Lots of 24 Reps Honoring Kobe in the Pouring Rain

FNGs:  None

Pre-blast:  YHC wanted to honor a legend of the NBA, gone too soon, after seeing a bunch of tributes in CA last week while on a business trip.  I saw the forecast for 90% rain with temps in the low 60’s.  I knew there was a shelter at South Park but my F3 planning I did earlier looking up some new exercises were to be – better experienced in the elements.  The Black Mamba would have wanted it that way too.  I asked the PAX to come prepared for rain.

Warm Up:  Rolled up into the parking lot and recognized the Chocolate Fix bumper sticker on Modify’s car.  I had hoped he would be there since this AO was his baby.  Three more vehicles arrived filled with waves, fist bumps and smiles from Noah’s Ark, Sprinkler and Norm (who made it just in time as the clock struck 530 am).  A couple of PAX reminded me of the shelter option.  I politely declined and had the PAX jog to the basketball courts peppering them with Kobe stats for the next 20-30 mins.  At half court, we did the following exercises in 24 cadence counts:  SSH, seal clap/overhead clap combo, monkey jumpers, Don Quixote, Sir Fazio Arm circles.  Recovered with 24 merkins in puddles.

The Workout:  Found a new Indian run called the Mamba (it was just meant to be I guess) where PAX run in between brothers back to front.  I had calculated a nice 1.5 mile (total) run on the sidewalk of  S Judd Parkway SW.  The weaves were a bit dicey going on and off the sidewalk on to the wet/muddy turf so I called an audible having the PAX run and pass on the Right for safety halfway through the run.  Along the way, PAX executed 3 sets of 8 burpees OYO commemorating Kobe’s two uniform numbers.   I do not think the PAX were impressed with his stats but the idle mumble chatter led to some laughs and threats of throat punches.  We were jelling as a team!  Yay!   We found ourselves back at the basketball court and began 4 corners.  Four corners consisted of:  10 plank jacks ic, 20 monkey jumpers ic, and 30 squats.  The last 40 in the final corner was BTTW with each PAX counting ic to 8 for a total of 40 count BTTW – that sucked btw.  (I initially wanted single count; glad we did a 4 count). The PAX lunged, performed Frankensteins, bear crawled and karaoke’d around the 4 corners.  Mosey to shelter (FINALLY) for Mary.

Mary:  Lots of stretching, LBCs, WWIIs (24s) while YHC got emotional asking the PAX to think about the last few minutes Kobe had with his daughter while the helicopter they were riding on declared an emergency and crashed into the ground killing them both.  (UPDATE:  A day after this BB was written, a news report suggested the pilot did not declare an emergency and switched from VFR to IFR making an ascent through the clouds at 180 mph.  He was at 1400’ trying to maneuver over a mountain top at 2400’. Kobe may not have had any time to reflect.  I am sure there was anxiety in the cockpit, possibly fear.  Regardless, it was an awful event.)  I was saddened and shared my fear of losing a child before me one day.  I asked the PAX to take a minute while lying on the cool, DRY ground, and think about all of their blessings and what was important to them – their family.

Announcements:  Come out Friday to Bombshell for a great cause with Breach and listen to our very own Crosby.  Eagle Scout project on Saturday building a green house (10-2?). See Slack for details.

T-Claps (Recognition):  The All-Star PAX who came out today in the pouring rain!

Shooting guard: Noah’s Ark
Point Guard: Modify
Small Forward: Dauber
Power Forward: Norm
Center: Sprinkler

Prayer:  PAX friend who lost a baby; Those couples who participated at Hope working on “relationships “ helping others and their own.  PAX injured.  Unspoken.  YHC took us out.

Honor leading you men in the gloom.  -Dauber