49th madness

1st

1 min. hold each of:
overhead press
squat
bottom push up
top pull up
(5 rounds)

2nd
"omfu"

500 wall ball @ 20# ball


A poignant holiday quote for all:

“Grandfather of all Scouts…Teach me to be the eyes of my people. Teach me to move like the shadow. Allow me to become the winds, the rocks, the soils, and the life forces in all its forms. Allow me to suffer for my people and take away their pain.
Honor me by allowing me to die for my people. For I love my people beyond myself and I will sacrifice my all for my people, my earth, and for you. Test me beyond all hardship and pain. Create me as you would forge a tool, and if you find I am worthy, then bless me as your servant – your Scout.”

“Shadow Walker” 1807
Panther Ridge
Age 91


Have a great holiday. see you the next year.

48th madness

1st

"partner effort"
10 c&p @ 95#
10 spike swings (hold while waiting)
(max rounds in 15 mins)

2nd

"135,135,135"
135 back squat @ 135#
135 lunges
(for time)

47th madness

1st

push press 1rm

Then

"stations of the mad"

100 feet of rope
push up
box jump
high pull
renegade row
burpee
lateral raise static hold in top position

(max rounds in 30 mins. Switch stations when person on rope completes 100 feet)

Good to see everyone back. A tough night for some A pleasure for others. Please post your shit.

46TH MADNESS
THE EVOLUTION:

FIRST: work up to 1 RM back squat in 15 minutes

THEN: 20 lengths db farmer's carry @ 1/2 body weight, 20 db squats @ 1/2 body weight +
10 lengths db farmer's carry @ 1/2 body weight, 10 db squats @ 1/2 body weight +
5 lengths db farmer's carry @ 1/2 body weight, 5 db squats @ 1/2 body weight
( time goal 10 minutes, cutoff 15 minutes)

THEN: 10 wall ball
10 ball slam
10 burpees
10 kb swings @ 70#
10 box jumps
( 10 rounds, time goal 35 minutes)

45TH MADNESS

The Evolution:

First: where you at dips

Then: 25 hang power cleans, 25 push press/jerk, 25 hang clean/jerk, 3 TGU's
(3 rounds, at 95# bb for cleans, 70lb KB for TGU's)
( 30 minute limit)

Then: "crazy 8's"
SDHP
Pushups
Squats
SItups
Wall Ball
Ball Slam
Box Jumps
KB swings
(8 reps of each, 8 rounds, 25 minute limit)

This one was BRUTAL!! A newcomer led the way with 27 dips. Kudos to you, Brian. The second part of the evolution proved too difficult for anyone to complete as required in the allotted time, though certainly not for a lack of effort. Jessica once again proved to be super human leading the way in "crazy 8's" in just over 20 minutes. I can honestly say this was perhaps the most taxing evolution yet. I'm proud of everyone who made it through unscathed!!

44th madness

THE EVOLUTION:

first:
where you at squats

then:

"fibonacci"
1 clean and jerk @ 135
2 kb tgu @70#
3 power cleans @ 135
5 kb push jerk each arm @70#
8 deadlifts @ 135
13 kb swing @ 70#
(3 rounds)

21 pull ups
34 push ups
55 sprint starts
(2 rounds)

89 burpees
(1 round)

The math was wrong but this is right. The players actually did 56 sprint starts and 90 burpees which was a disgrace to the perfection of natural oneness the Fibonacci sequence sheds light on, thus destroying the universal law of the golden ratio. Sorry Fibonacci, a typo of this magnitude will not happen again. And sorry to the players for not bringing them to enlightenment by miscalculating the natural progression by which all living and dead organisms multiply and evolve. Do it again and you'll see. Please post your shit.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!!!!

43rd madness

"BOOK ENDS"


first
10 deadlift @ BODYWEIGHT
10 pull up
25 double unders or 150 jump ropes
25 sit up
(5 rounds)

then
1 full clean & jerk @ 1/2 bodyweight every 30 seconds for ten minues

then
10 deadlift @ BODYWEIGHT
10 pull up
25 double unders or 150 jump ropes
25 sit up
(5 rounds)

42nd madness

1st

"where you at"
HSPU

2nd
5,000 lbs. back squat

then

"dumbbell fuck you"

10 db deck squats
9 db burpee/jumping hi-pull combo
8 db box jump
7 japanese pushups on db
6 db OH lunge
5 2-hand db snatch
4 db tgu
3 db clean n jerk
2 db hack squat
1 db sit up
(5 rounds)

Those who've slept have awoken. Please post your shit.

