Playing Cards at The Colosseum

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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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WEP- down and dirty with the VQ

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Sometimes simple is the best course of action. Had a VQ that was ready to get his line wet and see if anybody might bite. Backdraft took what he said would be a warmup. It was for a few but others had a different perspective on what warmup really meant. Start off with simple disclaimer. Not sure what that is. If you get hurt don’t blame me.
Lap around the park with some dynamic stretching from time to time.
Circle up- 30 SSHs, 30 Mtn. Climbers, 15 slow merkins, 15 shoulder taps. Lets go.
Mosey to sidewalk that loops around field. Drill bits at each one add an exercise.
1. 5 burpees
2. 5 burpees, 10 merkins
3. 5 burpees, 10 merkins, 15 squats
4. 5 burpees, 10 merkins, 15 squats, 20 mtn. climbers
5. 5 burpees, 10 merkins, 15 squats, 20 mtn. climbers, 25 SSHs
sprint back to starting line hand off to Bobber.

pair up and pick up a coupon for the pair.(cinderblock)
Mosey across the park.
100squats, 200 overhead presses, 300 calf raises between the pair. while 1 guy exercising the other runs to the top of the hill and back.
once all completed we mosey back towards cot. stay with partner once back we have 4 exercises and 4 cones going up the side hill.
Partner 1 completes exercise while partner 2 carries block to complete suicides on the cones.
Once completed we circle up for around the world or something that sounded like that. 3, 2, 1 we done.
COT.
Prayers and praises. announcements.
Great job Bobber on your VQ. keep up the great work.

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Rejecting Passivity at the Block Party

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Seven men rejected passivity by showing up and making themselves better during the humid 45 minutes.  My favorite group size to work out with is 5-8 guys and we were right in that sweet spot!

The Message:

In life we can tend to see weakness and fallacy in others better than we can in ourselves.  When I look for passivity in my own life it his hard to cast stones at others about passivity in their lives.   The bible says that we should count it all joy when we meet trials and it test our faith because it produces steadfastness and we should let steadfastness have it’s full effect on us making us perfect and complete.  When it comes to rejecting passivity try these two things…

  • Surrounding yourself with people that will make you better
  • Limit passive activities like video games, TV, social media… and replace with activities that engage those around you.

The Thang

Mosey up the way with a variety of butt kickers, high knees, karaoke and side shuffles.

Rugby Sprints warm up with dealers choice

Jacobs latter (1-7)

  • Wall pull ups (7)
  • Bear crawl to the curb at other end of parking lot
  • Burpees (1)

Mosey to court yard with wall and partner up. 2 rounds each while partner runs loop around parking lot

  • Step ups/ box jumps
  • Dips

Mosey back for about a minute and a half of Mary

Thank you for the opportunity to lead!

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Early Risers at the Swamp

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When I pulled into the parking lot near Best Buy, there were several cars already parked near the AO.  Based on the mumble chatter on social media, several of the PAX were getting in some early training for upcoming events.  There were 23 men at the work out, 13 for ruck, 8 for BC, and 2 runners.

After the disclaimer, we jogged to the front of Best Buy.  We started with a few warm up exercises (Butt Kickers, Toy Solders) before we moseyed over to the back of Just Fresh.

COP

SSH  x 20

Imperial Walker x 20

Windmill x 10

Plank Stretches

 

Next, we moseyed to the front of Home Depot for a round of Dora 1-2-3

100 Lat Pull-ups on the bicycle rack

200 Squats

300 LBCs

Next, we moseyed back to Just Fresh near the staircase for a round of Arod 3-2-1 (reverse Dora). Instead of running around the parking lot, we ran up and down the stairs.

300 Calf Raises

200 Lunges

100 Jump Squats

Next, we headed back to COT for one last exercise, the Merkin Gauntlet.  The Pax lined up in a plank position.  Each person performed 4 merkins in front of each person.

COT

Special prayers for Twister as he recovers from his eye surgery

 

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Minnow Pond Strikes Again

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17 Pax descended upon the Minnow Pond this AM. Many were new to the Pond and all were better for having posted.

In the 5 weeks since launch, Shady along with the other Qs have set the bar high for MP. The workouts have been difficult with more 1st F than 2nd or  3rd F. I have been reminded of a few trips to F3 Metro where YHC was gassed after each post. I loved it!

