Round 2 at Laces In

Lack of creativity? Potentially. Simple yet effective? Undoubtedly. That could be how I describe several stages of my life.

Yesterday at the JOC, we did round 1 of the Deck of Cards. Whenever you have a round 1, you have to have a round 2. Taking yesterday’s learnings on clock management, I modified the warm-up, flapped the gums a little less and up’d the tempo. That would ensure we get through the deck this time.

We had a total of 20 at Laces, with 2 of those being Road Runners. The other 17 joined me as we circled up.

River Rat got to hear this twice but I shared what Billy Bob said on the Roundtable podcast recently about modifications. You can always modify as needed BUT do not use that as an excuse to not push yourself. It’s appropriate in so many areas of life and it was appropriate for the PAX & I this morning.

So, we jogged over to the start line for our abbreviated warm up consisting of (2) 50yd runs at 50% pace and 75% pace. We followed that up with windmills in cadence and butt kickers in place, also in cadence. And that was it for our warm up.

For the 1st-timers, the deck goes like this, your rep count is the number on the card, 2-10 are obvious, Jacks=11, Queens=12, Kings=13, Aces=14. Suits represent the following exercises:

Hearts: 8ct Burpee (It’s a burpee with a plank jack & the push up)
Diamonds: 4ct Mountain Climbers
Clubs: Jump Squats
Spades: Diamond Merkins
Jokers: (25) 4ct Flutters

In total, we did:
(104) 8ct Burpees
(104) 4ct Mountain Climbers
(104) Jump Squats
(104) Diamond Merkins
We had 3 Jokers in the deck so that is (75) Flutters, of the 4ct variety

We finished the deck at 0551 so we had 9mins left on the clock which was filled with:
(30) Flutters
(12) Hand-Release Merkins
(15) American Hammers

4 more 50yd runs at 50%, 75%, 100%, 75%

Moseyed back to COT for:
Heels to Heavens
Freddy Mercury

COT today was pretty powerful for me. We had men that brought some real stuff today that they are walking through life with. As we say, you are not meant to carry this on your own; that would crumble any man. You have been called and designed to lead but the best leaders have a group they work with. In F3, we call that group a Shield Lock.
Remember, sometimes you need to modify the game plan. However, DO NOT use that modification as an excuse to not give it your all.

It’s been my honor.
Maximus

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11

Playing Cards at The Colosseum

A return to the arena we call The Colosseum; a homecoming if you will. That’s all that was at stake. With the increased Tuesday attendance and the added AO here in September for the Iron PAX Challenge presenting another posting opportunity, 11 other men decided to join me and a deck of cards at the Colosseum this beautiful morning. Fresh off a Labor Day beach trip, I was happy to ensure Jekyll & Hardwood wouldn’t be disappointed. We had a few rookies for the deck of cards but I hope they’ll incorporate this into their Q’s at a future date. While the first 15-20 cards can be manageable, don’t let that fool you. Depending on your choice of exercises, this gem will bite you. And today, I think most of us felt the effects of that bite.

With a request to focus on our time over the next 45mins and a disclaimer, we were off to the basketball hoops. Our warm-up consisted of:

Squats, Moroccan Night Clubs, Wide-Arm Merkins, Flutters, Freddy Mercuries

Run to the 6th light post up the back road followed by:

5 Burpees, 15 Diamond Merkins, 25 LBC’s

Run back to the hoops for the deck of cards.

If you’re one of the 3 people reading this and you’re unfamiliar with how this works, each card value represents a rep count. 2-10 is that number of reps while Jack =11, Queen=12, King=13 and Ace=14.

Diamonds = Burpees

Hearts = Jumping Lunges

Clubs = Merkins

Spades = Dips

I added 3 Jokers for good measure which meant each was worth 15 American Hammers

In total, we completed:

104 Burpees

104 Jumping Lunges

104 Merkins

104 Dips

45 American Hammers

We followed it up with some flutters in varying speed.

And that was it. See, not too bad.

Be present and I look forward to the next time.

