A Morning Walk Through Town

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Five men gathered at Veteran’s Park and spent an hour together.  Here is what they did:

After the Pax were disclaimed,  I took a few minutes to ask each person what their ailment was so I had an idea of what we could do today.   For the record:  Maximus (foot), Twister (detached retina healing), Flat Tire (bruised abdomen/ribs -thanks for showing us too), Crab Cakes (groin pull) and Senator Tressel (knee pain and torn calf muscle).    With that, we were ready to get started and since we were standing next to the Veteran’s Memorial, it seemed fitting to recite the pledge of allegiance.  Then the walk began:

Head west on North White Street.  Along the way, we passed the morning crowd at The Fort who were running circuits and doing something that looked kind of painful. ( Yeah, we weren’t going to do much to that today).

Stop at the small lot next to the Springs building and stretch from head to toe.   Continue on to the playground at WEP.

At the playground do 3 sets of pullups (10 reps/set)  Leave the playground and walk to the entrance in front of the Springs Building.

Plank hold/6″ hold for a bit.  Find the grass and do some abwork (pretzel crunch and something else)  Follow the path to the side parking lot of Springs.

On the low roofline of the building, do wall pull-ups (10 reps).  From there we bear crawled across the lot and held a dip position on the curb.  Bear crawl back to the building and do a wall sit (I think).

Walk back to Veteran’s Park.

COT

Naked Man Moleskin

That doesn’t look like much.    Was that all we did?  Oh no!  What isn’t shown is all the conversation that happened during the walk and in between the exercises.  I have known these fine gentlemen for several years and decided that today would be a great opportunity to get to know them better.  We shared a lot of things from when we were growing up, through college and our first jobs, how we met our wives and proposed to them, and how we all ended up in Fort Mill.  Here are just a few of the findings from our hour together:

  1.  Charlie comes from a family of engineers and his dad taught at Lousiana Tech
  2. Andrew has known his wife since middle school and lived in Portland for a couple of years.
  3. Dave turned down Notre Dame University for Villanova and Salomon Bros for Pepsi (or another company).
  4. Tyson was a semi-professional rugby player and proposed to his wife in Ireland (in less than ideal conditions).
  5.  Frank became a Naval officer after college, but left after only 18 months on active duty.

Today was all about the 2nd F, and it was one of those times when people together and there is a certain chemistry within the group.    From the start of the hour to the end,  everyone got into the spirit of sharing, and all the guys were more than willing to talk about their lives.  We learned a lot about each other, poked fun at the things we did when we were younger, and enjoyed a walk together on a beautiful autumn morning.  I have Q’d many, many times over the years and can honestly say that today’s Q was one of my favorites.  Thank you, Charlie, Andrew, Dave, and Tyson for making today’s F3 workout memorable, and one that I will remember for a long time.

Announcements/Prayers and Praises

  1.  Funhouse’s son (Offspring) in Alaska with an infection and low O2 level.  Funhouse traveled to Alaska.
  2. Injured Pax and friends with illnesses

 

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Pre-Blast: Let the Merging Begin

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  • QIC: Shady, Magnum, Slash
  • When: 10/26/2019
  • Posted In: Pre-Blast

Background: Over the past few months, numbers have been down at Millstone (not a bad thing for IR based AO) and also The Yard (moderate based AO).  In an effort to keep these AOs up and running, a true moderate / IR / FNG friendly option will now be available at The Fort starting on October 26, 6:30-7:30am, for the foreseeable future. Therefore, Millstone and The Yard will be temporarily removed from the AO website to avoid confusion and will not host workouts at their previous locations.  Milkshake (think about it) will be the new AO located at WEP which combines the Yard moderate and Millstone IR.

Q Source at Fort Mill Family Restaurant (FMFR) will also be put on hold and moved to Panera in Kingsley.

Q’s will be scheduled on a weekly basis should PAX show up to The Fort expecting a moderate / IR workout.  If no PAX show for the moderate workout, the scheduled Q will join The Fort crowd for their regularly scheduled beat down.

No changes will be made for The Fort AO aside from now having additional options available.  If numbers increase for moderate / IR workouts at the combined location, decisions to potentially break apart from WEP will be discussed.

