The Northern Province’s final workout of 2020 deserved something special….coffee and music. Apparently YHC can only handle so many variables in the 5 am hour and promptly forgot the Bluetooth speaker but secured the carafe of coffee and maxed out the built-in iPhone speakers to the Pax delight. After promising a warm cup of Joe as part of the workout fellowship there might have been an uprising. Fortunately, the Pax were able to channel their energy in walking through the year of 2020 as told by YHC:

Warm-up

In 20 degree temperature the Pax warmed up to the following classics:

• SSH (10)
• Arm Circles (10 each direction)
• WMH
• Hillbillies
• Mosey around the parking lot

The Thang

YHC explained how the year started off with a sober loss with Mamaw’s passing in January, she lived a good full life and she was celebrated at the funeral, but that same day tragedy struck the world again with the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant. To honor both of them we listened to Mamaw’s favorite song and did reps based on Kobe’s playing numbers.

Man! I Feel Like a Woman!: As the song played the pax completed 8 burpees followed by 24 squats and repeated 8/24 until Shania was done. Afterwards the Pax moseyed around the parking lot for the next tune.

A Long Time Ago: In late February/early March YHC took the family to Ireland in what seemed like a lifetime ago. As the Irish tunes belted out from the iPhone speaker the pax completed SSH until the chorus of “A Long Time Ago” when everyone did Merkins then back to SSH until the next chorus.

Balls to the Wall: no song needed for this exercise as we lined up and counted down 5 as we did balls to the wall to represent when the world turned upsdie down in March with the start of the pandemic.

The Origins of the Mask: YHC described the opportunity to co-found a face mask company arose during the pandemic so we listened to a song from “The Mask” soundtrack which was an unusual choice given the slow “score” tone with no words which caused Buffay to claim this was “the worst song:)” Nevertheless during the 3:46 min song the pax alternated between 20 Russian Hammers and 20 Mtn Climbers until the conclusion of the sountrack

Virtual! YHC reflected on 2020 when F3 Churham went virtual so to signify this moment all the Pax members were instructed to run 20 paces away from the circle, complete 20 reps of any exercise and return to the circle. YHC completed Merkins and was pleasantly surprised to see Buffay redeem himself after his displeasure of song choice to pick the self-effacing exercise of Monkey Humpers as his 20 reps of choice. The pax all returned eager to finish the virtual q.

Running! Like many pax members in 2020, YHC got into running during the pandemic and instructed we would all become runners for the next bit. We moseyed to the track for the following:

• 1 lap: then pick up the 6
• 100 meter sprint: 1 pax sprinted 100 meters while the rest held plank until all sprinted and it was so good we did it again

Podcast! YHC started a podcast and on the way to becoming the next $100m acquisition by Spotify so we completed a low plank hold during the singing of the Rogan intro song

Friends in Low Places: It was time of the music to turn country to celebrate YHC becoming a hobby farmer during the pandemic and as Gart Brooks sang his classic we completed some Mary exercises:

• 6 inch leg hold: 5 count around the circle
• LBCs: 5 count around the circle until the clock ticked 6:15am.

COT

Announcements:

• No Duck and Weave this Friday (New Years Day)
• Special 2.0 friendly workout to be Saturday (Jan 2nd) at 8am co-Q’d by Busch League and Halfback, the latter was too busy planning and organizing his part of the special Q to attend this morning’s 2020 celebration….
• Site Q’s Transitions: we are officially transitioning site Qs and the Shovel Flags at each AO next week so be there!

Prayers:

• Buffay’s neighbor: time of loss and tragedy pray for peace and comfort
• First responders and military protecting us domestically and abroad

Moleskin:

This Q was a selfish indulgence in reflecting on the year of 2020 through a personal lense while acknowledging the real challenges and opportunities that presented themselves. YHC prayed over the pax that these troibulations would lead to perseverance which would build character and ultimately produce hope. We celebrated the final Q of 2020 with some coffee and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. What a privilege to be with you men in the gloom.

-Nickelback