Maximus

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3

Alcatraz HIIT & Strength beatdown

Cobains on the delay. #Life

We had a hearty crew Saturday morning.  Lots of chatter in the Twittersvere for Tesh?Jekyll Q drawing Pax from across the river and inspiring Fishsticks to bring a #kotter and an #FNG.  Well done!

HIIT:

Disclaimer then we took off for a lap ’round Runde stopping for a brief painstation to let Dolly Dogwalker go by.  Must be crazy to have 14 men run up on you so we gave some space.  Pouring into the field at the open gate we started with a circle of pain and the usual suspects of exercises in cadence.  Feeling the need to keep up my portion of the HIIT on the line we went for sprint run and and nur (backward run).  70%, 80%, 90%,100%.

Moved to the next field and put partner 1 on the line and partner 2 on the wall.

  • P1: Bearcrawl to second base run to baseball fence, hop the fence then run up hill to finish with 5 bombjacks.  Down the hill, hop the fence, AYG back to line.
  • P2: Round the world squat jumps.

Repeat 3 times with P2 doing Carolina Dry Docks then Wall sits.

Hand off to Tesh for Strength.

First exercise was to max out our push pull muscles.

Pulling is first.  Circle up shoulder to shoulder.  Every other man does an about face and puts his 6 on the ground so that his shoulders are between two PAXs feet.  The standing PAX now reach down as if they are going to help a brother up, but instead, we are going to use this as a no-equipment upright row.

All PAX lift up on the Q’s command and let down on command.  Q does this until he sees around half the PAX struggling to lift.  Swap positions and repeat.  (This may sound like a rest for the guys laying down being lifted, but you still have to keep most everything engaged so it’s not.  It’s more of an isometric hold)
Pushing is next.  You can’t do much better than the merkin.  But i wanted low rep, higher volume.  So to achieve this, the sprinkler head merkin puts more load on one arm.  (It’s a typewriter merkin without swaping sides.)  So one are goes out wide and stays straight wile the other does all the pushing (4 count to 3 both sides). Then regular merkins (4 count to 10).
Do this superset 3 times.  (I modified the pushups for some other challenges, but you’ll have to ask someone that was there… blame Walker.)
Next were some grip strength, because I think almost every man lacks in this department (it’s hard to train and doesn’t give you anything sexy to show off).  Mosey to the playground for deadhangs.  Split into two groups, one does peoples chair / Al Gore while the other group deadhangs.  Four rounds of 1 min.
Mosey to parking lot for Lt Dan.  I always associate this exercise with Jekyll for some reason, and he didn’t do it so I felt obligated.  And it’s a great exercise.  Dry dock/merkin breaks after rounds 5, 7 and 9.
And finally American Hammers till time.
NMM-
Great to have Bon Jovi who is back after a couple of years and hinted at a name change.  During the course of the workout his options became clear and ultimately stayed with Bon Jovi.  smart move.
Welcome Paper Jam from Rochester New York home of Xerox.  Today is but your first day!
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3

Tri-Q at The Fort

It was an honor to travel across the River on this cool Spring gloom with Italian Job and Canseco to join up with 9 of our Fort and Rock Region brothers on the day before Easter. Thank you Bonsai and the rest of our brothers for the opportunity to lead this morning.

As Italian Job, Canseco and YHC discussed this workout the previous week, we decided that it would definitely be split into three equal time periods with each of us focusing on different body groups. Italian Job began with the F3 Disclaimer and welcome to all:

WARMUP

 There was no Warm-Up

THE THANG

Italian Job moved right into working the upper body. This is what was done:

10 Burpees (OYO); 5 Plank Destroyers (Plank, Makhtar D’Diaye, Merkin, Alternating Shoulder Tap, Plank Jack); 20 MNCs (IC); 10 Merkins (IC); 20 Little Baby Arm Circles (IC); 10 Wide Arm Merkins (IC); 20 Overhead Claps (IC); 60 Seconds Arm Circles in Plank; Mosey to Springs or Playground; 20 Irkins; 20 Dips; 20 Derkins; Mosey; 10 Wide-Diamond-Wide (OYO); Mosey; Merkin Ring of Fire (10 rounds).

