Tick Talk

It was a beautiful cool morning at Alcatraz. 8 men showed up for the workout, the Sale family represented half of the Pax.

After a quick disclaimer, we took a stroll around the block.  This would be the extent of the running we would do for the morning.  Next, we did the following warm up exercises:

SSH x 15

Imperial Walkers x 15

Plank Stretches

Honeymooner, downward dog

Arm/shoulder stretches

Next, we each grabbed a paver and moseyed to the basketball court.  We formed a circle like a clock.  At each number of the clock, an exercise would be performed until the person at the top of the hour (#12) finished a set of exercises (Round 1 and 2:   Squat Thrusters – set of 20, Round 3 and 4:  Burpees – set of 5).  After the completion of the exercise, the Pax would lunge walk to the next hour on the clock with or without the paver in hand.

Below are the exercises (with paver) for each hour:

  1.  Paver swing
  2. Tricep Extension
  3. Merkin
  4. Flutter
  5. Upright Row
  6. Curl
  7. Chest Press
  8. LBC
  9. Lawn Mower
  10. American Hammer
  11. Calf Raise
  12. Squat Thruster/Burpee

Great job by everyone.  Lots of good chatter and fellowship.

 

Announcements:

Read your newsletter

 

Prayers / Praises:

Bob the Builder’s recovery

Families

Work

 

 

 

 

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The Fort 6 year Anniversary – Making Getting Better a Priority!

September 29, 2012 the landscape of Fort Mill changed dramatically. Some men from north of the border grabbed the attention of a few men south of the boarder and said we may have something for you. Double D, Santini, Senator Tressel, World Wide Leader, Red Banjo, Assassin, Peach and maybe others made the commitment to come to a “workout” on that Saturday morning. It was very skeptical, but I am sure each of them will say it changed their lives.

Here we are 6 years later, meeting in the same park with more than 200 regular participants (800+ over the years) at 37 workouts across The Fort/Lake Wylie area. Thank you to those that gave it away and thank you to those that said yes!! I think it is safe to say, IT’S MORE THAN A WORKOUT!!!

Today we recognize the 6 years with 6 Qs leading a beat down in 1st F style. On September 21st, Jekyll led us in our Invergence, which reminds us of the 3rdF and that there is something bigger than ourselves. Serving, Praying and Worshiping together happened then. On this day, we are getting better physically and having some fellowship with 70 of our PAX,

Format was a rapid fire approach where each Q has 10mins to lay it on the PAX. Old Bay would keep time and blow the air horn (maybe tweet the horn??), and then the next Q jumps in.

YHC asked for FNGS, (none) and explained the plan of attack, and then the Horn Sounded

The Thang:

  • Wegmans for COP
    • Mosey down path out to grass
    • Circle up and some traditional and not so traditional exercise moves.
    • We did notice another “Boot camp” group in the gloom. T-clapps to them, however also saw 2 holding clip boards…..not F3!!
    • Horm Blows
  • Funhouse on Q
    • Mosey to the hill for Jacobs ladder
      • Burpees
      • Squats
      • Some mary to fill time
      • Horn Blows
  • Jwow on Q
    • Mosey to top of hill for partner work
    • step ups/lunge walk up and down hill
    • squat jumps/lunge walk up and down hill
    • Plank hand slap with partner
    • Horn Blow
  • Twister on Q
    • Mosey to tree line
    • Army Crawl to tree /SSHs
    • Sprint to tree/Merkins
    • Army Crawl to Tree/SSHs
    • Sprint to tree/merkins
    • 2 rounds
    • Run Path until Horm
    • Horn Blows
  • FLUX on Q
    • Mosey back to hill
    • 6s – do following 6 times
      • bear crawl up hill
      • diamond merkins
      • bear crawl back down hill
      • Some filler in there of something aweful
      • Horn Blows
  • Assassin On Q
    • Mosey to play grownd
      • Dips
      • Derkins
      • Burpees
      • multiple rounds with running around the playground until…..
      • Horn Blows

The PAX was dripping wet from rolling in grass but also from the humid beat down that just occurred. Thanks to all the Qs for bringing it and having fun out there.

I brought up to the PAX “WHY”? Why F3 versus the many other options we have even outside of fitness and self help books. Why do we get up early and why do we do CSAUPS and why do we attend 3rdF and give away our time at various community organizations???

