Made it Matter – Quagmire 10/9/2017

What a day a Quagmire this morning. Drizzling and humid.  Perfect for what I had in store. I told the Pax before we started that I was going to step out of my comfort zone and try to work a message into my workout. Normally I stick to sweat and pain but felt a calling for something more.

When 5:15 arrived there were 11 Pax ready to get started. Got the legal stuff out of the way and we were off.

We started with a slow mosey along with:

  • Toy Soldiers
  • Butt Kickers
  • Knee Pulls
  • High Knees

We circled up in front of Pet Smart for some stretching.  A whole lot of moans and groans from the Ragnar folks, so we spent some extra time getting loose. COP was:

  • Wind Mills x10
  • Weed Pullers x10
  • SSH x25
  • MCs x 30
  • Imperial Walkers x15
  • Merkins x10
  • Down Dog/Honeymooner
  • Mountain Climbers x15
  • Down Dog/Honeymooner

Recover and time for The Thang:

I told the Pax we were only doing 4 exercises today: Merkins, V-Up Twists, Jump Squats and Burpees. Simple and Easy (wink, wink). We would be moving between four corners (Front of Pet Smart, Front of Zoes, Front of Mattress Store and Front of Best Buy) performing the aforementioned exercises a set amount of reps.   (Unannounced to the Pax it was the total amount of reps performed in each cycle which would be significant.)

The plan was to perform all the exercises at each corner for the below reps:

  • 1st Cycle – Total of 28 reps for each exercise. 7 at each corner. Example:
    • 1st Corner – 7 Merkins, 7 V-up Twist, 7 Jump Squats, 7 Burpees
    • 2nd Corner – 7 Merkins, 7 V-up Twist, 7 Jump Squats, 7 Burpees
    • 3rd Corner – 7 Merkins, 7 V-up Twist, 7 Jump Squats, 7 Burpees
    • 4th Corner – 7 Merkins, 7 V-up Twist, 7 Jump Squats, 7 Burpees
  • 2nd Cycle – Total of 33 reps for each exercise. 8 at the first 3 stations then 9 at the last.
  • 3rd Cycle – Total of 49 reps for each exercise.  12 at the first 3 stations then 13 at the last.
  • 4th Cycle – Total of 58 reps for each exercise. 14 at the first 2 stations then 15 at the final 2 stations.

Unfortunately we ran low of time and were only able to finish cycle 1,2 and half of cycle 4. We skipped cycle 3 completely.  Then we all moseyed back to COT for an explanation of the reps:

  • On December 14, 2012, a young man walked into an elementary school in Newtown, CT and 28 lives were taken. Young Boys. Young Girls. Teachers. Mothers. Sons. Daughters.
  • On December 16, 2007, a young man walked around the campus of Virginia Tech and 33 lives we taken that day. Innocent students. Daughters. Sons. Brothers. Sisters.
  • On June 12, 2016, another young man walked into a nightclub in Orlando and 49 lives were taken. Friends. Co-Workers.
  • On October 1st, 2017, a man knocked out the window of his Las Vegas Hotel, opened fire and 58 lives were taken that day. Dads. Husbands. Mothers. Wives. Friends.

168 people lost their lives in these horrible events.

I designed a simple workout around the 4 deadliest shooting in modern American history and 45 minutes wasn’t enough time to complete the workout. 

These victims deserve your attention and emotion. There is no right way to react to such evil and madness. However SILENCE IS ACCEPTANCE. If we begin to accept these actions as normal then the madness starts to win.  We are better and these victims deserve better.

This is a call to make a positive impact on our world and F3 is a perfect vehicle to start this change. Use it and share it. Start headlocking in your community and build strong relationships with the current Pax. Change can happen one person at a time.

If not F3, then something. Anything. Dont wait for the madness to hit your doorstep. Be a positive light to the world now.

Dont wait for the next bad thing to happen to make these victims lives matter. THEY DESERVE TO MATTER.

Today we honored those that lost there lives. Today and forever, you matter.

Newtown, CT

Virgina Tech

Orlando

Las Vegas

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Is This October?

When Assassin asked me to q a while back I thought October would be great.  Cooler temperatures and lower humidity.  That wasn’t the case!  Oh well, let’s work.

COP included the usual suspects and we warmed up and got ready for the main event.

Our KISS (keep it simple stupid) method or working out was very simple.  Perform called exercise and then run a lap.  Repeat until the list is complete.  The list went a little something like this:

25 swings
25 goblet squats
20 merkins
20 tricep extensions
25 LBC
30 curls (15 each arm)
20 skull crushers
20 calf raises
20 American hammers

We finished in time for two more exercises from the top of the list then we stretched a bit, Destiny prayed us out and we were out of there.  Barely a rain drop fell.  Thank you Sky Q!

