11 Reps. 11 Movements. 11 Rounds. No Excuses.

Veterans Day hits different when you take it to the gym or to 1st Sgts Hill. This year, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, I am lacing up again, dropping my bag, and going to throw myself into the Armistice WOD.

If you’ve never done it, picture this: 11 reps. 11 movements. 11 rounds. Push-ups, pull-ups, kettlebell swings, box jumps, burpees…the whole deal. Every year, I do this, and usually by round three, I am already questioning my life choices, but that’s kinda the point. It’s not about being comfortable. It’s about pushing past what you think you can handle and showing a little respect through sweat.

Once I am halfway through, I typically hit that wall. You know the one where your brain says, “Hey, maybe we don’t actually need to finish this?” Yeah. That’s when I will be reaching for my lifeline this time: an OIKOS Protein Shake that I plan to stash in my cooler. Cold. Smooth. Gone in about 20 seconds, and that sip is going to be exactly what I need to shake it off and jump back into the next round.

30 grams of protein. 5 grams of prebiotics. 1 gram of sugar. Zero junk. I’m not big on gimmicks, but this one actually delivers. Chocolate, vanilla and caramel all slap, so I keep them on hand, depending on the mood, and keep them cold. 

By the time I finish the last box jump, I know I’ll be wrecked, sweaty, and weirdly proud. Because that’s what this WOD is about, it’s not just a workout. It’s a grind that makes you stop and think about the people who’ve served, sacrificed, and shown what real grit looks like.

So yeah, this Veterans Day I’ll probably be sore for a week. But I’ll take it. Because a little pain in the gym or up on the hill is nothing compared to what’s been given for us.