Chris Farley’s van at The Clydesdales?

Ratched confirmed via Twitter with an “Always brother” that EC would be happening.  YHC hadn’t ever done a 0440 EC, but figured since Ratched had tapped YHC to Q at The Clydesdales, then now’s a good time to join the ‘Always’ Clydesdales crew.  “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”.  Was a pleasure to join the brothers and ruck – quality miles spent together fo’ sure.

We got back as others were arriving for the 0530 beatdown.  With minutes available stretching and conversations transpired.  Several PAX were prepared with time keepers and shared with YHC that is was time to circle up and get started.  “So, we did.” (to be read with a Forrest Gump voice)

Disclaimer given, warm ups commenced:

Punch Jacks in cadence x12; Windmills in cadence x15; starting from a downward dog position – walked it out to a plank and did some Merkins in cadence on the down x12 (YHC provided a few pauses in the cadence to assess the PAX were listening and staying w/cadence – “and they were” (FG’s voice again)); following the set of Merkins we held plank: regular, left arm up, regular, right arm up, regular, walked ourselves back up to the downward dog position, and finally recovered.  Lastly, we lined up and did bear crawls the length of each of the 3 concrete benches there by the flag poles (since done on the benches, YHC got a message from Cold-Cut afterwards sharing the raccoon crawls were fun, so perhaps they were raccoon crawls) followed by a jog to the far side of Murphy Center for the steps, back down and around to the near side steps, then back the benches for another lap of crawls and first set of steps again.

Having finished warm ups, we drifted over the the Pirate statue for a few exercises using those concrete benches: Dips in cadence x15, Irkins in cadence x15, Step up, high knees (2 is 1) x15 (OYO).  From there we moseyed over to the tunnel and stopped for BTTW – 7 count by each PAX (we had 12, so slightly more than a minute for the first 11, then the strong finish by Spinal Tap’s count).

Next up was the Tennis courts, there we did “Federer’s” (the winning-est male tennis player, thus a set of exercises on one tennis court followed by a “victory lap” around all tennis courts) First set: WWIs x25 (OYO, regroup on the next court), Second set: WWIIs x25 (OYO again, regroup on the next court), Third set (staying with the ‘core’ theme): LBCs x25 (OYO, stay after finishing).  After the third set, rather than a victory lap, we did a sprint to the far end, recovered, and then another sprint back across to end closest to the parking lot.  Finally, we finished at the tennis courts with Freddie Mercuries x25 (OYO).  From there YHC pointed to the parking lot and shared we’d be moseying over to the vans, and the mumble chatter brought out references to Chris Farley’s van (down by the river!)  So, a bunch of Bill Shakespeare’s got going and headed that way…

In the parking lot, we did BLIMPS at each parking lot light pole: B = Burpees x5; L = jump Lunges (2 is 1) x10; I = Imperial Walkers (2 is 1) x15; M = Merkins x20 (5 each off set left and right, and 10 of PAX choosing); P = Plank Jacks x25; and S = copperhead Squats x30

Once across the parking lot, we moseyed over to grassy hill and did Jacob’s Ladder: run up the hill perform an exercise, come back down the hill, rinse and repeat increasing the # of reps of exercise being performed – at top of hill we did 8-count Body Builders.  Given time was running out, we did this for time rather than reps.  YHC likely cut it short a rep too soon (so as to not run past 0615).  We stopped on 4th/5th rounds of rinsing and repeating depending on how fast each PAX was going, thus 10 or 15 total 8-count Body Builders with a good hill in between sets.

Every gloom comes to an end though, so we moseyed back to the flag for just that.  Having arrived with time to spare we were able to squeeze in a few rounds of Marys: Cold-Cut led Flutter Kicks, Haavaad led V-Ups, Ratched led Box Cutters, and Easy Rider led American Hammers.

COT/BOM: Prayers & Praise for Ratched surviving his auto accident, still enduring aches and pains, but a true HIM with concerns for his Mom as well as the driver that hit him.  Cops shared their surprise he survived.  (YHC thoughts: Ratched is tough as nails.  F3 counts and matters!  As Patch shared at the 5 Yr anniversary, come for your bros and fitness is just a side effect – but a valuable side effect to gain.  Recently, I see Splinter and Ratched benefiting from their fitness levels achieved via F3 and elsewhere (but we know it’s really F3 <wink>).  Prayers for those thinking suicide is a viable option when we all know it isn’t nor should be considered as such – thus prayers for good Mental Health.  Remember Splinter while sill recovering, Cold-Cut’s niece Jamie finishing chemo treatments and his son David who has recently moved out.  Prayers for 2.0s/school age kids facing bullying, let’s teach them resilience and help avoid suicides happening in bunches in our community.  Remember Kevlar and his family, reach out as able.  Easy Rider and his family/daughter – daughter is college bound to Ole Miss it seems and their family counseling continuing to progress positively.  (Apologies if some spoken prayer concerns were left unmentioned (phone was not recording as thought to be))

YHC prayed us out, but prior to hand on a man YHC shared portions of the prayer known as St Patrick’s Breastplate (a fav of YHC’s – recommend you check it out if not familiar – simple internet search, but be aware of several renditions in circulation)

Thanks Ratched for extending to YHC the opportunity to lead at The Clydesdales.  Much appreciated and enjoyed.

Slalom out.