A Res-Q for Birdcage, at the Coop.

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Res-Q: When a Pax is down (IR, or emergency DR trip, or whatever) and another Pax meets the call for help and jumps in last minute to Q for him.

Birdcage thought it would be a great idea to play soccer (futból) on Saturday with his co-workers. Soccer is a smaller, more nimble man’s game as it turns out, and he jacked up his knee/ankle, so he reached out and I took the Q. It’s been a while, but it’s like riding a bike… a painful, burpee and pull-up filled bike… That’s a terrible bike. You shouldn’t buy it. It’s probably very expensive for one thing, and why would you want a bike that caused you that much pain? Plus, no WAY are you winning that sprint triathlon you signed up for with a bike like that… It’s basically useless… you’re an idiot.

0515, disclaimer, then off we go…
Warm it up Kris… I’m about to…
Circle around the main lot to the Band Practice Field
– Windmills x 10
– IW x 10
Cross the band practice field and weave around the drop off lane to the roundabout
– Richard Simmons x 15
– Moroccan Nightclubs x 15
Mosey to back parking lot
– Merkins x 20
– CDD x 20
Mosey to behind dumpsters
– Squats x 25
– SSH x 25
Mosey to pull-up bars, and now the fun begins… (that was a mile, btw)
Partner up, size always matters.
There will be an exercise at the top and at the bottom of the hill. There will be a different method of travel up the hill each time.

ROUND 1:
– Each partner does 15 pull-ups (if one is waiting, it’s people’s chair)
– Run down the hill
– 30 Flutters (partner cadence)
– Wheelbarrow back up the hill (switch as needed)
ROUND 2:
– Each partner does 15 idiot partner pull-ups*
– Run down the hill
– Rosalita x 20 (partner cadence)
– Wheelbarrow up (switch as needed)
ROUND 3:
– Each partner does 10 burpee pull-ups (if one is waiting, it’s people’s chair)
– Run down the hill
– LBCs x 20 (partner cadence)
– Bear crawl up the hill
ROUND 4:
– Each partner does 15 idiot partner pull-ups or 10 negative pull-ups
– Run down the hill
– Dying Cockroach x 15 (partner cadence)
– Backwards bear crawl up the hill (or just run if we are too smoked)

Then we did a little Mary by the pull-up bars until it was time for an all-out sprint back to COT.

NMM:
As always, it was a pleasure to lead. I’ve started ending all my Q’s with an AYG back to COT. Bones (Tunis Hunt from LKW) quoted someone as saying, “When your mind thinks you are done, you have 40% left (or you are only 40% done, or something like that). The point is, all of the times that you think that you just can’t hold on anymore, you can’t push any further, you can’t withstand any longer, the fact of the matter is, there is more in the tank. Make it happen out there, men…

Helmet, out.

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The Armory – Do kettle bells rust?

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A slight delay in posting due to technical difficulties ie I forgot my password.  It was a little damp at the Armory on Monday, but that didn’t stop the 11 pax coming out for a wet beatdown.  We started off with the usual disclaimer and went into a brief warmup of SSH, WM, LSQ and Mtn Climbers.  At that point it started to rain so we moseyed over to the little porch are of the church.  There was talk about going down to the funeral home awning, but I didn’t want to.  No I’m not scared.

On to the Thang:

I tried to keep things simple so we did sets of 50.  Bad idea.  We did a 1/2 parking lot lap in between exercises.  Another bad idea.

Curls, triceps extensions, Goblet squats, overhead press, calf raises.  Did I mention that we did LBC after each lap.

The rain let up a little so we moseyed down to the short wall and did step ups, lawnmower pulls did some lunge walks and finished up with chest presses.

We had some discussion about discipline.  I shared about a video series I’ve been watching by Andy Stanley on Guardrails.  Guardrails are those things that might cause us to have a little damage but prevent us from going into serious danger.  These guardrails can keep us away from falling into some bad situations or help us stay on track to meet our goals.  Twister shared an example of a guardrail that he has been using in his life.

Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

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Well Rounded

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11 Men, one of them a 2.0, descended on Pantheon with a Boot Camp gleam in their bleary eyes. YHC wanted to take them out of their comfort zone.

