Inaugural Black Diamond at the Grove

AO: The Grove

When: 02/28/2023

Number of Pax: 20

DR Names:

Number of FNGS: 0

FNG Names:

QIC: Den Mother


Introduction

It poured rain yesterday and I thought that would result in sloppy conditions, but the confines at the Grove help up nicely. I arrived around 4:35 to setup all the stations. It was a bit windy so I am glad I brought mini sandbags to weigh down the sheets I used to mark out movements throughout.

HCs were bountiful (18 + Quatro’s LMHC) for a Black Diamond, so I factored that into my plans by using 2 groups of 10 for several Thangs.

Warm-O-Rama

  • Motivators from 8
  • Abe Vigodas IC x 10
  • Imperial Walkers IC x 10
  • Good Mornings IC x 10
  • Arm Circles IC x 10 (Front and Back)

The Thang

  • Thang 1 – Indian Run
    • We split into 2 groups of 10 and took Liberty Grove Blvd to Meadow to the trail along Rt 126 which lead us around the pond and eventually back to the flags. I have that route clocked at ~1.2 miles but Flo and Sparkler think it is longer.
  • Thang 2/3 – Hill Work
    • Start in the SW corner of the hill across the street from the flags, 15 SSH
    • Run to the SE corner of the hill, 5 Burpees
    • Run towards the north end of the hill, stop at the entrance to the school, 10 Big Boys
    • Continue to the end of the north end of the hill, 15 Hand-release Merkins
    • Head back towards the start, stop at the entrance to the school, 20 Bobby Hurleys
    • Continue back to the SE corner for 5 more Burpees
    • Go back to the start for 15 SSH and repeat
  • Thang 3/2 – Sandbag Gauntlet
    • Split the group into 2 groups of 5
    • Group A runs north around the perimeter of the lot and circles back, stopping first at the halfway point for 10 Shoulder Taps IC as a group (total of about .3 miles)
    • Group B works their way through the Sandbag Gauntlet
      • 20 LBCs
      • 10 American Hammers + Toss w/ 20lb bag
      • 10 Bent-over Rows w/ 60lb bag
      • 10 Clean and Press w/ 60lb bag
      • 10 Front Squats w/ 60lb bag
      • 40yd carry and back w/ 80lb bag
      • Switch w/ Group A when they return
    • * Thangs 2 and 3 were then swapped between the groups of 10
  • Thang 4 – DORA in the West Lot
    • Run to the west lot after the QIC made an impossible request for the PAX to stand in order of height quickly – 5 penalty Burpees for taking too long
    • Partner up. Partner A does Burpee suicides
      • Run to first set of cones, 1 Burpee, run back to start
      • Run to second set of cones, 2 Burpee, run back to start
      • Run to third set of cones, 3 Burpee, run back to start
      • Rotate
    • Partner B uses both coupons for:
      • 10x Abyss Merkins
      • 20x Dips
      • 30x Calf Raises
      • Repeat…
  • We then ran with coupons back to the flags for…
  • Mary
    • Morties

Circle of Trust

There is a saying you hear at Grow Ruck events and other CSAUP activities that goes something like “Nobody cares what you can do fresh, show me what you can do when you are gassed.” I had that in mind when I put the fast-paced Indian Run as the first Thang right out of the gate for this beat down. I wanted to set the tone.

Another saying you’ll here at Grow Ruck events is “How do you react during times of high stress and limited visibility?” We endured high stress right away this morning. And that is good training for not just our physical aspects, but our mental ones as well.

Think of yourself when you’re in a car on the highway and you’re cruising along at 70mph. 70 doesn’t feel that much different than 25 if you’re maintaining your speed. We don’t feel speed; we feel acceleration.
We are wired to feel a rate of change, and that is true of emotion too. If you are constantly in a state of bliss and everything is going well all the time, you don’t feel profound joy. Going through the hard shit we did this morning is what acceleration feels like. And we need to continue to push ourselves to accelerate in all aspects of our lives.
What we do in the gloom should transcend the gloom and make us better men all around.

Naked Man Moleskin

I actually had more planned for this beat down, but time flew by and we didn’t end up getting to it. I wanted to end with another Indian Run to close things out, but time got the best of me.

It was great to have so many PAX out for a Black Diamond. That speaks not only to the growth of our region, but also the growth of the PAX themselves.

Kudos to Flo and Cinderalla for coming out to their first Black Diamond. I hope they are both hooked!

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