Hallowe’en (All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints’ Eve, etc…) is a special time of year for YHC. Per Wiki, “Hallowe’en” dates back to 1745 and is of Christian origin. Comes from a Scottish term for “All Hallow’s Eve,” which kicks off a three day observance of a time dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (“hallows”), martyrs, and the faithful departed. I find all that to be very interesting as it coincides with a time in my life, many years ago (not quite 1745, tho…), when I closed the chapter and laid to rest a bunch of things from my earlier, significantly more idiotic and foolish youth, and entered a awesome brand new chapter in life.

I had my first date with my beautiful wife on Hallowe’en night. It was magical, enchanting evening. She was dressed as an Arabian princess and I, a Girl Scout from Troop 69. My band was playing a show at a warehouse in a seedy, industrial section of Tucson, AZ. We hung out well into the night, into the wee hours…and when we made it back to her place, I just assumed we would make it to morning, but she promptly shoved me back outside, her palm to my face, told me to “F*ck off,” smiled, then closed the door. I knew right then, she was the one.

Five years and one big move North later, we were married…on the eve of Hallowe’en. Nineteen years, brothers. Been together almost a quarter century. Has it been all Skittles, Reese’s, and candy corns?? Of course not. Plenty of generic hard candies, licorice chews, flimsy plastic spider thingies, a few toothbrushes…ghouls, goblins, witches, humpty bumps in the night (yeah, the good and bad kind, ya’know…)…but way, way more of the peanut M&Ms, Kit Kats, Twix, and Whatchamacallits, for d*mn sure. Her calm and quiet balances out my restless chaos. Her planning and care balances out my whatever, whenever. Her patient deliberate nature balances out my impulsive act now, think (and pay) later ways. She is the heart, mind and soul of the family, and I am like, the, umm…well, I am like the digestive tract (I mean, we all gotta eat, right??). Sure, I may wear the pants, but she is the belt that holds us up. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She is my best friend, my safe and happy place, my partner, my much, much better half,…the love of my life. And I dedicate this workout and this backblast to her. My awesomely wonderful M.

INTRO

Destination: Hillendale Elementary, Part II. 0455 Departure.

0523 Arrival. (Yes, I made that same wrong turn again coz I missed the first entrance and had to turn into the bus entrance and make a U-turn then double back).

Parked. Saw a few cars in the lot. Not sure how big the crowd was gonna be. Had a few minutes so decided to do some quick recon and scope out the gravel path south of the school.

0528. Where am I? What am I doing???

0529. Full sprint back to Startex to meet/greet/fist bump a dozen or so N Durm brothers. Quick count. Twice. Still got the number wrong.

0530. Thanked everyone for coming out this morning…I know we have many choices for where we can post in the gloom and how we spend our early morning hours, and YHC is simply glad you all chose to spend it here with me. (Wow, that could not have sounded any more Delta/United/Southwest/American, could it?”). Shared a very abbreviated version of the lead in above with the group…aaaaaaaand, nice job, Grunge. Now we late.

FNGs? Nope. OK, push back…and

Launch. Finally.

WARM UP

• SSH, x30, Cadence
• Mountain Climbers, x25, Cadence
• Air Squats, x20, Cadence
• Merkins, x15, Cadence
• WWIIs, x10, Single
• Burpees, x5, Single (OYO)

Quick introduction to our workout this morning. We are gonna be doing some Trick or Treating.

MAIN EVENT

Led PAX on a run to the Gravel Path that connects the front Parking Lot to the Back Bus Lot.

Stopped halfway into the Gravel Path. Had the PAX circle up. Did some research and learned that PAX of Hurricanrana really enjoy this exercise called the “Wine Mixer.” Wine Mixers (at least the one I am acquainted with) is a (1) Standard Merkin, followed by a (2) Mahktar N’Diayes then (3) another Standard Merkin. That’s 1 rep. You then do the reverse for the the next rep, then back and forth…so on and so forth.

Given the affinity for this special breed of Merkin, I decided that we would need to stop and pre-game with a little Wine Mixer party.

• Wine Mixers, x5

Party over. Time to get on with our Trick or Treating. Run to the middle of the Back Bus Lot. Circle Up.

(1) Trick or Treat Stop #1    

• Mountain Climbers, x30, Cadence
• Air Squats, x25, Cadence
• Merkins, x20, Cadence
• WWIIs, x15, Single
• Burpees, x10, Single (OYO)
• SSH, x5, Cadencew

Led PAX on a run from Bus Lot to the Bus Lot Entrance off Hillandale. But first, a quick stop midway for another Wine Mixer party.

• Wine Mixers, x5

Run to Bus Lot Entrance. Circle up.

(2) Trick or Treat Stop #2

• Air Squats, x30, Cadence

Pause to allow the PAX to vote: Trick or Treat? PAX chose (wisely): Treat. OK, we will Single Count the Merkins

• Merkins, x25, Single
• WWIIs, x20, Single
• Burpees, x15, Single (OYO)
• SSH, x10, Cadence
• Mountain Climbers, x5, Cadence

Led PAX on a run on Sidewalk in front of school from Bus Lot Entrance to Kiss ‘n Go Exit (Mid Way down Sidewalk). Circle Up.

