Arcade of Pain

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Five men showed up for a cool morning beatdown at Golden Corral. After a quick disclaimer, we circled up for a few warm-up exercises:

SSH x15

Plank Stretch

Imperial Walker x15

LBCs x 15

Windmill x15

Next, we moseyed over to the church for the arcade beatdown.  We performed the following exercises based on the video games below.  After the exercise, we ran around the parking lot and back to the front of the church.

Exercises:

 

  1. Pong, released in 1972, first commercialized video game.  Exercise:  28 Moroccan Night Club
  2. Space Invaders, released in 1978, first game to save high scores and rumor (untrue) was the game was so popular that it caused a yen shortage in Japan.  Exercise:  25 Squat SSH
  3. Pacman, released in 1980, 240 dots on each screen.  Exercise:  27 Hello Dolly
  4. Donkey Kong, released in 1981, Nintendo trademarked the phrase “It’s on like Donkey Kong!”  Exercise:  29 Hammer Leg Lunges
  5. QBert, released in 1982, world record for the high score was 33 million.  Game was played for 84 hours and 48 minutes.  Exercise:  20 Sidewalk Hops
  6. Tetris, released in 1984, first game played in space.  Exercise:  20 Box Cutters
  7. Super Mario Brothers, released in 1985, The clouds and bushes are the same shape just different colors.  Exercise:  23 Squat Jumps
  8. Tyson’s Knockout, released in 1987, Mike Tyson was paid $50,000 to endorse the game.  Exercise:  25 Plank Punches
  9. Angry Bird, released in 2009, Over 200 Million hours are spent a year playing this game.  Exercise:  29 Carolina Dry Docks
  10. Minecraft, released in 2011, Initial game was created in six days and the game grossed over $100 Million in 2012.  Exercise:  21 Diamond Merkins

Returned to COT.

 

Prayers:

Job challenges and stress

Holiday season stresses

 

 

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The Ruck Taper That Wasn’t…Here at the Fire Ant

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Oh, you didn’t tote a ruck and join us at the Fire Ant this morning? But, you know how to read. Lucky you; you’ll feel as if you joined us in this perfect gloom. Well, aside from smoked shoulders, jail-breaks, curls, squats, lunges, weird-shaped circles, flutters and joyful times of getting yelled at. That’s basically the entire Weinke right there.

But for you more literary types, I’ll humor you just this time. 17 of The Fort’s finest Ruckers converged on the now guaranteed-to-please Fire Ant and we even had a non-typical out there which is always welcome. If you’re not a Rucker yet you’re still reading this, I owe you one. In addition, I highly encourage you reach out to Spiderman or DaVinci (Ruck Q’s) and see if they can wrangle an extra ruck for you to join us out there one morning. It’s a great time of fellowship and you’ll even learn a little more about your limits. Here’s a hint, you can take more than you think.

So the disclaimer was disclaimed, we fell in 2×2 and took it over to circle up around the flags. This next part was a bit of a mind game. While routine is something we all enjoy and can keep ourselves in check with, when it comes to a workout, it doesn’t always have the same benefit. We had fit, strong PAX out there this morning so I tried something slightly different and broke our typical 5min routine. We started off with 31 squats (with ruck) then 32-4ct flutters with ruck press.

Fall back in line for a 20yd 2×2 to our next stop. Rucks overhead 2×2 to the end of the drop-off lane…yup, that sucked too. Make a hard right, rucks on and lunge walk 1/2 way to the back. About face and reverse lunge walk the rest of the way to the back lane. Rucks overhead and 2×2 about 40yds down the back lane. Drop the rucks for an all-out jail break to the end of the lane (nearly 60yds). Catch your breath and jail break back to your ruck. Guess what was next…rucks overhead 2×2 back to the start of the lane.

5 Man-Makers & 10 Hand-Release Merkins

2×2 over to the bottom of the tiered stadium hill

Bear crawls up the hill in between the levels.

Level 1: 20 full Mak Tar Jai’s (yup, suck-fest)

Level 2: 20 Peter Parkers

Level 3: 20 Parker Peters

What goes up, must come down. We’ll now reverse bear crawl in between the levels.

Level 3: 20 Upright rows

Level 2: 20 Curls

Level 1: 20 Bent over rows

Rucks on 2×2 back to the drop-off lane.

Squats around the world. In a circle, PAX hold the Al Gore and each man does 1 full squat  going around the circle. We did 7 total rounds.