After he finished, the Q Stick was handed off to YHC for the lower body portion performing each of the following exercises for 50-seconds and resting for 10:

Squat + Calf Raises; Squat Jacks; Mosey; Alternating Hamstring Reaches; Broad Jump w/Back Pedal; Mosey; Left Lateral Lung; Right Lateral Lung; Squat Tap-Outs; Mosey; Left Leg Lunge; Right Leg Lunge; Mosey; Step Ups; Squat & Squat Jumps.

Then YHC passed off the lead to Canseco for some Core & Cardio and an awesome work below in the NMM. This is what he led us in:

YHC planned to use the steep portion of the running path for sets of core exercises with a jailbreak between.  We did 2 to 3 exercises for each set and started at the bottom of the hill.

We did the following with a jailbreak between sets.

All In Cadence:
30 Imperial Walkers; 50 Flutters; Jailbreak

20 Mtn Climbers; 20 Freddy Mercurys; Jailbreak

20 American Hammers; 30 Pretzel Crunches (15 each Side); 10 Makhtar N’Diayes; Jailbreak back to top

20 LBC’s ; 10 Delayed LBC’s; Plank w/6 Inches and Up x2

Mosey to COT where IJ led us in another 10-Burpees for fun

Great work was put in by all PaX in attendance. Thank you again for allowing us to lead.

NMM

Canseco shared his heart this morning. Below is what he discussed:

The sun came through the clouds and shined directly on us during Reborn’s leg workout.  We were at the top of the Walter Elisha Park looking out and for a few moments everyone was quiet.  I had something to share with the PAX and in that moment this capped it off.

I have been reading through the gospels the last couple weeks and wanted to share something that has been stirring in me.  So, as we know its Saturday before Easter and Jesus has been crucified and placed in a tomb.  On this day thousands of years ago there were all kinds of emotions for those who were near to Jesus.

Those near to him who followed and loved him were doubtful, confused, and didn’t know what would happen next.  The Pharisees and scribes still saw Jesus as a threat to their own Kingdom and world and placed guards at the tomb.  I find this interesting as he is dead yet they didn’t believe?

I shared Matthew chapter 21 with the PAX when Jesus curses the fig tree that didn’t have any fruit.  Jesus disciples said how can it wither instantly? Jesus answered, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and thrown into the sea, it will happen.” 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”  Jesus was preparing them to believe and have faith during the darkest and most doubtful times to come.

We know what happened next.  We have record and an account of the resurrection.  But we still have to figure out what we are going to do with Jesus?

Is Jesus threatening your Kingdom, life, and world.  Are you keeping him at distance and putting HIM away somewhere so as to hide?

Or, are you believing on His life, death, and resurrection as sufficient for your sins and eternity with HIM.  You can’t hide from the light!!!

My prayer for the PAX was that just as the sun rose before our eyes this morning that the Son of Man would rise in each of our hearts this day, tomorrow, and forever.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

April 3rd F Theme-Be Still.

Summer Lawn Service at the Care Center-Sign up now.

Manion WOD-April 27-See Cobra Kai.

Date Night-April 27-Contact Wegmans.

PRAYERS/PRAISES

Prayers and praises were mentioned and Italian Job

lifted them up.

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3

Colosseum 4/9/18

Perfect Gloom morning for a great beatdown at The Colosseum.  Rock Hill region looks to be partnering with The Fort this month by crossing the river.  Welcome back Reborn and Walker.

Disclaimer disclaimed and off we went.

Couple of laps around the car line with shuffles, kareoke and power skips (you’re welcome WWL) before settling in to COP.  SSH, low slow squats, Moroccan Night clubs and some plank.

Bottom of the hill we had 11’s with Merkins at bottom and squats at top.  Backward run up hill.  Walker, the 57 year old phenom with guns of steel, probably buns too was out front and getting pushed hard from Funhouse.  AYE!

Quick word on Mammon- A man’s work is essential.  It allows him to be a contributing member of society(not a burden) and provide for his family.  However, in our relationship proximity, it is our least important.  Be mindfull when work creeps toward your bullseye supplanting, whetsone, shieldlock, shorties and M relationships.  Work is what you do, not who you are.

