Since it was 1 May, YHC wanted to do something for May Day. Turns out that’s a weird pagan holiday celebrating a Roman goddess. Looking for better (read: more manly) inspiration, the phrase “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” came to mind. You’ve heard it and know it’s a distress signal used by aviators and mariners as a call for help. In doing some quick research, you can learn that there have been times in history when vessels needed to use a “mayday relay,” passing this distress signal from ship to ship or plane to plane until it gets to someone that can provide the proper assistance. That notion of “Mayday Relay” became the foundation of today’s Hurricanrana Q…more below.
Nearly 10 PAX arrived early for EC Ruck and Run options, then a full 19 PAX (!) assembled for the Main Event.

WARM-UP
Seal Jacks x 15 IC
Imperial Walkers x 10 IC
Windmills x 10 IC
WMH x 10 IC
Mountain Climbers x 15 IC
Mosey to the back parking lot

THE THANG
9 cones were set up roughly 20-25 yards apart. PAX were instructed to partner up and find a cone. PAX would perform an exercise ad nauseum until the next “distress signal” (aka a new set of exercises) arrived in the form of two pieces of steel (‘stolen’ from House of Pain in order to make Tatertot feel more at home). Exercises are below:
Tuck Jumps | Curls x 5
Reverse Lunges | Curls x 5
Side Lunges | Curls x 5
Johnny Dramas | Rows x 5
At this point, YHC realized the relay was taking far longer than expected with so many PAX, so had to start calling out more frequent changes to the main exercise. Relay kept running with the steel. With odd number, one PAX was also constantly running the full circuit.
LBCs | Goblet Squats x 5
Heels to Heaven | Goblet Squats x 5
Hello Dollies – Goblet Squats x 5
Squats | Bench Press x 5
Smurf Jacks | Bench Press x 5
Recover and run back to start.
4 Sprints up and down the parking lot.

MARY
Alternating R/L Hand / Leg Lifts x 20 IC
Superman Ring of Fire x 5 SC Per PAX
Freddie Mercuries x 30 IC

ANNOUNCEMENTS
From Mr. Brady: “If you’re interested in a CPR class with certification, let meknow. @doogie and I are working to put something together, cost will be $30, and you’ll leave with a certification. We’re working on venue, class will be about 2-3 hours in length.”
Tater Tot said he’s got an open door policy – if y’all get frustrated about something at the site or with a Q, let him know. Better yet, talk to the guy directly. Don’t air it publicly (or worse – leave entirely). We’re all here to help one another grow (a pair). He also hyped his t-shirt order!
Knope mentioned an important topic…see below for a bit of extrapolation.

COTS
Connecting to the “Mayday” notion for a moment more, consider the distress signals sent out (or not) by our fellow PAX. Sometimes men mention a request in prayer, but mask it in brevity or humor. Sometimes guys say nothing and suffer silently, but you can tell something’s off. Others get in a funk and slump away — slowly, quietly. You might not notice until weeks or months have passed. Or maybe you do in a fleeting thought here or there —
“You know, I haven’t seen _______ in awhile…” or ” I wonder how ______ is doing after having that baby / surgery / divorce / rough time at work / etc.” — but then we fail to follow up on that gut feeling immediately and the melee of life snatches a good intention.

Knope and YHC were talking about this reality earlier this week…and May happens to be mental health month. Perhaps that’s as good an excuse as any to move from intention to action. If you need further motivation, read the COTS on this post from Griswold. You never know what might make a difference for a PAX. If someone comes to mind, reach out. We all come for the 1st F, but it’s the 2nd F that really makes us stronger. Aye!