Just. Keep. Posting.

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On a crisp 48 degree morning, a similar # of pax posted for a convergence at The Fort/Milkshake to commemorate 8 yrs of pain and impact in the Gloom of Fort Mill, SC and elsewhere in York County.   The occasion drew pax from Rock Hill, Metro and Raleigh.

The Thang

Double D led a warm up with yog to the Church of God parking lot plus some Carioca

COP — Mtn Climbers, Peter Parker, Parker Peter, Monkey Humpers, SSH, Seal Jacks, Merkins

Hand off to Jekyll

Yog up the hill to the rug factory lot and a re-introduction to, yes, you guessed it  — The Board Pain!!!

See photo for the Weinke from here….or check your soreness today (Sunday) for those who were present.  A Jekyll Classic!  Heard at F3 from Redwood @Santini “I’ve been avoiding this Board for years…100 Burpees!!”

Yog back home

COT

Naked Man Moleskin

8 years…Is that a long time?  Well, the average time of degree completion for US college students is 6 years.  Only 50% of startups make it to the 5th year mark.  So, I suppose 8 years qualifies as something of a landmark.  At the same time, I don’t personally remember much about being 8 years old.  What about the 8 years from 2-10 years old?  Or maybe 10-18 years old?  Yes, I remember more…and if I had my way I’d like to forget some of those moments!

Well, I can remember quite a bit of the past 8 years.  I quite clearly remember 9.29.12…a date etched in my memory like my wedding day, my daughters’ birth dates and my birthday.

As I reflect back on 8 years of #Impact delivered by the men of F3TheFort, what really matters is 10.06.12 and 10.13.12.  You see, those were the Saturdays when pax returned to WEP for week 2 and week 3.  And FNGs posted for their own personal version of #TheLaunch.  And then Saturdays became Tuesdays, too.  And then a short time later they also became Thursdays.   In the end, what matters the most is not what happened in the past, but what happens today.  Or what will happen tomorrow when pax post to one of 30+ workouts across Fort Mill/Tega Cay or 70+ workouts across York County.

Just. Keep. Posting.  The one true constant across life is #Change.  Since 2012, I’ve moved to a different house,  nurtured two chicks out of the nest, collected a paycheck from two additional employers and traversed through a lot of ups and downs.  One of my rocks during this period has been the community of #HIMs known as F3TheFort.  You’ve been steady in your acceptance of me each time I post.  And along the way, you’ve revealed to me more and more parts of myself as you’ve revealed parts of yourself.  I know I’m all the better for it, and so is my family.  I’m pretty certain you’re better too.  And in the process our town, county and country are also better.

So, yes, we should take heart in what’s transpired over the past 8 years.  It is remarkable.  It is a blessing.  Some might call it a miracle….or miracles.  And the only way to honor this fruit and express our gratitude to God and the men who’ve contributed (past and present) is to Just. Keep. Posting.  Because if a day ever comes when no one posts…well…let’s Just. Keep. Posting.

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8

Learning your own limits

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Warmup-

Mosey

In Cadence (SSH, Dry docks, 8 count push up)

The thang- 3 stations A,B,C.  A is approx 25 yards from B, B is approx 50 yards from C

Station A- Bodyweight

10x Hand Release Push ups

10x Bobby Hurley

Transport A to B- (25 yards, Broad jumps)

Station B- 10x Lawnmowers (Left arm), 10x Curls (Left arm)

Transport B to C- (50 yards) Farmers Carry (Left Arm)

Station C- 20x Chest Press, 20x Skull Crushers

Transport: Waiters Carry Back to B (right arm)

Station B- 10x Lawnmowers (right arm), 10x Curls (right arm)

(LEAVE BELL AT B)

Transportation to A: Bear Crawl

10x superman

Repeat 6 total times.  starting each repeat 6 minutes apart (6:00 interval)

Each round should be faster than the prior round, punishment for not “descending” time is 10 man makers at the end of the workout.  Up to 50 man makers available

