A Shau

For Time: 52:03

• Buy-In: 1 mile Run - 9:15

Then, complete:

• 10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20 Air Squats

• 50 meter Farmer's Carry (2x70/50 lb) - I used 2 x 60# DB's

• 9 Push-Ups

• 3 Pull-Ups

• 7 Sit-Ups

• Buy-Out: 1 mile Run - 9:15

With a running clock, complete the prescribed work in the order written as fast as possible (“For Time“). Athlete will start with the buy-in (INFIL*) of 1 mile Run. Then, complete 10 Air Squats, 50 meter Farmer’s Carry, 9 Push-Ups, 3 Pull-Ups, and 7 Sit-Ups. Continue with the same pattern for the next 10 rounds but adding 1 Air Squat after every round. So for the second round, complete 11 Air Squats, 50 meter Farmer’s Carry, 9 Push-Ups, 3 Pull-Ups, and 7 Sit-Ups, and so on. Finish the workout with another 1 mile Run buy-out (EXFIL*).

Score is the time on the clock when the last mile run is completed.

Intended Stimulus The Farmer’s Carry is intended to replicate carrying a stretcher when you are tired so they need to be as heavy as possible (AHAP). Pick a weight for the Farmer’s Carry that’s as heavy as possible without dropping the weights each round.

***********************************************

This was a really good workout. I went as heavy as I could with the Farmer Carries that I thought I could do every round unbroken. 60# was perfect. I thought it was pretty amazing that those were what taxed me the most. Honored to do it.

***********************************************

Background: This workout is dedicated to the young Americans and young men of the People’s Army of Vietnam who died in the A Shau Valley during the Battle of Hamburger Hill which started on May 10 and ended on May 20, 1969.

The Battle of Hamburger Hill was a battle of the Vietnam War that was fought by U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces against People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) forces from 10 to 20 May 1969 during Operation Apache Snow. Although the heavily fortified Hill 937 was of little strategic value, U.S. command ordered its capture by a frontal assault, only to abandon it soon thereafter. The action caused controversy both in the American military and public.

The battle was primarily an infantry engagement, with the U.S. Airborne troops moving up the steeply-sloped hill against well-entrenched troops. Attacks were repeatedly repelled by the PAVN defenses. Bad weather also hindered operations. Nevertheless, the Airborne troops took the hill through direct assault, causing extensive casualties to the PAVN forces.

The workout was designed by Rakkasan Barbell @rakkasanbarbell, a veteran-owned and operated with all programs and content created by Rakkasan veterans.

The Air Squats represent the hill and fighting your way up. Each round builds since you will not get relief as they did and as you get more tired, you will expect more from yourself – not for your own glory, but for the man next to you. The Farmer’s Carry represents the carrying of stretchers.

*Creator’s Notes

The creator referred to the workout’s buy-in and buy-out as “INFIL” and “EXFIL” respectively. In military terms, INFIL or infiltration is when you are headed to the objective. EXFIL or exfiltration is when you leave. The language is a nod to the air assault operation the workout memorializes.