Anchorman took over for YHC and lead the PAX through some bench work, wall sits burpees and some Mary.  AYE, Anchorman- T-Claps.

Great to see fresh faces that follow AKA calendar.  Admiral was on fire today- well done!

AYE!

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1

Call a Kotter Today

It was an honor for Walker and I to head across the River on this cool and cloudy gloom to lead 6 of The Fort’s Finest HIM who decided on this day they would not allow the Fartsack to overtake them. Thank you Smuggler for the opportunity. Thank you to the men of The Fort to allow us to visit you this weekend.

WARMUP

YHC led the warmup with the following in cadence: Side Straddle Hops, Imperial Walkers, Low Slow Squats, Merkins, Peter Parker Peters. We then took a quick mosey over to the wall in front of the Tennis Center for what was to commence below.

THE THANG

Once we arrived at the wall we went through 2 rounds of Irkins, Dips, Step-Ups, and Derkins all in cadence. We then headed back to Runde Park for some curls, Tricep Extensions, Squats w/block overhead, Bent Over Rows, & Lunges (All with the Paving Blocks in the parking lot). YHC then handed over the Q-Stick to Walker for the following:

We began with the infamous Starfish workout. 25 Body Squats at the center each time we returned, and 25 Merkins, 25 Diamond Merkins, 25 Wide Arm Merkins, & 26 Staggered Merkins.

Then Walker led us in some core work with a lot of Flutters and One Legged Flutters (each leg). Then we circled up for for some cardio doing the Original Burpee (no push up, no jump, and hands touch the ground before you thrust your feet). We were 20-seconds on and 10-seconds off for I think 20 times.

We then did a round of 7’s with Merkins at one end and Jump Squats at the other. Walker had about 3 minutes left and we finished with more flutters & Merkins (WHO WOULD HAVE GUESSED).

Great work to all HIMs who showed up this morning. Thank you again.

NMM

This was not mentioned at the  COT, but I want to remind all PAX of the Fort to stick to the challenge given by Maximus at the Christmas Convergence. Take some time TODAY and call a former FNG whom you haven’t seen in a while and get them back out into the gloom. We all fail at this so let’s make it a point. One man a week is all you need to do. Aye!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Convergence & Invergence-March 8-Baxter HT and The Shack.

Joe Davis Run-March 9.

Operation Sweet Tooth Run-March 30 in Tega Cay beginning at Runde Park.

PRAYERS/PRAISES

Prayers and praises were mentioned and were lifted up by Walker.

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3

The 2018 Fort Clave Boss 5k & Christmas Convergence

0545 – Arrive at Palisades Elementary School AKA The Abyss where Bear Grylis is tailgating like its the Summer Concert tour and he’s at FORT-A_PALOOZA.

Ruckers and Runners were gathering and getting ready for a full morning of all 3 F’s. The Pre-Ruck led by Bonsai (as Worldwide Leader was MIA) got together and away they went.

YHC gathered all of the Clave Boss 5k runners and gave the instructions for the course. Signs were posted however it was still difficult for some to follow (Royale, Funhouse and some others) and they got 3.5mi surprise.

0605 – The 4th Annual Clave Boss 5k launched and 32 runners hit the hills of Palisades. This year we awarded Bundt Cakes to the first runner at various paces.

  1. MacGyver flew in at 20:47 6:60/mi and then went back to encourage other runners – True #HIM
  2. Sharkbait came in at 24:43 7.88/mi
  3. Islander rolled in at 27:10 8.74/mi
  4. Twister with a 31:25 10.08/mi
  5. Smuggler wrapped it up with a solid 34:11 11:00/mi

Appreciate all the participants. Next Year’s 5th Annual will be a special event for sure!!

