Yikes that's early. Hola from Mexico.

It's a collision of cultures. Today was our Halloween workout at the gym. But it's also the time of Dia de los Muertos honoring the deceased in Mexico, and Janal Pixan the Mayan observance with its weeklong traditions. One year I wore an inflatable alien costume for the workout and completely overheated. This year I went with a more subdued zombie t-shirt from Temu for the 7:30 class. Guess what was on the chalkboard today? 15:00 As Many Rounds As Possible. 6 deadlifts (185/135) 8 double dumbell hang cleans (50/35) 10 double dumbell push press (50/35) 12 double dumbell front rack squats (50/35) The 5:30 and 6:30 classes ranged from 4-9 rounds completed. My friends Rod and Paco did 5 rounds with 185 and the 50s. Those big dumbells would smash me. What weight should I pick? I went with 155 on the bar for the deadlifts and 35 pounders for the dumbell work. The goal today was to go unbroken on the 10 push presses. Overhead work is always my limiter. But those squats looked nasty. We warmed up well, and did a strength component of 4 sets of 5 deadlifts. I did 255 for 5, but it felt too heavy. Not surprising after 5 workouts in a week. I did 205 for the next 3 sets and felt good. I reconsidered the 185 for the workout, but I could see all the cakes and pastries on the table at the front of the room waiting for us after the workout. I stayed with 155. 3... 2... 1... GO! I did the deadlifts and first 7 hang cleans in about 30 seconds, put the dumbells down and took a couple of breaths. I did the final 8th clean into the presses. A year ago after my neck injury I couldn't do 1 of these. Banging out 10 was a gift. I was huffing and puffing into the squats. As expected, they added up quickly. I was in no hurry to get back to the barbell! I just chipped away at the work and the clock flew by. ULTIMO MINUTO! I finished soaked and happily gassed with 4 rounds plus 10. We put away our weights, did a quick cool down, and high-fived Coach and all our members. Then as a collective group we headed for the treats table. One of the ladies handed me a plate. There was a big block of quiche and a spoon looking up at me. "Para mi? Gracias!" I smiled. She smiled back and said "Provecho!" I grabbed a coffee and a folding chair. Sweat was dripping of me like I had fallen into a swimming pool. After the quiche was the specialty of the season. Pan de Muerto. Bread of the Dead. It was delicious, soft and pillowy. Some of the members had it with a hot chocolate, a Mayan favorite. I stuck with my coffee. When 4 or 5 people are all speaking Spanish at full blast with music blaring, 4 big fans whizzing and the 8:30 class warming up it's like drinking from a fire hydrant. The cacophony overloads my mental translators. I catch every 7th word, but it floats by like a fish in a river. After 5 years of living in paradise you pick up context. The slang is the hardest part. Doesn't matter. When you live in Mexico, you have an instant family. Shared suffering creates community. When you train and sweat with people 3-4 mornings a week for weeks and months you build connections. I walked home feeling grateful. And full of cake.