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5

Double Trouble With Drop Thrill at Snake Pit

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3D gave me the reigns this morning and I obliged with another lead at Snake Pit, the closest AO to my house, so I’m a regular.
After a little warm up, we launched into what I call Double Trouble.  Each exercise you do 15 of, and then Round 2 20 of.  Simple but effective, I think anyway.
Double Trouble

Kb swings

Turkish getup (only Round 1)
goblet squats
Flutters
Curls
merkins

tricep extensions

Squat

Sumo squat

LBC
skull crusher
Rosa lita
Dead lift
calf raises
Lawnmower
American hammer
One arm dead lifts
Dips
The mission of F3 is to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for the invigoration of male community leadership.
  • 1 Are free of charge
  • 2 Are open to all men
  • 3 Are held outdoors, rain or shine, heat or cold
  • 4 Are led by men who participate in the workout in a rotating fashion, with no training or certification necessary
  • 5 End with a Circle of Trust

The F3 Credo is: Leave no man behind, but leave no man where you find him.

Thanks 3D for the chance to lead again.  Thanks Pax for the mumblechatter.

 

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1

Army Captain John D. Hortman

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Frequently Asked Questions - CrossFit: Forging Elite Fitness

 

Can’t remember the last time YHC Q’ed HB. Happy to be back to what was the normal Monday AO for about a year. Refugee pulled up looking patriotic as ever and YHC was pleased. 0500 hit and we got to work.

 

Short Mosey around the parking lot. 

COP

10 x Windmill

10 x Tappy Tap

20 x SSH

Runner’s Stretch/Yoga Flow 

 

Today we honored Army Capt. John D. Hortman, 30, from Inman, SC; who died in a helicopter crash at Fort Benning, GA. His light attack helicopter crashed on a live-fire range during an exercise with the Army Rangers and other special operations troops. Also killed in the crash was Chief Warrant Officer Steven B. Redd. Both were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, KY. They were both part of the highly trained Night Stalker aviators. Hortman graduated from West Point in 2004. He was a combat veteran with three deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He is survived by his mother, Brenda Jones; sister, Jill; and brother, Andy Pierce.

 

Mosey over to pull up bars to layout the iteration. Trucker was pleased to head in said direction. 

HORTMAN 

AMRAP in 45 minutes

800 Meter Run 

80 Air Squats

8 Muscle Ups (Subbed Pull Ups/Dips ILO Muscle Ups)

Most completed 5 rounds. Our “400M stop sign out and back” was more of a 600M so we all ran about a 5K in the midst of the WOD. Solid work by all. Sasquatch arrived at 0518 and still did the same amount of work as all of us.

We finished the 45 minutes of the WOD and had some time to focus on the core.

 

Six Minutes of Mary in Cadence

In & Outs

Forward Bicycle

Reverse Bicycle

Crunchy Frog

Fifer Scissors

Freddie Mercuries 

 

Mosey back to COT. 

 

NMM

Great work today, we were all pretty winded so mumble chatter fell by the wayside – but that means it was difficult. That’s what it should be – as we honored Hortman can no longer fight for our country. This is what I love about this AO. We suffer because they no longer can. Knowing they paid the ultimate sacrifice prompts YHC to fight harder for more reps and faster runs. 

 

Announcements

Anniversary Party coming up this Friday night. Read your newsletter or hit up Backdraft for details!

Shovel Flag hand off happening at RPG this Friday. 

Prayers/Praises

Sasquatch’s SIL is having a planned C-Section this Thursday. Prayers for a safe delivery and healthy mom/baby. 

 

Thank you, Shield, for the chance to lead these men.

 

Punch List out.

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3

2 Mile Moderate Ruck and… Jello Shots?

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Due to construction at Walter Elisha Park, Millllkshake met at Fort Mill First Baptist Church with The Fort. After the disclaimer, 6 split-off for a 2 mile moderate ruck that included some church stairs, and a couple good hills. We set off on the pre-determined route, stopping four times for some low, slow squats, pushups, and a few other exercises.

