Sunnyside Olympic Games – Citius, Altius, Fortius

February 17, 2018

WHEN: 02/17/2018
QIC: Stinky Pete
PAX: Schneebly, Horny Toad, Vader (FNK), Bruce Wayne, Flash, John Boy, Yoshi (FNK), Zook, Scrum, Grizzly, ICE, Topper, Lax Bro, Lizard (FNK), Skynyrd, Yoda (FNK), Dive, Boyardee, Sonic, RG3, Halo, Web (FNK), Knope, Lidecky

Citius, Altius, Fortius: Faster, Higher, Stronger

Today’s workout was inspired by the Winter Olympics, as opening games in South Korea kicked off last week. YHC was pretty stoked to do this workout last weekend but the weather didn’t cooperate, and since I think we can do about whatever we want for this “unofficial” AO, I shoe-horned this workout into this weekend, because why not? Basically, when it comes to “Sunnyside”, give the kids some good tough exercise but distract them enough to minimize the complaining. For the dad PAX, beat ’em down. I think I’ve got something for everyone, but bringing Nerf guns to a kids’ workout is, risky. To the Games…

Warm Up (and introduction to today’s exercises)

Fellowship torch carry lap with the Olympic theme song playing (hold one arm high): doing sideways and backwards running also for warmup.

Back circled up we had a brief discussion of the symbols involved with the Olympics (5 rings representing the 5 inhabited continents, each ring has a color found on at least one country’s flag, Olympic eternal flame representing Prometheus stealing fire from Zeus).

Exercises: SSH IC x 10, “Cross-country skiing” (a variation of SSH with the arms and legs going forward and backward) IC x 10, “Mogul skiing” (deep squat with pulses) IC x 10, “Luge” (scissor-kicks) IC x 10, “Skeleton” (American Hero) IC x 10. Good ‘ole Merkins IC x 10.

The Thang

Sliding events:

Dora 1-2 with 100 Skeletons and 200 Luge, both single-count. Each “Team” consists of a dad and his 2.0’s. One member of the team runs a lap (bigger lap for dads) while other team members do exercises as above. This was a bit much in retrospect.

The Bobsled: 2.0’s push their dad to 1st cone and assemble into 2-, 3-, or 4-person Bobsled position, then 20 American Hammers IC. Dads squat and hold arms outstretched while being pushed to increase difficulty (for them) and increase pushing surface area for the 2.0’s. Do same to 2nd and 3rd cones.

Skiing events:

Skiing: Do 5 “moguls” (squat pulses), then jump diagonally, doing 5 more moguls, repeatedly jumping diagonally back and forth until reaching designated 2.0 or dad cone.

The Biathalon: each “Team” does cross country skiing exercise in place and sends out 1 runner to do a lap and then shoot Nerf bullet at target (plastic cup rested on Girl Scout box for authenticity). If successful, team does 2 victory Burpees; if fails, team does 5 defeat Burpees. All team members go at least once, with number of laps determined by the largest team. Okay, this was a mess. How my kids have 5 Nerf guns laying around the house, and of the 2 I grabbed, one didn’t work. Also, I could only find about 8 bullets, though I know for a fact we’ve bought them hundreds (I think they must be in Nerf bullet graveyard across the street, otherwise known as RG3’s backyard).

Mary

No abdominal work, just an AYG sprint to the 3rd cone: no race, just you against yourself. Dig deep.

BOM/Ball of Kid

Olympic Creed

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.

Competition comes in many forms. When your competitor has a name and face, it’s easier to stay motivated. Appreciate your opponent’s ability to bring out your best. Competition without a competitor, such as with a clock or distance, is much tougher. You must compete with the part of your brain that keeps telling you to quit: you’re “too tired”, “too hungry”, “it’s too hard”. Whether you’re an athlete or trying to figure out Math, have the courage and strength to conquer the difficult and ignore the voice that tells you to quit. The athletes you see in the Olympics are the best in the world at what they do. They didn’t get to where they are by necessarily being the most naturally gifted in their chosen sport, but instead by being the one willing to work the hardest and to reach their goal. Whatever talent you’re gifted with, hone and nurture it. And for the things you struggle with, be willing to put in the work to conquer your obstacles. Whatever you do in life, whether it be a dad, a boss, a co-worker, a husband, a brother, a sister, do the hard work to make your life and those around you better. Aye!

Moleskin

Dads, watch the video above with your kids.  Kerri Strug’s vault to clinch the U.S. Women’s FIRST EVER gymnastics team gold medal was one of the most heroic sporting feats I have ever witnessed. The pressure to perform as the last competitor, with only a slim lead over the Russian team and after her teammate had fallen on both vault attempts, was remarkable. Kerri herself fell and injured herself on her first vault (tore two tendons!) and knew that to win the Gold for her team she would have to stick the landing, and experience excruciating pain in doing so.

Kerri was one of the weakest links of the 1996 women’s team (her coach said, “Kerri will never be on the cover of a Wheaties box”), but she was the hero, through grit and determination. Go USA!