Weather: Although it doesn’t matter the weather was a crisp 59 degrees and as we welcomed TripleThreat from the Houston PAX there was some mumblechatter around the brisk morning! Followed by a 5 min “Techno Dance Party”

QIC: YHC, Bo Schembechler

PAX: Merlot, Pyrenees (Respect), Tony Packo, TripleThreat (F3Houston), Spotlight, Mariah, Jumper, Grovetucky, 3-16, Pitt, Teach, Francis.

at 0530 a disclaimer was given and the mosey began: 

Moving at a upbeat pace the PAX made their way down to the lower stage of The Theater. Upon arrival an abbreviated COP was conducted.

SSH ic X 11

Squats ic X 11

Mosey continued to the lake side where single file (Van-Damme’s coaching is paying off) was formed and YHC instructed the PAX to perform the “Do-a-Ditty” Run around the lake:

Reverse indian run where the front man drops and does 6 merkins holding plank while the PAX runs past. Once past He calls “SIX” and the front men then drops off to repeat. This continues until the completion of the run. Halfway around the lake YHC noticed the comfort of the PAX and continuing mummblechatter about the Stars and cool weather. This led to some new instructions.

“DOUBLE TIME”, “PICK UP THE PACE”, at one point speeding up the pace by which then men were dropping for 6 merkins by Yelling “6 again”,  “6 again”, “6 again”… as we reached the end the pace of the PAX was in full flow as were the number of men dropping for 6. We all completed 6 at the finish. YHC, grabbed the music and moseyed to a grassy area at the lower theater.

10 counts into a 30 second count YHC, declared that is enough rest. When Packo appeared bringing in the SIX that were left in the dark run around the lake. (Shout out to Packo for his diligence in NMLB)

Groups of 3 were then formed for the Three-strand Cord Beatdown:

Spotlight, 3-16, and YHC demonstrated the Monkey Roll Drill, Side by side one man jumps over the first rolling outward, while the next man jumps inward over the rolling man and rolls outward this was to be done for 90 seconds at 50% speed while the PAX acclimated to the new unfamiliar movement.
1st round: 90 s monkey rolls 50% speed; 30 s rest

2nd round: 90 s monkey rolls 80% speed; 30 s rest

3rd round: 90 s monkey rolls 100% speed!

REST: while instructions were given for 3-strand merkins. Each man in a triangular formation was to place his feet on the small of the back of the next man. In groups on the call of one within the 3 the strand was to complete AMRAP in 90 seconds as possible.

1st round: 90 s AMRAP 3-strand merkins; 30 s rest

2nd round: 90 s AMRAP 3-strand merkins; 30 s rest

3rd round: 90 s AMRAP single man merkins (due to fatigue)!

REST: while instructions were given for 3-strand relay sprints. One man was to go to other end of parking lot, while 2 remained, from the 2 one man would run down tag the lone man running back to tag the next man and repeat for the full 90 seconds.

1st round: 90 s 3-strand relay sprints; 30 s rest

2nd round: 90 s 3-strand relay sprints; 30 s rest (at some point Merlot stepped out to display his growing ability to share his inner self with the PAX)

3rd round: 90 s 3-strand relay sprints!

gathering rest; then Mosey back to the Shovel Flag where PACKO takes the music, hands in the air leading the PAX, looks at his watch realizes we have plenty of time and does a big loop to pick up the SIX! Hand’s Merlot the music and the PAX follow him to the finish; no quit in him Merlot took off for the flag giving it everything left in the tank!

We took a moment for a quick photo opt after the Beatdown followed by NameORama, a quick thank you to the PAX from YHC,

“Again, I saw vanity under the sun: ⁸ one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! ¹¹ Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? ¹² And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4: 7-12

“you men have been an encouragement to me as I am the healthiest now I’ve been since high school. I know I’m not alone when I walk into the gloom and into the tough parts of life. I’m truly thankful for each of you and the role you’ve played in my life over the last 5 months.” – Bo

We then Balled up into BallOMan where 3-16 & Pyrenees are experiencing Job Changes; Merlot & Jumper are embarking on the start of a new school year; Pyrenees’ mother in law is in Palliative Care; and from Houston TripleThreat Shared about Ava a 7 year old with stage 4 cancer.

YHC, opened his mouth to lift up the men and encourage their hearts while feeling the overwhelming need of comfort so many. Praying for strength in change, comfort in care, trust in uncertainty, and God’s Peace in the heart of a scared little girl. My mouth quivered and my eyes were wet at the weight of such a request. I’m thankful for a God that hears our prayers and whom we can trust in amidst life’s challenging moments.

Honored, Humbled, and Hyped to serve and be served by such an amazing group of HIMs!

YHC,

Bo Schembechler