Category: Alcatraz

Funbags and whining

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WARMUP: Moroccan night clubs, side straddle hops, windmills
THE THANG: Indian run w/ 40# sandbags. Front guy gives bag to next guy, drops to do 5 merkins, then sprints to rejoin line telling front person to pass bag. Broke into 2 teams and did that for a lap. Then stayed in teams and did sandbag pass back, last person runs with bag to front. Did this across field Then down to bottom of big hill. At bottom of hill, stay in 2 teams. Both teams had to complete 100 burpees, 200 merkins, 300 LBCs, 200 squats, 100 bent over rows w/sandbag, 5 laps running up hill, and 3 laps with sandbag up hill. These were totals by team. Sandbags were not to be dropped at all 5 burpee penalty for dropping bags, no penalties for the first 30 minutes.
Back to the grassy area to pick up the 60# Funbags, 3 Pax decided to run away before more pain was inflicted.
Next evolution was the tunnel of love; form a line and stay in plank position about 3 ft apart from other pax, pull/drag the sandbags sideways until we reach the other side of the field, back to start with same movement.
We formed two teams of 5, movements:
– sand bag toss (sideways) using only 60 # bags, alternate between all pax, across the field and back, loosing team did 5 burpees.
– squat, clean and toss with 60# bag, across the field and back, losing team did 5 burpees.
– bear crawl sand bag pull/drag, across the field and back, loosing team did 5 burpees.
Lots of whining coming from a few pax.
Done with sandbags, 10 burpees for everyone. Run to pull up bars, two rounds of 5 pull ups for everyone.
Back to COT, one minute AMRAP hand release merkins. Most pax completed 30 reps, a few pax more than 40, form was of the essence.

COT: prayers for all pax and family members that are going through health issues.

Tinsel out!

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Safe word: Kryptonite

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WARMUP: 10 SSH, 10 windmills, 10 SSH, 10 10 IW, 10 SSH, 10 HW, 10 MC, downward dog, honeymooner.
THE THANG: All things done Dora Style with a new partner each round.
Round 1 – 50 pull-ups
Round 2 – Hill 1. 150 Merkins.
Round 3 – Hill 2 (the short steep one) 250 squats with Nur up the hill.
Round 4 – Hill 3. 350 LBC’s.
Finished with each PAX calling an exercise. 40 seconds on 20 seconds off.
MARY:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Bourbon tasting, road clean up.
COT: change orders dad, truckers mom. Thankful for this group. Not sure where YHC would be without the support of F3 The Fort

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Raining Pain at Alcatraz

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Before we kicked off the workout, we could hear the incoming storm pouring down rain through the trees.  Big storm approaching the, not much cover at Alcatraz.  We didn’t take cover in our cars, we marched on with the workout.

Lutefisk delivers disclaimer and heads for cover from the rain under the trees, which proved to be worthless. Knocked out SSH, Merkins, and some random shoulder work. Using the trail, partner up. One partner stays and does reps, other runs to another spot up the trail for other reps. Flapjack for 9 different exercises and a little song to transition (something about a skipper catching lutefisk and bringing it to Tyson foods for processing into the next Q Fishstix)
Second half began with a slow mosey around the park, down the big hill to the Marina. We formed a line, planked, and each pax performed two merkins facing pax (two rounds). Next we ran up the hill, found a wall for a brief wall sit and three rounds of calf raises. Back to the base of the Big Hill, set of 20 Carolina Dry Docks, up to the top for LBCs and Box cutters, both in cadence.
Back to COT.
Great job men!

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AKA Invergence

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This is happening!!!

Invergence following the
AKA culminating convergence
on Saturday 4/30

Topic: Shield Locks
Panelists: Pusher, Cake Boss, Fogerty, and Maximus
Location: WEP Ampitheater
When: 4/30 post-COT, circa 7:45-8:15
Coffee: Yes! Thanks Uhaul, 2nd F guru!
Detail: bring a chair, and maybe a clean shirt because you sweat a lot

Read More on Shield Lock from Q Source

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Miles, Merkins, and Bear Crawls

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Warmup: 55 SSH (IC) (While we had a visit from the boys in blue)

The Thang:

Merkin Mile part 1. Runde to Marina parking lot.

Run .25 miles – 25 Merkins

Run .25 miles-25 HR Merkins

Run .25 miles – 25 Merkins

Run .25 miles – 25 HR Merkins.

We ended up by the Marina Parking Lot for stage 2 of the workout.

10 Minute EMOM

5 Diamond Merkins

10 LBC’s

15 2-ct Flutters

5 Diamond Merkins

I scaled this portion up as we went a long and we ended on

7 Diamond Merkins

15 LBC’s

15 2-ct Flutters

7 Diamond Merkins

To cool down from the EMOM we did 20 SSH (IC) and 10 Michael Phelps.

Merkin Mile Part 2. Marina to Runde Parking lot.

25 Merkins

Run.25 Miles (we bearcrawled a portion of this up “the hill” to keep everyone together)

Run .25 Miles – 25 HR Merkins

Run .25 Miles – 25 Regular Merkins

Run.25 Miles – 25 HR Merkins

All Told we finished 2 miles with 100 regular Merkins, 100 HR Merkins and 100(and change) of Diamond Merkins.