The Thang
Structured Running workout for first half:
6 Min Warm Up around the “track” with various warm up routines

  • Karaoke (both sides)
  • Butt Kickers
  • High Knees
  • Side Shuffle

5 Min build at ~ 9 min pace to prep for the main event
4x Repeats:

  • 1 minute slow run/walk
  • 30 seconds AYG

5 Min cooldown at ~ 9 min pace

After the run, which completed with a mosey to the back side of the AO, we hit COP for some dynamic stretching to loosen the muscles from the run:

  • Windmills
  • Potato Pickers
  • Mountain Climbers
  • Honeymooner/Downward Dog Combo

Line up on the sideline of the basketball court

  • Burpee Broad Jump Across the Court and Crabwalk Back
  • Inchworm across the Court and Bear Crawl Back

Mosey to swings, split into 2 groups for 3 rounds of:

  • 20 Swing Crunches
  • 10 Pull Ups

Mosey around AO, including some toy soldiers to 6MOM with:

  • Flutter
  • Freddy Mercuries
  • American Hammer

Close out with BOM

NMM
As I thought about the Weinke last night, I decided that I wanted to expose the PAX to some structured run workout training, as most likely haven’t done much of that. There is a funny story that Dredd will tell about an opportunity he had to train with the French Foreign Legion while he was in Special Forces. Basically he was extremely strong and, he assumed, fit when he went over. The French told him he’d never survive their training because he was too big. They commenced to show him that constant movement will show you real fitness, not just how much you can pick up. He barely made it through and many of his team didn’t actually make it through this training, despite being “big and strong”. This, among other things, created perspective for a well rounded fitness routine, e.g. the prototypical “Pearls on a String” workout you will hear about.

I’ve been running a ton lately and have really seen improvement since I’ve started to introduce this into my routine. Many PAX will sign up for an event and log a bunch of miles (unless you are Cornhole) in prep for a race, but it is just repeating the mileage. I believe that to get better, you need to have a well rounded routine, not just repeating the same old workout over an over. That’s the motivation behind today’s workout. In all things, getting out of your comfort zone is a way to grow… to get better.

Honor to Serve.

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CO VQ with Weezer at Block Party

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14 Pax came looking for a party at Block Party this morning only to be greeted with some pain and humidity.  The temps didn’t feel bad this morning but the air was thick.  I think all the pax were soaked after the mosey except for Weezer.  Who should have been sweating with his VQ warm-up just ahead, however this cool cucumber delivered a COP like he’d been doing it for years.  Here’s what went down…

Weezer on Q

COP:  Mosey to the wall lot on 160.  In cadence – SSH x 25, WM x 10, IW x 20, Low Slow Squat x 15, Morrachian Night Clubs x 20                                                                                                                                      12 single count slow merkins (focus on form), Mountain Climbers x 15

Pass off to STH – Mosey to lot above and find a spot on the ledge.

Single leg step ups x 10 each leg, 10 Burpees, 20 Dips.  Rinse and repeat 3 times

Mosey to lot across from gun shop.  Sprint the hill to the top.

50 Shoulder Taps – Run to 2nd light (50 yds), Bear Crawl to curb (20 yds), 10 Bombjacks – run back  Ab work – Slow Freddie Mercuries                                                                                                                              50 Mtn Climbers – Run to 2nd light (50 yds), Bear Crawl to curb (20 yds), 10 Bombjacks – run back  Ab work – Hello Dolly                                                                                                                                                        50 CCDs – Run to 2nd light (50 yds), Bear Crawl to curb (20 yds), 10 Bombjacks – run back                  Ab work – X&Os                                                                                                                                                              50 Merkins (Crowd Pleaser)- Run to 2nd light (50 yds), Bear Crawl to curb (20 yds), 10 Bombjacks

Mosey back to COT.  2 Mins left so 10 Burpees and Protractor

NMM:  Had a great group of Pax today.  Lots of good mumble chatter and complaining.  Which as a Q I’ll take the latter as a compliment. Tclaps to Weezer for stepping up to lead the COP.  Next up will be the full meal deal for him.  Seeming how he pulled off the COP like a seasoned veteran, the rest will be a cake walk.  I spoke a little bit at COT about how Qing has helped me become a better leader at home, work and in the community.  I encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone and try it if you haven’t done so already.  You will be a better person for it.

Prayers for Kielbasa friend’s family, Bonsai’s friends daughter, Ginsu’s adoption, & patience. Mission Trip and Tclaps for the support of the pax.

Until Next time –

STH/Weezer

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Getting Out of Your Rut-Ruck WO

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5 other PAX decided to join YHC on this humid morning to Ruck a little and spend some quality time together. Thank you all for coming out and for working so hard this morning.

THE THANG

We began by Rucking 2×2 from the flag around the parking lot to the auto maintenance shop, back to Fort Mill BBQ, and then back to the maintenance shop. At each stop we circled up and performed the following exercises.

10 Merkins, 10 CDDs, 10 Lunges (Each Leg), 15 Ruck Curls, 15 Tricep Extensions, 10 Ruck Thrusts, 10 Ruck Swings, 10 Overhead Presses, 20 Flutters, 20 Ruck Presses with legs at 6″, 10 American Hammers, 10 Step Ups (Each Leg), 5 Man Makers, & 20 Squats.