Pockets, Spud and Assassin all shared their Why. Thank you! I’m sure there were many more that would undoubtedly impactful.

I mentioned my why was straightforward for me. I want to continue to challenge myself physically, surround myself with like minded guys heading in the same direction and reach more guys for Sky Q and HIS purpose. I feel F3 has positively impacted my life in all 3 Fs and why would I not give it away??

See you in the GLOOM!

Cake Boss

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SlowBurn Send-off For Rooney

47 pax of TheFort posted this morning to show support for #HIM Rooney, who is moving to Seattle.  Rooney has not only impacted his brothers in F3, but many of our kids through his tremendous servant leadership as a principal in our school system.  There is no doubt he will be missed here, but that sadness is somewhat offset by the knowledge that he’ll be positively impacting families out west.

In anticipation (accurately) of a large crowd, it was decided the launch point and COT would be the Empire Pizza parking lot behind Chick-fil-a.  CakeBoss opened up with a few words about Rooney, then handed off to YHC.  We started with 25 side straddle hops, then moseyed up around Chick-fil-a (to pick up any twitterless pax that didn’t get the message).  We landed back at a parking lot near our launch point.

Warmup-O-Rama

  • Windmills (10)
  • Hillbilly Walkers (15)
  • CDDs (20)
  • Flutters (20)
  • Chopsticks (20)
  • Seal Jacks (20)

Mosey to parking lot in front of Lowe’s where a few cones had been set-up. Pax asked to partner up and told we’d be doing a Dora 1-2-3.  This was the same exercise Rooney had done during his VQ, which I had the privilege of posting to (was my 3rd post, I believe) at WEP back in November of 2014.  The turn-around point for the running was about 50 yards.

  • 100 Merkins
  • 200 LBCs
  • 300 Squats

After a 10 count, we moseyed to the parking lot on the west side of Lowe’s.  Cones were set up there for some “4 Corners” action.  Each cone had two exercises listed for each round.  Pax were instruction to alternate between the 2 exercises for the appropriate round (to 10 reps of each exercise).  They were told to move to the next cone when the group at the previous cone reached them.  No count-off by 4s done…pax could just pick a cone to be their starting point (lazy pax like YHC took the closest cone). Here were the exercises:

Cone 1
  • Round 1 – Flutters <-> Freddie Mercuries
  • Round 2 – LBCs <-> Heals to Heaven
  • Round 3 – Dying Cockroach <-> American Hammers
  • Round 4 – Chopsticks <-> Plank Jacks
Cone 2
  • Round 1 – Side-step lunges <-> Imperial Walkers
  • Round 2 – Bomb Jacks <-> Lunges
  • Round 3 – Monkey Humpers <-> Squats
  • Round 4 – High Jumps <-> SSH
Cone 3
  • Round 1 – Plank Punches <-> Dips
  • Round 2 – Merkins <-> 10 second Elbow Plank
  • Round 3 – CDD <-> Moroccan Nightclubs
  • Round 4 – Alternating shoulder taps <-> Parkers Peters
Cone 4
  • Round 1 – Box Cutters <-> 10 second Superman
  • Round 2 – Toy Soldiers <-> Speed Skaters
  • Round 3 – Donkey Kicks <-> Peter Parkers
  • Round 4 – Big Boy Sit-ups <-> Inchworm Merkins

We got through 3 rounds before time ran out and we headed back to COT

Naked Man Moleskin

After the workout, a couple dozen men gathered at Chick-fil-a to share with Rooney how he has impacted us (except for Dark Helmet, who served as a one-man roasting machine).  It was beyond evident that Rooney had a deep impact on many men, their kids, and their family, as a brother and a principal.  Rooney is an inspiring individual, and his courage to respond to God calling him across the country will undoubtedly also be an inspiration to those wondering if they should act on words from the Sky-Q.

Rooney, you have been an amazing example of “giving it away” everyday here in Fort Mill.  And now we have to let you give it away to another community (on the west coast, no less!).  But one thing is for sure: the world is a better place because of who you are and what you do.  No man, student, or family is left behind, nor are they left where you find them.  Strong work, brother.  Strong work.