Along the way, we had a great conversation about what it means to be a man. This included being responsible for protecting, providing for, and training up our wives and children. (among others) We thought about who in our lives had been good examples to us, guiding us on this journey to become men, and what  we are doing to be good examples to those we are responsible for.

I lost both of my Grandfathers this year, and spent some time reflecting on what I’ve learned from them. I’m grateful for good examples that I can think back on, and I strive to practice what I’ve learned as I raise my own children, and as I lead other men in a professional setting as well.

At some point during the walk, Bowser shared a story about when he stood-up for his sister, and the conversation shifted to some less-good examples of good decision making. It seemed that many of those experiences were closely related to the vicinity of jello-shots. (Not Bowser) 😉

Thank you for the good conversation, and thanks Drop Thrill for the opportunity!

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0

EMOM Kettle Bell Blast

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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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3

The Equalizer

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9 got better this morning and 1 got lighter as we tackled a routine I call “The Equalizer.”  Conditions we’re perfect for a sweatastic Merkin Mile beatdown. Here’s what we did…

The Thang

  • 5 Burpees

Run to the 1st entrance of Brayden

  • 10 Wide Arm Merkins

Run to Dave Gibson Blvd

  • 20 Bobby Hurleys

Run to Dam Rd

  • 30 Ranger Merkins

Run to Tara Plantation

  • 40 Squats

Run to YHC’s House

  • 50 Merkins

Run to Tara Plantation

  • 40 Calf Raises

Run to Dam Rd

  • 30 Diamond Merkins

Run to Dave Gibson Blvd

  • 20 Lunges

Run to 1st Entrance of Brayden

  • 10 Tempo Merkins

Run back to Earth Fare

  • 10 Tempo
  • 20 Lunges
  • 30 Diamond
  • 40 Calf Raises
  • 50 Merkins

Circle the lot

  • 10 Wide
  • 20 Bobby Hurleys
  • 30 Ranger
  • 40 Squats
  • 50 Merkins

Mosey back to COT

  • 5 Burpees

NMM
This workout was designed to have the PAX finish together. How do you keep the non-gazelles with the sub-6 minute milers at a running AO? Add Merkins.
As expected, Scalp and Gears had the major lead in the running portion. But as we closed in on the final assault at Earth Fare, Dark Helmet took the lead and never looked back. Major kudos to Band Camp and his Merkin prowess for powering through to the top-5 after the run. As usual, Gekko, Quack Attack, and Fish Sticks finished towards the top. And though he doesn’t like to admit it, Sugar Daddy is starting to look like a runner. Spider-Man did bail early, but when nature calls, you know, you answer. I understand he looked three shades brighter and 2 pounds lighter after his…break.
Thanks for the opportunity to lead. I know this is more Merkins than normal for STL (as noted by the grunting and grumbling), but it’s the only way I could keep up with you fast guys. But as usual, you men persevered and powered through. You did the hard thing and you’re better for it.

One last word to start the week:

You can’t force someone to respect you but you can refuse to be disrespected.

Now go be a force to be reckoned with. Crush the day!

Aye!

Italian Job

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7

RPG/Varsity Convergence

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It was a beautiful rainy morning. 17 dudes converged under the awning at NaFo. A dozen or so arrived by 05:00 for some Sasquatch Broga. Around 05:20 we started the Varsity Bootcamp. This is usually when the RPG guys would take off running but since it was raining cats and dogs, everybody decided to stay for my beatdown. I appreciated the crowd.