Same idea but this time with a shoulder press. Hold ruck up overhead and do 1 full press when it’s your turn. We did 7 total rounds.

Same idea now with ruck curls. Guess how many rounds we did…7.

3-tier suicides with 5 ruck thrusters each time you come back to the start.

A high number of SEAL-team situps with awkwardly positioned rucks.

And that was it.

So much for the taper…

Announcements: Read the newsletter, keep collecting band-aids and support the Paradise Reading Center Monday/Wednesday 4pm.

Prayers: Double-Down in Louisville, PAX doing the GRT in Wilmington this weekend, PAX running Kiawah this weekend. Family relationships this Holiday season. It’s not always easy but help us to stay focused on opportunities to share grace and love. Sick kids, sick M’s, our teachers and education leaders, and several others I’m missing.

Until next time.

Maximus

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Constantly Moving Through The Swamp

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It is always a pleasure to get the “call” to the lead the PAX  and this opportunity didn’t disappoint.  The Swamp is my “home” Friday AO so I was well aware of all the nooks and crannies it had to offer.

After a separating ourselves from the droves of men with backpacks (12 of them) I gave the usual disclaimer explaining that these men were there at their own risk and that the only thing I could promise is that they would return “stronger” than they set out.  I also explained that we would be “moving” the entire time so ‘buckle up’ and enjoy the tour.

Quick 3/4 mile mosey around Home Depot to the Khol’s parking lot.  Along the way we did some active stretching including butt kickers and high knees.  Warm up included several exercises to warm the muscles up such as:

  • Windmill
  • Imperial Walkers
  • Potato Pickers
  • Mountain Climbers
  • Right/Left leg over opposite leg with body twist (on our 6)
  • Downward Dog
  • Honeymooner
  • Side Straddle Hops

Quick mosey 100 yards —- 50 Slow Low Squats

Bear Crawl 50 yards

25 yard mosey

Merkins:

  • 30 Regular
  • 20 Wide Arm
  • 15 Ranger
  • 10 Diamond

Crawl Bear 50 yards

Mosey to Verizon: 50 Moroccan Night Club (Jedi wasn’t amused)

Mosey to “alley” behind Home Depot:

Wall sits while one PAX goes out and does 10 Berpees

Lunge Walking (down alleyway)

  • Varying steps (3-10) then exercise:
  • Merkins
  • Squat Jumps
  • Burpees
  • 10 Squat Jumps (to cap it off)

Mosey toward COT

Halfway stop for 10 more Burpees

Almost there……but first one last Suicide to really gas ourselves.

We finished strong and as I promised every man came back to COT stronger than he had left.  We reconnected with our backpack brothers and lifted some prayers and praises up.  In total 19 men got better (12 Ruckers and 7 Bootcampers)

Bones

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300 and more at Alcatraz

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Two of the Fort Mill famous Run and Gun Musketeers led Saturday’s Alcatraz workout.  One, Mainframe, has been a solid, regular poster and another, Bolt, has been fartsacking too much and turning into a Kotter Q (only posting when Q’ing). Bolt arrived early to lay out his goodies.

Solid plan in hand from both. Mainframe led out testing everyone’s stamina.

Started with a lap around park then back to parking lot for normal starters – Windmills, Hillbilly Walkers, SSHs, Merkins, Mountain Climbers, and MNCs.

Warm-ups done, onto the “300”. Pretty simple concept, 10 exercises, 30 reps each. The focus was on legs and abs. The plan was to run suicides after every 2 exercises. 3 line suicide with 10 seal jacks at each line.

Exercises for the 300 were: Smurf Jacks, Flutters, Bomb Jacks, Tiny Os (15 each way), Plank Jacks, Big Boy Sit-ups, Jump Squats, Box Cutters, Monkey Humpers, & Hello Dollies. We had to skip the suicides between the last set in order to stay in the :30 time window. (It’s amazing how we get used to 20 reps on most exercises… so pushing past for another 10 can really bring about the mumble-chatter).

Bolt took over with sandbag mania , duct tape wonders at 4 of 6 stations. Pairs went to each station and did work during a time frame of about 2 minutes. The actual time was determined by the pair of PAX either carrying sandbags down the parking lot with burpee stops and/or the pair of PAX working and dragging the 140# Worm sandbag across the field and back. (trust me, that sucked). After each performance, met in the middle for some ab work, then broke out back to the stations.

The 6 stations were: sandbag carry with at least 3 burpee stops, sandbag American hammers, playground hang (as long as you can), 10# sandbag each hand or cinderblock burpees, Worm drag, Balls to the Wall.