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CSPAN Send off Convergence

141 Men came to show the Respectable**CSPAN** some Respect!!

He leaves The Fort and heads north or as Dredd refers to Yankee land. Not gone forever but just up the road 600 miles to start a new chapter in life and in F3 as he will launch F3Philly.

I am not the most eloquent with my back-blasts and I am usually to the point with posting the workout, add some words and being done, however since I can’t get Italian Job to write this up and Double D challenged the PAX to think of one word to represent CSAPN, I think that is the best way to document this convergence.

Thank you CSPAN for being all of these things and more to you r brothers in the PAX. As posted on Twitter and many of these were repeated multiple times:

brother
camaraderie
commitment
confidence
connected
consistent
courageous
dedicated
empathetic
example
genuine
handsome
HIM
honorable
humble
humility
impact
influence
influencer
insightful
inspiration
integrity
investor
legend
magnanimous
model
respect
selfless
servant
shepherd
solid
squaredaway
steadfast
steady
wise

The Workout looked like this:

WWL at the Q:

  • Mosey around the lot
  • Line up; karaoke, side shuffle, high knees, butt kickers, toy solders, lungewalk, power skips
  • COP
    • SSH, squat, merkin, moroccan night club, 10 Flying squirrels
Double D at the Q:
  • Run to practice field
  • Plank sequence
  • Split into 2 groups on each sideline
  • Sprint to center and back to sideline
  • Monkey humpers x25
  • Rinse + repeat with Merkins x 25
  • CDDs x25
  • Burpees x25
Longshanks at the Q:
  • Burpees
  • Lunges
  • Inch worm Merkins
  • Maktar Ndiayes
  • Plank Jacks
  • Squats.

Dredd at the Q:

  • Prayer for CSPAN
  • Merkin/Ab Lab series
  • Truth Nuggets and Leadership development with Major Payne, Wegmans, & Drop Thrill
  • Mosey to hill behind Bob Jones Stadium
  • Prayer for CSPAN heading to F3Philly…..”CSPAN Coming”
  • More Merkin/Ab lab series

COT:

141 Count, Name O’rama, 2 FNGs (Bikini & Manzel), Skinny Jeans pray out over CSPAN and his IMPACT on men and for Sky Q’s kingdom.

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Iron PAX Challenge – Week 2

This morning workout was the week 2 of the Iron PAX Challenge.  In addition, the RYAOA (Run your ass off August) crew was geared up for a run day.  The PAX was equally split, 10 for the challenge, 10 for the run.

Straight-up took the lead again with a warm-up stretch routine focusing on the muscle groups that we were going to be testing later in the workout.  After briefing the group on the routine, we began the challenge:

  1.  Thrusters
  2.  Curls
  3. KB Swings
  4. Man Makers
  • 8 minutes of each exercise
  • After every 25 reps run 25 yards out and back
  • 2 minute rest between each exercise

Here are the results for week 2:

  Number of Reps  
F3 Name Thrusters Curls KB Swings Man Makers Total
Straight up 166 243 137 45 591
Cha-Ching 172 247 200 58 677
Sugar Daddy 163 103 119 31 416
Bodywash 140 175 135 50 500
Maximus 170 215 207 56 648
Quack Attack 150 198 187 25 560
Mile High 125 175 142 30 472
On The Rocks 120 150 95 50 415
Soprano 110 135 90 32 367
Fishsticks 150 174 135 49 508

 

Great push and encouragement by both groups!  I know I am going to have difficulty raising my arms above my shoulders today.

 

Announcements:

Rooney Roast – This Friday

CSPAN Convergence – This Saturday

Straight Up workout – Sept 15th WEP

F3 – The Fort  Anniversary, Sept 21st

Let Me Run Fundraiser – 1,000 burpees in September

 

Prayers/Praises:

Relationships with 2.0s

Quality time with Parents

Teachers, Parents, and 2.0s going back to school

 

 

 

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Mosey around The Yard

6 for Bootcamp and a family of runners (4) on a pleasant Saturday at The Yard.

RYAOA is off and running and the rest took off for some warm-up before a run heavy work out.

Warm up: 12 x Imperial Walker, 12 x LS Squat, 24 x OH Claps, 12 x CDD, 12 x Hillbilly Walker, 10 x each leg stationary lunge, 24 x MN Club, 10 x Merkins, 12 x standing toy soldiers, Calf Raises 3×10 OYO, 24 x Seal Claps, 10 x Makhtar N’Diayes.