41st madness

1st

"where you at"
push ups

then

"the unholy trinity"

5 manmakers
20 thruster
5 burpee
20 thrustter
10 manmakers
20 thruster
10 burpee
20 thrustter
15 manmakers
20 thruster
15 burpee
20 thrustter
20 manmakers
20 thruster
20 burpee

40th madness

The Evolution:

"where you at"
(max pull ups in one set)

"partner ladder" or "parter latter"
hanging snatch
(as high as you can, both go until one of you drops out)

"grind and go"

2 tgu
20 kb high pull
(10 rounds)

39th madness

THE EVOLUTION:

"there's no I in team"

500 jumping thrusters
500 jumping ball slam
500 push up
500 reverse KB swing
500 wallball
500 box jump
500 kb swing
500 renegade row

(4 person teams work together to get the accumulated 500 reps per movement)

A real motivator, this evolution brought everyones strengths and weaknesses to the surface. It was a close one, and though there was only one winner, most walked away satisfied with their performance. Mascha's vomit was an inspiration to us all. Thank you Mascha.

38th madness

THE EVOLUTION:

first

10-1 decending ladder
OH squat @ 95#
KB sot press AHAYC

then

tabata KB swings
1 min rest
tabata KB goblet squat
1 min rest
tabata KB SDHP
1 min rest
tabata KB snatch
1 min rest
tabata KB thrusters

37th madness

THE EVOLUTION:

first

10 mins of hanging power cleans for max reps @ 95# for brothers 75# for sisters

Then

"I'm Back" (aptly named 'cus Justin is back from an LOA and he programed this evil fucker... I say proudly)
20 burpees
20 pull ups
20 thrusters @65 for dudes and @ bar for ladies
20 box jumps
400 meter run
(4 rounds for time)

This was a deceptively difficult evolution. Bobby pulled the most cleans. JT finished first on the circuit. A great group.

According to the concept of transformational evolution, first clearly articulated by Lamarck, evolution consists of the gradual transformation of organisms from one condition of existence to another.
-Ernst Mayr

36th madness

THE EVOLUTION:

first

"1030"
3 deadlift @ 315, 225, or 135
100 bi-lateral KB swings
(10 rounds)

then

wounded bear crawl
(for eternity)

Everyone broke 1000 within 55 minutes. Some were faster. Some should be.
A sheer test of will.
The body was searching for clever ways to thwart the completion of the task.
Madman of note among many: Eric, for starting with an injury and completing in spite of it, ignoring the imploring objections of his peers and guardians. Lets all hope he can walk again.

35th madness

All finished. Many impressed. None wavered. Jessica finished first using all male load goals, extremely impressive. Mascha finished first with modified loads.

THE EVOLUTION:

first

"XERXES"
(insert wry smile here)

50 pullups
100 deadlifts 135-m 95-f
100 pushups
100 box jumps
100 kb c&p 40-m 20-f
100 floor wipers
50 pullups
(35 min goal)

then

2 dips
4 hspu
8 sdhp
(max rounds in 20)


p.s. For those of you who are unable to join us due to locale and, at your own risk, choose to follow the evolution without guidence, please feel free to post an introduction and share in your endeavors. Technology destroyed your anonymity long ago.

34th madness

Resistance is futile.
Sometimes a good cliche holds all the relevance one is looking for.
Forget you have a past.
Mine is the life that chose me.


the evolution:

BB COMPLEX
deadlift
shrug
high pull
snatch
push press
drop press
(1-6 ladder)

then
10 min continuous med ball throws
(team with most throws wins, if you rest you do 50 push ups, if you drop it you do 100 push ups)

then

"seven"
hspu
burpees
deck squat
sdhp
split jump
kb swing
ball slam
(7 of each for 7 rounds)

33rd madness

THE EVOLUTION:

first:

100 pull ups
200 push ups
300 squats
1 mile run

then:
5x3 deadlift @ 80% 1rm


Everyone has an opinion, but few develop theirs through a scientific approach of hypothesis, research, testing, and conclusion. They go with the masses and I celebrate them; However, it is not what we do. Factually speaking, I would rather eat a plate full of broken glass and wash it down with a gallon of urine temperature salt water than go back to the mundane style of conservatism that proves to be a prison for the physical creativity of so many.

I heard one sheltered soul share this with a friend today,"Bro... its like... more isn't better ya know??? I train smarter not harder... ya know what I mean bro???" Share this with any athlete worth their salt and they'll laugh at you. At the risk of sounding like an elitist prick, I'll share this with you all:

THOSE THAT SAY MORE IS NOT BETTER PROBABLY CAN'T DO MORE AND DEFINITELY AREN'T BETTER.