Implementing individual stations, it should be noted, has it’s positives and negatives. It can offer some creativity. It allows for PAX to workout at their own pace. If paired, builds comraderie. But the Q has to be aware that he is no longer “directly leading”.  PAX may not push at the stations as much as if the Q was leading. Q’s should make sure they are mixing up their Q’s over time.

As a write this BB, I can tell you I am really sore in the thighs and lower back. Pushing up the rep count will do that and should be done periodically. Mixing in something unusual like a 140# Worm pull will definitely work new muscles.

Thanks to PAX for their effort. Had some good mumblechatter. It was highly unusual, but this Alcatraz stayed in the parking lot for the full hour. I’m pretty sure that won’t happen again. It was great meeting again some new PAX. Keep posting and Q!!! Thanks to PAX for helping Bolt cleanup.

COT –

Decibel requesting support with the breakdown of Badger’s business. This is what F3 is all about. Support your brothers, do what you can.

Cornerstone still collecting bandaids for the Children’s Home. Xmas party was same today, now happened, and looked like a very good time. Join Bolt in Paradise every Saturday 3:00 pm to workout and interact with the kids of the community. Volunteer at the afterschool tutoring and homework at Bethlehem Baptist every Monday and Wednesday 3:00 pm.

Bolt spoke of his fartsacking  and thanks Jekyl for the kind words about his involvement in the Paradise community. PAX, always speak up about your brothers and the good things they do.

Mainframe took us out. PAX met at DD for some F2.

 

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Slow Burn – Wingin It – November 30, 2018

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My man Dark Helmet came down with a cold Thursday afternoon. I took the Q and rolled with it. I came into the morning with only a small idea of what I was going to do. I decided to piece together work outs that I had enjoyed from other Qs. It turned out to be more than moderate and we all (9) ended up having a great workout.

We started with a mosey down to the parking lot near En Chiladas for a warm up.
Moroccan Nightclub
LBCs
The Wind Mill
Side Straddle Hop
Merkins
Emperial Walker

We stayed where we were and paired up. While one man did LBCs, the other bear crawled to the other end of the parking space where he did 5 bomb jacks. Then he broad jumped back to the beginning. Then the partner did the same thing while he did the LBCs. We did 2 rounds of that. Then we switched the routine to one man doing merkins while the other lunged to the other end of the parking space, did 5 bomb jacks, and lunged back. We did two rounds of this.

Then we did a short mosey over to the side parking lot where we paired up and ran a 40 yard dash. I challenged everyone to try to outrun their partner. We did this 4 times. At the end of this, everyone was pretty winded. We stayed in the area and circled back up to work on our abs. We did the following exercises.
American Hammer
The Flutter
Hello Dolly
Rosalita
Box Cutters

From there we walked over to the wall where we did 25 calve raises (double count). This was inspired by Kenyan (Pow Pow Pow).

We moseyed to the parking lot in from of Empire Pizza where we did a special type of suicides.

We ran to the first parking spot and did 10 merkins single count and then ran back
We ran back to the first space and repeated the 10 merkins, then to the next spot where we did 5 burpees. Then we ran back.
Then we repeated the first two exercises on our way to the 3rd spot to do 5 bomb jacks, then back.
The final round had us stop to do each exercise on our way to the last spot where we did 10 low slow squats and ran back to the beginning.

The final round of exercises had us run 4 times all the way to the last spot where we did each of the 4 previous exercises and ran back (one exercise, run back, and on to the next one, etc.)

Afterwards, we all moseyed back to the COT.

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#Badgemire

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I thought it would be special for us to have a little taste of Badger in our DRP this morning, so I brought a Hero Workout to Quagmire (now, just to raise Jedi’s ire, we will call it Badgemire)…

We yogged a moment, circled up, and warmed up to the sounds of Wild Thing being late.

Windmills x 10
Cherry/Peanut/Grass/Microcherry Pickers x 10
Merkins x 10
Imperial Walkers x 10

We ran to the parking lot at Tarjay and Jedi read to us, after straining to do so like some kind of elderly person (didn’t know he wore glasses, sorry to hang you out to dangle like that), anyway, he read to us the brief synopsis of U.S. Marine Cpl. Albert Gettings’ life. In his honor, we performed the “Bert”. It went a little something like this…

  • 50 Burpees
  • 400 meter Run
  • 100 Push-Ups
  • 400 meter Run
  • 150 Walking Lunges
  • 400 meter Run
  • 200 Air Squats
  • 400 meter Run
  • 150 Walking Lunges
  • 400 meter Run
  • 100 Push-Ups
  • 400 meter Run
  • 50 burpees

It was a real treat. Cha-Ching, Jedi, and Bones were the kings today, and managed to start that last set of burpees before we ran out of time and Indian Ran the whole way back, minus the last 75 yards or so where we broke the jail…

As noted in the tweet, good times were had by several.