0700 – Preruck has returned, Clave Boss has wrapped up and now more cars have entered the parking lot with PAX gathering all around. It was time to launch the convergence. YHC ask if there were FNGs, and we had 4 in attendance, gave the disclaimer. YHC then gave RUCK crew green light to jet with a 0750 COT. The remaining 75 or so PAX had YHC and Maximus for the next 50minutes

The Thang:

Mosey parking lot….20 SSHs, Go to other end of lot, Merkins, go to other end of lot for squats, back to other end of parking lot for LBCs

Line up in 6 lines, each line goes to a cone and each cone has exercise on it

  1. Merkins
    1. Bearcrawl
  2. Leg Lifts
    1. Lunge walk
  3. Wide Arm Merkins
    1. Run
  4. Donkey Kicks
    1. Bearcrawl
  5. Spider-man Merkins
    1. Lunge walk
  6. Sumo Squats
    1. Run

3 rounds of above, 5 reps, then 10 reps, then 15 reps

The mumble chatter was classic and the fellowship as always enjoyable

Handoff to Maximus

Mosey to back of School and line up in 6 lines for Pain Platoon

  1. Santini led squat routine that is always a crowd pleaser
    1. Burpees
  2. Pusher led Lunges
    1. Burpees
  3. Double D led Mc-tar-Ny ??
    1. Burpees
  4. Bubba Gump led SSHs
    1. Burpees
  5. 4 lines – turn to face one another – then Seal Team Sit ups–always a big crowd pleaser

Mosey to front of school for COT:

Plank while waiting on RUCK crew and 6 inches with Walker…..always fun!!

  • 93 was the count with 4 FNGs
    • Bo Knows
    • Ferris
    • Gaylord
    • Doubtfire

 

  • We Switzered to gather around and listing to Mr. Clean give a message and challenge to the PAX
    • I’m honored to speak with you today;
      Tomorrow (Christmas night) is the 1 year anniversary of me and the kids finding Cindy (my wife) unconscious. She was immediately put on life support
      Cindy died 3 days later from complications of MS and an addiction to alcohol
      I thought our life was on cruise control. I was being non -purposeful and non intentional. Being a single parent and grieving thru the tragic death of a spouse has been unreal.A few things I have learned from this that I would like to share.

      1. I have a much deeper awareness of emotional health. I have been humbled. Being humble creates avenue for change and growth. My question to you is…are you vulnerable and humble enough to let brothers in to help you?? Are you humble enough to ask for him if you are escaping reality w addictions? Alcohol, porn, etc
      2. I have a more real relationship w Christ.At a time when I doubted Christ care for me and my children and his desire to help our family Christ stepped in and answered a very exact prayer request. If you have doubts about Christ, speak to me please. I would love to share with you what He alone has done.
      3. I am thankful for the suffering. It has brought our family closer together. Even though I and the kids are miss Cindy everyday, we have so much to be thankful. I am thankful for the life that we had w Cindy. I am thankful that she is suffering no more. I am thankful that Cindy is made as new. Most importantly, am thankful for the birth of Christ. He gives us HOPE for a better day.
    • My Challenge to you is Love Deeper and Speak Sweeter. — too often people speak disrespectfully of their spouses and children and parents. Words matter and we all need to choose them wisely. We need to hold each other accountable and “get our heads out of our asses” as you never know when that person will be taken from you.

YHC can’t thank Mr Clean enough for this message and his friendship. over the last 2 years we have grown together to be better Christ followers, better husbands and fathers. He is such a great leader and I’m blessed to have him in my life.

If you need someone like this in your life, reach out to me and we’ll get you set up as there are a boatload of HIMs in the PAX

********ALERT***********ALERT**********ALERT*********ALERT***********ALERT****************

It was time for some major announcements in leadership. YHC has led as NANTAN for The Fort region for about 15months. Prior to that I was Weasel Shaker and prior to that 3rdF Q and in-between Site Qs of Ranch, Ballroom, Crossroads,, ChicknWizdim, and led CSAUP teams at P200, Kiawah and others.

It was time to hand over the keys to this well oiled machine to a new leader. A man I’ve watched grow and lead in all 3 F’s and lead well. First got to know him well on the 2014 BRR 9 man team. I was asked to attend Colombia mission with with him in 2015 that he led. Have Qd many times with him and attended a retreat in Boone with him in 2017 and saw his heart for God, Family and the PAX of The Fort. In 2018 he led BEYOND and pushed men to not only dig deep physically but to stretch themselves emotionally and spiritually. This sealed it for me that this man understood leadership and that men needed to be Freed to Lead.