Thanks Assassin for the privilege of leading one of the best gear workouts around.

I’ll leave you with this quote:

“If we take a step despite feeling uncomfortable, afraid, or inadequate, our comfort zones expand. We grow in strength and skill. What we consider normal for us changes, sometimes radically”.

Hopefully you moved your comfort zone a little this morning.

Thanks for the honor of leading.

DT out.

 

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Whitespace wins the day!

11 veteran Pax posted to #BlockParty for the start of October.  This month is #Respect month on the Q schedule at this AO.  Senator Tressel was on Q, but unfortunately he faced the daunting responsibility of picking up his sister early that morning and driving to OH for a family funeral.  Old Bay kindly agreed to step up in the late night hour to take the Q  YHC kicked off the warm up to check the #Respect box according to original plan.  With a brief disclaimer and a reference to the monthly theme of #Control, the morning was launched.

The Thang

Warm up run 1/2 around WEP

Stop at far corner for COP — SSH, Hillbilly walker, windmill, low slow squat, Peter Parker

Mosey to play ground with some karaoke along the way

Pull-ups x10 OYO (in honor of ST since he never passes them up at WEP)

Plank sequence

Hand-off to Old Bay

Mosey to parking lot on 160 in front of UC Synergetics & partner up

A mash up between Four Corners and a Modified Jack Web series ensued from this point until completion

In parking lot:
1 burpee to 4 run-stance switch
+ Repeat with 2 burpees, then 3 burpees
Bear crawl to brickwall courtyard area
1 box jump (or step up) to 4 dips
+ Repeat with 2, then 3 box jumps
Partner wheelbarrow to street
1 big boy sit up to 4 american hammers
+ Repeat with 2, then 3 big boy sit-ups
Mosey to corner at stop light on 160
Jack Webb – (1:4 ration) for 3 reps

Return to parking lot for sessions 4-5

At last stationg (Jack Webb), pax take it all the way to round 10

Mosey home

COT

NMM

Prayers for ST on his unfortunate journey.  We wish he were with us and we know he wishes they same instead of the duty he was called to.  We were together in spirit at WEP and in OH.

T-claps to Band Camp for posting at his second workout since his FNG day at the anniversary convergence.  Keep it up, brother!

T-claps to Old Bay for responding to the call in the wee hours to fill in for ST.  He shakes a weasel like nobody’s bidness!!!

Old Bay’s message for the day related to #Control.  He talked about the importance of #Downsizing in life (not just your house) and #Simplifying as a means to relinquish #Control.  These steps create #@Whitespace for reflection and discernment in order to move forward intentionally and/or respond to where you are needed.  He certainly demonstrated that in spades today!

Thanks to the pax for posting to hold me accountable!

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Best of Both Worlds

YHC freely confesses a fear of Alcatraz.  For over four years the site has represented a area of extreme difficulty, best to be avoided.  However, at the behest of the Senator, YHC committed to Q and to over come his fear.  He also, inexplicably, committed to Q at the Fort the same day.

The Thang

Part One

As Ragnar was in full swing, YHC felt it appropriate to lead off with a run, out and back. So,  out for approximately :10 with a two sets of SSHs, crab planks and twisting planks.  Run back to Runde park to pick up second half.

Moleskin

We discussed the theme of the month: control.  Specifically noting that we can control some things, and some things we can’t.  What get’s us in trouble is that tendency to try and control everything – its not possible.  We also discussed the Serenity Prayer which is a very fitting reminder for us all.

Part Two

Each PAX grabbed a cinderblock and made 3.5 rotations of the ball field doing curls, squats, tricep extensions, rows and presses in sets of 20.  YHC confesses to way too much mumble chatter, a signal of his ongoing fear of The Rock.

Closed with COT and the Serenity Prayer by Mr. Jenkins.

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Family Ruck 001 – 11/18/17

With the great success we had with Brew Ruck 001 back in March, we’re launching the family version, Family Ruck 001 on Nov 18th. As the name implies, this is a FAMILY event and we encourage and want Ms and 2.0s! No rucking experience needed, this is ment to be a family event not a CSAUP, so just grab a backpack, any weight or no weight is fine and let’s have enjoy some fellowship and rucking!

This is a 3.3 mile route within Baxter, with two stops along the way at Parks for a break for kids to play and activities.

The Start Point (SP) will be the Mushroom Pool (3387 Richard’s Crossing, Fort Mill), the route is detailed below and the EndEx will be the Baxter Town Center on Colonel Springs Way.

Start Time will be 15:00 (3pm), estimated arrival at EndEx ~17:00 (5pm).