The goal is to assess the demand from the PAX, keep 1st and 2nd F levels high, keep options open, and enjoy Q-Source together if so inclined.

Who: All PAX (regular boot camp, Moderate, IR, FNG friendly)

What: The Yard and Millstone (now Milkshake), and The Fort will begin a merger of these AOs at WEP.  (FMFR Q Source will also merge with Panera Q Source.)

When: Starting on Saturday, October 26; 6:30-7:30 am

Where: The Fort / Walter Elisha Park (WEP)

Why: Numbers have fluctuated at Millstone and The Yard

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Hive Demented Uno

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UNO was the game with 9 PAX.   Had to amp it up to meet Airborne’s expectations

Each color was an exercise.

Blue ManMaker

Red Louganis (Skullcrusher into Big Boy Situp but keep your arms extended)

Green Curls

Yellow Triceps

The number was the reps. 0 is 10 reps. Play like normal UNO.  Each PAX takes a turn playing a card.  Either match color or number.

SKIP = run a lap

Reverse = Repeat last card

+2 = Pick two of the exercise and do 2 Reps

+4 = 4 Reps of all 4 exercises, then pick a new color

WILD = pick a new color

If you can’t play a card, draw one.  Rule was to do a BombJack for each card you need to draw.

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Canon X-50 count

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10 PAX gathered on a cool(ish) morning when the entire town of Fort Mill had no running water. 8 for Laces In, 2 started 15min earlier for Laces Out

Disclaimer delivered haltingly as Sugarbug exited his vehicle at 5:14 & 58 seconds to join the group.

Mosey to Band Practice Lot:

50 SSH
Downdog –> Honeymooner –> ect.
50 Moroccan Nightclubs
25 Imperial Walkers
25 Hillbilly Walkers
A bit of mumble chatter about the high count

Mosey to the lot in front of the R-Wing
50 shoulder taps
Downdog –> Honeymooner –> etc.
30 Mountain Climbers (was planning on hitting 50 but looked up after 20 and the PAX were slowing down, at 30 most were just watching me count . . . )
0 Peter Parkers (had planned 50, but wanted to avoid the tacit mutiny)

Mosey to the pullup bars

Partner up
on partner holds position while the other partner does 10 reps. Then switch until both PAX had completed 50 reps each (i.e., 100 total).
– Merkins
– Squats
– Rosalita

Revealed the two kettlebells (30lb and 35lb) I hid prior to the workout

4 Pax on the pull-up bars
4 Pax on the ground

Pax on the ground split 2 with bells and 2 holding squat

Pax with bells did 10 KB swings and switched to hold a squat.
– Pax holding squat then switched to 10 KB swings
Pax on bars free hang until during the first 10 KB Swings
– then during the next 10 KB Swings PAX attempted to hold their chin above the bar
– after other PAX complete 20 total KB Swings back to free hang
– after other PAX complete 30 total KB Swings back to chin above the bar

2 rounds of this and then flip-flopped for 2 more rounds

Plank up in a line
Hold plank while 1 PAX jumps out and does 10 KB Swings (for an individual total of 50 KB Swings). PAX waiting in plank alternated between high plank and six inches everytime someone switched to the Kettlebell.

Mosey back to COT for some Mary (Joined by 2 runners)

– Called a yoga variation and added a crunch alternating to each side of the raised leg

(e.g., 4-count: 1 to the center, 2 back down hands above head, 3 to the outside of the raised leg, 4 back down. Notice the extended heel stays six inches above the ground…I may call this again and if enough PAX hate it…consider giving it a name.
– Rolled over for some Pigeon Lunges
– back over for Flutters until time

NMM:

As men, how much are we challenging ourselves with things we don’t like or don’t understand? Physically we do this in the 5am hour with demanding workouts, but do we try this in all facets of our lives? Consider taking in some art (play, movie, music, museum, etc.) you just don’t understand or trying to interact with something (someone?) you really don’t like.

The piece below by Conlon Nancarrow predates “electronic music.” He used a player piano reel to realize music that was so rhythmically complex, no human players at the time could accomplish it. In Canon X, there are two lines. One starts at a slow tempo and speeds up. The other starts fast and slows down. (So a graph of the tempos looks like an X.) This is a tempo canon rather than a traditional melodic canon. (Row, Row, Row Your Boat is a melodic canon.)