MAXIMUS is the new NANTAN of The Fort!

I personally am excited for this next chapter and look forward to more men being Freed to Lead by his example and inspiration. With this change, some other leaders have stepped up as well.

  • Weasel Shaker = Funhouse
  • 1stFQ = Royale
  • 2ndFQ = Wegmans
  • 3rdFQ = Gecko

I personally want to thank Old Bay for years of leadership and more importantly friendship. I true HIM who makes so much happen behind the scenes that there is no way The FORT would be where it is today without him.

Also, want to thank Anchorman for 2nd F Q during my time as Nantan, as well as all his leadership at Footloose, encouraging guys to push themselves and the many great ideas and ways to challenge the PAX. Appreciate you brother!

BOM – Gecko had great words to close out this convergence. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus and all of the Holidays, I pray we find JOY in everything and not take anything for granted. I appreciate all the PAX and my brothers of THE GLOOM.

Cake Boss

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95

Intentional COTs

YHC was honored when asked to Q a workout at Slow Burn. This is my first time taking the lead at this long time AO in The Fort Region. Thank you to Smithers and the other 6 PAX for joining YHC on this chilly wet morning. After the F3 Disclaimer we began with the following:

WARMUP

We performed the following exercises Aall in cadence: Side Straddle Hops, Imperial Walkers, Low Slow Squats, Merkins, Peter Parker Peters.

THE THANG

YHC decided a couple of weeks ago that we were going to do an old fashioned Pearls on a String workout today. So we took a tour of the AO by moseying for a while and then circling up every so often for some Circle of Pain.

We stopped a total of 4 times and the exercises we performed at each stop are below:

Stop 1: Merkins, Carolina Dry Docks, Low Slow Squats, Apollo Ohno’s, & Freddy Mercury’s.

Stop 2: Wide Arm Merkins, Pike Presses, Lunges, Side Straddle Hops, & V-Ups.

Stop 3: Diamond Merkins, Table Top Dips, Lateral Lunges, High Knees (1-Minute), & Big Boy SitUps.

Stop 4: Blast Off Merkins, Low Slow Jump Squats, Butt Kickers, & Hello Dollies.

We took a mosey to a wall where we perfomed People’s Chair and Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes in Cadence.

After this, we headed back to the COT for the following:

NMM

The Circle of Trust: According to the F3 Lexicon, this is the circle we form, usually at the end of a workout, where we do the countarama, namarama, announcements, & prayers & praises (which is usually done in a ball of man (BOM).

Trust: Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc. of a person or thing; confidence.

How do you approach the COT? Do you come here with things of the day on your mind? Do you come to it with an open heart ready to listen or share? Do you mention prayer requests of other people? Do you ever ask for prayer for yourself?

I will have to admit that I have done all of them. However, prior to going to a Beyond WO I went to where the Q mentioned this, I had never really thought about it. The Circle of Trust is a place where we PAX can come together confidently knowing that we can share anything and it will not leave the Circle unless permission is given.

I challenge the PAX today to approach the COT each time with intention. Intentionally listen to others. Intentionally share with others. Intentionally place out there what is truly on your heart. I know that if this is done, you will feel less burdened each time.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Read your Newsletter

Christmas Eve Convergence-Dec. 24 at 7:00.

#QSource Launch-Sat., Jan. 5.

PRAYERS/PRAISES

 

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2

Old School at the Original AO: The Fort

Couldn’t believe- were my eyes fooling me?  Funhouse and YHC on Q on the same day at the same AO at the same time.  Say it aint so muchacho!  There was a lot of chatter leading into the epic debauchery of sweatin and gruntin (do not insert bombjacks here).  17 hardnose PAX and Funhouse showed up on crispy cool morning.  40’s and a little damp from rain the night before leaving a bit of a foggy haze- perfect for the reason we call it the #gloom.  I warned of gloves as standard equipment but Captain Leatherhands told me to grow a pair, that we don’t need no stinkin gloves (really the only reference you can make to Blazing Saddles today).