I have no place for them in my world, and feel comforted at the thought of them never setting foot in it.

coldness

Camaraderie is a joy to watch,
Interfering with vigilance it makes clowns of us.
It was impossible to finish, at least we had fun.
Nothing fun about mediocrity.
Tap the animal.
Let go of sentiment.
Let go of praise seeking endeavor.
Cool off.
Dance in the middle,
No joy. No sadness. Just
a cold, emotionless, razor sharp focus
toward the goal.

32nd madness

THE EVOLUTION:

First

10-1 manmakers
1-10 TGU

(30 min cut off)

then
10 min intermission

then

50 squats
50 KB swings
50 push ups
50 sit ups

(3 rounds 25 min limit)

31st madness (7/23/2009)

THE EVOLUTION:

FIRST: "MISERY LOVES COMPANY

15 REPS OF

HSPU
BOX JUMP
BURPEES
WALLBALL
BALLSLAM

(4 ROUNDS)

THEN: DRAG RELAY

THEN: FEMALE - 20-30#DB/MEN- 40-60# DB

10 PISTON PRESS
10 RENEGADE ROW
100 SINGLE JUMP ROPES OR 50 DOUBLE UNDERS
3 ROUNDS+
8 DIPS
8 DEAD HANG PULL UPS
100 SINGLE JUMP ROPES OR 50 DOUBLE UNDERS
3 ROUNDS+
3 MINUTE STATIC HOLD IN EITHER; (PULL UP, PUSH UP, DIP, OR REVERSE PULL UP POSITION)

30th Madness

29th madness

THE EVOLUTION:

first

10-1 ladder of:
HSPU
pull ups

then

BB complex
5 cleans
4 front squat
3 push jerk
2 reverse lunge
1 snatch
(10 rounds)

then

partner row cool down (12 mins.)

29th madness

The Evolution:

"rite of passage"
(max burpees in 30 mins,)

then

player's choice 1RM

then

players choice clean up
(work movements you're having trouble with)

28th Madness

THE EVOLUTION:

first
front squat 1rm 15 min. limit

then
tabata push ups
tabata kb swing
tabata thrusters

then
wallball + ball slam + tgu
25/25/10
(max rounds in 25 mins)

27th madness

THE EVOLUTION:

first
intro. to the ring muscle up

then
30 sec. KB c&p
30 sec. rest
20 sec. KB snatch
10 sec. rest
30 sec. KB step up
30 sec. rest
20 sec. KB squat
10 sec. rest
30 sec. KB swing
30 sec. rest
(4 rounds)

then
5 clean and jerk
25 burpees
(3 rounds)

26th madness

THE EVOLUTION:

first
deadlift 1rm.


then
100 thrusters
50 squat cleans
25 clean & jerk
(for time)

then
long bear crawl
reverse bear crawl back
L hang whilst reciting the alphabet
(10 rounds)

25th madness

THE EVOLUTION:

KB C&J clinic

then

3 BB snatch
5 PU
3 BB clean
5 PU
3 deadlift
5 PU
(max rounds in 12 mins)

then

"30 something"
30 air squat
30 push up
30 box jump
30 wallball
30 ballslam
(3 rounds ***on third round sub burpees for push ups****)

24th madness

A great group. The lessons are being assimilated to my expectations. I see more people using their bodies than on the body prisons they call machines. The farm has been bought by A motivated few and I see the revolution growing like a weed that is immune to round up. Sanjay won "Deliverance" and Brandon took "Heaven and Hell". Edgar saw a vision that he hasn't shared yet, and everyone else got me extremely excited to be a human. A consciousness shift is unfolding before my eyes.

THE EVOLUTION:

"Deliverance" @ 85# BB
12 clean
11 pushpress
10 ohsquat
9 bb behind the head sot press
8 clean
7 pushpress
6 ohsquat
5 bb behind the head sot press
4 clean
3 pushpress
2 ohsquat
1 bb behind the head sot press

then

"Heaven and Hell"
200 wallball @ 20#
200 renegade row @ 30#

23rd madness

Cleaning house and ringing out the mop. A quiet evening and a handful of converts made me feel as though I was a child receiving a new bicycle. With enthusiasm, we cleaned up some dirty snatches. Then eyes turned inward and we fucked some shit up. Ahhh awakening. Time revealed its insignificance and the mad players became detached from the muck and lived for a full hour. True presence. True emptiness. True expression.