During the Rucking we had time for some good conversation and catching up.

NMM

At the end, I circled the PAX up and asked one question. ‘How many times did it take each one to know the routine of the exercises at each stop?’ Most said somewhat after 2-times, but definitely after the third. I then stated that it doesn’t take us long as humans to get into a routine in life, whether it be exercise, emotional, or spiritual.

The only way to get out of the rut is to change something. Reach out to someone, first God, to ask for help getting out of the rut and then change something. Talk to a Whetstone partner, another F3 brother, your Pastor, a trusted friend, and yes, your wife. Humble yourself and ask for the help. You will be a better man in the long run if you do.

Announcements & Prayers with Bootcampers

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The Colosseum 2017.31

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This was an impromptu Q that I had forgotten I committed to while Seacrest was in charge, but I love to Q, so being reminded the night before made me a little happy (in my pants).  When training I like to focus on “tactical” strength or “functional” strength.  This means that you may be able to use the strength and endurance you cultivate during one of my workouts.  Today I covered picking up a lifeless body.

Mosey to basketball lot for warmup (simply for space reasons):  SSH, hillbilly walkers, windmills

Mosey to the bottom of the entrance hill and partner up for the main event:
10x Superman Squats (aka, squat picking up your partner from sitting to standing)
20x Jump squats
30ish Lunge walk holds then sprint to top of hill
Rinse and Repeat

Mosey to wall by the flag for 4 minutes of holds
6 in & B2W (you and partner alternate when one fails)

Mosey to half wall around back for quick dora, 100 Merkins, 200 LBCs, 300 squats
Start at edge of lot then run to wall do one muscle up and run back.

Last,  4 minutes of hold
Protractor 10deg & Support position on wall (alternate on failure)

And that’s all she wrote.  This was  a lot of fun.  Prayers and announcements.  Prayers for the guys at VC Summer that were told to go home (which suddenly got a lot more personal).  Prayers for the #Give2Give campaign and the hope that we may reach more guys and improve the quality of life for the Sadclowns that know no better.

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CSPAN visits Quagmire

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Conditions were pouring rain…and sort of raining like you might not want to get out of the car kind of rain…

Disclaimer

Spent the morning running and rotating the Q in reverse age order as it was miserable out (shared misery)

we got in about 3 miles, and plenty of exercises to 15 reps

Lots of laughs and #mumblechatter…exactly what I needed…thank you for the invite to Q

Sermon was on APE – A=Attitude, P=Performance, and E=Effort and how APE is our input into every situation. It is our responsability to maintain our APE and make a difference in our lives, our faith, our family life, our work, our church, etc…

COT/ prayer or praise/ BOM

 

 

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Guidance 8/4/17

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17 Men posted at CAH for a running tour of the area

Discussion topic was:

APE A=Attitude, P=Preparation, E=Effort -these are the inputs that you bring into every situation. The sermon topic was on how we as men should never expect anyone to provide our APE – not our parents, coaches, teachers, Q’s because this responsibility falls directly on us as #HIM

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Once again, ya never know with Straight Up!

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Qing is Fun! 

Straight Up! at the Ranch hangin’ with ya. Below is the fun we had!

I missed a 6-29 Q date due to injury so I did a throwback to June 2017 where our theme was Faith.

  1. Disclosure mentioned
    1. No FNGs
    2. Theme: Faith
    3. First thought on faith today:
      1. “It is never a question with any of us of faith or no faith; the question is always in what or whom do we put our faith.” – Author unknown.
    4. A head’s up that we will have partners today and teams
      1. Find a partner of (hopeful) equal athletic ability
    5. During warmup, asked partner:
      1. What do you do?
      2. If you were not working, how would you prefer to spend your time?
    6. Divided all partner groups up into 2 teams: Team Trust and Team Faith

II. Groups – 2 lines

Mosey around close circle with some high knees, side shuffles, figure 8s, toy soldiers.

Butt kickers

Side Shuffles

III. Circled up by Springfield Elementary playground to:

(The next exercise is . . ./Starting Positions . . /Move!/Pause/In Cadence/Pause/Exercise / Recover)

Seal Jacks – 19X

Slo Mo Squats with toe raise – 17X

Parker Peters – 15X

Slow Single Merkins with alternating “Straight Up!” hand & foot raise – 5X

Ab Bigoda (Slo Mo Windmill) – 11X

Slow Carolina Dry Docks – 13X

(Fast) Peter Parker – 17X

Partner hamstring stretch (careful, careful)

III. First Segment: Mosey around Springfield school

A. Mini-competitions

(Did 1/2 SSHs or imaginary towel hop while we waited for our partner and others to finish each exercise)

The Hill: Bear crawl half way up the hill, then

Backwards run to end of circle

High knees up the next (smaller) hill

Wall games:

How many can you do? (pushing your partner)

1. Merkin then touch wall in plank position with one arm, another merkin, then other arm; go to failure; How many did you do vs. your partner?