Canon X

This kind of composition may or not may be “enjoyable” to listen to. Or you might not “like” it. But it is fascinating. We don’t have to like something for it to be interesting or valuable.

40+ years after these pieces were written, a small ensemble began stretching what we once thought human musicians were capable of performing. They arranged some of Nancarrow’s player piano reels in an acoustic setting. See the original and the arrangement:

Nancarrow – Player Piano Study No. 2A
Alarm Will Sound – Nancarrow Player Piano Study No. 2A

I don’t know what this means for you in specific. But in general, I hope it encourages you to stretch your boundaries and grow. Because that’s part of what the Arts should help us do!

COT
Praise for the fact that most days we can turn on the taps and clean water comes out.

An honor to lead,
—
Band Camp dismissed

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F3 Sea Legs – October 8, 2019

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We had six on a great fall morning at Sea Legs. Since it was my first Q at Sea Legs, I did a pretty basic route that would be easy for runners who ran different paces.

Sea Legs Route_ October 8 2019

Announcements:
F3 Lake Wylie 3F  Opportunity: On October 19th, F3 Lake Wylie will have their next homeless outreach in Uptown.  PAX will distribute food and supplies, and spend time talking with those we meet.  From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. water, sport drinks, non perishable snacks, and toiletries will be handed out to those less fortunate.  If you are unable to attend, but would like to donate please contact Ryan Wiik or Homebrew.

F3 Lake Wylie CSAUP is Saturday, October 26. More details at https://f3thefort.com/2019/09/16/the-nessie/

Praises:
Homebrew shared that his grandparents recently celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Prayers:
Duck Dynasty recently spoke to a recruiter for a new job opportunity.

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EE 201-Tesla’s Way

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Back in the fall of 1980 YHC walked into Daniels Hall on the campus of NC State University and engaged in the study of Electrical Engineering as taught by the great Donald Rhodes in EE 201, Electric Circuits I. It was a bear. About half the class failed. A bloody mess it was! but we came out of it stronger than we went into it. Which was what it was all about. So YHC decided to expand on this theme and shake things up a bit at the Crow’s Nest as it acquires it’s maturity as an AO. YHC took some time Saturday to tour the AO and just see what it was we could get into on Monday. Then at the Panther’s game on Sunday with a couple of old time Metro F3 brothers YHC came up with the idea of a bit of a circuit to take the pax on. Kind of like the ones we studied at State decades ago! Went like this:

COP:

Stretching for about a minute.

SSH X 20

IW X 20

Copperhead Squats X 10

Merkins X 20

Mtn. Climbers X 20

Mosey back to the fields and playgrounds and mosey- carefully – down the Green Monster. Tesla REALLY liked this hill Saturday! But it looked a little daunting in the dark. So the word was caution going down. The bottom of the hill was station 1. Went like this:

Station 1 – Bottom of the Green Monster – 10 Hand release merkins.

Station 2 – Run up the Green Monster, 10 jump squats.

Station 3 – 10 pull ups on the Monkey bars.

Station 4  – 10 step ups each leg, 10 dirkins

Station 5 – 1st soccer goal, broad jump the length of the field

Station 5 – Fence at top of The Green Monster, 10 big boy sit ups.

Back to the bottom, Rinse and repeat!

2 times was plenty for the pax. All performed well. So time for some real fun.

Task 1 – Bear Crawl Slalom, everybody gets two rolls.

Task 3 – SSH X 20, Regular squats X 20

Mosey to the basketball court for suicides

1 st set, Free throw line, center court, free throw line, end line – back each time.

free throw line – 5 jump squats

Center line – 5 merkins

Free throw line – 5 jump squats

End line – 5 merkins.

Rinse and repeat – 10X each set.

Back to the tables:

10 Bulgarian Split squats each leg.

10 dips

10 elevated sit ups

Rugby sprints – 2X across the basketball court.

Set 1 – 10 CDDs

set 2 – 10 copperhead squats.

Mosey back to the parking lot.

NMM:

We got a lot done and unlike at State 39 years ago everybody passed! And got better. Have to admit I did not know this group very well. Iced Tea asked me to do it and I was glad he did. Loved the AO and look forward to returning soon.

