EMOM Kettle Bell Blast

15 muscle men got stronger this morning with a stupid workout by YHC. We busted out about 40 minutes of straight slinging bells, with very little rest. I mean, this is a kettle bell AO, so we did kettle bell stuff… lot’s of it. Mumble chatter was light, I guess the guys were too busy oxygenating to waste breath, or I was too red-faced to hear it over my own heart beat…

After a quick confirmation that there were no FNG’s we commenced with a quick disclaimer and on to the warmup to get some blood pumping. SSH, Windmills, Imperial Walkers, Moroccan nightclubs…

Gave the guys a brief explanation, and started pumping iron! We did the following 30 exercises for 1 minute each with no rest in between besides how long it took to transition into the next exercise.

5 minute biceps

2 handed straight curls 1 minute

2 handed reverse curls 1 minute

1 hand concentration curl 30 seconds each side

1 hand Drag curl 30 seconds each side

2 handed concentration curls 1 minute

5 minute triceps

Closed tate press (lying down, elbows out to side) 1 minute (not a taint-press, Uhaul…)

Close-grip Bench press 1 minute

Skullcrushers 1 minute

Alternating Tricep kickbacks 1 minute

Overhead extension 1 minute

5 minute shoulders

Alt slicer (straight arm side to side with pass) 1 minute

Bent over rows 1 minute

Overhead press (push head through) 1 minute

Alt side raises 1 minute

Front raises 1 minute

5 minute chest

Push up one hand on bell with pass 1 minute

1 arm fly 30 seconds each arm

1 arm bench twister (palm to rear, palm to front) 30 seconds each arm

1 arm Standing upward fly 30 seconds each arm

Standing Valley press (bell crusher forward press) 1 minute

5 minute back

Power bent over row 1 minute

1 arm underhand row 30 seconds each arm

Alternating Y-back 1 minute

Lying pullovers (lats) 1 minute

Top bottom supermans (top with bell) 1 minute

5 minute legs

Goblet squat 1 minute

Alt lunges 1 minute

Straight leg deadlift 1 minute

Calf raises 1 minute

Sumo squats 1 minute

1 Full minute of rest, you’re welcome!

Compound exercises

KB swings 45 seconds, 15 sec rest

Overhead extension/overhead shrug combo 45 sec, 15 sec rest

Alt Side lunge/side bend combo 45/15

Front shrug/Front raise combo 45 sec, 15 sec rest

Goblet squat/overhead press combo 45 sec, 15 sec rest

 

With about 90 seconds left, Polaroid led us in some flutter kicks until 0600.

Countorama, Nameorama, Announcements, Prayers/Praises

Please keep our children’s mental health in your prayers as they are being constantly bombarded with outside stresses at an unprecedented level, including strange school schedules due to covid, social distancing requirements, political pressures, news…

Thanks Uhaul for the opportunity to lead this incredible group of HIMs. I am truly blessed to be able to associate with you all. Keep accelerating!

 

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ISI DORA at The Armory

It has been 1 year and 5 days since YHC last Q’ed at The Armory. Quite a few fond memories of the AO… including almost splashing merlot under the leadership of Assassin. Always a privilege to be asked to lead such a fine establishment. The cars just kept rolling in this morning… and luck would have it that an even number of PAX showed up. A few newer faces appeared and YHC was happy to be introduced. 

0515

Disclaimer

Proverbs 27:17 –

Mosey to Concrete Benches w/bells.

COP in Cadence

10 x Diamond Merkins on Bells

10 x KB Swings

5 x Burpees

10 x OH Press

20 x SSH

Overhead Hold KB while YHC explains weinke. 

ISI DORA

Tell PAX to partner up with someone of equal “shape” or “fitness.” PAX 1 does exercise, PAX 2 moseys out and back to a determined point. Both PAX keep number of reps secret from one another. Once the specific movement is completed, disclose number of reps. PAX with lower number of reps does a penalty exercise to make up the difference. Other partner planks in the meantime. The goal of this is to push your partner to do more reps than you. To run faster than you. To push them to push you. To sharpen each other. 

Round 1 – Lower

Movement/Penalty

Goblet Squat/Bomb Jacks

KB Swings/Bomb Jacks

Alternating Lunges/Bomb Jacks

Step Ups w/Bell/Bomb Jacks

Round 2 – Upper

Straightaway Sprints Three Islands Out + Back

Movement/Penalty

Strict OH Press/Halos

ALPOs/Halos

Curls/Halos

Skull Crushers/Halos

Round 3 – Full Body/Hybrid Movements

Movement/Penalty

Turkish Get UPS/Man makers

Burpee Snatch/Man makers

1 Arm Clean and Press/Man makers

Z Press/Man makers (American Hammer body position with OH Press)

 

Five minutes left – head back to COT to knock out some Mary.

