The Dark Side
Every once in awhile it is necessary to visit the dark side of physical training.
Whatever you thought you knew about yourself gets tested as your integrity and mental stamina are pushed well beyond your physical capacity.
Tough love isn’t always pretty in the moment, but we aren’t apologizing for demanding the best out of each one of you.
Everyone was pushed to the limit on Thursday.
We knew you were capable of reaching that next level.
This was the most phenomenal work out I have had – which says a lot considering how great the rest of them have been. I firmly believed I was going to fail after the second set. Steve, without your encouragement and guidance I would not have made it. Since I did make it, I have been on a high ever since.
I saw a lot of pain on everyone’s faces and steely determination — at the same time . Everyone exceeded their limits and should be proud. This aint no Curves ® class.
Steve, Maya (and my partner Jeff) – you guys rock.
Hail to the Dark Side…..
Doug, great stuff last night. I still feel high from it too. Jeff was on fire… so impressive. Even though Shari was questioning every aspect of last night’s training, she exploded out of each squat too. …and Brenda was so focused that I thought she was made of steel. Juliet and MJ are a great match–can you believe Juliet had just beat her pull-up record right before class started? Was MJ gassed at all though? I still have my doubts on that one. Renee and Elisha are obviously coming through with their promises to take their training to the next level! Fabulous. Tracy, thank you for putting the comrade on the shelf for the night–it was time to shine. Mani’s pull-ups were steady and elegant as usual, which always puts a smile on my face. It was great to have the Leung siblings in the house too! My post is getting too long, but I can’t sign off without giving Tony a shot out too–keep up those gains guys!
Bear, you don’t think I forgot about you do you? I light up with joy thinking about how beautifully you sprinted through two rounds of rowing 500 meters! Flawless. Btw, I feel like I have on glass slippers this morning–the shoes are the best gift ever!
Good job ladies and gentlemen…I was almosted tempted to join in on the rowing, crazy isn’t it, but Juliet killed me in training, she is so EVIL, maybe next time. I have to start coming in for the Thursday’s class. I am missing all of the fun! What is up with Eric looking so relaxed. What exercise were they doing? Juliet looks like she is ready to bust a gut.
Maya did you sleep with the shoes? I think so. You probably hugged them and dreamt of them all night. You are too funny.
i didn’t bust a gut, but i do have a ripped up palm and a big ol’ bruise on my clavical. all worth it. that was a humbling experience. and i enjoyed partnering with MJ. Thank you guys for helping me steer to the dark side.
Maya- I hope your new shoes treat you well because you deserve them. I am happy they fit. Does that mean I am your princess charming since they fit like glass slipper?
Thanks Steve, for periodically testing our strength. Everyone looked so powerful. I don’t think my dark side made it past the rowing! Yikes.
Did I miss the IC torture again?
Last night was brilliant. Thanks Maya and Steve. I also have to honor of being able to say that I caused Juliet to come in “last place” for the first time in her life. No worries though, Juliet still rocks the place. We all rocked last night!
Gordon, imagine the hardest IC class you’ve ever experienced. That would’ve been the warm-up for last night.
I found it really interesting how, when pressed, my internal chatter had to become external. I just couldn’t reign in the questions – none of which I really needed answers to.
Bear, I know you felt yukky last night and hope you’re better today. I think worrying about you helped take the focus off the critics in my head. I know, that sounds like thanks for being sick, doesn’t it?? Take care of those wrists!
I can’t believe I’m even thinking this, but Steve and Maya, I look forward to having you help me get mentally strong so I can crush those voices once and for all!
mojo-you were the bestest partner . i’m just a spaz about being last (my own crap) i can’t even tell you what a great, fast partner you were.
i am so not worried about being last. we both finished with mucho integrity…and you were way rocking the IC.
as you said, we all were.
oh and. yes i am evil personified. yup.
I had a conversation with Mani, Kelly, and Steve about Mojo’s greatness this afternoon. Maybe we can all convince her to go for a 1RM attempt on the push press when no one is looking, of course! Juliet, how is the hole in your hand? You better get a manicure before you make us look evil too.
…oops, I mean both holes in your hands! I can’t believe you bled twice last night. Danm, maybe we are evil.
Juliet, you have holes in both hands? I always knew you were God-like!
Hey, who is that all doubled over? I tried to figure it out by comparing his attire to the group shot but, couldn’t find a match.
The dark side? Thursday was pitch black. Thanks for the humility guys – I won’t forget it and in true comrade fashion I will be working on my pull-ups in my spare time again.
Q: Am I really that small? I look like an oompa loompa in that last picture. Maybe it’s because my ego shrunk so much on Thursday.
Everyone was awesome last night!! I loved the look of pain in everyone’s face…but in true form you all stuck to your guns. We need this kind of ass-whooping once in awhile to remind us to keep pushing…there is no resting in the IC revolution.
Shari..the guy doubled over is Josh, Ms. Hinds husband…he took a whooping from Steve earlier.
And Steve..as I said earlier in our conversation, I did the only thing I could do…pull-ups!! So I had to make it damn good. But I was definetly envious of everyone being able to go all out. Again ya’ll ROCK!!
Tracy,
There ain’t nothin’ small about you. Your heart, talent, and perseverance is too big to contain. You inspire so many, including myself.
Yes, how did a photo of Josh (the guy doubled over) get into the mix with Thursday night’s core class?
Josh visited the dark side 30 minutes before everyone else on Thursday night so I had to include him in the spotlight to spread the love… thus, the caption “Everyone was pushed to the limit on Thursday.”