Saturday, October 20, 2012

Affirmative action is deadly

Ran the hill for fifteen sprints, dragged myself to the sauna. 90 degrees heat inside, 6 degrees outside, 9 degrees in the water. Perfect after that intensive training.

Was sitting in the sauna when they entered. Two of them short giants, like Vikings from the drawings, one older coach like guy, and twelve others that would put Greek Gods to shame.

These guys were in such a shape that would make the cast of Magic Mike cry.

Football.. No, too big upper body.. American football... Maybe, but too developed shoulders.. Mma?.. Nope, too straight posture... Basketball? No.. Hockey? Nope.

Wtf?

So I asked the coach

"what team is this?"

"Firemen"

Fuck, I thought to myself. These guys are in better shape than even professional athletes. Each one would make it to the 300 movie, and each one could hold his own in a powerlifting competition.

Then I thought about what I know of their requirements. I also know that the physical requirements are lower for female police candidates, but that is a different profession with a different skill set.

There I sat, fourteen carved out of marble men in front of me (my attention on the 22 year old personal training student who is a project of mine, and a sight to behold), fourteen men that are in the top of the top of physical fitness due to their job.

If one day they introduce lower standards for female firefighters, that will be death. Years ago, in the whole country, there was one woman who could keep up with the guys, and the firemen I met then were smiling when they said "You should see her."

These guys passed very high standards including running while carrying a full sized body, on full gear weighing fifty kgs. If men are eliminated because they don't pass these standards, but females having a lower standard will be able to get in (not the case right now), there will be casualties on the road to eqwaliteee.

And I raise my drink to the fact that my 35 year old self was not too far from the fireman brigade, at least in the being carved from marble department.

Of course a hairy chest and a three month beard helps.

But the secret is Paleo.

Cheers.

Letting the Cobra out to the field. There are hamsters to catch and pleasure.

Enjoy the weekend!

2 comments:

  1. Do you know how these firemen train?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mikko Salo, a world champion in crossfit training, is a fireman.

    ReplyDelete