American Hammers w/KB x 20

Flutters w/press x 20

Hello Dolly w/extended hold x 20

KB 3 Count Sit Ups x 5 (as Dirty Harry put it – it’s like the Big Boy Sit up and the American Hammer got together and had a baby). 

0600

Announcements

The Fort has a birthday coming up! Look out for info on Slack.

Alcatraz will have the most mumble chatter ever as Stang and Trucker co-Q this Saturday.

Prayers/Praises

Truckers 2.0 – injured and cannot play football at the moment – pray for his spirits to remain high as he navigates a tough situation. 

Pray for our children – especially those who are most impressionable right now by every message being thrown at them. Nature Boy said it well that he’s at a point in his life where he and his peers are most susceptible to influence from outside sources. 

Prayers for we as fathers to lead our children on the right path while they navigate their daily challenges. Prayers that we can push them on toward Christ. 

Today was fun. It involved much sharpening and the group in attendance was quite encouraging. Props to Band Camp for keeping up with Tesh, to Dirty Harry for not splashing merlot, and to Singlet & Nature Boy for literally sprinting every time I saw them running. Oh to be young…

Thanks UHAUL for the privilege to lead.

Punch List out. 

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Live in the PRESENT

Matthew 6:34, MSG translation, “Give your attention to what God is doing today, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come when the time comes.”

If you’re like me, living in the present moment is unfortunately a rarity. On the homefront I may be PHYSICALLY present but my mind is somewhere else negatively impacting my engagement with my family. At work I find myself focusing on deadlines and things in the future which negatively impact my communication with my team members and clients. My general concerns I have about this election, the future of our nation, what will happen next, etc. just wears me out. What I have learned is that having my head in the future (or even thinking about the past) robs me of joy and leaves me feeling anxious. We miss out on real living with this mindset. Matthew 6:34 reminds us that we need to give God our tomorrow in order to find peace and real living today.

Warm Up –

Light yog around the parking lot
Karaoke
Butt Kickers
Toy Soldiers
Side Straddle Hops
Tappy Taps
Windmills
Arm Circles
Downward Dog
Honeymooner

Main Event –

Bench Workout which includes multiple sets of derkins, dips, and incline merkins

Parking Lot bear crawl together as a group, multiple stops during the crawl for merkins, burpees, squats, mountain climbers, planks. Run back to starting line

Mode of transportation changed to Broad Jumps repeating the workouts in between.

Mode of tansportation changed to Crawl Bear repeating the workouts in between.

Cool Down –

Ran to bottom of the entrance drive. 20 flutter kickers each leg, run to the top of the hill, 20 LBCs. Rince and repeat X4.

End at COT

Thanks Slapshot for the opportunity and the big orange jug of agua…..

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Breaking Patterns

What a great morning for a run. Low 50’s, no wind and 20 PAX for a post P200 Monday. Up in the rotation today was the newest member of the Flight Plan plans, “Loops of Choice.” They include a 2.5 mile loop that goes over the walking trail at the end of YMCA parking lot, out 6th Baxter, up Sutton and back to Starbucks. And a 1.5 mile loop that goes down market, comes up Sutton and back to Starbucks. Modify as necessary, find a running buddy, have some fellowship, attend COT, check the box.

Flight Plan is an AO that’s predictable. Because of safety, we stay on the north side of 77. We have 4 routes and run each one, once per month. Today’s route emphasizes, (maybe represents is a better word) those circles we find ourselves in. Don’t get me wrong, the workout is beneficial. And I love the sense of accomplishment of conquering the long climb up Sutton (twice) in the gloom. However, the round and round is indicative of what can become of us as men.

But F3 is there to break those patterns. In COT we were reminded of that by two very strong PAX. Pusher (along w/ Twister & Change Order) who has taken the monumental task of leading Q-source. The weekly study of how this group can shape lives, of not just ourselves, but our families and community. If you’re not involved, you’re missing out. If you’ve been going, you know what I’m talking about. The added support outside of fellowship of the gloom, is great.

The other PAX is Stang. What happens when something throws us off these loops we find so comfortable. Something devastating or tragic.  Or what if we struggle just to stay upright on the loops but don’t feel like we can tell anyone so we use other outlets to hide the burden?  Stang is going to lead the discussion on these topics Wednesday at The Tomahawk (Doby’s Bridge Elementary – Kettle Bell). The last 15 minutes of the workout will be a stretching session with discussion on these heavy topics. Things we need to be able to share and discuss if we are going to be the leaders we need to be.

It’s great to see these HIMs pushing us past the 1st F.

