AO: off-the-books
Q: U-Haul ,
PAX: U-Haul
FNGs: None
COUNT: 1
What had happened was:
Back Blast – Lexington Middle School (a.k.a. Geriatric Beatdown)
Rolled out of Bonita Springs in the dark, full of optimism and poor decision-making, making the trek to Fort Myers to link up with the Lexington Middle School crew for an F3 beatdown. Expectations were high: iron sharpens iron, HIM everywhere, maybe I’d even be the old guy in the group at 54.
Reader, I was wrong.
Upon arrival, introductions were made and it became immediately clear that I was, in fact, the rookie. Not just new to the AO, but new to being the young guy. The assembled PAX included three absolute legends, all well into their 80s, with one clocking in at a spry 87. That made the age spread crystal clear:
– The Infant at 48
– Me, the FNG at 54
– And three men who personally remember when burpees were just called “standing up.”
What followed was less of a workout and more of a historical reenactment of pain tolerance. These men didn’t complain. They didn’t modify. They just… kept moving. While I was checking my pulse and wondering if AARP offers recovery plans, the octogenarian crew was quietly stacking reps like it was 1973.
Somewhere between the squats and the merkins, I realized I wasn’t there to lead — I was there to learn. Learn humility. Learn grit. Learn that age is just a number, but soreness is eternal.
COT wrapped with perspective that can’t be taught in a book or downloaded in an app. Brotherhood was strong, laughs were plentiful, and my drive back to Bonita Springs was filled with equal parts gratitude and ibuprofen.
Lesson of the day:
You can be 87 and still outwork a 54-year-old who thought he was showing up to dominate.
Respect to the Lexington legends. I’ll be back… after a nap. 💪🦅
