YHC was excited to swap Q dates with Soybean and unveil a workout idea that he had been mulling for a while.  Several Qs have tried and failed to incorporate music into workouts and YHC was determined to get it right by ensuring 1) proper volume and 2) adequate brutality.

YHC selected one of his favorite bands Mastodon to provide the soundtrack and properly motivate the PAX.

YHC suggests listening to the following video for optimal reading experience.  Don’t watch if you’re afraid of clowns.  (The fact that Mastodon created a music video featuring a clown party for a song about Moby Dick only adds to their genius.)

Warm Up:

• SSH X15
• Windmills X15
• Imperial Walkers X15
• WMH X15
• Mountain Climbers X15

The Thang:

YHC was a part of a ShakeIt workout a few weeks back with lots of running and Tabatas — it was terrible and it was fantastic.  So YHC planned for Tabatas backed by select Mastodon tunes.

Before beginning the first Tabata, YHC explained Tabata and why he selected Mastodon as the soundtrack.   He further explained that the record “Leviathan” is a concept album loosely based on Moby Dick and then quoted his favorite lyrics from Blood & Thunder (the song above) in order set expectations for what was to come:

Split your lungs with blood and thunder
When you see the white whale
Break your backs and crack your oars men
If you wish to prevail

This ivory leg is what propels me
Harpoons thrust in the sky
Aim directly for his crooked brow
And look him straight in the eye

Blood & Thunder — merkin Tabata, it was hard, lotta gassed PAX straight away, including YHC.

(run 1/4 mile)

Iron Tusk — 30 burpees OYO, no Tabata timer because the song is short and burpees because the song has a weird time signature and who does burpees in rhythm anyway?

(run 1/3 mile to the top of Murder Hill)

Megaladon — Joel Berry (Not Bobby Hurley) Tabata, YHC encouraged PAX to keep elbow under the ball, properly follow through, no chicken wings.

(run 2/5 mile to the parking area in Forest Hills park)

YHC over-planned a bit, so we skipped the last Tabata and instead hoisted some of the lumber that YHC brought from his backyard.  PAX partnered and selected a piece of firewood — while one shoulder pressed, the other worked LBCs.  60 total shoulder presses for the pair.

To wrap up, PAX set up a ring of fire and held a plank while a fellow PAX took 5 whacks at the lumber with an axe.  Some logs split more easily than others.  All PAX took 5 good licks.  YHC has fewer logs to split this weekend — thanks!

Announcements:

• Baseball game happening on Oct6, details on Slack #baseball channel.
• Welcome to FNG Woodchuck, who earned the name by splitting a chunk of lumber that flew close to some PAX.

Prayer Requests:

• None

YHC closed in prayer.

WHITE WHALE! HOLY GRAIL!