Gifts that keeps on giving

Preamble:

YHC organized a toy-drive last year and realized that it merged two of his favorite things – doing nice things for others that could really use it, and crafting an event around the former to sucker a large number of PAX into some serious pain and suffering.  As Cousin Eddie once said, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Warm-O-Rama:

With a large and boisterous PAX ready to roll in some 50-degree weather, Q led the boys on a roundabout  mosey on the trail past the tennis courts and through the CAB parking lots before circling up next to the football field.  After an FNG check and quick disclaimers, it was time for the following warm-ups (Bear-style):

• Plank Jacks
• Peter Parkers
• Shoulder Taps
• Parker Peters
• Hillbillys

The Thang:

Q directed all PAX to pick a partner while leading a short mosey to the football field.  To get things moving, first exercise would be a traditional game of catch-me-if-you-can:  Partner A runs backwards while Partner B does 3 Burpees.  Once completed, Partner B runs forward to catch Partner A, where they switch roles.  Rinse/repeat for 2 full laps around the football field.  Given the sheer number of PAX, Q was relieved that full disclaimers were given prior to this one.  Mary for the 6.

Next up, more catch-me-if-you-can, but Bears/Crabs style:  Partner A crab-walks backwards while Partner B performs 5 BBSs.  Once completed, Partner B bear-crawls forward to catch Partner A, where they switch roles.  Rinse/repeat for a half lap around the football field (Q could sense a disturbance in the force with some grumbling PAX, so audibled for a half-lap).  Mary for the 6.

Now that things were warm, it was time for some real work – mosey toward the stadiums and line-up with your partner at the bottom for some ascending/descending wheelbarrows.  Q truly had no idea if this would be a total Charlie-Foxtrot or not, but you never know until you try.  Partner A would wheelbarrow Partner B up the stadium to the top, then return to the bottom in the same form.  Switch roles, and perform the sequence twice for good measure.  Q was tempted to call for 3 rounds but the mumble-chatter was palpable.  Mary for the 6.

Q noticed that Devito was in attendance, and nobody loves proper form more than him so Q called for some Burpees of Honesty to be executed on the stadium steps.  Performed with Partners standing back-to-back, each PAX would do a Burpee and finish by jumping up a step – this ensured that all PAX got requisite air-time and earned full credit for proper form.  Q called for 10 on each side, while Devito requested an extra round to ensure form was proper and complete (his pleas for 5 on the second pass fell on deaf ears).

Short recovery mosey to the wall along the lacrosse field where Q directed all PAX to assume raised plank position for some Derkin toe-touches (10 each side).  In short, PAX would perform a Derkin, and touch the hand to the opposite toe between each rep.  Note for future reference – these were deceptively hard.

With 8 minutes remaining, time for one final exercise:  assume a raised side-plank position and perform 10 elbow-knee touches on each side.  Q called for 2 rounds before announcing a recovery mosey back to the flag.  No time for Mary today.

COT:

• Special thanks to all PAX for a HUGE stack of donations for Toys for Tots.  What a great group of HIM’s!
• TAPS for various PAX (Sprocket, Tweaker, Rooney, etc) who have family members dealing with illness.  Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and pray for peace and healing.

Naked-Man Moleskin:

So thankful for such a great group of PAX that go “all in” to support causes that help people in substantial and meaningful ways!

AFLAC out.