Soggy Slow Burn

Leave a comment

Today started out like any other typical slow burn, rainy and cold (or so it seems)!  That didn’t deter four HIM from braving the elements and getting better in three aspects of life (physically, mentally, and spiritually).

Warm Up –

Slow mosey to Lowe’s lumber pickup (dry spot)

Stretching – Right over left, left over right, cherry picker and calf extensions
Seal Jacks X 20
LSS X 20
SSH X 20

The Thing –

Mosey to the parking lot in front of Charandas.  As the rain intensified we thought about reconvening at 5 pm for some queso and margaritas, but we pushed on for some five corners action:

Corner 1 – Merkins – Run to corner 2
Corner 2 – LSS – Bear Crawl to corner 3
Corner 3 – LBCs – Lunge walk to corner 4
Corner 4 – Jump Squats – Bear Crawl to corner 5
Corner 5 – Wide Arm Merkins – Run back to corner 1
Three rotations – 5 reps, 10 reps, and 15 reps at each station.

Next up – Jack Webbs – 1×4 to 28 arm raises

Ab Lab –

LBCs x40
Freddie Mercury x25 each leg
Rosalitas x20 each leg
Hello Dolly x20 each leg
Dying Cockroach x15 each side
American Hammers x15 each side

Mosey the perimeter of Lowes back to the COT

Finished up with prayers and praises, BOM, and some 3rd F at Chicken and Wisdom.

Always a pleasure leading and look forward to seeing everyone in the gloom.

– Fusion

TClap |
1

Tabata Thursday

Leave a comment

Seven men met at Fort Mill High School (with the Q coming in hot) on a perfect December morning and got back on the horse after the holiday indulgences.    Here is what they did.

The Thang:

After a quick disclaimer, the pax did a light jog to the band parking lot and circled up for COP:

All in cadence:  SSH x 25, windmill x 15, Imperial walker x 20, merkin x 10, squat x 20.

Mosey over the lighted grass field for Tabata.  8 exercises, 8 sets each, 20 secs work and 10 secs rest each set.  The exercises were:

  1. Carolina Dry Dock
  2. Freddie Mercury
  3. Squats
  4. Mountain Climbers
  5. Flutters
  6. Jumping Lunges
  7. Merkins
  8. Burpees

End with the body destroyer for 90 seconds.

COT

Moleskin

Man, I love winter.  Growing up in NE Ohio, winter was OK until about mid-January and then I was done with it.   Here in the south, it’s just the opposite.  I can’t wait for the fall and winter after so many months of heat and humidity.    For me, F3 is the best in the cold weather.  A lot of guys avoid posting when it gets cold out, but they are missing out.   Once you get warmed up, that brisk air feels soooo good.

I’ve done this workout a few times now and really like it because it’s easy to plan and can be done anywhere.  You can also vary the difficulty depending on what exercises you do,  and in what order you do them.    We had a motivated group who went after it today and still had enough energy for good mumble chatter.    It was a pleasure to lead them as always.

Announcements:  Qsource coming to the Fort.  Read your newsletter for the details.

We prayed for those struggling during the holiday season, safe travel for everyone, and for patience at home.

 

 

 

TClap |
1

The 2018 Fort Clave Boss 5k & Christmas Convergence

3 Comments

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

TClap |
95

What is weighing you down?

Leave a comment

Four men showed up on a cold morning at Pantheon.  The question today was “What is weighing you down?”  The holiday season usually exacerbates the things that are weighting us down.  Whether it be struggling with finances, relationship issues, work stresses, or losing a loved one.  As men, we continue to add these thing to the bar until it is overloaded where we cannot lift anymore or it comes crashing down on our chest.

So what is the solution?  First, the workout and how it ties to the question at hand.  We started with a quick jog around the carpool circle. Next, we did the following warm-up exercises:

SSHsx15

Imperial Walkers x15

Windmills x15

Plank stretches

Next, we did the following exercises with cinder blocks.  The repetitions were completed when each person had jogged around the parking lot or alternatively carried two cinder blocks down the length of the school building and back to the starting point.

Exercises:

  1.  Squat thrusters with block
  2. Burpees block jump
  3. LBCs
  4. Offset merkin
  5. Freddie mercury
  6. Derkin

We finished with a round of flutters and box cutters.

Getting back to the solution..what do you do? I don’t have all of the answers, but I can share my experience with you.  In 2013, I my job was very demanding due to some organization changes within the company.  Our regular summer vacation was cancelled due to amount of work.  I promised my wife and kids I would make it up to them.

On August 11, my older brother called me.  I was running on the treadmill at the time so I did not answer the phone.  He called again.  I jumped off the treadmill knowing something was wrong.  It was..my younger brother had died.  I was in disbelief, how could this be.  I physically fell to the ground in tears.  He was my younger brother, I was suppose to protect him, but I was too busy working. I could probably spend a lot more time on the story, but the aftermath was worse.

