14 of some of the finest people I know showed up ready and eager for an anniversary beatdown. So not one to disappoint, it was time to stretch and add some merkins to our count for the Merkin Challenge.
Since we were called out by New Jersey, I didn’t know if we were supposed to be wreaking of Drakkan Noir while doing the merkins or what. Anyways, I wagered a six pack of beer to the winner of the most merkins in 2 minutes, which turned out to be DTH. Doozy kept time for the contest.
Next, we went to Mount Chaplin to Bernie uphill three times. We finished up at the top and then we bear-crawled to the road, thus ending our warm up.
I had the PAX get into small groups for a one mile run. The route was short, but it had three decent hills before the end.
When we got back, we took a few seconds to catch our breath and then head to the soccer fields for the return of the Dirty 30! Everyone does one rotation of the circuit exercises of:
30 LBCs,
30 heels to heaven,
30 World War II’s,
30 Freddie Mercury’s,
30 hydraulic planks,
followed by a brief rest period of running to the amphitheater, box jumping to the top, running down the steps, and then returning to the group.
This time I added a twist: Once everyone went through the exercises once, it became a triple check. To celebrate the epic return of the dirty 30 and the birth of the Snuff named “Triple Dirty” , we did some more merkins and went back to the flag. DTH took us out.
Moleskin:
I don’t honestly have a good reason why I’ve never done an anniversary queue, but this year, I’m glad that I finally did one! I had been battling complacency lately, and I kept hearing in the back of my mind that I needed to remember. I needed to remember how hopeless I felt when this journey started, how I needed to be told that I would die if I did not change, that I had three great reasons to change who I used to be, that I had and have people in my corner, that the power to change was inside me all along but obstructed by my own mind. I also had to be reminded of the weight I carried not too long ago.
We started the workout at the bottom and took it to the top of Mount Chaplin to speak on perspective. The run was to give the joy and therapy of running with your brothers, like I got with TYA and Hardywood. After the run, we talked about facing the hills, to look them dead in the eye like Swirly told me to! Lastly, the Dirty 30 was bought back to remember my first Q and to remember the comment that shook me to my core and forced me to seek help. At the flag, there was one last reminder of the weight I carried but as a wise farmer from Amelia told me: “We all need to be reminded of the weight we carry. You have the blessing of knowing what it feels like to move through life without it….” Let us do what we can to give that blessing to someone else. May we all keep looking for and helping those who need their purpose restored and having that compassion that makes a difference.
I thank you all for your support, friendship and mentorship throughout these past four years. I love you all dearly, and I hope to give back to all of you as well! I am Bone Thugs, and I will see you at the crossroads.
PS — Please post any announcements or prayer requests in Slack.