YHC was honored to be asked to Q early in the existence. Honestly, I was both excited and nervous much like the old days of F3 the Fort. I was excited to lead the group of HIMs and nervous to create a beatdown that matched the intensity from the first 4 weeks. Minnow Pond stretches you as a Q. Whether you are a thoroughbred or a clydesdale, all Pax must get equal pain. After reviewing some backblasts from the Shark Tank (the OG), YHC created a plan that included a few holes at Fort Mill Golf Club.

Weather: 64 and not humid (Football season is here!)

The Thang:

Warm up and disclaimer prior to 5:15

AYG to Fort Mill Church of God parking lot (burpees until the 6 arrives)

10 Merkins, 20 Squats, 30 LBCs

Run to end of lot and back

Repeat 4 times

AYG to FM Golf Course (burpees until the 6 arrives)

Holes 7, 8 and 9

Hole 7 – 50 paces followed by 7 burpees from tee to green

Hole 8 – 50 paces followed by 8 sit ups from tee to green

Hole 9 – 50 paces followed by 9 bombjacks

Burpees until the 6 arrives

AYG to Fort Mill Church of God parking lot (burpees until the 6 arrives)

10 merkins, 20 squats, 30 LBCs

AYG to Veterans Park

Based on loose calculations, we covered the following in 45 minutes:

3+ miles

60 merkins

120 squats

180 LBCs

35+ burpees

40+ sit ups

50+ bombjacks

 

Moleskin:

  • Invergence/Convergence coming up 9/6 – 9/7
  • Mainframe on Q for Q Source on 9/7 at Kingsley amphitheater
  • Minnow Pond t-shirt order
  • Prayers for child at Children’s Attention Home that Nasa is mentoring
  • Praise for successful start to school year
  • Marriages

Thanks to Shady for the opportunity!

Pusher

 

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Block Party

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It was a lovely morning at The Abyss. Light Rain falling and 8 men showed up to the Block Party. It was a simple workout, but a tough one.

We started with a mosey around the parking lot to warmup and stretch out a bit. Along the way we did some toy soldiers, butt kickers, and high knees. After that we made it to the back of the school where we started COP.

COP

15 Side Straddle Hops

5 Burpees

10 Temp Merkins

5 Burpees

12 Produce Pickers

5 Burpees

Now that is out of the way it’s time to party!

For the Main Event we moseyed around the corner where a long hill and 12 cinder block greeted us.  ( I wanted to use the grass hill which was steeper but because of the light rain I switched it up so no one busted their face slipping). The paved hill isn’t as steep, but it is longer so it evened out in the long run.

Main Event 

11’s with Block Snatches and Flying Squirrels with a  press…don’t forget to carry the block with you up the hill!

Once we completed the 11’s we moseyed with the blocks to the basketball court where things got real…In the spirit of Iron Pax season I wanted to do some friendly competition.

Block Relays– Heres how it went down. Two teams of four competed in three rounds. Each member of the team will run one by one relay style.  The losing team is punished with 10 bomb jacks while the winners got to laugh while holding a plank.

Team 1: Flux, Copyright, Whitesnake. Survey Says

Team 2: Royale, Grout, Homebrew, Bones

Round 1: Sprint down about 50-75 yards, do 3 burpees and sprint back. While you are not running you were still doing work! While the first team member runs the non runners where doing Jumping Spiders, 2nd runner runs non runners are doing IN and Out abs, 3 runner runs non runners are doing gorilla squats and last runner runs while the non runners are doing merkins. ( I admit this round was close. Me and Bones where neck and neck sprinting down; we finished burpees at the same time and started our sprint back to see which team would win round 1. Simply put I lost. He beat me by about 3 feet and I am still not over it). Because of that L our team did 10 bomb jacks.

Round 2: Each team member in relay format holds the cinder block over their head and runs/fast walks down the designated spot. While not running you did Peter Parkers, Lunges, Plank Jacks and Merkins. For all those wondering our team lost again. 0-2…but I was the Q so we split the bomb jacks between the teams 5 and 5.

Round 3: Each team member in relay format farmer carries 2 blocks while running/fast walking down to the designed spot. While not running you did Flutters, Crunchy Frogs, Box Cutters and Merkins…spoiler alert this round was not any different. We lost again 0-3. But yet again since I was the Q we split the bomb jacks between the teams 5 and 5.

After that the time was about up and the Pax insisted on helping me out by carrying the blocks back to my car. By the time we did that the clock hit 6am.

It was party but we did not have cake.