THE EVOLUTION:

Drop Snatch clinic or 1rm (depending on skill level)

then

"Finnegan's Wake" (or thank you Pat O'Shea)
10 KB snatch (each arm)
5 Single arm OH KB box jump (Each arm)
15 KB clean&press
400 meter run
5 manmakers
(Max rounds in a half hour)

(tell of your trial)

22nd madness

The evolution was laid down to some apprehensive resistors - soon - to - be - believers. What started as a gentlemen's challenge and a competition of ability quickly turned into an inward battle bringing the newcomers closer to the true identity of self. JT, Jessica, and Brian had noteworthy performances. Sanjay's tenacity deserves respectful comment. Dave has returned and jumped right back into the fire. Ben and Foti kept driving toward the goal. Nice job everyone. Your outer struggle has planted the seed of awakening. Until next time.

THE EVOLUTION:
drop clean
(5000# accumulation 15 min. limit)
then
50 CIRBEES (m-85#, w-65#)
then
100/50/25 each of
air squat
thrusters
KB swing
(25 min cut off)

21st madness

THE EVOLUTION:

OH SQUAT
(5000# accumulation 15 min)
then
10 deadlift / 10 burpee
(225m)
(135F)
(5 rounds with a 7 min goal)
then
Partner Med Ball Throws – HARD
1st drop – 10 single KB c&p (each)
2nd drop – 20 single KB snatch (each)
3rd drop – 30 KB swings Full (2 handers)
4th drop - 40 KB sot press (total)
5th drop – 50 frog hops

20th madness

The 20th anniversary. An empty space. A group of motivated individuals. A great group to say the least.

Solange won the race, Brandon plowed through the power, and Bobby dominated the endurance progression.

The Evolution:

10 min. wounded bear crawl, the one who travels the farthest doesn't do 10 pullups
Then
SDHP/DIPS: 24,18,12 of each for time
Then
10 HSPU+20 pullups+30 KB squat clean+40 situps+50 burpees for time

Everyone finished.

Madness 19

This one hurt.

THE EVOLUTION:
Front squat
(5 reps at 80% on the minute for ten minutes)
then
COMBO SPRINT
5Clean n jerk from floor+
5Burpee/pullup combo+
4Clean n jerk from floor+
4Burpee/pullup combo+
3Clean n jerk from floor+
3Burpee/pullup combo
then
“this’ll suck”
1-10 wallball
1-10Burpee
1-10Box jump
1-10Clean n press
1-10Ball slam
(all breathing ladders)

madness 18

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the eighteenth midnight madness has been canceled. We'll see all you crazy f***ers next thursday.

madness 17

Newcomers, old friends, and fixtures. A trudging fight, an explosive sprint, a long bloody crawl, and yet another internal struggle filled the evenings mad exploits.

I recall the story of Geronimo taking his small band of 100 Chiricahua Apache off of the reservation and into the land where the aged medicine man and military leader felt was home. The group could cover 25 miles a day on foot as though they were walking to the grocery store, and Geronimo evaded capture for about 30 years. An unknown Apache is known to have said, " There is a fierceness in the Apache that cannot be explained. I don't know why it is there... but I accept it."

The evolution is not for everybody. Some, however, hear the call and feel the longing. They understand what it means to test and overcome. They may not know why they are here, but they accept it.

If we accept the struggle (internal or external) as our true nature, can we still call it struggle?

THE EVOLUTION:
Front squat
(10 sets of 5 reps at 80% of 1rm ten minute limit)
then
5,4,3 each 0f
Clean n jerk from floor
Burpee/pullup combo
then
Traveling
KB swing
KB 180s
KB clean/squat jump combo
5 rounds

PAST PHOTOS!! #16

(Click here to view the madness)

THE EVOLUTION:
dumbbell clean-n-jerk
(50 HEAVY alternating singles)
then
hanging pwr clean/ burpee ladder to 10
then
“Nowhere Fast”
walking OH lunge + bear crawl + traveling squat jump + 20 seated kb snatch
(10 rounds)

15th madness

Solange and Kendra destroyed themselves proving that the animal within has no gender preference. They have the biggest huevos in the coop. Respect to the feminine resolve, the disregard for bad weather, and the disgust for meaningless excuses.

