“The true philosopher is likely to be misunderstood by other men; they do not perceive that he is always practicing death and dying.” ~Socrates, Phaedo (4th century B.C.)
It’s November and time for our fourth annual Mettlecraft Month at Heritage Self-Defense! Want to play along with us? This year’s challenge is a Self-Defense and Rescue Fitness Challenge. See if you can get a score of 100% before we close out the month on Tuesday, 11/30. Post your times and links in the comments, share videos and tag Elder Mitch on twitter @12thkey, etc. and we will link to you here. For a full explanation of what mettlecraft is, see the bottom of the page. And to reminisce about previous Mettlecraft Months, visit the old blog here.
Self-Defense and Rescue Fitness Challenge
Num. - Challenge: Passing Score / Perfect Score
1 - Breath Hold (5 sec. prep) :1 min. / 2 minutes
2 - Jump over waist height in 2 mins :1 time / 10 times
3 - Pull-ups, Chin-ups, or Knee Tucks in 2 mins :1 Knee Tuck/ 20 Pull-ups
4 - 200 yard Sprint : all out with no breaks / 30 seconds or less
5 - Sit-ups in 2 mins : 50 / 75
6 - Hand Release Push-ups in 2 mins: 10 / 60
7 - Deadlifts x 3 : 140 lbs / 340 lbs
8 - Buddy Carry (any method) : 25 yards / 100 yards
9 - Sandbag run : 25 lbs 1/2 mile / 45 lbs 1 mile
10 - Pain test: submerge arm in ice-water to elbow : 90 seconds/ 3 minutes
11/20/21 Update: Last night we made some gains on our numbers…
11/17/21 Update: Here’s a video outlining the exercises and highlighting the pain test…
What is mettlecraft? Mettlecraft is the cultivation of physical endurance, unflagging determination, and resolute strength of body, mind and spirit. In short, it is the relentless pursuit of indomitability, the fourth virtue of Heritage Self-Defense. It’s a mash-up of two words used in the old-time way:
\Met"tle\, n. [E. metal, used in a tropical sense in allusion to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. See {Metal}.] Substance or quality of temperament; spirit, esp. as regards honor, courage, fortitude, ardor, etc.
\Craft\ (kr[.a]ft), n. [AS. cr[ae]ft strength, skill, art, cunning; akin to OS., G., Sw., & Dan. kraft strength, D. kracht, Icel. kraptr; perh. originally, a drawing together, stretching, from the root of E. cramp.] 1. Strength; might; secret power. [Obs.]