Mosey to board #1 near the top of the entrance hill: OYO … 10 x Burpees, run down the hill and back, 10×3 Calf Raises, run down the hill and back, 10 x Ski Abs, run down the hill and back, 10 x merkins, run down the hill and back.

Mosey to the parking lot near the football field: grinders from one end to the other, 3 groups of 2, alternating back and forth until each group does 3 exercises on each side. One side, LBCs, Squats, Calf Raises, second end OH Claps, MN Clubs, Crab Cakes.

Mosey to board #2 at the bus loop: OYO … 10 x deep squats, run around the loop, 20 x LBCs, run around the loop, 10 x CDD, run around the loop, 10 Makhtar N’Diayes, run around the loop.

Mosey to board #3 in the main lot: OYO … 10 x Dying Cockroach, run around 1/2 the lot, 10 x  Jump Squats, run around 1/2 the lot, 10 x Mountain Climbers, run around 1/2 the lot, 10 x Burpees, run around 1/2 the lot.

COT

RYAOA will run out of Honey Badger on Monday (NAFO), track work 5-7 miles.

Looks like we made it,

Barry Manilow

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August 2018 – Impact Convergence

On the morning of Friday, August 3rd, 61 Men of High Impact joined Homebrew, Deacon, & Jiffy for some #Convergence work.

For this Round Robin of Pain, we separated the PAX into 3 groups and rotated to each station for 12 minutes.

Station 1 – Jiffy:

He had setup a row of 4 cones in the bank parking lot and ran the PAX through the following exercises.

  • 5 Burpees OYO
  • Straight suicides
  • Lunge walk, 10 squats at each cone
  • Bear crawl, 10 merkins at each cone
  • 15 American Hammers in cadence
  • Suicides with 3 Bomb Jacks at each cone
  • Broad jump to each cone, 5 lunges each leg
  • Crab walk, 5 diamond merkins at each cone
  • 15 LBC’s in cadence

Station 2 – Deacon:

Find a partner

One partner runs to Pizza Hut and back while the other does a series of exercises until the team does merkins (100x), Squats (200x), LBCs (300x).

  • Partner Drills (Round 1) – Partner Big Boy Sit Ups (15x for 2 rounds), Partners Push Ups (15x for 2 rounds), Partner Leg Lifts (15x for 2 rounds)
  • Partner Drills (Round 2 if time permits) – Partner Wheel Barrels to each side of the parking lot (2x for 2 rounds), Partner Ski Jumps (15x for 2 rounds)

Station 3 – Homebrew:

4 Corners and Burpee Roll

PAX were divided into four groups, with one group being sent to each corner. Complete all exercises listed at your corner then bear crawl to the center. At the center was a large foam die. One PAX would roll the die for the group to determine how may burpees everyone would do. Amazingly, only one 6 was rolled all morning – I’m lookin at you IceT. Once the burpees were completed, crab walk from the center to the next corner going clockwise. Rinse and repeat until all corners are done or time runs out.

  • Corner 1
    • 40 SSH
    • 40 Plank Jacks
    • 40 Mountain Climbers
    • 20 Crab Cakes
  • Corner 2
    • 15 Merkins
    • 30 CDD
    • 15 Wide Arm Merkins
    • 5 Kraken Burpees
  • Corner 3
    • 10 Donkey Kicks
    • 50 Calf Raises
    • 40 Monkey Humpers
    • 20 Lunges
  • Corner 4
    • 10 Big Boy Situps
    • 20 Hello Dollys
    • 30 Dying Cockroaches (double count)
    • 10 Boxcutters

There were prayer requests for family, school returning and those with health needs.

Cakeboss took us out in prayer.

Great job, Homebrew, Deacon, & Jiffy!

– Ginsu

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The Captain and the 1st Mate

11 Pax met at Runde Park to get their Saturday started right.    Leading the group today was one of the Fort’s youngest Q’s (Offspring) and one of the oldest (YHC).  Here is what we did:

The Thang:

Offspring on Q:

Take a lap around the park and circle up in the field by the front ot for COP:

All in Cadence:

SSHx30, IWx10, Morrocan nightclub x 20, merkin x 10/hold/shoulder tap x 10, Freddie Merc x 10, flutter x 10.