2. Single leg wall squat each leg for max time; (challenge your partner)!

3. Partner’s People Chair (Partner squats-you are not using a wall but the back of your partner); hold for 45 seconds

“The issue of faith is not so much whether we believe in God, but whether we believe the God we believe in.” R.C Sproul

2 group lines mosey together to hop-scotch squares doing high knees:

Hop-scotch games: (While you are waiting for your turn 1/2 SSHs. After you finish your challenge, move out of the way and do 1/2 SSHs or towel hop until your partner is finished).

Key question: Will you challenge your partner?

  1. Broad jump to the end race
  2. Non-dominant 1 legged hop back race
  3. Race: Backward bear crawl for one block, then high knee and high arm backward run, then backward bear crawl, then backward run, rotating until completed

“Faith is seeing light with your heart when all your eyes see is darkness.”

2 group lines mosey together toward playground:

1. “Skip like a child” for 100 yards

2. Indian Runs: Back to front (somewhat race the other team)

At playground:

  1. Pull up challenge with your partner – Round 1
    1. Max reps good form, legs straight, no cheating

2. The “Burnkin” (new exercise; gotta be there to experience it!) Round 1 –  2 warm-up, then first to 6 between partners

3. Back to pull up challenge Round 2

4. The “Burnkin” – Round 2 – first to 6

5. Back to pull up challenge Round 3

2 group lines mosey together to dumpsters and speed hump:

Sprint challenge vs. your partner:

  1. Sprint #1 to end of soccer field but on pavement next to it
  2. Turn left and walk 25 steps to rest; hang out in plank position after the 25 steps
  3. Sprint #2 to soccer field goal area closer to our parked cars
  4. Did SSHs as we waited for everyone else

Field Work:

Team Trust: passed the 30 lb kettle bell alternating sides twisting to pass it to your teammate behind you. Run to the back of the line when you finish your turn. Each person has to do it 2X. Do Squats while you are waiting in line.

Team Faith: Kick-thru burpees until Team Trust was done.

Once Team Trust was finished: immediate switch

OYO max set Clerkins

Mosey to COT

III. COT

A. I encouraged the PAX to have faith in something to build your character. Explained a bit about my faith.

A man is what he believes.

As we reflect back on what we may have learned last month in our journey in understanding Faith better or increasing our faith, I pray that God has blessed you in your own adventure.

B. Announcements

    1. Whetstone – consider getting involved;
    2. Praises – we are blessed.
    3. Prayer requests.
    4. From Brigid of Gael:

I arise today

Through a mighty strength:

God’s power to guide me,

God’s might to uphold me,

God’s eyes to watch over me;

God’s ear to hear me,

God’s word to give me speech,

God’s hand to guard me,

God’s way to lie before me,

God’s shield to shelter me,

God’s host to secure me.

Lord, we thank you that for all who call on You in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired. Amen.

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No Barriers

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What a beautiful day in Paradise, literally. The new workout start time of 7 PM was perfect for watching the sunset from the top of the hill at Steele Street Park. 12 Pax posted strong in which 8 were from the community. We had 3 FNGs.

The Thang:

SSH (30x), IW (20x), WM (15x), Sumo Squats (15x), MC (20x), Merkins (15x), LBCs (15x)

Mosey around the court

Drills: 7 layups with the right hand, 7 layups with the left hand.

Played knockout 2x

Played 5 on 5 up to a total score of 10. Each bucket counted as 1. Bolt and Jiffy were on the same team and played like Jordan and Pippen.

Moleskin:

We moved the G-Fit workouts in Paradise from Saturday mornings to Fridays at 7 PM. The shift in workout times is intended to engage more people from the community. An evening workout removes the common excuse of “I couldn’t wake up on time.” Moving the workouts to Fridays appears to be a good change so far.

Bolt has been making a huge impact in the community. One of the younger Pax from the community called him “Dad.” If I have to state the obvious, here it is: the younger Pax and Bolt look nothing alike but they are both in God’s family. They have built a strong, genuine relationship that wins over any social or man-made barriers. #AwesomeSauce

We need to continue to step out the bubble, out of our comfort zones to step into each other’s life to make a real impact. It’s a double blessing when that someone else doesn’t look like you or share your social status.

Peace,

Deacon

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