THE EVOLUTION:
full clean (ass to the floor)
(50 heavy single reps)
then
25 box jumps+
15 slap pushups
(5 rounds)
then
dble kb complex
10 Snatch
10 Oh squat
10 Pushpress
10 Clean
10 Split jump
(for max rounds to 1am winner sits losers do a round while walking )

madness14

On an evening that rocked the boat of sanity, the task accomplished exceeded the mastermind's expectations. A myriad of emotion was flying around in the cauldron of anguish and more than once I thought some would bail. Solange is getting real fast as is Tom, their anaerobic strength endurance makes one look on with incredulity. Jessica is truly giving in to her animal half and JT (as always) is as strong as an ox and the bar that most strive to clear. Brandon is a silent force shining the light of the well balanced and Edgar is proving to be a real catalyst exemplifying unsentimental self analysis while tickling the hairy chin of the exceptional. We look forward to being pricks on form. Photos have been neglected, please forgive me, they are coming.

THE EVOLUTION:
Squat 1RM w/partner
then
30/30/30
Knee jumps/ push press/rest
(6 rounds)
then
“500”
10 tuck jumps+
10 burpees+
10 b/o row+
10 snatch+
10 lunge+
10 reverse lunge+
10 push up+
10 reverse swings+
10 box jumps+
10 high pull
(5 rounds)

madness13

Lucky #13 scared most of the mad away. Three brave souls decided to throw aside silly superstition and embark on a quiet hour of hell. Just three and myself as the prettier half of the crew was getting his unmentionable reamed out with some sort of recording device. It was only fit that the brave endure an equally painful reaming. Solange, Tom, and JT. Each exemplified the spirit of the undaunted and stepped through to the other side without cheer or encouragement from peers. My heart bleeds for the rest of you for allowing weakness to enter your mind and douse your spirit with the urine of cowardice.

THE EVOLUTION:
barbell TGU for high score in 10mins
(load x reps = score)
then
50/10s
wallball/ballslam - 50/10,40/20,30/30,20/40,10/50
then
“The Colonoscopy”
100 squats + 10 ghsu +
100 squats + 10 ghsu +
100 squats + 10 ghsu +
100 squats + 10 ghsu +
100 squats + 10 ghsu

Madness#12

Understanding what it means to be half human and half spirit takes more than simple contemplation. The journey is where the lessons lie, and at midnight the players choose to hit the fast forward button and get a healthy dose of that life medicine. A pattern has established itself in an organic way. The week cycles get shorter as the ritual approaches. The mad are alive for an hour. Perhaps that aliveness trails them through their week. I don't know. What is apparent, however, is a willingness to walk the razor and test ones metal when one joins the ranks and converges on the precipice of despair.

I Can't remember the moment it happened, but the collective has turned into a pack of animals with senses heightened and instincts sharp. When a newcomer arrives they take them into the fold with encouragement consuming the trepidation they once felt as if carrying a burden they know only they can handle. I see the enlightened as I hear the pain echo off the iron.





Please post comments, weight, and times.

madness#11

JT, Tom, Edgar, Tim, Henry, Collin, Brandon, Ed. Each came with a specific purpose in mind. To evolve. To undergo gradual change. To develop and achieve in small stages, or in the case of this past thursday, in giant leaps. The 6-way barbell circuit, "the crucifix", the froghop/wormcrawl relay. We develop these tests, these "evolutions", to bring you to the edge of your physical, emotional, and spiritual limits. We want to separate the strong from the meek. We want to discourage the fainthearted and exalt the fearless. We strive to become the elite. Because there is something deep within us that refuses to be pedestrian. Because we were not put on this earth to lose. Because the words "I can't do that" don't exist in our vocabulary. I watched 8 men fight and claw and scrap until their bodies and minds were pulp. And I witnessed 8 men who loved every minute of it. Fucken awesome.

madness#10

A small but determined group appeared shortly before midnight. It seemed appropriate something this sinister should fall in the early morning hours of Friday the 13th. Of course, the combatants weren't concerned with superstitions and trivialities. They had something much more ominous to contend with. FIve seasoned veterans, one fledgling warrior. And so the battle began.

Kendra, Ed, and Solange fought through injury and sickness in order to evolve. Jessica was a force to be reckoned with as she moved through all elements with skill, power, and grace. JT once again proved his dominance with a superhuman effort during the power circuit. But this evolution was highlighted by a new face, a new spirit. While his body was broken and fading, his heart and will wouldn't let him quit. Sometimes the most impressive performances aren't attained by the most skilled, or the most powerful, but by the most determined. Collin, though I'm sure your body is beaten and aching, your spirit is soaring. And for that, you have earned everyone's respect.


