The Space Race: We Celebrate Differently
We set the tone and start the work for the upcoming year instead of wallowing in a hangover and bad sleep on day one. This isn’t a resolution; this is how we practice. What better way to close out one chapter and begin a new phase than by testing yourself, rising to a challenge that honors and celebrates hard effort? We are in the 7th year of this tradition, but this time, things are a little different.
Years ago, early in my coaching career, I was inspired by Ninja Warrior. While the athleticism of those who passed the initial stage was impressive, my focus was on the others: those who entered, traveled, and failed in the first 3 or 4 obstacles. I wondered what that felt like.
I immediately planned a session for my group training clients the very next day. It was the usual host of random fitness tests, but with a special feature: if you failed any of them, you couldn’t speak, you couldn’t object, and you could absolutely not stick around to watch those still going. You simply had to get your belongings and leave.
I didn't anticipate the uproar that would follow, the tears, and the potential scars. Needless to say, the structure and the events that unfolded became a defining moment for me as a coach. I understood immediately the role that intention and consequence play in the human psyche. It is fitting that we revisit this structure to remember that many of the obstacles we face are simply preludes to a bigger, much more serious task.
The Challenge While we aren’t requiring anyone to leave the gym if they fail this year, you will not be allowed to enter the Final Stage unless you have completed the required tasks.
This year, you will pick a partner to share a series of challenges with over the course of 5 hours. You may complete them in any order you like (except for the final challenge).
This is the return of Professor Insano’s Mountain of Impending Doom and Ultimate Elimination Challenge.
We are starting at 5pm Mountain Standard Time
The Work (5-Hour Cap):
Distance: 2 miles running, 1 mile farmer carry @ 2x20kg, 1 mile bear crawl (Split however you like between partners).
Capacity: Sub 7-min (Men) / 8-min (Women) 2km Row/Ski OR 4km Bike Erg (Only one partner needs to complete, but both can contribute). This can be performed as part of another effort, like the 2000 reps challenge.
Volume: 1,000 reps each (2,000 total) completed within 1 hour. Movements: Machine cals (any machine), lunges, step-ups, push-ups, squats, sit-ups. Partition as you see fit, but 2000 reps must be acquired within the 60-minute window, and each exercise must be done at least once. A stronger partner may help the other ie; one partner could get 1200, making the remaining needed 800 reps. If you would like to run to sub a machine, every 400m is 40cals.
Fortitude: 30-min Sandbag Hold @ 50% of average team Body Weight (Front Carry position). Effort can be shared, but if the bag drops, the timer starts over at 0.
The Final Stage Teams must successfully complete the previous 4 challenges to attempt the final.
Task: Team effort for Max Calories Ski Erg.
The Kicker: "Death by Air Squat" starts at the 10-minute mark. You may accumulate calories as long as the required squats are performed within the minute.
If you are in, comment below and tell us where you are from and who your partner is.