Take a short mosey to the front lot and rinse and repeat COP with more reps and LBC’s thrown in:  SSH x 50, Morrocan nightclub x 30, merkin x 20, shoulder tap x 20, Freddie Merc x 20, flutter x 20.  Complete 20 LBC’s in between each of the above exercises.

Mosey back to the field for Jack Webb.  The Pax completed 7:28 today.  The new Q was mindful of time and handed the Q off precisely at 7am.

Hand off to Senator Tressel

Pull up  the shovel flag, head up Windward Lane,  and replant it on the lake shore at Pitcairn Park.

Mosey to the lower lot at the base of the staircase and pair up.

Wheelbarrow up the first staircase, across the upper parking lot, and up the second staircase to the pavilion.  Flapjack,  rinse and repeat.

At the Pavillion, split into two groups.  Group 1 does 20 step ups while group 2 does people’s chair.  Flapjack.

Mosey back to the lower lot and down to the lake shore.  Remove your shoes and (if you like) your shirt.  Line up in the shallow water.  Start running in place and drop to the lake when the Q says down.  Rinse and repeat 4 or 5 times.

Swim out to the floating dock, find a spot on the edge and hang onto it:  20 pull-ups in cadence.

Keep holding onto the edge of the dock and then, on the Q’s command, pull yourself up and on the top of the dock.  Jump back into the lake.  Rinse and repeat 3 times and swim back to shore.

Take a minute to snap a few pictures, then pick up the flag and head back to Runde for COT.

Naked Man Moleskin:

Offspring and I were last-minute Q subs this Saturday.   Offspring is just 19.   I remember when  Funhouse brought him to his first F3 workout a few years ago,  and we gave him that classic name.  How cool it was to have him as my co-Q today,  and nice to see Funhouse and brother Brick there to support him.  Great job today, Offspring!

The decision to go to the lake was made late last night,  and my half of the workout was thrown together at about 5:45 this morning.   It’s not how I like to do it, but it’s been about a year since we’ve been to the lake,  and I couldn’t resist making the trek to Pitcairn.   Workouts at the lake are not always the best, but they sure are fun. Plus, being able to pull yourself out of water and onto a boat or dock is a life skill you’ll be happy to have when the need arises.  Technique is just as important as strength.

Some Alcatraz regulars from long ago joined us today. Aquaman was in town this week and it was fitting that he was in attendance on lake day.  Minuteman, absent for several months, also posted today.    Awesome to see you guys and we miss you!   I was also very happy to see Stallion again and hope he continues to post regularly.

As F3 The Fort closes in on our 6th year anniversary, the friendships and the fellowship among our local Fort Pax remain as strong as ever.  This past Thursday, a large group met at a local brewpub to support Cable Guy who recently lost his brother.  I was the last guy to get there and when I arrived, the Pax gave me a rousing welcome.  I felt like Norm at Cheers.   Cable Guy and YHC were the last ones there and we had a good talk.   This morning after the workout, Decibel (who was not at Alcatraz) called and asked where the coffeteria was at.   He, along with Minuteman, Aquaman,  and myself, drove out of our way to meet the WEP boys (Twister and Geronimo) at Panera for a solid 2nd F.    There are a lot of other examples of how our Pax have supported each other lately, and it’s  awesome to have that network of guys who care for one another.   More than a workout indeed!

Announcements/Prayers and Praises

1st F and 3rd F convergence this Friday, August 3 at Harris Teeter near Baxter.  3rd F discussion on IMPACT.

Children’s Attention Home meets every other Friday at 7pm in Rock Hill.  G-Fit meets at 7pm every Friday in the Fort Mill Paradise neighborhood.  If you have not attended these F3 outreach AO’s, come on out and check them out.

Prayers/praises for the Change Order’s co-worker’s son recovering from Leukemia and returning home. Prayers for F3 brother Elmer who is battling Leukemia.  Prayers for Cable Guy and his family after the death of his brother.  Praise for Minute Man whose mom is relocating to Fort Mill.