NMM:
U.S. Marine Cpl. Albert Gettings, 27, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, died on Jan. 5, 2009, while conducting counter-sniper operations in Fallujah, Iraq. Cpl. Gettings was serving as a team leader with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, at the time of his death.

Every quarter, Cpl. Gettings’ fellow Marines in Fox Company complete a special workout in his honor as part of the Cpl. Albert P. Gettings Award ceremony.

He is survived by his wife, Stephanie Palimino; parents, David and Juliet; and sister, Cori.

Helmet, out.

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12 Days of Misery (Christmas Workout)

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6 posted today at the Crows Nest for a Christmas Themed Workout.

The work out started with brief disclaimer then a mosey towards the poorly sensored street lights were we did some Low Slow Squats sprinkled in with some high knees and butt kickers until Nemo caught up.

Warm Up: A circle up was formed with some poorly Cadenced Peter Parkers, SSH’s Moroccan Night Clubs, Mtn Climbers and Cotton Pickers.

Main Course: We made our way around the back of the school where we saw that Santa had delivered some Christmas Presents. Each HIM selected a present where within it they found pretty much coal in each Gift Bag (25 SSH’s, 15 Box Cutters, 30 Flutters, 25 Freddie Mercury’s, an assortment of Merkin’s, 10 Bomb Jacks and 8 Burpee’s)

We then were lead to a little blue light that Flux had previously been curious about little did he know it was leading him to a Painful version or Jingle Bell Rock and I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas. We held plank during Jingle Bell Rock and everytime the song said Jingle Bell or just Jingle we did a pushup. Similar idea for Hippo song but held six inches and did leg raises everytime the song said Hippo…..

The last part of the Christmas themed workout was the 12 Days of Christmas (did one lap and added a day/exercise each time around)

On the First day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
1 Bomb Jack
2 Diamond Merks
3 Big Boys
4 American Hammers
5 Burpee’s
6 Imper Walkers
7 Mtn Climbers
8 Merkins
9 Moroccan Night Clubs
10 Squats
11 Dying Cockroaches
12 SSH’s

I was up against Dark Helmet who was Q’ing over at the Quagmire so I looked at his Name-o-rama only to find out that the normal HIM’s from the Crows Nest did not go there……….they Fart Sacked!

I mentioned also in today’s Q that I didn’t want to have more friends at first when I started this F3 thang and darn it I now have more friends. Well it was a little more heart felt than that.

Announcements: Peg’s Christmas party. Prayers For Radar’s Grandmother, Olaf’s Mother in law. Praise for Olaf’s daughter coming home to spend some time from school. As always we are grateful for our health, lives and for F3.

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Honoring a Hero at the Badger Den: The SCHMALLS

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11 posted this AM to honor Marine Gunnery Sgt. Justin E. Schmalstieg whom, as assigned to the 1st Explosive Ordinance Disposal Company, 7th Engineer Support Battallion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force gave his life clearing the way for his teammates.

The workout started with a brief 200m jogging disclaimer consisting of some toy soldiers and lunge walks. We then brought it back to the launch point for warm ups including hand-release merkins and Moroccan Night Clubs. And…that was it. We then read the bio of Gunnery Sgt Schmalstieg and walked through the workout today, coined the Schmalls.

800m run (on the track)

Then 2 rounds of the following:

50 Burpees (100 total)

40 Pull-Ups (80 total)

30 Single Leg Squats each leg (60 total each leg)

20 KB swings (40 total): We used cinder blocks

10 Handstand Push Ups (20 total)

Then another 800m run (on the track)

We had a few minutes left so we didn’t let that go to waste:

Staggered merkins in cadence on the cinderblocks

LBC’s with cinder blocks at full extension

Squats with cinder blocks stretch out overhead

Curls

Lastly, American Hammers without the cinder blocks.

