running and less strength building, please see Jet Fuel for your refund once he returns from his stay at the luxurious Grove Park Inn.  Besides, there’s always Devil’s Swift Twitch or whatever not too far away.  Everyone should Q Hydra at some point, especially for introverts such as YHC.  It requires a thick skin, a willingness to be assertive, and conviction to step outside your comfort zone.  It’s good practice for life in general.