 

 

 

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Board of Pain Week 2

Whoaaa Nelly!  Humidity up and so was the PAX count.  Added 9 men from last week for a total of 19.  Several first timers- Norm, Manifold, Sugar Daddy, JWOWW.  The Sale Boys were valiant.  My understanding is they blacked out.  Week 2 in the books and most returners improved.  Dang Sir Topham Hat comes in from the Bullpen to capture 1/2 of this weeks Virtual trophy.  No shock there.  As always #sneakyfast Fishsticks is up at the front.  See below and see you next week

The Thang:
Finish each exercise before moving on to the next. In between, complete a recovery run. Normally, distance is 1/4 mile. today was shorter but will adjust next week. Each week PAX (and returning PAX) work to better their accomplishments down the board.
F3 June week 2
The Challenge:
 Burpees – 100
 Calf Raises – 150 (50 regular, 50 toes pointed in, 50 toes pointed out)
 Ski Abs – 100
 Merkins – 100 Sunshine (C)
 Deep Squats – 100
 LBCs – 200 Norm(116), Funhouse(75), Offspring (10),
 Carolina Dry Docks – 100 Gridlock (C)
 Russian Twists – 100 Cyclops (C), JWoww (C), CSPAN(C),Shady (C), Dark Helmet (70), Lil E (45), Manifold(25)
Mac Tar Jai– Sugar Daddy (38), Trucker (15), 100 Brick (10), Harry Carry (5)
 Jump Squats – 100 Jekyll (27)
 Mountain Climbers – 100 Fishsticks (C), Sir Topham Hat (C), Bonsai (1)
 Shoulder Raises – 200
 Mary Catherines – 100
 Hello Dolly – 200
 Wide Arm Merkins – 100
 Squat Jacks – 100
 Nippler– 100
 Burpees – 100

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Crazy 8s – It can be that bad, right?

31 Pax descended upon Slow Burn for an epic adventure. A #noderate workout plus high humidity had been promised and both were granted on this day.

Personally, YHC loves what the Pax have done in creating moderate workouts across the Fort. As a result of their efforts, we have welcomed many great men who have contributed across all 3 Fs within our region. The success stories are limitless and we are proud of their efforts.

YHC felt a significant responsibility as Q of Slow Burn to lead a workout that would not be defined as moderate but would allow for modification and picking up the 6.  These are the consistent themes from the Q101 document that CSPAN put together some 5+ years ago. Several #truths weigh heavily within this document which are simplicity and scalability. Simplicity as Q is defined as keeping it familiar, less complex and don’t be shy about stealing from others (Jekyll in this case) or backblasts. Scalability as Q is defined as – a scalable workout is one that is tough for the strongest of Pax, while at the same time not over-smoking the back of the pack. All workouts are no drop; without exception. Under no circumstance should we ever leave a Pax alone.

In keeping with these two principles, YHC was to Q a workout that was both simplistic and scalable while ensuring that the Larry Birds got all they could handle.

The Thang

Mosey around Empire Pizza building (the smell was horrible) and back to Empire lot

FYI CSPAN attempted to scare a cat during this sequence…not a good idea!

COP

Windmills

Merkins

SSH

Squats

Mtn Climbers

Mosey to Lowes parking lot – Q dropped the Weinke but Rebel had my back. Thanks!

Crazy 8s – Eight exercises done during each circuit

Burpees

Derkins

Dips

Squat Jacks

Bombjacks

CDD

Lunges

Plank Jacks

Circuit was done with 1 rep (This can’t be that bad, right?!? for each exercise followed by a mosey in a figure 8 pattern around Lowes and Empire lots

Add one rep to each circuit during each of the 8 stops

Mosey back to Lowes for Mary

LBCs

Big Boys

Gravedigger L and R

Hello Dolly

Superman x 3 (Cant ever remember all of the Sale brothers nicknames!)

Mosey Home

Moleskin

After the 6th round of the circuit, YHC noticed that the Pax were beginning to tire. In an effort to leverage #pride, each man was asked to grab a partner for the exercises to ensure completion. You never want to let a partner down!

Prayers to BTB, praise to Frat Boy, prayers to Maximus on his vacation travels

Sweatie is 7/14 at 6 AM at Footloose – Does anyone really know the details? Thats a true CSAUP!

Thanks to Smithers for his leadership of Slow Burn

Pusher wuz here 7/8/18

 

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