JBF's "Sandbag Top" and "Sandbag Strength" workouts were my first ones back since Bragg, because I had to let my inner thigh chafing heal. It felt good to get blood flowing to my muscles again. I used a 30#R and 30#SB and focused on form. Each workout took about 27 minutes.
Sunday, Jan 24:
After not performing as well as I wanted to at my first experience with Force on Force, I was determined to try it again and do better. I skipped the Saturday Constellation class and just went for FoF in ATL. Most of the scenarios were the same, so I knew better what to do this time. It feels like cheating to know the answers to the test, but I guess that's a good things that I know the answers now. If I run into those particular scenarios in real life, I know how to respond. With that said, as we also discovered during the first class, even tweaking the scenario slightly can sometimes change how you may make decisions.
Scenarios:
- Oddly behaving strangers in a parking lot at work (this time with a couple extra role players in the picture, which added another element)
- Break-in scenario with family member held hostage
- Cafe stickup
- Kid at school with disturbed classmate
- NEW: Protesters blocking your car (instead of the workplace Christmas party one)
Unfortunately, for the one new-to-me one, I was a role player, so I didn't get to test how I would've responded fresh in that scenario. I would want to think that I would've responded in a smart way, but who knows, especially when you see many other class participates respond in a way that ends badly. It is neat how the classes are adapted, and the scenarios continue to evolve, based on current events.
I did get shot in the hand this time. It left these little blood blisters, which would eventually go away on their own.
AT came along to shadow, since her husband was doing the event. It was a great experience for her, since she got to see all of the scenarios play out as a role player, and got to become more comfortable with firearms prior to taking her first class.
Tuesday, Jan 26:
JBF "Movement Transitions" workout with 2 min max's with 30#R, in 30 min. I PRed in 3/4 exercises (presses, squats, lunges), and tied the 4th. That's awesome! Even without strength gains, I think the established muscle memory helps.
I followed it up with 2 miles, but I rolled my ankle at the end of the first mile, so I walked it off in the second. My splits were 13:17 and 17:00.
I finished with an extra 150 BSU, 100 flutter, 50 HRPU, and 25 burpees in 16 min.
Thursday, Jan 28:
5 mile ruck in 1:36:43 with 30#. My feet were feeling it after a while in the Salomon XA Comps, but that was probably the remnants of trench foot from Bragg. It was my first time using the Rucker v3 25L. It felt about the same as the other V3s (standard 20L and shorty 20L) at the time.
Saturday, Jan 30:
Cabarrus Ruck Club hosted the HDT workout of the month. It involved some pretty heavy and hard sandbag work for the last AMRAP. Each round of that AMRAP started with 1 rep of each exercise, then 2 reps, then 3, etc. The 40#SB was a lot. I was barely doing the movements with any kind of form.
After the workout, SB and I headed down to Pete's range in SC. We were going to meet AT there to get in some practice on basics, so that we would be ready for Greenville weekend in April. CT was also there.
I used the G43X today, so that AT could get used to the G19. Not bad.
Looking back and writing this about 9 months later, I can see where I used to have some flaws in form. Who knows if I'm much better now with form, but at least I know enough to notice the areas for improvement. Here are some examples...
1. In prone rifle, my feet can be more flush against the ground, for added stability.
2. In standing rifle, my right foot could be moved back, so that I have more stability when I get recoil pushing me backwards.
3. In standing pistol, I could thrust my hips forward a little bit to lock that out and have a more solid and immovable platform, and potentially offset my feet a little bit more by bringing my right foot back.
Monday, Feb 1:
I completed the HDT March Madness 2021 seeding test, with 10 minutes of working time and 19 minutes total because of all of the rest allowed between exercises. I followed it up with the HDT pre-training run in 15:42 and added on a 2 mile ruck in 27:53, which would double as ENDEX stats for PATHFINDER Class 026. This was triple-dipping March Madness, HDT prework, and PATHFINDER ENDEX work! Very efficient. 30# in the v3 shorty. I used the Altra Torin Plush for the ruck, and Kinvaras for the run.
I signed up for my 5th round of HDT, since that was the recommended companion program for PATHFINDER Compete, which I was now co-CAing with SB starting in Feb. We had used HDT in the lead-up to Team Assessment. I wanted to do HDT this round so that I could better relate to the rosters who would be prepping for Compete and/or their TA attempt, although I cared more about the actual TA hopefuls.
Tuesday, Feb 2:
For Compete, there's a PT test based on the TA PT test, which we would repeat throughout the 3 months. I knocked out the first session early on, with 26 hRPU, 44 SU, 8 SC @ 60#, 14 SB PP @ 60#, 2 TGU @ 30# with right arm only, and 1:20 DH with 30#. I also did the remainder of the HDT SB&R+ pre-test. Lots of testing in the past 2 days! There was only 11 minutes of working time on this day, so I didn't count it as a workout.
I remember JB and SB joking at the 2020 July 4th GORUCK Light about always being "Heavy ready," meaning being in good enough shape at all times to be able to do a Heavy. I feel like it's reasonable to always be able to pass the 2020 TA PT test. Minimum standards must be upheld. No resting on laurels.
Wednesday, Feb 3:
Did the TEAM SPEARHEAD "Six is Sexy" workout with 30# in the v3 shorty in 56 min. My left shoulder didn't like the thrusters or the OH crunches. My body was sore earlier today from the recent tests, so this was good active recovery. I wasn't in the mood for heavy SB work, so this ruck WOD was perfect.
Thursday, Feb 4:
I tested out the 30# standard plate in the 25L v3 rucker today and was not a fan. It's too long and too rigid. I wasn't a fan of how squishy the Altra Torin Plush felt today, either... it was way worse than any beach ruck could ever be. At least I got Pokestops.
Friday, Feb 5:
Did the TA PT Test, with 27 HRPU, 45 BSU, and 10SC@60#. Glad to see SC numbers coming back up.
