Heroes



The picture above is of Chief Petty Officer Nate Hardy. He was killed Sunday February 4th during combat operations in Iraq. Nate is survived by his wife, Mindi, and his infant son Parker. The WOD yesterday, "Nate", was done in memory of the above mentioned hero. The WOD (Workout Of the Day) went like this:

Warm-Up:
Run 400M, DUs for 2 min or Row 500M;  Spend 5 Min on Shoulder Mobility; 2×10 Iron Crosses & Scorpions.  2 Minutes in Wheel or Bridging.

Skill:  Muscle Up Progression

Work:  "Nate"
Complete as many rounds in twenty minutes as you can of:
2 Muscle-ups (6 dips/4 ring dips/4 reverse pull ups)
4 Handstand Push-ups
8 2-Pood Kettlebell swings

I did the dips and reverse pull ups. I haven't yet achieved the upper body strength to do the ring dips. That is a goal I am working on! The handstand push-ups were modified for me. You can do this by putting your knees/thighs on a bench, lean down into the push up position and bring your chin to your chest. It will give the same result. I was able to accomplish 9 rounds in the 20 minutes. I was proud for my first timed WOD.

During the workout. I would find myself panting a little and grunting a little "aahh" out when I would lift the kettlebells. During the pain and the thoughts of...just slow down...I thought of Nate and his family. I don't know them personally, but I do know the military lifestyle. I thought of how terrible it must have been for her. Waiting for the phone call from him. Looking at their baby boy and seeing her husbands eyes or lips. The knock on the door telling her the dreaded news every military spouse fears. Then I thought of Nate. The pain my muscles were experiencing were nothing compared to what he had encountered. I pushed harder. I pushed through the reverse pull-up thinking that he and his family would give anything to experience a pain that minimal. I struggled through one more push-up thinking of how Nate and his family had made the ultimate sacrifice so that I can sleep at night in safety and with freedom. Thinking of this reminded me...there are things bigger than our excuses.

"Nurture your mind with great thoughts; to believe in heroic makes heroes." ~Benjamin Disraeli