I think Funhouse disclaimed.  I know he has a “mustache”.  Into the Gloom once more-

The Thang

Center of the field, in the grass and no complaining.

Warm O Rama:   50 cadence count SSH, some Mountain Climbers, IWs, and eventually 6 count burpees in cadence.  Where do we put the emphasis when its more than a 4 count anyway.

To the hill for Jacob’s ladder (1-7)  Flying squirrels and Carolina Dry Docks.

Over to Soccer field but gate locked.  No matter.  10 minute Merkins- 10 merkins every minute for 10 minutes.  Challenging toward end except for push up/pull up king @trucker.  ‘shanks was on a table and we took a deep dive in to number of children and whether the red headed ones were truly ours- Aye: We are all God’s children men.

hand off to YHC- 5 burpees OYO then follow me.

A few PAX made believe they were William Wallace and Bravehearted their way down the hill and across the foggy field to the tree line.  Plank for #six.  YHC discussed WOM: Vulnerability.  More on that later.

Partner up (I preselected ‘Shanks because I am glutton for punishment).  Partner Carry across field.  P1 plank, P2 ski jump over legs.  Flapjack Partner Carry across field.  Flapjack Plank/Ski Jump.  Repeato twice more.  As CSPAN says- “Excellent choice”  Lot of honest woofing out there.  Old school and everybody was stronger and better.

Tunnell of love- 18 PAX plank, 1 army crawls through.  Several had rucks on durning this and throughout workout.  Good on ya, men.  Our line was an “S” at ENDEX but it got done.  never mind the kindness of the planking PAX that drop their hips when you pass through.  “love taps”?

Lt. Dan.: Evil twin brother of Jack Webb.  Squat and Jump lunges/Mary Catherine’s.  Ratio 1-4.  Finished at 10-40.  Lot of chatter through this one.  Still have difficulty moving today.   Sunshine, oh sunshine.  Kept his Welch’s Grape Juice down but it looked iffy rounds 7-10.  WWL with ruck and getting each knee dirty in perfect form.

Mosyed home with a few Pearls on a String stations to close out.

Naked man Moleskin

Heckuva beatdown today.  Knew it was going to be fun.  Maximus had a good summation tweet: This is type of morning that keeps PAX engaged and coming back.  It was hard, insightful, inspirational, and comical…all at the same time.”  AYE!

Couple of call outs- Longshanks is a beast.  I bonked 8/10 of way through last leg of partner carries.  He picked me up like he was going for gold at #spartan.  Aye, Captain Leatherhands.  Pusher had an interesting matchup with Quack attack for the carries, and DH took WWL AND his Ruck across the finish line.  Good work boys.  A few men saved their knees and modified the Lt. Dan’s.  Always smart to know your body- not trying to get hurt just better.  Well done.  ‘Shanks may have been the #king of Jacob’s ladder too.  Sale boys were great partners, toughed it out and yet somehow both kept smiling on their handsomely #triplehate faces.

A word on Vunerability (shared with the men):

Society pushes men away from being vulnerable and say that among many things -it shows weakness.  I can only think back to what a missing element of life our previous generations, perhaps and specifically our fathers had.  Is your father a sharer?  Grandfather?  Consider all the life they have lived and how much loneliness they could have endured.

F3 has provided many tools for the men who seek the truth every morning in the gloom.  At the top of the list is the opportunity to be vulnerable and learning to be vulnerable during our workouts, our COTs, our shield locks, and our whetstone relationships.  Its here you find out you’re not alone and there are other men who have or who are experiencing what you are.  There is strength in that.  There is confidence in that.  There are solutions in that.  There is trust in that.

Lastly, and arguably the most important: develop a vulnerable relationship with your creator.  Be a seeker.  Truthful, humble.  I have found the most freeing I can ever be is to be transparent and vulnerable, ready and willing to give myself over to understanding, empathy and learning.

Aye!

 

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