The Combine – March of the Merkins
June 24th, 2022
AO: Kiewit Middle School
70 degrees, little muggy and overcast
PAX: Sparty, Grease Fire, TC (Respect), Wiley, Motorboat, Frosty (Respect), Skipper, Toto, Mac n Cheese
YHC — Thomas
I was looking forward to my first Q at the Combine and then all hell broke loose that Thursday with a pre-blast competition that left me in the dust. It started with Barbershop’s mic drop, followed by Mufasa’s birthday Q pre-blast, not to mention Yogi down at the Farm and Girl Dad’s launch at the Bell Tower. Nervous that I may be the only one at my site, I knew I’d at least had an HC from TC, so needless to say my heart was swelled when I pulled into the parking lot for a pre-run and met Sparty there already, soon followed by Frosty, Grease Fire, Toto, TC and Mac N Cheese. A few split off for a ruck while others enjoyed the hills around the Combine. As we gathered around the shovel flags we were joined by Skipper and Motorboat, and Wiley made an even 10 just as we launched for Warm-A-Rama. I shared the mission, core principles, credo, disclaimer and my usual warning of burpees for train whistles, and then we were off.
Warm-A-Rama
We took a very short mosey to the track and gathered in a circle near the East end zone.
Side Straddle Hops – 15 IC
Tappy Taps – 15 IC
Sun Gods – 10 IC forward and backward
Cherry Pickers — 20 IC
At this point I split the PAX into two groups of five for the pre-thang.
Pre-Thang:
I was very excited for the Merkin March that I dreamt up and hoped the PAX would enjoy it as well. I bounced the idea off of Girl Dad who made a few suggestions and then offered to include it in his beatdown at the Bell Tower launch as well, with a little race competition thrown in.
The PAX started at the goal line, with each group lined up head to toe in a plank position. The PAX at the front led the group in five merkins. The PAX at the end of line then bear crawled to the front, while the remaining four held a chill-cut plank. As soon as the new leader was in place, he led five merkins, and then we rinsed and repeated until we reached the fifty yard line. The winning time was 6:40 and it was a good pre-thang.
The Thang:
The Thang was a simple three team grinder, with exercises listed at each goal line. The PAX at each goal line would AMRAP the exercise until relieved by the push team running between goal lines. Each time back at the station they moved to the next exercise.
Station One
- Air Squats
- Frozen Freddies
- Mountain Climbers
- Plank Jacks
Station Two
- Bonnie Blairs
- Box Cutters
- Bobby Hurleys
- Carolina Dry Docks
We made it through nearly 3 full rounds and Omaha was called.
6MOM
The PAX circled up on their six for Mary:
LBCs – 20 IC
Heals to Heaven – 15 IC
Heal Touches – 20 IC
American Hammers – 20
Announcements
Upcoming events including Patriot Games, volunteer events. Prayers for TC’s son Santiago at Jump School.
COT
Life has been hectic in my family this year. With four children in activities and my wife going back to work full time at the beginning of the year, it’s just busy. When people would ask how I was doing, I’d say we’re just taking it day-by-day, but I’d say that with a little resignation in my voice, feeling like that was something to be ashamed about.
But I recently watched a sermon that shared how Jesus wants us to take it day by day. He’s given us everything we need to make it through today, and tomorrow will take care of itself. If today is too much for us, that’s because we’re making it more than Jesus intended it to be.
So my message was to stay in the present, focus on today, and don’t be ashamed.
With that I took us out in prayer.
Aye!
Thomas