Annoucments:

  • See Above
  • Cristina Latini Memorial 8K – Saturday March 30th – Clown Cars leaving Baxter Starbucks at 7:00 for Huntersville or Virtual run 6:30 at Alcatraz
  • Cake Boss 40 Day Challenge – On going

Prayers and Praises

  • Rebel’s daughter getting her first real job
  • The safe return of all the PAX who ran the P200

Welcome FNG – Seuss! (EH’d by Cake Boss)

See you in the gloom!

Boeheim

 

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Clear & Crisp P200 Tune Up

What a great morning to get out in The Fort for a little jog around Wally World. Attendance is strong lately with all of the P200 training and the handful of (almost) only running PAX. There’s a pace and a buddy for everyone when the crowd is this size for a running workout.

The Thang:

Wally World – A Flight Plan original wrapping around a shopping mecca and the back road for two of Fort Mills finest learning institutions. All kinds of opportunities to modify distance and incline. So if you were well rested, take that Dave Gibson Hill. If you had too much for St. Patty’s day, easy out and back to WW entrance. It was a glorious morning to be reminded how lucky we are to have our brotherhood and inhale that late winter frosty air.

COT/Announcements

Jekyll took the lead at COT. Reminding us to support our brother Olive and The Christina Latini Memorial 8K on March 30th. Sign ups right now are lower than last year. Let’s get the word out not just to the PAX but to everyone we know. Olive has taken the worst of situations and grown it into a lasting tribute. Something that he has made easy for us to be a part of. He’s done all the heavy lifting and we can claim a little bit of pride simply by doing something we already do, run a little bit. If you can’t make the actual run in Huntersville or the virtual one set up by Change Order at Alcatraz, then still donate. You will be smiling all day after you do (Christina Latini Memorial 8K) Thanks for the reminder Jekyll

Paryers:

Lift up Funhouse’s brother Scott . He’s going through major life changes today; new home for himself as he starts the painful process of a divorce. He will need the strength of Sky Q so be sure to add Scott to your prayers.

Help Hootie as he travels this week. He asks that we lift his M & kids in prayer as they work through the week while he’s gone. The life work balance is hard on everyone. Supporting each PAX with fellowship and prayer will get us through.

 

NMM:

A COT this large can be tough for me. I don’t hear well (Funhouse & Pusher excepted) and can’t wear my hearing aids while running. The sweat makes them shut down. I miss a lot of the jokes and camaraderie that goes on. But the energy that comes from the circle is real. Just like the workout, it doesn’t matter if you’re wide awake or struggled just to make it back, there’s something in there for everyone. Take these jokes, causes, praises and prayers to heart. Think about them as you go through your day. Give them the extra prayer they need or the smile/laugh to yourself they bring to your soul.  And know there’s more waiting for you tomorrow when you need it all over again.

Boeheim

Aye!

 

 

 

 

 

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Arrows Are Never a Good Idea

12 #HIM decided to NOT take the Daily Blue Pill and posted to The Colosseum to be entertained by YHC on Q.  It was a very quiet crowd so #mumblechatter was at a low level but the #effort was at a high level as we pushed forward through what #life throws our way.  Side Note:  Jekyll decided to go yogging (soft J) which is apparently running for an extended period of time.

The Thang:

Dynamic Warm Up

High Knees, Butt Kickers, Toy Soldiers, Slide Left, Slide Right, Karaokes Left, Karaokes Right, Flamingos, World Wide Leaders (Power Skips #registered), Long Strides.

Warmup Complete!

Slow Mosey to the Arrows.

Now before YHC even explained my idea (which looked good on paper) a comment from the peanut gallery turned out to be true in the end “arrows are never a good idea”.  We decided to forge ahead anyway – because in the end – we don’t really have any other option (both at a post and in life – more to come on that in a bit).

So here was the different Phases of a Burpee Deconstructed:

Phase 1:     3 Squats at every arrow

Phase 2:     3 Froggers at every arrow

Phase 3:     3 Merkins at every arrow

Phase 4:     3 Bombjacks at every arrow

Now the Pax saw this next Phase coming up Broadway in a cab.  But #life is kinda like that in a way – you see something you do not want to do but have to tackle it anyway.

Phase 5:   Reconstructed Burpees at every arrow

Now the Pax may have not seen the next phase coming.  But #life is kinda like that in a way – sometimes you think it can’t get any worse and then something blindsides you at a low point.  We tackle it anyway because what is the alternative?!?!?

Phase 6:     Bearcrawl back to start (about 125 yards judging by Google Maps)

Crowd Pleaser!  All Pax dug deep to finish that one.

Next up?  Jacobs Ladder with MORE Reconstructed Burpees.

Then Mosey to start for 6MOM.

COT.

