SOJ came in hot (or at least lukewarm) for a full-on Heartbreak Ridge takeover. With the mercury flirting with frostbite, your QIC Ponch knew one thing for sure: the 9 PAX that braved the cold weren’t staying warm without constant motion. Enter the most glorious cardio move in F3 history: the Side Straddle Hop—and lots of ’em.
Warmup: SSH x ∞ (well, it felt like it), in cadence pushups (regular, wide, diamond, and hand release). Every set of pushups was flanked by—you guessed it—80 SSHs. Already toasty? Not yet. Mosey’d to the first sector, where we hit some ab work: Flutters, Rosalitas, LBCs, and Heals to Heaven, all broken up by more SSHs because…why not?
Next Stop: Shoulders. Overhead arm claps, apple pickers, and—you better believe it—SSHs. Toss in some mountain climbers, because the frost demanded it.
Benches: Triple-check time. Triceps got smoked while the rest of the PAX cheered (or froze). Mosey’d back to the shovel flag for the finale: a 5-minute smoker of SSHs, Merkins, mountain climbers, and more arm claps. “Keep moving” wasn’t just a motto; it was survival strategy.
Mumblechatter Highlights:
• The Heartbreak Ridge PAX welcomed me with open arms and frozen fingers, but I caught the subtle side-eye when I failed to use their Ridge. My bad, boys—I’ll get it next time.
• Lesson learned: a proper Q leans into the AO’s identity, but hey, this time it was all about the Side Straddle Hops of Doom.
• By the end, PAX debated whether they were warmer or just permanently numb.
COT: A quick word of gratitude for the opportunity to lead and for the motivation of the PAX who pushed through frigid temps. And a note to future Qs: Don’t skip the Heartbreak Ridge staple.
Takeaway: If the temp’s in the teens, the SSH reigns supreme. Until next time, Ridge boys—when we’ll actually use the Ridge and maybe thaw out by spring.
SYITG,
Ponch