For those looking for more than 3.3 miles, there will be a pre-ruck launching from the EndEx at 14:00 (2pm).

Nothing special required, your ruck, some weight and smiles, be smart about weight for 2.0s.

Please pack your own water!

Feel free to bring adult beverages for some 2ndF at the EndEx!

Route Map:

Route Details:

SP- Mushroom Pool

Miles

Cumulative
Miles

First Leg

SP down Richard’s Crossing, loop around end, back to Front St

0.46

Right on Front St

0.09

0.55

Right on Birkshire Heights

0.05

0.60

Right on Revival Row

0.35

0.95

Right on Olmstead St & back (dead end)

0.25

1.20

Right on Revival Row

0.04

1.24

Right on Birkshire Heights

0.14

1.38

End at Park at Birkshire Heights and Downing Dr

Second Leg

Head down Downing Dr

0.27

1.65

Left on Morris Hunt Dr

0.24

1.89

Left on Gardenia St

0.07

1.96

Jump on trail system

0.82

2.78

End at Allison Park

Third Leg

Right on Founders St

0.04

2.82

Right on Ellis Way

0.21

3.03

Left on Sonny Way

0.06

3.09

Left on Colonel Springs Way

0.20

3.29

End at Town Center field

Questions, comments, concerns, holler at WWL, Cobra Kai or CSPAN.

No patch has been designed or ordered, there are costs to do so, we are happy to if there is enough interest, let us know if you have ideas.

Aye!

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Ciabatta/Tabata whatever at the Yard

It was a balmy Saturday Morning heading to the Yard as I saw many headlamps off in the woods running the Ragnar.  We were getting ready to dial in our own pain for the gloom.  Hopeful thoughts that one of the PAX would bring an FNG or a Kotter to help keep the promise of a quasi moderate workout.  Unfortunately that wasn’t the case.

9 PAX took off for a quick mosey around the parking lot before diving into what would be a painful experience.  We started out with some stretching moves across the parking lot to limber up with knees to chest, toy soldiers, butt kickers, high knees.

Circled up for some warmup moves:  Moroccan nightclubs, cherry pickers, merkins, windmills etc.

The Thang:

Thanks to Anchorman a couple of weeks ago I borrowed his idea of a tabata workout.  30 seconds of exercise 15 seconds of rest. Two sets of each exercise.

Flutters, Low Slow Squats and Side straddle hops.

2nd round was pretty painful

Plank, Shoulder Taps and Peter Parkers

Didn’t realize that those were all in the plank position till it was to late.  Some serious grumbling during this one.

We finished up with a couple of rounds of wall sits and lunge walks to through the parking lot.

Had a brief discussion about the theme of the month Control and how as men we try to control things around us.  We should rely on God and give Him control of our lives so our outcome would be more inline with his will.

Thanks for the opportunity to serve!

Bass-O-Matic

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A #MALTZ without Lightning

IMG_3308

Conditions clear and 55 degree

Disclaimer

Warmup-O-rama

Event Info:     A memorial workout event/salute to those who have been KIA

Because @F3TheFort our common belief is that all US KIA deserve our gratitude and tribute.

2016 Heroes:    MSGT Michael Meltz USAF – KIA 3/23/03 (Long Island, NY)

Cpl. Christopher Ebert USMC – KIA 9/17/07 (Mooresboro, NC)

Lance Cpl. Travis A. Fox – KIA 10/30/04 (Cowpens, SC)

 

Friday 10/6/2017 Friday 0515 Maltz Challenge

NAFO HS USMCJROTC

1400 A O Jones Blvd

Fort Mill, SC 29715

 

@F3theFort Maltz exercises are (self timed):

  1.        400 meter run (1 lap around track)
  2.        50 pull-ups (consecutive = don’t leave station until complete)
  3.        Partner carry football field
  4.        50 dips
  5.        100 push-ups
  6.        50 knees to elbows
  7.        100 Sit-ups
  8.        400 meter run (1 lap around track)

Encourage your brothers as they finish…

COT & BOM / Prayer or Praise

More info at www.maltzchallenge.com

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Mary Go Round at the Colosseum

Warm up:

20 x -SSH

20 x MNC

15 x Windmill

10 x Merkins

Plank

Honeymooner

Downward Dog

15 x Mountain Climber

15 x Squats

The Thang:

So after some short sprints and side shuffles through the parking lot, we partnered off.  Then a word on leadership.

Leadership doesnt have to happen alone!  Just like your partner during the workout a partner in life can help you be the leader you are meant to be.

And the Mary-go-round begins…..