After some LBC’s IC and just about 20 minutes to go in the WO. I asked the PAX to choose between option 1 and option 2.

Of course Option 3 was selected. As a result I called (partially inspired by JWOW’s Q the previous day) to do a Bearcrawl Webb. For this one, and since it’s BAPOPS, I called a burpee bear Crawl Webb.

1Burpee-4 Bear Crawl Steps. We did it all in the Runde parking lot and got all the way up to 10-40.

With just a handful of minutes left we got down to the Basketball court where I planned a “tempo” cool down.

12 Low Slow Squats IC

12 Tempo Merkins IC

12 Big Boy Sit-ups IC

12 American Hammers IC

Then went to

10 Low Slow Squats

And….before I could call the Merkins Uber distracted us all with a Huge Osprey flying overhead. It was effective in that it got the PAX out of the Tempo Merkins..it was in-effective in that since we only had 60 seconds left it gave me the opportunity to call 10 Burpees OYO.

This was a great morning and great time to spend with the men. Thanks to all who posted and Skipper for the Opportunity!

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Prison Yard Beatdown

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10  Pax converged at the rock on a cool Saturday morning 0630 for a full body beatdown led by Sasquatch and YHC.

*pre-pull-ups were completed by Skipper, Maximus, Sasquatch and YHC. All of them.

Sasquatch kicked the sesh off with a brief disclaimer and  a unique and effective warm-up that included:

SSH

5+ minute plank with upward dog, downward dog (with multiple variations)

Peter Parker

Parker Peter

Plank jacks

Merkins

Wide-arm merkins

Now that the upper body and core were fired up we moseyed over to the playground where we completed:

3 sets of 5 pullups

5 toes to bar

10 partner clap pushups

wheelbarrow ~20 yards

2 sets of 5 curb merkins

5 curb burpees

5 curb sit-up-getups

1 set of 5 windmill merkins

YHC took over right at 0700 and brought the PAX back to the parking lot where we split into two groups, first group (A)  runs lap around park, stopping at all park benches to complete a number of exercises, return to parking lot and switch with group (B) who is completing exercises in cadence with good form (AMRAP):

1st lap, Group B- Deep squats (AMRAP), Group A – Runs with 10 dips each bench (20 total)

2nd Lap, Burpees (AMRAP) and Step-ups (20 total)

3rd lap, Monkey Humpers (AMRAP) and Derkins (total)

After much grumbling and some counting methods no better than our last few elections we switched it up and moved to front of parking lot for some more partner work.

First partner sprints to far end of parking lot, 2nd partner holds plank. We did 3 or 4 rounds

Finally we did some Mary for 3 minutes, flutter kicks in cadence and american hammers to get us to 0730 and COT.

Thanks for the opportunity Skipper!

 

 

 

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F3 AMRAP 4 AUTISM

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F3 AMRAP 4 AUTISM

B.L.U.F.

Saturday April 2nd there will be a #BEATDOWN of epic proportions (AMRAP style) at Alcatraz.  This #SNOTWOGGLER is being delivered in order to support families with autism (like mine) get the resources they need.  The average cost for ABA therapy is $60,000 per year and can be much higher depending on the severity and need.  Autism Strong Foundation is a local non-profit that is “Founded on faith and led by inclusion, our mission is to provide the strongest support, community and hope for those touched by autism. All funds raised by Autism Strong are mindfully donated to our community in the way that will make the greatest impact; connecting families and children to the resources they desperately need.” Give HERE if you feel so lead.

THE WHY:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord…” Jeremiah 29:11

My son Noah was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in June of last year.  The verse from Jeremiah is a truth that my M and I have hung on to ever since that day.  Admittedly there have been many days where we have doubted, more than I’d like to admit, as we’ve worked to learn and navigate this new world we were thrusted in to.  When we do doubt, Noah is quick to bring a smile to our face with his infectious laugh or just his sweet demeanor – reminding us that while this world may be new to us, he has been here all along and we must only try to see things from the perspective God has gifted Noah with.

Through our journey we have found an amazing community and organization with a local nonprofit called Autism Strong Foundation.  The foundation was started to help families that cannot afford to help their children get the care they need for autism.  My M and I know firsthand, after battling with insurance for coverage, how difficult it can be to carry this burden on top of everything else.  We know many families are losing that fight or just cannot afford to help their children with the extremely high cost of therapy.  Some families must make a choice between paying the power bill or therapy for their special needs child, could you imagine that decision?

