Bataan Death March

AO: The Ridge

When: 02/16/2024

Number of Pax: 12

DR Names:

Number of FNGS: 0

FNG Names:

QIC: Meta


Introduction

It was a brisk morning with light winds, I think it was 28 degrees when I showed up.

Checked the HC’s and of course I was the only Clydesdale. A bit nervous as this was the first time leading this type of Q.  Took a few laps around the loop to get my breathing going (it didn’t help, lol)

Warm-O-Rama

  • Motivators from 7
  • Good mornings IC 10
  • Arm Circles IC 10 FWD/RVS
  • Michael Phelps IC 10
  • Imperial Walkers IC 10
  • Air Squats to 10
  • Calf Stretch 10 ct. ea. leg

The Thang

Disclaimer – We will all stick together, I know we are all not at the same fitness level.  We will be doing 4 sets of exercises all on my cadence before we go on the Bataan Death March.  If my cadence is too fast for you, use it for motivation to keep up, if my cadence is too slow for you, get in extra reps, I am not here to hold you back.

  • 10 blockies – Flutter kicks – 10 Merkins – 10 Lion Kings – Bataan Death March
  • 10 Lion Kings – leg raises – 10 Merkins – 15 WW3’s – Bataan Death March
  • 15 WW3’s – pickle pushers – 10 Merkins – 20 OH Press – Bataan Death March
  • 20 OH Press – big boys – 10 Merkins – 25 Curls – Bataan Death March – Short Loop (I was winded)
  • 25 Curls – freddy mercury – 10 Merkins – 30 skull crushers – Bataan Death March
  • 30 skull crushers – WW1’s – 10 Merkins – 40 chest press – Bataan Death March
  • 40 chest press – LBC’s – 10 Merkins – 10 blockies – Mosey OYO around the loop

Bataan Death March – Indian Run/Mosey last man does 3 burpees then slingshots up to the front.

Circle of Trust

For my CoT I asked the PAX how many took the time to actually read the backblasts that are written up.  Only had a few hands raised, 2 maybe 3, I was disappointed.

2nd Question:  How many PAX have led a workout within the last month.

Several hands were raised, encouraged by the participation in leading their peers.

3rd Question:  Of those hands raised, how many of you have written a backblast.

Most hands went back down, disappointed again.

Guys, I understand that writing a backblast can be time consuming but we put a lot of work into putting a workout together, it’s not easy, and coming up with CoT’s are just as hard but some of the messages being shared in the CoT should be shared across the region.  You never know how your words can affect another PAX, you can provide motivation, inspiration, even guidance.  Or even taking the time to read someone else’s BB, you might find yourself going through or have gone through the same struggles that other PAX are going through and you can reach out and make that connection.

The reason I brought this up is based on part of the message that Homer Simpson shared last week at the opening of the Raven’s Nest.  During his CoT he asked that the PAX think of an important someone in your life that you have not spoken to, maybe you have lost touch with, or maybe someone that you need to make amence with.  He then went PAX by PAX and asked them to name the person they’d be reaching out to and he was going to hold everyone accountable by reaching out to see if we made that connection.

While I was standing their, I thought about my grandma, my childhood bestfriend, my compadre and a former coworker.  The easiest to call would have been my childhood bestfriend but when he came to me and asked, I just blurted out my grandma.

Growing up my grandma and I lived in the same household, and she used to be so mean…lol  She was a  mean, strict, catholic woman who was very disciplinary.  So growing up we never bonded, I just stayed clear from her.  Even today when we have family parties it’s just a hey grandma, hug, kiss on the cheek and I’d go hang with my brothers, cousins, and uncles.

Well I kept my promise and called her this Tuesday.  Guys we were on the phone for over an hour and a half.  We talked and talked, we shared stories, we laughed, and we reminisced.  We didn’t talk like grandma/grandson, I talked to her as if she was my sister that I never had.  We connected like I never thought we would, at the end of the call she said, Jorge, you know I’m old and it’s hard for me to get around, I know all my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are busy living their lives so I understand why they can’t come and visit me.  But this, this is all I ever wanted, to have someone call me.  Thank you for calling me.

As she said this I got chocked up and teary eyed and at that moment I thought, if it wasn’t for Homer’s CoT I probably would have not made this call.

So MEN, read them backblasts and CoT’s!  And take the time to write them up after you Q.

Naked Man Moleskin

The MEN were a little distracted at start time with the mumble chatter and during disclaimer so I may have intentionally sped up the motivators to get their attention.  (Okay, it was intentional)

First time for me in calling cadence for EVERY exercise, it was exhausting!  I was winded before we even started the Bataan Death March.  I modified their in the middle but never gave up.

Great feedback on the Q and the CoT.

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