(3) Trick or Treat Stop #3

Pause to allow the PAX to vote: Trick or Treat? PAX chose (unwisely): Trick. OK, we will “Ride The Witches Broom” with this round of Merkins. Double, double, toil and trouble, Fire burn and cauldron bubble…Merkins are now Wine Mixers.

• Wine Mixers, x30 (3 Sets of 10)
• WWIIs, x25 Single

Pause to allow the PAX to vote: Trick or Treat? PAX quickly chose (wisely): Treat. OK, we will continue to single count these Burpees.

• Burpees, x20 Single (OYO)
• SSH, x15 Cadence
• Mountain Climbers, x10 Cadence
• Air Squats, x5 Cadence

Led the PAX on a run down the first portion of the Kiss ‘n Go Lane to the far South end of the Main Parking Lot. Stop for our final Wine Mixer party.

• Wine Mixer, x5

Quick check of time. We are sort of running a bit short. Original plan was for 5 Trick or Treat Stops, but it looks like we may only have time for 4. Led PAX on a quick run from far South end of Main Parking Lot to the Kiss ‘n Go Lane.

(4) Trick or Treat Stop #4

Circle up. Due to shortage of time, YHC chose to skip ahead to the most important final round…the 30 Burpee round.

Pause to allow PAX to vote: Trick or Treat? Very quiet. Asked again, Trick or Treat? 1 person responded with Trick! (not wise…LOL). Decided to give PAX more chances…one PAX meekily offered, Treat (ah, wise…), then one final vote for Trick. Going once, twice…Trick it was. Only 3 voted, out of the entire group of 12 PAX…

OK, decision made. Plan of action: We will hit 10 Burpees, then Bear Crawl the entire length of the Main Parking Lot. At the far South end, we will hit our 2nd set of 10 Burpees, then we will Crab Walk the entire length back to the Kiss ‘n Go Lane where we will hit our final set of 10 Burpees.

PAX lined up and we hit 10 Burpees, SC (OYO). Then, made slow, grinding progress (with the majority choosing to modify with Lunge Walks) to the far South end. We then hit 10 Burpees as a group.

Pause to address the group. Time to discuss the importance of voting rights. During the course of the workout, I have offered the group many opportunities to “vote,” and for the most part, only a few chose to speak up. Our early voting rounds saw somewhat sparse participation. Then, when we held our final, most significant vote…only 3 of the 12 people in the group chose to speak up. If you are not satisfied or happy with your curent state of affairs, or you want to make a change, then you need to exercise your right to vote and have your voice heard. We are currently in the midst of the midterm voting/election period. As citizens of the US, we possess many significant rights and privileges; many consider the right to vote as being one of our most important rights and responsibilities. Many have sacrified and fought in order for all of us to possess and enjoy this right. You have a responsibility to not disregard, squander, or take this right for granted.

Gave the PAX an opportunity for a re-vote. Trick or Treat? PAX unanimously opted for Treat (good answer…). OK, we will only Crab Walk half the length of the Main Parking Lot (to the speed bump). Had PAX circle up. We have some unfinished business to tend to:

• Burpees, x10, Single
• SSH, x25, Cadence
• Mountain Climbers, x20, Cadence
• Merkins, x15, Single
• WWIIs, x10, Single

Oops. Done “goofed,” there. (In)advertently mixed things up a bit (perhaps it was all those Wine Mixers??) and somehow put those Merkins and WWIIs ahead of our Air Squats. Hope this does not diminish the quality of this morning’s workout. Cobains to the group…let’s finish this off with…

• Air Squats, x5 … Very, very slow Cadence with long pauses at the bottom of the Squat. On our final rep, had the PAX find and hold the bottom of the Squat for the last minute. Took this time to have the PAX meditate on all of our many blessings, how fortunate we are to live where we live, all that we have and enjoy, our health, our families, our rights and freedoms…took time to thank all of the brave men and women who serve and who have served to protect and preserve the rights and freedoms that we all enjoy every day.

Recover! Well done, brothers. Strong work by all.

COT/BOM

No announcements this morning

Name-o-Rama

BOM

Special thanks to Crockett for his heartfelt prayer to take us out this morning. Gratitude for the morning, our fellowship, for a great start to the week, and for the health that we enjoy that enables us to come out and do all that we do out in the gloom. Prayer that we will continue to have a wonderful start next month. Thankful for those who serve, for those who protect our rights and freedoms. Ask for guidance to help us all be the best fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, friends, etc. that we can be, so that we may honor our Father and our Lord. Amen!

Grateful for the opportunity to come back out for my second Q at Hurricanrana. I know that many of you may be getting a bit tired of me and my antics, but I always enjoy getting time with you all. Have a very safe and enjoyable Hallowe’en with your family and friends. I will see you all in a couple weeks for my 3rd and patching Q. Until next time, aye!