Interesting Conversation....

Today was the first time I got to make a workout for my Marines since I got hurt back in August. They did a team workout. It was teams of 2, while one ran the loop appr. 1 1/4 miles, the other preformed Cindy until the runner returned then they switched roles. While correcting the form of one of the Sgt's while doing push ups. He looks up at me and says, "I hate your PT(physical training)." I asked him, why? He said cuz you never just want to run, you do this crazy shit that hurts. Now a little background on this Marine is, He has a 18 minute 3 mile time. Does maybe 10 dead hang pull ups on a good day, and thinks he's in good shape because he is skinny with a gut(skinny fat=de conditioned) and runs 3 miles fast. I asked him why doesn't he do anything but run? He responded while doing a wet noodle push up, because running is all that matters. So I started thinking to myself. Is this the reason we have overweight Marines running around in the Corps? They have this attitude that as long as I can run 3 miles in a good time, or I lift heavy weight when I go to the gym, or I'm under my weight but over my body fat I'm good. I remember a Sgt that I had in my platoon in my first unit. We were on a 12 mile hike and we were carrying everything we owned and I remember looking at this guy no bigger than 150 pounds carrying almost half his body weight and running back and forth from the front to the back of the formation. I asked him after the hike how could he do that? He responded, I take pride in what I am, I'm a United States Marine and my country demands that I be harder than the average man. So now as I watch Marines specialize more and more in what they are good at, this is no better time for them get indoctrinated in CrossFit. As Coach Glassman has said nature punishes the specialist. So who cares that you can run 3 miles to get to the fight, if you cant carry anything to the fight or you don't have the stamina to hold your weapon steady to fire it. One day we will learn lessons without having to bury someone to get the message. Semper Fidelis and Happy Birthday Marines...