Vanquishing the Beast

After taking some serious punishment from Feud at Anchor and SeatDown at Kessel, YHC’s legs were pleading for a break, which means… arms and chest smokefest!  Too soon for another blockified beatdown?  Methinks not!  20 members of Fartsackus Conquerus species showed out for the occasion.

Conditions: Typical FL gloomidity with a dash of pre-autumn

Warmup:

• 40 x Side Straddle Hops (IC)
• 20 x Reachers (IC)
• 20 x Mountain Climbers
• 10 x Burpees for premature recovery
• 10 x Peter Parker (IC)
• 10 x Parker Peter (IC)

The Thang:

Choose a partner of a different fitness level.  This forces both pax to get out of their comfort zones – the more fit have to ease up and encourage their brother, and the less fit have to be willing to be challenged to go harder than they otherwise would.

Pre-Beast with blocks:

• 10 x Curls for the girls (holding at center of block) (IC)
• 10 x Kettle block swings (OYO)
• 10 x American Hammer (IC)
• 10 x Derkins on blocks (IC)
• 10 x Abyss Merkins w/ partner (OYO)
• 10 x Block dips w/ partner (OYO)

The (Modified) Beast: Cones mark 6 stations around the sidewalk loop.  For each set, travel around the loop with your partner and perform 6 reps at each cone for 36 total reps per set.  After each set, regroup and plank at the pavilion for the six.  6 reps at 6 stations for 6 rounds – hence The Beast.

• Set 1 – Curls for the girls (mosey with block overhead)
• Set 2 – Kettle block swings (mosey with block overhead)
• Set 3 – American Hammer (mosey with block overhead)
• Set 4 – Block Derkins (mosey with block to chest)
• Set 5 – Abyss Merkins, plank while partner performs (mosey with block to chest)
• Set 6 – Cut short by time, perform dips for the six at the pavilion

Regroup at the shovel flag

Word of the Day

YHC (or, as SeatDown so eloquently coined it, “Y[Prideful]C”) closed with an introspective word about self-denial, the hardest and most necessary part of being a man of character and a HIM.  For those of us who claim to follow Jesus, it’s at the core of what He calls us to do – “take up your cross, die to yourself and follow me” – and it’s what He modeled for us.  It goes completely counter to human nature to deny yourself.  We need help from each other and from the Lord to daily deny ourselves before we can truly Live 3rd.  Personally, I choose to look out for myself far more often than I choose to die to myself.  

What does denying yourself look like for you?  

• Is it developing the discipline to post consistently and get into shape so that you can serve your family without running out of energy?  
• Is it not going to a workout to watch the kids or show your wife she’s your priority? (strikes close to home for YHC)
• Is it slowing down to encourage a brother who is struggling through the workout instead of powering through?
• Is it making the effort to talk to and engage a coworker on a relational  level instead of just both saying you’re “great” or “fine”?
• Is it being willing to open up emotionally to your spouse even though keeping your thoughts and struggles to yourself is more comfortable?  

Jumanji added an excellent related challenge – While sharing prayer requests in the COT, it’s not wrong to ask for prayer for other people, but don’t use other people’s struggles to avoid sharing challenges and needs in your own life.  We exist as a group to strengthen and support each other, and it’s okay to share what’s really going on, even (especially) if it’s messy.  Your example may give someone else the bravery they need to speak up and ask for help.  Honesty breeds honesty.  Vulnerability fosters vulnerability.  Trust begets trust.

Always a pleasure to sweat, grow and be challenged alongside you, brothers!

Your fellow recovering SadClown,

Drone