October 23rd, 2017 By Othello

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  Today’s Q was “borrowed” from @Clueless-The Ridge who has been doing this BD as an annual event over the last 4 years up there.  YHC is hoping it will make a nice edition to #piledriver lineup and come back for many more visits.

After sitting in the truck (out of the rain of course) waiting for the pax to arrive, in rolls a few who also had the good sense to stay in their respective autos until the proper time.  Then arrives @The Body, who promptly gets out of his car (no bike today?) and stands in the pouring rain waiting for the other sugar-cubes (including YHC) to join him.  So we did……

The last few arrive, @Chum questions my timekeeping skills, the rain settles down and we mosey over to the small shelter, remove the tables and circle up. Disclaimer given, we proceeded with the announcement of “Merkin Mania” and began with Warmup…..it went like this….

SSHx15 (x denotes “the proper” cadence)
ISTx10
Windmillx10
Shoulder stretch L/R
Tricep/Shoulder Stretch L/R

The Mania:
•Prison Merkin x10 – 60 yd sprint, Prison Merkin x10 – 60 yd sprint, Line hops recovery

•Wide Fly Merkin x10 – 60 yd backpedal, Wide Fly Merkin x10 – 60 yd backpedal, Side Squat recovery

•Diamond Merkin x10 – 60 yd sprint, Diamond Merkin x10 – 60 yd sprint, Air Squat recovery

•Oblique Knee Merkin aka Peter Parker x10 – 60 yd skip, Peter Parker x10 – 60 yd skip, Apolo Anton Ohno recovery (Apparantly, @TheBody is really good at “flipping off  YHC” while doing this exercise. Very talented @TheBody, you should be proud, it’s hard to be that coordinated at your age!

•Military Merkin x10 – 60 yd sprint, Military Merkin x10 – 60 yd sprint, Alternating Step Back Lunge recovery

•Up and Under Merkin x10 – 60 yd backpedal, Up and Under Merkin x10 – 60 yd backpedal, High Jump Twisting Abs recovery

•Shoulder Tap Merkin x10 – 60 yd sprint, Shoulder Tap Merkin x10 – 60 yd sprint, Static Lunge With Pulses recovery

•Stacked Foot Merkin x10 – 60 yd skip, Stacked Foot Merkin x10 – 60 yd skip, Low Switch Kicks recovery

•Decline Merkin x10 – 60 yd sprint, Decline Merkin x10 – 60 yd sprint, Imperial Storm Troopers recovery

•Incline Merkin x10 – 60 yd skip, Incline Merkin x10 – 60 yd skip, Calf Raise recovery

•Pike Merkin aka Carolina Dry Dock x10 – 60 yd sprint, Carolina Dry Dock x10 – 60 yd sprint, Mountain Climbers recovery

•Hand Release Merkin x10 – 60 yd backpedal, Hand Release Merkin x10 – 60 yd backpedal, Plank Jack recovery (Didn’t get to this one due to time)

Mary:
•LBCx10
•Low Flutterx10

Announcments
–Nov 4 Grandfather Mountain Trip – @Chum will try to communicate meeting location so that “M’s” attending can get together with other “M’s” for an M&M spending spree!

–@Gypsy mentioned the possibility of a Tri-AO Beatdown experience one weekend in the future.  Will include Mint Hill, Outland (Indian Trail) and Commitment (Weddington High School).  Keep your ears open for more details.

COT
We’ve thanked the Lord today for the ability to work out in the rain and allow us to strengthen our bodies.  Bless those that did NOT get up this morning and help us to be grateful for the gifts He has given us.  We may complain about all of the Merkins we did this gloom, but remember those that can’t do this simple exercise, those that have lost limbs or stricken with disease. We are blessed!

Moleskine
1.Strong work by all this morning – lots of DFQ!  Very proud to be a part of a great group of men. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to lead and pushing me to be a better man.

2.Don’t be afraid to Q!  There are ton’s of great backblasts out there for you to “borrow” and bring to Mint Hill.  There are some very creative Pax out there – case in point: MERKIN MANIA!

3. Here’s a link to the Charles Linster story if you’re interested Http://www.recordholders.org/en/list/ulysses.html

Piledriver

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