The BackBlast:

Conditions : 30°F and a clear, star-filled sky.  We met on the back parking area of the park since our main spot was still covered with a thick, mushy snow mixture from last week’s major storm.

YHC readily admits that he missed the turnoff, watching in the rear view mirror as another PAX pulled in just behind him.  Making a quick and hasty U-turn, YHC arrived with a few minutes to spare.

DISCLAIMER :  Was given, with YHC emphasizing the ability to “modify as necessary!”

Warmup :  

1. 10x arm circles – IC
2. 10x Moroccan night clubs – IC
3. 10x Sprinklers – IC
4. 10x circle arms – IC
5. Plank Position – push down on toes (heels to ground) stretch
6. Best Stretch Ever – right leg 10 seconds, left leg 10 seconds with Cobra Pose

The Thang :  Merkin Mania
YHC had placed a lantern about 100 yards away from our starting spot.  That would be our mosey destination.  YHC had done this routine once before, and it went over big.  While not very creative, and not very fun, it is quite effective and easy (even for YHC) to remember early in the morning.  After all, it is only 5 exercises!

Other comments from various sources concurred, such as :
Roger Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times stated it was a “nasty beatdown, focusing on few muscle groups.  The Q must be on crack.”

Leonard Maltin from Entertainment Tonight went on to say “the lack of creativity in this workout is astounding!  So tedious!”

While Gene Shalit from the Today Show remarked “the workout made my moustache stand on end.  The Q should have his eyes mind checked for abnormalities.”

With all that criticism, what could go wrong? 🙂   And so we began.

All exercises were done In Cadence, except the squats.
20x merkins, 20x plank jacks, 20x squats, 20x SSH’s, 20x Imperial Walkers / Mosey 100 yards

18x merkins, 18x plank jacks, 18x squats, 18x SSH’s, 18x Imperial Walkers / Mosey 100 yards

16x merkins, 16x plank jacks, 16x squats, 16x SSH’s, 16x Imperial Walkers / Mosey 100 yards

All the way down to 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2.

Near the end, we started counting cadence for the squats as well.
Total reps, for those keeping score were 220 Merkins, 220 Plank Jacks, 150ish Squats, 220 Imperial Walkers, 220 SSHs.

6MOM
YHC noticed the time, and that we had a few minutes left for some 6MOM which included a re-visit to Lowes’ Q from the week before :
– S – sweat angels – 15X IC
– N – nutcrackers – 15X IC
– O – outlaws – 15X IC
– W – WWII situps – 15XIC
And some extra credit :
– E2K – 15X IC each side
– High plank into Annies – 15X IC

We hadn’t done a lot of Annie’s before, so YHC places it here for your convenience, taken directly from the F3 Exicon.

Annie :
This exercise instructs pax on the art of clean floors, be warned some pax may break out in song and dance. Hold plank and rotate one arm in a circular motion while holding plank with the opposite arm. Q makes the call on time or repetitions.

COUNT-O-RAMA / NAME-O-RAMA / Announcements
Prayer Requests for those battling Corona Virus, Fonda & Trigger who are travelling.  Reach out to someone this week, as we know it can be very lonely if you’re alone this time of year.

Words of wisdom included a quote from Philippians 1:6 “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Remember : GOD isn’t DONE with us YET!  We are a work in progress.  You do your part and God will do His part!

Closing Prayer

A pleasure and honor as always to lead the men of F3 Indian Valley at the Chieftain!