I’m feelin’ pretty damn lucky. I get up at the crack of dawn to be joined by dozens of brightly clad friends. We bounce together. We hug. We talk workout details and then play for 20 minutes.
The air is filled with the sounds of labored breathing, with the occasional grunt of encouragement to a neighbor doing burpees. The light misting rain blurs out distractions, letting us focus on our private little playground. The grass is green and damp. The blue playground floor is bouncy and inviting. The rope-sculpture is tempting our inner child.
With straight legs, we inch our hands from our feet to a plank and then inch our feet to our hands, like an inch worm. Ten repeats. Ooof. Ok, this one is a stretch and a core work out. Getting up from plank on our tenth one, we look under our eyebrows towards the next station and see others already there, silhouettes bounding into the sky.
Like grasshoppers with springs for legs, we coil our legs and then bound upward, bringing our knees into our chest and ankles high. We rock the form at the peak of our tuck jumps. Taking time to do them high and right, breathing is quick and heart rate screaming by our 20th.
Quickly transitioning around the corner to the rows of benches, we find an open area and engage our lateral muscles by stepping up onto the bench sideways and then back down. Here, our lungs are relieved at the slight break from cardio. Switching sides after 10. We know this uses muscles that will keep us healthy and injury free. Mentally psyching ourselves up for what’s ahead, we plant our last foot and take off on a sprint till then end of the sidewalk.
Setting up for tricep dips, we notice sweat dripping down our chin and onto our chest. 20 to go. We see some people with legs extended and others with legs bent — everyone working to their max. 10 to go. We look around and see more people finishing their sprint and looking to join beside us. 5 to go. We are so glad they’re here. We get to slap 5 briefly as we finish the last one and run to the basket ball court.
Ok. We can do this. Evan said 20 or 10 burpees. We accept this challenge. Ok, go! 19 to go. Ok, these are feeling ok. Yes! 15 to go. A bit tougher now. Here’s someone doing them in front of me and encouraging me – helping me focus on just moving faster. 10 to go. Land and immediately jump the feet back. 5 to go. C’monnn arms! 2 to go. *Grunt* We give it everything!
Turning with a smile for our achievement, we sprint up the path lined with grass and small trees, taking in the view from this small mound — seeing all the other stations spread out in front of us.
Of course we choose the optional bonus station of going through the rope-sculpture before turning back to the inch worms.
After 20 minutes of this, we hear the final countdown (sing it!) and jog back over to the rope-sculpture.
Four people are chosen to race to the top and seem to float up there! Xander joins them as we sing happy birthday in exactly the same amount of time as it takes him to climb.
We hold good posture and pictures are taken. We are invited to have a great day.
I really enjoy the creative planning process of a workout and feel so proud to see the tribe focused and committed to the fun and hard workout at hand. Thanks for playing along. Thanks for the hugs.
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!
-Evan and #DEE
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