 

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Shot at a Free NITRO at HIT

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It was a great day since it was Wednesday and I Love the new Mod/HIT Shipwreck Site and Coffeteria (NITRO). Ricky Bobby was on Q for the Mod and it was his VQ! So he did the disclaimer and we spilt into the Mod and HIT groups. The Mod group took off towards the track and I kept the HIT guys back for a minute and challenged them (because I feel that if we have a challenge in front of us we seem to push a little harder). So the challenge was simple, u beat me and I buy u a NITRO. Point system will be explained shortly. So we ran (not moseyed since this is HIT) over to the track where the Mod group was power walking/slow moseying. We got a little ahead of them where I stopped my group and we did some Seal Jax until the Mod group caught up to us then we ran to the other side of the track where we stopped again and did some Smurf Jax until they caught us again. We then ran to the back of the school where the hill is and began the Thang:

The lighting is decent on the hill so we walked down it and I told the Pax to get familiar with the terrain. The ground was a little damp and slick (thankfully I knew my Weinke and was prepared by wearing my new trail shoes). Eleanor not happy because he said he felt like a cartoon character slipping because his shoes are stating to wear on the fronts from all the burpees. That is a good thing because that means he is getting after it. So here is the challenge details. Run up the hill on the count of 3 and the first to the top has to do 3 merkins the rest do 4. Walk back down and repeat the race up the hill and each time the winner does only 3 and the losers add one so the second time the losers did 5 then 6 then 7 and so on. Some Pax thought they would sand back and win the later ones but after 3 trips up they were gassed and were falling too far behind in points. Long story short I OWE NOBODY A NITRO! Hats off to Speedhandle and Austin Powers for the push. My take on it, I owe it all to the Pre-Stuff! That truly makes me stronger.

Dessert was the Flag punishment I had to do for leaving my flag once at cannonball. 50 Burpees and 13 Kraken Burpees. Now the Bastards try to distract me every Tuesday just to try to make me forget it. Bastards!!

Ricky Bobby Took care of the Announcements and Prayers!

Always a pleasure to lead.

TWO FERNS
Twofernshotmail@F3lakewylie.com

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Power 10 Catch Me If You Can

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20 HIM Caught each other in a Power 10 Catch Me If You Can workout with partners

Power 10 – 10 reps of exercise, 9 reps, 8 reps…1 rep

Partner 1 starts with 10 reps of exercise while Partner 2 nurs or runs slow. Partner 1 sprints to catch up, then Partner 2 does 10 reps while P1 continues on.  P2 catches P1 and P1 starts 9 reps, keep going thru 1 rep.  Then start next exercise.

PAX modified some by adding bear crawls or lunges instead of the NUR or slow run.  Some did 10 of each exercise before moving on the 9.  All finished roughly the same time just in time for COT.

DarkHelmet called it “Spicy”

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The Hive is alive!

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7 HIM showed up on this muggy morning for some solid acceleration and an acceptable amount of mumblechatter.

The warm-up:

20) side-straddle-hop

20) Merkins

20) Low slow squats

 

The Workout:

90’s rock playing while PAX circles up. In order to throw a curve ball their way, I told the PAX that we would be switching kettle bells after each routine. They complained for a second which always makes the QIC feel good!

20) Kettle bell swings

10) Burpees OYO

RUN across parking lot. Move one spot in circle to the next bell.

20) Big Boy sit-ups w/bell

20) Triceps extensions

RUN ”  ”

10) Lawnmower pull per arm

20) Skull Crushers

RUN ” ”

25) Merkins OYO

10) Halo each way

RUN ” ”

20) Curls

15) Squat press

RUN ” ”

25) 4 count superman flutter

20) Kettle bell high pull

RUN ” ”

20) bomb jacks OYO

30) Kettle bell bus driver. I realized how difficult this was so I decreased the reps to 10 and had I not I think Uhaul may have thrown his Kettle at me. This move basically is like turning a steering wheel.

RUN ” ”

10) side-to-side sumo squats

10) Kettle bell row per arm

RUN ” ”

 

We repeated this until our time was up and then moved back over to COT for announcements and prayers.

Huge thank to Band Camp for the opportunity to lead these men and I look forward to doing it again soon!

 

 

~Slash

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Bermuda Murph

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It was a glorious Friday morning with a group of eager to work Pax. After a very thorough and intricate disclaimer we got to work.

The Thang was the MURPH!
Mile
100 Pull-ups
200 Merkins
300 Squats
Mile

Believe it or not we had enough PAX finish that we were able to work in about 3 minutes of MARY.

Great morning great group!

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