Honor and pleasure to lead as always!

Tesla

 

 

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Garbage Crawl

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We had a strong group of 18 men that did a Garbage Crawl and took in the scent at the best smelling AO in the nation.  We embraced the suck and crushed the workout!

A quick Disclaimer was given and we were off.  However the Q forgot to ask about FNGs.  There were 3 and they dominated the workout today.

Mosey between dumpster one and two and circle up.

IW x20, CDD x15, Cherry Pickers x20, Merkins x12, Windmill x20, LSS x20-

Split into two groups

Group 1 BTW Group 2 Lunge Walk Halfway and sprint rest of way, run back- then switch.

Wall Sit, Crab Walk half way, backward run then back to wall and switch

BTW- Caveman Walk Halfway- sprint run back- switch

Wall Sit- Bear Crawl half way- backward sprint, run back- Switch

Mosey to half wall behind oil change place (finally away from the stench):  Partner up for some Dora

100 Irkens, 200 step ups, 300 squats- other partner runs in front of Napa- er O’Reilly or whatever that place is.

Do LBC x50, Freddy Mercury x50 and Hello Dolly x50

Finish off with some tens: 1 Derkin to 9 dips, 2 to 8 and so on.

Mosey to COT.

It was  a great mix of vets and rookies.  This is the first time in a long time I was able to welcome 3 FNGs.  Pretty awesome keep them coming.  My bad for not identifying them earlier.

Thank you for the chance to lead the AO I was previously site Q at.  What a blast!

 

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Can I borrow a KB?

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YHC was pleased to be asked by J-Wow (there’s a guy who is accelerating) to come back to the Armory and Q. While not a true Redwood, I was there when the idea of a KB workout was launched at the Baxter pool with Package and Orange Crush (never posted). I immediately went out an purchased a 25lb’er via the internet (shipping costs!) and away we went.

Since that start, I have gravitated to running partly due to CSAUPs and given my bell to Anchorman. But there’s no question that YHC needed a beatdown after a long golf weekend. I started the Hype Train on Sunday with a request to borrow a bell and was met with some witty replies. The Fort represents!

Weather: Its F3 time! 63 with a light breeze

The Thang

Partner KB Workout

Round 1

Partner 1 – KB Swings x 12

Partner 2 – Rests until Partner 1 is finished

Partner 2 – 1 arm military press x 12

Partner 1 – rests until Partner 2 is finished – you get the idea

Partner 1 – Goblet Squats x 10

Partner 2 – Bob and Weave x 10

Partner 1 – Merkins x 12

Partner 2 – Bench Press x 12

Partner 1 – SSH x 20

Partner 2 – SSH x 20

Rinse and Repeat for 7 minutes

Take a lap around the parking lot

Round 2 – Flip the exercises for 7 minutes then take a lap

Round 3

Partner 1 – Curls x12

Partner 2 – Triceps x 12

Partner 1 – Bent Over Rows x 10

Partner 2 – CDD x 12

Partner 1 – Reverse Lunge w/ Hammer x 8

Partner 2 – Jump Squats x 10

Partner 1 – Bombjacks x 12

Partner 2 – Man Climbers x 16

Rinse and repeat for 7 minutes then a lap

Round 4 – Flip the exercises and head home

Mosey to COT

 

Moleskin:

  • 10/19 – Opportunity to serve at Childrens Attention Home – See Culture Club
  • October – opportunity to impact Young Lives – See newsletter
  • Prayers for marriages and kids

Pusher out!

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It’s the 1st F for a reason

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11 pax posted to WEP to celebrate north winds, fall temps, a Santini sighting, an Anchorman celebrity drop-in and 7 yrs + 1 week since the 9.29.12 launch of The Fort.  This, the 365th edition of Saturday at The Fort, was more than just another Saturday of brotherhood and pain.  It was also a reminder of why these gatherings matter.  After a thorough Disclaimer, Crab Cakes led the pax off into the gloom.

The Thang

Mosey up the hill out the parking lot with a right turn toward the Church of the Nazarene.  A few stops along the way for some warm-up moves.

