On Saturday, August 29, 2009 at high noon, the 4 annual American Boot Camp Company Olympic games got under way to a clear blue sky and crowd of over 60 participants, supporters and family members. Held on neutral ground, at our new Evening Boot Camp meeting spot, the American Legion field at Chastain Park was host to a record setting day full of surprises.
We kicked off the games with the 1 mile run on the PATH. With an out and back course, the run was flat and fast with a beautiful golf course view. The first gold medal of the day went to Brett W. from Chastain AM Camper Team blasting away his competition with a 5:42 mile beating both fellow campers and instructors – the first of four gold medals to go to Campers over instructors. Josh N (Blackburn Instructor – 5:52) and Bill M (Blackburn Camper – 6:00) rounded out the first points on the board.
The group moved quickly back to the main field to compete in the first of many more events starting with the 1 minute situp competition. After careful explanation of the rules for counting, twelve competitors lined up. With the call of “GO!” by impartial judge Sonja G. the participants began cranking out situps. After just 60 seconds, the gold went to Blackburn Park Lead Instructor and reigning gold medal champ, Mari G with 69. Close by was fellow instructor from Blackburn, “FUN” Donna B with 65. Rounding out the competition was Kay Lynn (Blackburn Park Camper with 55). The first of several sweeps for the Blackburn Park location.
Next up pushups. Traditionally Blackburn and Chastain have battled it out over pushups with Chastain winning the previous year’s battle for #1. This year, Blackburn Instructor Brandon Q eked out 77 pushups to win. But Chastain would not stay down for long. The buckled down and took second (Chris Y – 69) and third (Lindsey – 57). Lindsey is only the second female to score points at this event.
As the sun beat down the battle for bragging rights increased with the infamous ab bridge contest. Traditionally the ab bridge has been Chastain’s event. Today the tides would turn. In just over 10 minutes, all Chastain campers and instructors were eliminated leaving the second Blackburn sweep of the day. Brandon Q (10:01) and Beverly R (10:50) both Blackburn Park Instructors set personal best while Kay Lynn M stunned the crowd with her record setting 11:22.
The next events up “crab walk” and “bear crawl” were true boot camp style activities and were anyone’s events to take. Blackburn Park campers Kevin P (1st) and Bill M (2nd) led the way with Chris C, Blackburn Instructor taking 3rd to complete the third Blackburn sweep of the day.
But Chastain wasn’t done. With a surprising last minute substitute, Tiffany B busted out 36 squat thrusts in one minute to take the gold home for Chastain Instructor’s Team. Showing the group that girls can beat boys, Tiffany represented all females with a fantastic showing of strength. Tying for second was Josh (Blackburn Instructor – 35) and Bill (Blackburn Camper – 35) followed by Corey (Blackburn Instructor – 33) in 3rd.
Then final 3 field events were a mix of surprise, photo finish and crazy. The sack race started with a last minute entry by Mari G (Blackburn Instructor) who never even attempted a sack race before, several substitutions in the 3 legged race and a bunch of dips throwing off the competitor in the backwards race. In a photo finish sack race event, Mari G. beat Matt B (Chastain Instructor) by a jump with Suzanne taking 3rd. Then the 3 legged race was dominated by the men of Chastain with team Matt D/Chris Y taking first by only a hair past team Mike B/Brett W. Team Tricia M/Beverly R came in a close 3rd. Finishing up the field races was the backward race won by quietly nimble Chris C (Blackburn Instructor) with Matt B (Chastain Instructors) and Matt D (Chastain Instructors) coming in a close 2nd and 3rd.
The next two events moved to a harder surface and started with a crazy ping pong duck walk where the contestants attempted to drop ping pong balls into Solo cups. In just one minute, Ashley F took the second gold for Chastain Campers with Cara S (Blackburn Camper), Tara B(Blackburn Camper) and Donna B (Blackburn Instructors) tying for 2nd and Suzanne (Chastain Instructors) taking her second medal in 3rd.
The last individual event was the jump rope contest. With a surprise early elimination of last years medal winner Mari G, the contest was anyone’s to win. In just under 10 minutes Donna B from the Blackburn Instructor team scored another first place win out-skipping Sarah G from Chastain Instructors and Mandy M from Chastain Campers.
As the day wore on the only two events remaining were the 4X40 team relay and the team obstacle course. In just under a minute, the four members of each team sprinted one length of the field handing off a water bottle baton to their teammates. In a blink of the eye, Blackburn Instructors led by Josh N, Sarah D, Mari G and Chris C pulled out the gold medal repeat to hold the title of speed. Chastain Campers Team (Brett, Mike Stacia, and Ashley) came in second and Blackburn Camper team took third (Kathryn, Eileen, Bill, and Dusty).
Finishing the day was the craziest of all events – an obstacle course running up hill and including spins, hops, jumps, balance and even a bit of mountain climbing to display how well your team worked together to get to the finish line. With a start off road each team had to complete 5 rotations around a pole with their head/nose touching the pole as they spun. Off balance and dizzy, the team members then had to cross a bridge, head up stairs and up hill to the second obstacle which included weaving under a railing for 20 feet then jumping over a railing for 10 feet. If that wasn’t enough they then sprinted up the hill to another “Dizzy Lizzy” rotation station where they completed 5 additional spins then had a “tire” obstacle to maneuver before sprinting the rest of the way up the hill. At the top of the hill awaited a 30 foot low wall which each member had to walk/run across then sprint over a short distance and climb up a steep embankment all as a team. The last member to finish scored the team time. Chastain instructors took the gold in this even getting their entire team through the course in only 2 minutes and 41 seconds. Blackburn Campers came in second with Chastain Campers coming in third.
The day was finished with a mental challenge won by Chastain Campers. However this wasn’t enough to give them the win. With 7 gold medals, 6 silver medals and 4 bronze medals, Blackburn Instructors took home the win for the 2009 Olympic Games. Blackburn Campers took home second place with 2 golds, 6 silvers and 4 bronze, while Chastain Instructors came in third with 3 golds, 3 silvers and 3 bronze medals. Chastain Campers took home 2 golds, 1 silver and 3 bronze.
Congrats to every single person that participated and cheered on their teams to group and individual victory!
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