Great work by all Pax!  Appreciate humoring YHC on the arrows.  Appreciate the opportunity to lead.  Appreciate the #encouragement from the brother on  my left and the brother on my right.  Appreciate F3 The Fort for everything it has done to make me a better person.

YHC #encouraged the Pax to take that step forward into service.  It may feel uncomfortable, you may not think you are making an impact, you may be afraid to put yourself out there.  The answer is to take the step and keep taking that step forward.  You will eventually have an impact.  Otherwise we will be on the sideline and that is not where F3 is designed to keep us.  F3 wants us out in our community being a leader.  Aye!

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Triangle of Doom or some other ominous name that is not the same name as another AO (Bermuda)

Cool 67 degrees at the Colosseum.  YHC (again) came in on two wheels.  Luckily there were some hearty PAX ready to get to work.  A Pre Blast Tweet went out to let folks know to expect running.  Twitterless Green Wave groaned when he arrived.

COP

SSH, Squat, Moroccan Night Club, Merkin, Plank O Rama

The Thang

Partner up for accountability and encouragement.  3 stations as far away from each other as possible.- run (not mosey) to each station for exercises.  rinse/repeat alternating laps.  Get as many laps as you can in 40 minutes.

A lap: 30 Lunge, 25 LBC, 15 Merkins

B lap: 30 Mountain Climbers, 7 three merkin burpee, 25 squats.

 

7-8 laps was the number.  guessing 3-4 miles and 4x the reps of above exercises.  Love Handles got the VT today- lead lap all day while proclaiming he was going to spill merlot (Mexican). Update- he didn’t.  LH also hit the 1000 burpee challenge with 1075 total.  Look out men- this man is coming for you.  Plus he’s a #HateHate so you know he’s got years ahead of him to dole out pain.  Time to put him on a Q roster.

Discussed word of the month: Encouragement, talked of look at your circle of influence (apropos as I just now listened to this weeks 43 feet podcast) and a great article from Benjamin Watson in All Pro Dad on “Making sure my kids know a father’s love”.  I tweeted out link.  Read it and go listen to the latest podcast.

Lots of men looking forward to Ragnar and Bourbon Chase.  If you have yet to do a CSAUP (completely stupid and utterly pointless), do this now.  runs, races, mud runs, ragnars, fast 5, Palmetto 200, etc.  I know of no other vehicle that brings together all 3Fs and truly lights the fire.

Jekyll

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Whistles and Field Work

24 Strong #HIMs braved the humid Fort Mill air for a beat down at Thursday staple Laces IN/Laces OUT.

Funhouse was Q for Laces OUT and decided to take his marry band of yoggers (soft J) around the track and either whistle at them or tell them to take a break.  I don’t get it either – you have to ask him I guess.

YHC took the rest of the Pax for a little Field Work.  Here’s the thang:

Dynamic Warm-Up:

High Knees, Butt Kickers, Slide L/Slide R, Toy Soldiers, Dipping Birds, WWL’s (power skips – trademark), Knee to Chest, Long Strides, Shoulder Rotations.

There.  You’re warm.

Mosey to midfield for Partner Yo-Yo’s.  Partner 1 runs 50 yard to goal line and back while Partner 2 does exercise.  Then Flap Jack.

Merkins x 3

Squats x 3

Flutters x 3

Mosey to the goal line for Tandem Bear Crawls.  New Partner 1 bear crawls 10 yards then Partner 2 bear crawls 10 yards and continue that to other goal line.  You read that right – 100 YARDS!!!

Let’s try something similar.  New Partner – same thing (kinda) – CRAWL BEARS this time.

Omaha after 50-yards.  That was a dumb idea.

Mosey to the corner for the confusing part of the workout.  Cross Field Up-Downs with an Accountability Partner.  Cross field every 20 yards then do 5 up-downs and stay with your partner.

Yeah – that was awful.  Another dumb idea.

Give me a 10-count on that one CSPAN!

Next we line up on the goal line for some Matriculating Rugby Sprints down the field.  Hank Stram would be proud.  Did you know that “Matriculate” doesn’t even mean “move” or “progress”?!?!  What the hell, Hank?!

And yes – YHC LIED when posting to the Twitter machine that they would not be featured.  Start a class action.

We finished with 8 MOM.  Yes EIGHT because I was all out of ideas and breath.

Mosey to COT.

Great time out there with everyone – it had been a while.  Always thankful for these men of F3 and the accountability they provide.

Going to be very sad to see CSPAN leave us for Philly but looking forward to the first time we post together in the City of Brotherly Love.  #F3PhillyRising  Godspeed young man and thank you for everything you’ve taught me over the years!  Greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for the opportunity to lead.  Aye!

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