Partner up for a series of exercises paired with running to the church steps, 3x up and down, and return to partner at the far end of the parking lot.  Exercises included, Merkins, Squats and Flutters.

Rugby sprints (it wouldn’t be a Crab Cakes Q without this signature session) with LBCs, Freddys, Flutters, Heel Touches.

Hand off to DD

Mosey back toward WEP

Stop at pecan tree grove near Springs building for some work — Planks, Merkins, CDDs, Peter Parkers, Parker Peters, & Makhtar N’Dyaes (Santini request for the last one)

Mosey to Springs parking lot entrance (in the grass)

Knee-tar-jais

Mosey to brick wall at Springs

People’s chair & Balls to the wall (rinse and repeat)

Mosey to WEP playground (rotating partners) — Pull ups, burpees, monkee, humpers, dips, derkins, lap around playground

Bear crawl to path, crawl bear back

Series of sprints and backward sprints to path and back to playground

Jailbreak home

COT

Naked man moleskin

Crab Cakes and I had a great time at the helm today.  It’s always an honor to lead the pax, and especially at the launching grounds for The Fort.  Sorry to miss Slash.  Thanks for the opportunity to Q and thanks for keeping the mission going at WEP on Saturdays!

Anchorman with 2.0 in tow made a brief showing as we approached 0720. Apologies for the PG-13 language during the final prod to the pax to finish strong.  You can throw me in the creek with your M if you hear that one at the dinner table.

Santini, Rebel and Dark Helmet were rockin’ the perfect sweaty head coifs by the finish.  Checkout the video for proof.  If Funhouse had posted we might’ve been able to establish the pose for The Fort’s Mount Rushmore.

Good to have Sippy Cup among the pax and donning The Fort jersey no less.  Don’t be stranger!  Hope to see you again soon!

The theme for the morning was a focus on 1st F #Fitness.  Thanks to many pax, including my co-Q Crab Cakes, 2nd F is making huge strides.  Thanks to Gekko, Cake Boss, Chicken Hawk, Pusher and others, 3rd F also continues to blossom.  No debate on my part that these two elements are critical to our pax and speak to the core of who we are as men and leaders.  Yet, now that The Fort has entered it’s 8th year, I feel the need to highlight the importance of 1st F.  While it’s not the core of WHO we are as men, it is the core of WHAT we undertake each week as a group.   It’s the magnet that draws us out into the gloom.  And after 4, 5, 6, 7 years, it might begin to taste a little bland from familiarity. The temptation may be there to coast during workouts or even to scale back your weekly posts.  I’m imploring you — DO NOT GIVE UP!  Yes, F3 is about way more than the workout.  And at the same time, it is also rooted in the workout.

Several conversations over the past week highlighted for me the importance of regular, passionate 1st F engagement.  I heard examples of veteran pax who are pushing hard and veteran pax who are dialing back.  Those posting regularly and pushing in 1st F are seeing growth in all 3 Fs.  Those who’ve scaled back are experiencing some regression in other areas.  It’s all connected, gentlemen.  “You get out of it what you put into it” a veteran pax shared with me this week.

F3 isn’t the only way to stay fit.  I’m the first to acknowledge this fact.  I’ve been fit in the past without F3 and I see many men who are fit today without F3.  But, 1st F isn’t just about Fitness.  It’s about relationships.  Friendships are built in the midst of struggle in the Gloom.  Removing that element will impact a relationship.  1st F is also about preparation.  When you post in the Gloom, you surrender to the elements and the Q.  You give up control — willingly.  You don’t know what you’re going to be put through, but you show up anyway.  And you push to the finish because you believe it will make you “better.” It’s preparation for life. Each day we wake up and we surrender to what the world and Sky Q have in store for us. We don’t have nearly the control we’d like. But we carry on to the finish of each day, seeking to get better (or at least get through it to the next day we won’t control).

So, if you’re feeling the tug of the Fartsack or the gym or the coffee pot, speak up.  We’re all susceptible to those temptations. And we all need a dose of #Accountability now and then to keep us on the #Right track.  The same is true for those out front.  If you’re in an acceleration mode, look around to see who’s missing.  Accelerating pax don’t let pax fall back. They pick up the Six. They don’t leave a man where they found him.

Thanks for listening.  Thanks for pushing.  SYITG!

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