The Hero Book has been pasted to Love Handle as he was the one man today who hasn’t Q’d the Honey Badger. If you are a man that hasn’t yet posted to the Honey Badger, consider this your encouragement. Sure, there is some cocky smack talked dished out in advance. It’s all to push each other to be just a little better than yesterday. When you complete one of this workouts, you feel both educated and pushed…really pushed. The recognition of a fallen HERO helps to put your present suck into perspective. And when you transition from 50 burpees to pull-ups and hand-stand push-ups for the second time, perspective helps.

After all, as the Navy SEALs say…The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday.

Maximus.

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The Cones Return at Laces In

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15 Pax fought off the fartsack and posted to Laces In on this chilly morning.  Seeing 28 degrees is just under my over 30 degrees no tights rule, Tclaps to Stang and Senator Tressel rolling with shorts.  #RealMen   I wanted to keep moving this morning to keep everyone warm.  This is one of my favorite workouts and was excited to bring it back from the vault.  Here is what we did:

Warm Up: Run lap around student parking lot.  COP coming back to stadium which included, SSH, Imperial walkers, Windmills, Peter Parkers, Merkins to Squats.

Main Course: Mosey to hill leaving school.  10 cones.  Perform exercise at first cone then run hill.  Perform exercise at first cone then second cone, run hill.  Perform exercise at first cone then second then third, run hill.  So forth and so on.

  1.  10 Burpees
  2.  20 Merkins
  3.  20 Mtn Climbers (Double count, like you have to ask)
  4.  20 Carolina Dry Docks
  5.  20 Flutter kicks
  6.  10 Lunges (each leg)
  7.  15 Jump Squats
  8.  20 Freddie Mercuries
  9.  20 Dips
  10.  20 Monkey Humpers

Appreciate all the pax telling me how much they were enjoying the workout everytime we started a new lap.  We made it to around Dips.  Bandcamp was king for the morning and made it to the last round.  We had a great group today and appreciate the support.  Without these guys pushing me, I would have been in my comfy, warm bed this morning.  Thanks for the push and accountability.  Aye

Prayers for Rock Thrill’s Mother, Stang’s house, Bonsai’s child care, Bandcamps co worker with cancer.

Until next time, (Which might be a while considering how bad I am at writing these things!)

STH

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The Fort launches Q Source

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Are you ready to #accelerate your role as a leader within your home, workplace and community? Would the accountability and encouragement from other #HIMs from the Fort make a difference in your growth as a leader? If the answer is yes, then you are ready to take the Q Source journey in 2019!

 

The Thang

Launch: Saturday, January 5th

Site: Ballroom AO – Pleasant Knoll Elementary School

Time: 6:30 – 7:30 followed by Coffeeteria at the Eternal Shack

Qs: Change Order, Royale, Twister, Jedi and Pusher – Stinger, Q of the Q Source, will lead the coffeeteria

Responsibility of the Pax: Read the Q Point, Disturbance to the Status Quo, prior to posting

 

The mission of F3 nation is to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership. Over the past 6 years of the Fort, you have led our region to impressive numbers of HIMs, increased fitness, CSAUPs, numerous 2ndF opportunities, community #Impact, increased Faith, the accountability of a fellow brother and many other great outcomes.

While the DRP offers preparedness and the Pax provide the accountability, there is still room to accelerate the growth as a leader. As many of you have read or heard on 43 Feet podcast, Dredd has written a “field manual for leadership” consisting of 54 Q Points meant to accelerate a man through his G3L (Get Right, Live Right, Lead Right, Leave Right). You can find more information at https://f3nation.com/category/q/or by listening to the weekly roundtable podcast featuring Stinger https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/f3-nation/id1218921251?mt=2&i=1000424612754

 

While our 1/5/19 discussion will be a convergence, beginning January 12th Q Source discussions will be immediately following our regular Saturday AOs. There will also be a Wednesday coffeeteria option (site TBD). The following HIMs have stepped up to lead:

The Deep – Royale

Alcatraz – Change Order

The Yard – Twister

The Fort – Pusher

Wednesday AO (site TBD) – Jedi

This concept takes the lessons learned from the Bible Challenge (accountability), Beyond (vulnerability) and Whetstone (shieldlock) and encompasses them all in one. Your commitment would be to post, Q a discussion(s) if necessary and read the weekly Q Point.

If you are committed to continuing your growth as a HIM and leader, please respond via the Google Form https://goo.gl/forms/Jzv9kmytqFJSBqiE3

 

For any questions, please contact Pusher at eddie.d.dowling@gmail.com or @Pusher_F3.

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