The Maize – Commitments
December 22nd, 2022
AO: Copperfield Park
-9 degrees, wind gusting to 30 mph with a windchill of -38
PAX: Fine Print, Mufasa, Ketchup, Obi Wan, Longneck, Boji
YHC — Thomas
I kept an eye on the weather all week, hoping for good news as the date approached. But with a forecast for snow, 30 mph winds and subzero temps, it was not looking good. Obi-Wan messaged me earlier in the week asking if I needed anything. He advised that he was not able to provide a dome, but I at least knew I’d have one other soul in the gloom with me. Then the night before Mufasa messaged me with a suggestion for the workout, which was great because I had little in mind other than trying to stay warm. We arranged to meet at 5:10 to set up and as we pulled in, we saw a few cars already in the parking lot already, a couple crazy PAX that had arrived for a pre-run.
We set up and returned to our cars till the last possible minute. At 5:27 we circled up, and at 5:30 I welcomed the PAX, shared the mission, five core principles, disclaimer and also the hope for a train whistle. And with that we were off on a short mosey to start warm-a-rama.
Warm-A-Rama
Side Straddle Hops – 15 IC Tappy Taps – 15 IC Imperial Walkers – 15 IC
Sun Gods – 10 Forward / Backward IC
At the conclusion of warmarama we took off on a mosey to an area somewhat protected by the wind in the SE corner of the park.
Pre-Thang
After a short mosey, we arrived at the MufasaBall field and set up for a quick pre-thang. We lined up and did walking lunges the length of the MufasaBall field, with bunny hops on the return. We did three rounds of these exercises.
The Thang:
The Thang was pretty simple, a game called MufasaBall where you pretty much make up the rules as you go. The general principles are similar to ultimate frisbee, with the goal to throw the ball into the net. Players could advance the ball by running (until they were tagged) or passing. Any ball that hit the ground was a free ball and the first person to retrieve it took possession.
After a goal, the scoring team did 10 air squats and the opposing team did 10 merkins.
There was an odd number of players, so we started with a split of 4-3, and then Ketchup switched teams about halfway through. The wind, snow and darkness added to the fun. Mufasa drilled Obi-Wan directly in the face, just like Focker in Meet the Parents, but Obi-Wan played through for the ultimate victory with Fine Print, Thomas and Ketchup.
Omaha was called at 6:00 and the PAX moseyed back to the parking lot (I would say shovel flag, but there was no shovel flag today due to the wind).
6MOM
The PAX circled up on their six for Mary:
Snow Angel Star Crunches – 15 IC LBCs – 15 IC
American Hammers – 22 IC
Announcements and Prayers
Prayers for Pit Stop’s M and prayers for safe travels over the holidays.
COT
I had asked Obi-Wan back in October if he had any open Q spots at the Maize. He responded that he did and offered me this fine December date. Not knowing the long range forecast, I told him to mark me down. As the date fast approached, I kept checking the forecast, hoping for good news, but there was none to be had. There would be wind, snow and low temps. But I was committed, and would make the most of it, even if it was just me and Obi-Wan.
Thankfully a few others are here today to join me. As we go through life, we’ll have many opportunities to commit, even when the outcome is not guaranteed (in fact most of life is this way). Commit anyway, and once you do, give it all you have. It’s unlikely that the things you are worried about will happen, and even if they do (like -38 degree windchill), you’ll still come out of it stronger and wiser (well, maybe not wiser for posting today), or if nothing else, a good story! Thanks for joining me today, let’s go get some coffee.
With that I took us out in prayer. Aye!
Thomas