I did not want to talk to anyone about it and I continued to go to work and do my job like nothing happened. The impact was felt by my wife and kids.  My wife and I grew farther apart.  Things finally got better when we began talking about it, eliminating the noise in our lives, and prioritizing what we wanted most as a family.  The best way to describe the impact of this experience is the feeling when you are able to drop a heavy weight after carrying it for a while.  Your body feels lighter, almost floating.

There are a number of great men here in the Fort.  All who come with different experiences and backgrounds.  Take advantage of it.  Find that someone that you feel comfortable and share these things that are weighting you down. It may be uncomfortable at first, but it gets easier over time.

Thanks for the opportunity to lead,

Fishsticks

 

 

TClap |
3

F3-The Fort Prayer Convergence for FMSD

1 Comment

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

John 16:33      “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

After our Prayer Convergence back in August, several PAX suggested we start off 2019 the same way and I couldn’t agree more.

Who: All PAX of Fort Mill are asked to step up and live out the 3rd F. What better way to start off the school (calendar) year than to go to the schools, physically go, and pray?!? Most of us have children that attend these schools, neighbors, friends and family that work at these schools and some of the PAX work in these schools. Regardless of how we are connected to them, we are all impacted by what happens in these schools and this is a chance for us to live out what we are called to do.

What: The Fort PAX (at least 2, preferably 3 or more at each location!) converging at every school in the FMSD, to pray for the school leadership, every employee of the school, students, the safety of the school, etc.

When: Sunday, January 6th, between 1:00 – 4:00 PM, not the whole time, but a window to allow more participation.

How (do I get involved): Pick a school, grab a few fellow PAX and show up, ready to pray. We will post some details about format. Post the number of PAX and where you posted with the hashtag #F3TheFortPrays4FMSD when you are done.

Why: Evil looks for every opportunity to cause chaos in schools. We pray to keep any and all evil from these schools, administrators, teachers, children and families. We pray that God uses the believers in these schools to be a light unto those that do not know him (students and adults alike).

As of this pre-blast, the schools that still need coverage are listed below. Those with an Elementary & Middle on same campus are indicated. Think, divide and conquer on these**.

 

Elementary

Orchard Park

Pleasant Knoll **

Riverview

Springfield **

Sugar Creek

Middle

Fort Mill **

Pleasant Knoll

Springfield **

High

Nation Ford

 

Find Beacon on Twitter  @F3_Beacon  or email at tehicks2@gmail.com with questions or to commit to a specific school.  You can also commit here!

SYITG

Beacon

TClap |
13

Pantheon vs. Alcatraz January Commitment Challenge

Leave a comment

As we all develop our word for 2019, I would ask you to consider commitment.  As each new year turns we all make resolutions to change things in our lives to help our family, employer, and community.  However, most tend to lose sight of their new year resolutions in mid January and fall back into old habits.  This challenge is to help overcome that.

What? The Pantheon challenges Alcatraz to an average attendance competition in the month of January, 2019!

Where? The Pantheon bootcamp ( 5:15am very Wednesday at Tega Cay Elementary starting 1/2, 1/9, 1/16, and 1/23 ) and The Alcatraz bootcamp ( 6:30am every Saturday in historical Tega Cay at Runde Park starting on 1/5, 1/12, 1/19, and 1/26 ).

How? We’ll tally attendance as usual across the above stated 4 dates at each AO and average them out.  All are welcome…newbies, kotters, respectables, sons and of course EH an FNG.  Aye!

The Stakes? The losing AO and associated Q’s for stated dates have to facilitate that workout in Q vs. Q fashion and then host coffeteria and bagels at the winners next AO wearing pink tutu’s!  Other bad ideas will be evaluated!

Why? Don’t ask why, ask why not!  But more seriously, we’re trying to bolster attendance at key Tega Cay AO’s and because we all want to get better! CSAUP!

Merry Christmas and Happy 2019!

-Bear Grylls and Smuggler

TClap |
9

12 days (actually 13) to celebrate a shovel flag handoff!

Leave a comment

Big shovel flag hand-off day so hype train was in full effect!  As PAX walked up to the gathering, Bear Grylls had 80s hairband music rocking why he was making preparations for post-workout coffeeteria.  YHC gave the disclaimer and jumped on a quick mosey given this chilly morning.  Mosey’d over to parking lot to the right of the school where we circled up for some warm up exercises and stretching.

Exercises included: SSH, Moroccan night clubs, low slow squats, hillbilly walkers, mountain climbers and then some leg, back and “6” stretches.

Mosey’d over to the playground in the back of the school for The Thang!  In true 12 days (actually 13) days of Christmas fashion, we had a weinke waiting for us and 12 days was explained by YHC.  For anyone reading and unclear on 12 days, start with 1, move on to 2 and back down to 1, go to 3 then 2 then 1, and so on.