The Warm Up: Broga w/ Sasquatch and then 25 SSH
The Thang: HIIT as follows:
Burpees: 60s
Rest: 45s
Merkins: 45s
Rest: 20s
Squats: 45s
Rest: 20s
LBCs: 60s
Rest: 20s
Mountain Climbers: 45s
Rest: 20s
Bear Crawls: 1 lap around the circle
Rest: 45s
Imperial Walkers: 45s
Rest: 20s
Plank Jacks: 45s
Rest: 20s
Monkey Humpers: 45s
Rest: 20s
SSH: 60s
Rest: 20s
Flutter Kicks: 45s
Rest: 20s
Rosalitas: 45s
Rest: 20s
Alternating Shoulder Taps: 45s
Rest: 20s
Bomb Jacks: 45s
Rest: 20s
60s Intro to the new Site Q Splinter
Rinse and Repeat from the top

I enjoyed this workout more than I thought I would. I love the Seconds app and HIIT style. I encourage the Pax to give it a try for a workout. It’s worth the price to upgrade to the full version.

COT
Shovel Flag Handoff off from Harry Carry to Splinter

I am extremely proud of my good friend Splinter. It took 2.5 years of EH’ing to get him out in the gloom. Now he’s running with the Big Boys 4-5 days each week and responsible for an AO. ‘At a boy Splinter!

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3

The site formally known as The COOP.

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Let me start off by saying cancer sucks. It took one of our PAX last week and I am still mad about it. Jay Griggs known in the gloom as Cash, 51 battled this aweful disease on and off for about two years. He left behind his wife Christine and two kids Katie (14) and Will (12). We came together today to do a workout for him and also to rename this AO in his honor. We wanted to give a name that if someone who didnt know Cash would ask we could explain that the name was in his honor and keep Jays legacy in The Fort going. More on the name at the end.
We statrted with a disclaimer and quick dynamic warmup.
51 SSHs in cadence.
Mosey down the hill for some instructions.
3 cones at bottom of hill. do the first cone run up hill to nafo crosswalk do 10 bombjacks, run back to pull up bars do 5 pull ups, run down to bottom of hill for the next cone, keep repeating until YHC stops the group.
Cone 1- Merkins and Squats
Cone 2- CDDs and American Hammers
Cone 3- Alternating lunges and Alternating Shoulder taps
At each of the cones we did a total between the two exercises 51 reps.
Mosey back to Cot.
We took this time to let the Pax know the AO formally known as The Coop was now to be known as Ring of Fire. One of Jonny Cashs greatest hits. So when someone says how did this palce get the name we can explain.
Announcements and naming of FNG.
FNG- Sappin Patel- Spam
reach out to funhouse to help with at risk middle school kids on their off days from school_ takes palce at forest hill church.
8th annual anniversary party of the Fort. held Oct 2nd 630-930 at 3399 Pleasant Rd. Convergence the following morning at 0630 first baptist fort mill.
Prayers-
for the family of Cash.
marriages and keeping real with raising shorties.
Backdraft Out.

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4

Crush it and Pump it!

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FYI- my first backblast of the year…

New guy came with Hardwood to Bushwood so gave an extra complete disclaimer.

Bushwood guys took off and Snake Pit guys stayed with me. Warmed up with SSH, merkins, Hillbilly walkers.

Picked up a full (water) keg with Zimmern and moved out to the entrance road.

The Thang:

1 of the PAX rolls the keg uphill on the road while YHC leads the PAX in a KB exercise. When the keg gets back, the next PAX in the circle rolls the keg and everyone starts a new exercise. Pretty straight-forward.

All IC:

Tricep extension
Around the world
Bent row
KB windmills
KB flys
KB walkers
Upper chest press
KB 180 crunch
Bell crushers
Crunch pass through
Squat
Plank row
Elf on the shelf
High kick side lunge
Pull-over
Lunge & twist
Single leg deadlift with a press
Halo
Plank pull through
Good mornings
Concentration curl
American hammer
Alternating snatch
Upright row
KB swings

There was plenty of heckling of my choices of exercises, like how many hours of youtube videos did I have to review to get all of these. Gotta say the 180 crunch is no joke. Also kegs go downhill a lot faster than up.

Thanks for the opportunity to practice my cadence and lead this terrific group of guys.

Geronimo!

Out

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