Each round consists of doing one exercise followed by a lap around the parking lot.  Since one round of each set of exercises wasnt enough, we decided to rinse and repeat each round.  Between rounds as we waited for the six (usually me) we did wall sits for round 1 followed by planks for round 2.

Round 1:

10 x Freddy Mercury

10 x Rosalita

10 x Protractors

Round 2:

10 x Crab Humpers

10 x Carolina Dry Docks

10 x Flutters

Meet back at COT for announcements, prayers and praises.

Thanks for all the support PAX for my VQ!

A great time was had by all!

Announcements:

-Invergence Friday

-Convergence Saturday

Prayers of PAX:

-Family who lost father due to fire ants

-Missionary family resolving paperwork stateside to return to Asia.

 

 

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Week 1 of Q School at the Abyss

This Wednesday started a month long opportunity for the PAX of Lake Wylie the hear more about the important responsibilities of a Q from veteran leaders around the Fort Region.  We’ll have Wednesdays in the month of October dedicated to teaching these valuable lessons.

This Wednesday started with the 1st Nantan of the Fort region, Double D!  It was a real pleasure having him share the history and some knowledge about F3 and important aspects of the Q.

Here’s what we did.

Mosey around the parking lot with some High knees, butt kickers, side shuffles and toy soldiers until we circled up.

I started the warmup  with the reason we count in cadence.  Cadence helps validate your authority to lead.  If you do an exercise that would normally be done in cadence WITHOUT counting  you are giving that authority to lead the group.  We broke down the three parts of counting in cadence.

ANNOUNCE the next exercise

MOVE the men into position

START the movement in cadence

After this instruction we went around the circle and had the men pick and exercise and count it out for the PAX

I handed it over to Double D and he shared more great tidbits about counting in cadence.  He asked the men who has not yet been a Q or only one time.  We had just a few guys that have not done so.  Double D had them come out and lead for an exercise.

Next we moseyed to the hill.

We discussed preparing for your Q.  Idea #1: Keep it simple.  If it takes you too long to explain, you can lose the men. If it’s too complicated to remember, the PAX will do their own thing.

With that in mind, we did 11s

Top of Hill 10 Merkins

Run down do 1 Big Boy Sit-up

Up the hill, reduce merkins by 1

Down the Hill add 1 to sit-ups

Easy to write, hard to do.  After this we moseyed to the circle by the front of the school.

Last words of wisdom for the group.  If you are not going to be with the PAX (you split the group up) make sure you pick exercises everyone knows.  I shared my experience leading just the weekend before at the Convergence.  Of the 20 exercieses I had that day, I picked a few exercises that the men didn’t know. Some of my favorites, the V-Up Twist and Squat Burpees (Thanks Witch Hunt).  Be careful not to make my same mistake.

We then bear crawled around the large circle…painful!

ran back to COT

Announcements

Praises and Prayers

Double D led us out in prayer.  Great to be with all the men and to have him there!

An Honor to Lead,

Royale

 

 

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Cone work and importance of waiting on the 6 to show

Warmup while waiting for a 6 to show (Sometimes you get caught spending more
time than planned in the White House)
It was important that we stayed in the parking lot for two reasons.  We knew that there was one Pax on his way so we wanted to make sure he could find us.  Also we had an uneven number and what I had planned was best suited for even numbers.
SSH
Windmill
Hilly Bill Walker
Merkins
Don’t drop your arms through the following exercises
Morracain night clubs
Forward large circles
Reverse large circles
Morracain night clubs
Forward small circles
Reverse small circles
6 finally showed up after the merkins were over (glad to have the even number of
Pax)
Moseyed over to the back side of the school near the football field
All lined up and did the following exercises
– Toy soldiers down and back
– inch worm merkins – bear crawl back
– Burpee Broad jump – crab walk back
– Right foot hop down and back
– Left foot hop down and back
Next series of excersies YHC had 6 cones lined up for some ladder work
Cone 1 – Starting point
Cone 2 – Dips
Cone 3 – Flying Squirels
Cone 4 – Plank Jacks
Cone 5 – Apalo Onos
Cone 6 – Merkins
Pax started at cone 1 and worked their way down the line doing each exercise 10
times. Goal was to try work all the way down to 1 rep per exercise.
Once all pax finished we partnered up and 2 groups started with resistance band
high knees and broad jump.
Other group would continue the cones workout, but this time perform each
exercise 9 times. Once the group finsihed the cone workout groups flip flopped.
Band exercises where only performed after completing rounds 10, 8 and 6 in order
to be able to complete the entire series of exercises.
Good push from the guys with 10 minutes left. All pax were able to complete the
last 4 rounds and make it back to COT before 6:00.
Good work today gentlemen.
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