Next week. Our general returns. Beware.....

midnightmadness#9

Psychology is an aspect of the battle often neglected
Not here
Everybody wanted to stop and nobody did
A new vocabulary is developed
We become wise in the moment of loss
Greatness is reached
And time stands still at the height of it....

Ed's the mad man for finishing the OMFU.

midnightmadness#9

(updated Madness 7&8 photos)

The amazing thing about the spirit is that once it takes over, failure is not possible. I wish you could see what I see as I weave in and out through the dreadful apocalypse of pain and pleasure. From the cries of hatred toward the urge to give up and go home, determination raises its weary head and bellows NO.

Ed almost lost it and wouldn't listen when I said stop. He earns everyones respect. Tom has become an animal. Brandon is progressing at a rate that is surprising even him. Solange graduated to the big plate club. Dave is like a freight train that has no brakes. The bar has been raised as I new it would. Now the fun begins.

Madness #8

Change is in the air. The morale is high. Eye contact and friendly greetings fill the streets, a new day has dawned with "yes we can". Inside these walls, however, we only have so much time for such trifles. The task at hand is licking its chops, anticipating a feast of flesh and souls of the mad who dwell here. How sweet it is to face the self within a concentric ring of like minded maniacs who strive for glory in a world filled with the mundane. After yet another day of trudging through the collective nightmare that we agree to call reality, we take advantage and step out of the muck and gladly create our own version of what we want the world to be. A place devoid of purposelessness. A tribe of human spirits searching for the spark of humanity. What a smell.

midnight madness#7

Entering the sacred silence. The players, now transforming from probationers to practitioners, find themselves in a grinding battle that leaves all bruised and one bleeding. The screams and gnashing of teeth quickly turn into a silence that to my ears could be called sacred. There is a change in the eyes that occurs when someone reaches this state. They go hollow. The person is there but they are not there. As the spirit turns inward, the flesh machine works on auto-pilot. They move, but they do not move. The work is complete, but the body does not complete it. It is pure will. Purely animal. Purely human.

What is the key to this state? The key is in a philosophy that is anything but new. It is a philosophy that has been merely forgotten with other skills and paths lost with the great forgetting. It was lost with the disappearance of our natural predators. It was lost when we no longer had to wander with the seasons. It was lost when we no longer had to fear the elements. The philosophy of survival. The philosophy of getting the mind out of the way and experiencing the trial because life depended on it. Because we no longer have these external trials to overcome, the key to true experience is self imposed destruction. The Key is taking ones self to the edge of consciousness. The key is bypassing the machine to experience self, and to take that self to the gate of exhaustion. Its a humbling thing to watch, but more humbling to experience.

Slow and grinding can best describe this last evolution. Kendra and Jessica were first to complete the endurance third, JT and Brandon reached all of the weight goals, and Dave's head almost exploded from the over capacity of will power surging throughout his central nervous system. Survival.

midnight madness #6

(CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MADNESS)
Fresh gladiators entered the coliseum and intensity became paramount. These men were all business. No flattery, no feigned enthusiasm, just head down focus that could stop a charging rhino. Curses were being hurled at the facilitators as eyes stung from a river of sweat meandering its way into the tear-ducts. Some unfortunate souls made the choice not to go on as their legs gave out or their breath failed them. Others trudged on with the thought of "joining the fallen" quickly becoming an attractive alternative to the hell they were barely enduring. They endured.

This madness reminds us that no matter how mentally or physically prepared we may think we are, the day we leave behind could lead to our ultimate demise. EAT. HYDRATE. REST. If you fallow these rules, you'll prevail.

Thanks to the new faces for joining the revolution. I'm confident we'll meet again.

WE'RE BACK

After a very brief hiatus, midnight madness will return this thursday 1/8/09. This year will prove more challenging than last. Our goal: awakening. It's time to take our revolution to the next level. Some of you are already incorporating Extreme Fitness Concepts into your repertoire. Now, the time has come to envelope the ideal and become a change agent in physical culture. I'm seeing more and more people looking at clocks and watches instead of TVs and mirrors and that inspires me. However, a consciousness shift will be the catalyst for the change I hope to accomplish.

Here is a brief allegory that explains what disturbs me about the pervading mindset in most gym facilities:

Said a sheep to a shepherd as the shepherd was deadlifting 445#,"Lifting that kind of weight is not worth the danger for achieving these aesthetic gains. Baah, Baah, Baah." Said the shepherd to the sheep, "I've experienced something you haven't HERD of yet."

Be the shepherd.

See you thursday.