YHC rolled in at 5:28 after a wild goose chase at home trying to locate Anker, who had been commandeered by a gosling at some point yesterday and left in the garage. There were already five PAX gathered at the Stage, but YHC only had eyes for one: Yankee Joe. I had assumed he was still at home on IR, weeping into his cereal, so to see him out there with his shiny sweatshirt and shiny head, YHC quickly lost sight of the other PAX and embraced him like a a prodigal son. The rest were a bit indignant, like the older brother in the parable, but the Montana-led warmup and the late arrival of Goats quickly brought plenty enough distraction.
Montana, having had his first free hit of Q-drenaline not too long ago, was predictably jonesing for more, and last night he was trying to find a way to get another hit ASAP. YHC agreed to let him Q the warmup and Mary this morning on the condition that he practiced his intros and cadences in the mirror for at least 30 minutes last night. It helped…a little.
After a warmup of most of the usual, a bumper mosey, and plenty of mumblechatter, which Montana plowed through with admirable fortitude, it was time to STOP and STOP hard.
The Thang: Love for the lonely STOP sign
YHC recently observed that the STOP sign on the far side of the parking lot may as well not even be there. No one ever goes in that direction, except for YHC on the way home from beatdowns, so no one ever looks him in the eye (or the “O”). Well, this morning would be different. It was his day.
Phase 1:
PAX would complete 820 reps consisting of 8 different exercises for 100 reps and 2 sets of 10 8-count body builders in honor of his 8 even sides and his 2 characteristic colors. The eight exercises would start with the four letters of his name, in two sets.
The first set–(including a run to go high five the STOP sign between each exercise)
-Shoulder Taps x100 (1:1)
-Toe Taps x100 (1:1) (plank position–one hand reach through and bring opposite foot up to tap)
-Overhead Air Presses x100
-Plank Jacks x100
Seal the deal with 8-count Body Builders x10
8-count rest from Montana, then the Second Set (also including the high-five run between each exercise):
-Side Straddle Hops x100
-Toe Touches x100 (warmup exercise: bend over straight-legged and touch toes, then up to touch waist, then hands up high and heel raise–all in fluid motion. Dizziness was a factor after about 75.)
-One Hundreds x100 (Lazy Boy position with hands pointed down toward legs, and flutter hands 100 times)
-Prisoner Squats x100 (that’s right–hands behind head and do squats, 100 times in a row)
Another round of 8-count Body Builders x10 to get us to 820 total reps.
Phase 2:
Songs to honor the power and dignity of the word “STOP”.
First, “Stop Your Sobbing” by the Pretenders: flutter kick position, and hold static, but flutter every time you hear the word “Stop” (over 40 times in a 2.5 minute song)
Second, “Stop in the Name of Love” by The Supremes: Imperial Walkers for the duration, burpees on every “Stop” and “Think it over”.
There was supposed to be a third, but we ran out of time because YHC’s cell service decided to crap out after the first song. Thankfully, Yankee Joe came to the rescue for the second song with his foreign device, which somehow was still able to connect to well-known services such as Spotify.
We only had enough time for a couple of minutes of Mary, which was providential since we definitely didn’t get enough of Montana’s leadership and were jonesing for more. That insane two minutes of Mary made it clear that another Montana Q is an absolutely necessity ASAP, even if that means enduring sky bunny murder makers.
Had a blast this morning, guys (and I’m already feeling the aftermath). Thanks for pushing through, and for the light-heartedness at the beginning of the day. Loved it and needed it!
SYITG,
Goose