As the list was next to the basketball court, since that’s where there was light on this chilly dark morning in the gloom, we started with suicides…

  1. Suicides – mid court, full court
  2. Burpees
  3. Calve raises – 3 out, 3 regular, 3 in
  4. Pull ups
  5. Hand release merkins
  6. Jump Knee tucks
  7. Flutters (double count)
  8. Bear crawl down & crawl bear back – full court
  9. Gorilla squats
  10. B 2 Wall – 10 sec count
  11. Lunge walk down & duck walk back – full court
  12. America Hammer (double) + LBC (double) + big boys
  13. Bomb Jacks (bonus)

The PAX made it to about day 10-11, with I believe Fish Sticks leading everyone possibly to day 12.  The killer in this had to be day 8 but YHC quickly reminded the PAX that Spiderman (yes, he got a shoutout) who had 12 days at #BlockParty the day before crushed the PAX with Bear crawl / crawl bear on day 2….so a quick fix for the mumble chatter.  Once time was called, mosey’d back for COT.

Announcements, prayers and praises (CSPAN style).  YHC shared that as we enter the Christmas season, after just leaving Thanksgiving, giving Thanks has been at the forefront of his mind.  Being grateful for what we have, i.e. families, health, each other, it’s easy to forget how some people are not in the same positions we are in.  As we enter the holiday season, and even after the holidays, keeping a watchful eye for how we can help others less fortunate than us, puts us in a unique position.  How you choose to act in those situations or if you have your eyes and heart open, is something to be mindful of.

Closed out with prayer and the celebration of the great work Fish Sticks brought to Pantheon and the beginning of the Bear Grylls legacy.  The beginning of this legacy kicked off with the Pantheon flag makeover – which was great to see!  I highly recommend checking it out and getting the full breakdown for each detail.  It was a pleasure Q’ing today and am happy to do it anytime!

Shady

TClap |
4

The Cornerstone – Challenge ( One Year Long )

1 Comment

To all the Pax of F3 Nation

Are you prepared to challenge your self for 2019? I am challenging all Pax’s to join me for 2019 we will take on one exercise for January (merkins single count) 100 reps every day. Then in February we will add another exercise which will be done every day on top of the 100 merkins and so on and so on. We will increase by adding one exercise each month.  These exercises will be above and beyond when you post. So by the end of the year there will be 12 exercises that need to be done everyday at the reps set.

Do you accept the challenge? Do you want to get better?

I will set the next month exercise and reps the week before to keep you on your toes

TClap |
20
Leave a comment
Five brave souls weathered the 57 degree temps at The Hive, as warm tropical breezes bestowed us on this December morn.
As an ice breaker I asked if there were any FNG’s. Got the crowed fired up.
Warmup:
– Ran a lap around the parking lot
– 20 Side Straddle Hops
– 15 Cherry Pickers
– 15 Low Slow Squats
– 10 Donkey Kicks (I like to mix it up)
The Thang:
Cones were setup across the parking lot. One with a random banana found in parking lot during setup.
To paint a picture, we partnered up using the middle three cones spread about 20 yards apart from each other. Partner one did an exercise at the first cone, while partner two did a different exercise at the third cone. We met at the middle cone and did burpees, then switched cones.
Round 1
Partner One:
– 10 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 10 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 9 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 9 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 8 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 8 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 7 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 7 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 6 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 6 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 5 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 5 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 4 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 4 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 3 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 3 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 2 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 2 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 1 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 1 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
Partner Two:
– 10 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 10 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 9 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 9 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 8 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 8 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 7 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 7 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 6 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 6 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 5 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 5 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 4 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 4 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 3 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 3 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 2 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 2 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 1 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 1 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
During the ten count break Tesh tried to negotiate 50% off Burpee coupons for Christmas. Geronimo wanted a buy one get one free.
Grouped up for 10 Navy Seal Sit-Up
Round 2
We moved back another 20 yards to further cones setup
Partner One:
– 5 Curls cone one, 5 Dancing Bears cone two, 5 Squats cone three, 5 Dancing Bears cone two
– 4 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 4 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
– 3 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 3 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
– 2 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 2 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
– 1 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 1 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
Partner Two:
– 5 Squats cone three, 5 Dancing Bears cone two, 5 Curls cone one, 5 Dancing Bears cone two
– 4 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 4 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
– 3 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 3 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
– 2 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 2 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
– 1 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 1 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
Round 3
Told everyone to line up at the banana. Something I don’t recall I have ever said before.
Partner One: Dead Lifts
Partner Two: Run across the parking lot.
Rinse and repeat.
We met at COT for five more burpees.
Good banter from the PAX during announcements, prayers, praises.
We locked shields around the banana and prayed for mental an physical heath. Remembrance of what the true meaning of Christmas is.
Banana selfies were taken.
TClap |
5

13 at Footloose

Leave a comment

Good group at Footloose this morning. Got some burpees in and a few good stretches. Ran over to Church of God and found the stairs where we spent a good amount of time looking them over and examining the exterior of their fellowship center a few times. Got a good mile or so in this morning, for a Moderate group.

Spoke for a minute about finding Joy in the Christmas season. I heard Gekko’s sermon and it hit me hard that if we don’t have Joy at Christmas, when we observe the birth of our Savior, then we need to “get right.” I am HAPPY to talk to anyone who is struggling with this. The vulnerablity of the PAX at COT and BOM is an important part of F3, and why we are here.

 

Assassin

 

TClap |
0