 

THE WHAT

  • F3 AMRAP 4 AUTISM is taking over Alcatraz on Saturday April 02.
  • 0630 launch with brief warmup and explanation of the day’s event
  • 0650 Event Start. AMRAP below workout for 32 minutes (Partner or OYO)
    • 54 shoulder to overhead with coupon
    • 54 yard walking lunge with coupon
    • 54 KB swings to eye level
    • 54 squat cleans with coupon
    • Run 1 lap around the park
  • 0722 Clock Stops
  • 0730 COT & Winners Announced
  • 0745 Coffeteria

 

 Other Details

  • Workout is open to ALL MEN – regardless of if you donate. #CorePrinciple and all…
  • We will be gathering as many coupons as we can. If you have a sandbag, kettlebell or cinderblock please bring it.  Recommend no more than 50 lbs.
  • AMRAP 4 AUTISM is an annual event started by Autism Strong Foundation in 2013.  April 30 is the “official” event.  It will be at Matthews Sports Plex and is going to be a TON OF FUN.  Check it out HERE and register or just plan to come hang out and enjoy this awesome community event!  The workout is the same as above and they will have sandbags for all participants.

 

How you can help

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Insider baseball

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Kaiser took the lead and started us off with the warmup.

We then proceeded to bear crawl together across the field. No one could pass the Q, and we stopped at regular intervals for some pain.

Next up was some Dora. Partnering up, one partner ran down the field and back, while the other worked on Merkins, squats, and LBCs. After LBCs for the 6, Kaiser passed the torch to Battle Bot.

Starting with reps of 10, we hit 10 burpees in the field and worked our way counter clockwise around the path. Pain stations were as follows in the map below

Lap 2 was 15 reps of each.

Some quick Mary, followed by COT, then coffeeteria at Tega Cay Deli

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No Arrival

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40-some pax posted to the region’s Ground Zero at WEP for a smorgasbord of pain, from 6@6 to Millkshake to a tried and true BC beatdown.  A very explicit and thorough Disclaimer was pronounced by Dark Helmet for the benefit of our FNG, and then the pax blasted off.

The Thang

The recitation of the 5 Core Principles quickly failed to meet DOAH’s standard, leading to some burpees.

Mosey around the parking lot with some toy soldiers and knee lifts mixed in, with the pax following onto the bandshell stage.

COP proceeded including more core principles along with some Merkins and DOAH’s proclamation that maybe the FNG’s fitness surpassed that of many of the pax present.  {Yes, he’s good at stirring the pot whether he’s poking at the Q or Qing himself.}

More mosey and more warm up exercises until the pax reach the far side of the WEP.

Enter stage left — the BAOPS boys via Clown Car — Trucker, Smuggler, Change Order & Longshanks, who just couldn’t stand the thought  of missing out on the best 1st, 2nd & 3rd F in The Fort on this given Saturday.  {Pro move by whoever made that call!}

Partner up for wheel barrow…to the playground…Yes…to the playground!…where the fun really starts.  {Fishsticks promptly cruised 85% of the way there to prove to his FNG that no matter what DOAH says, the FNG’s fitness had room for improvement.}

At the playground, each partner does 50 (yes, Five-O!) pull ups.  {Jiffy cranked out 30 in rapid fire.}

Some core work followed including LBCs and Rosalitas among others.

Handoff to Double D

Run to the bottom of the hill

Jacob’s Ladder with Donkey Kicks at the bottom and Sumo Squats at the top.  Traverse to the top via Bear Crawl and run to the bottom.

Mosey back to the parking lot with some Mary led by Jekyll

Climb the Stairway to Heaven via lunge walks, pausing for Carolina Dry Docks at each lamp post, starting with 5 reps and adding 5 more at each successive post.

Mosey down to the monuments with some Mary led by Longshanks

Circle up for an FNG introduction to Jack Webb by Change Order

Run home for final 2 mins of Mary by Longshanks

COT

NMM

A spirited pax at The Fort on this pleasant late winter morning!   Back to back weeks with a convergence at The Fort — thanks to the Alcatraz boys for adding their zeal to the day!

Maximus delivered the tailgate coffeeteria in the parking lot afterward and our FNG (EHed by Fishsticks) hung around long enough to learn the backstory of his name (Roy Kent) and to fill his rolodex with roofing customer prospects.

Welcome to Roy Kent!  Barry Manilow was quite vocal about the quality of the name and the importance of RK living up to it.  Well, if he doesn’t meet the mark, we can always default to what RK thought we named him — Rockette!

It was great to have Car Bomb among the pax today, fresh off his return trip from New Zealand, prior to his resettlement in another adventure.

The theme for the day was geared around the notion of life being an endless series of mountain climbs, peak after peak, with no arrival to the top in sight — ever.  Depressing, huh?  No, not for the HIMs of F3 and The Fort.  Give us the hard stuff.  We’re playing the long game and we know you can’t play it alone.  So keep posting, stay engaged with your brothers.  Together we’ll keep accelerating.

It was a treat to Q with DOAH for the first time.  We all look at him as just another member of The Fort, which of course he is.  At the same time, he also invests a huge amount of his life leading the 43 feet for the Nation.  Not only is it not easy being Frank {imagine how hard it must be for Traci his wife}, it’s also lonely at the top of any organization {how about leading one with 50,000 type A men?}, and it’s incredibly challenging to serve as the successor to any founder {would you want to try one Dredd’s shoes}.  Despite the small jabs, I say this with all seriousness — DOAH has taken on an extremely difficult challenge, one that he executes well with tremendous energy and virtue and that we all benefit from.  We’re fortunate that he calls The Fort “home” and that we get to take his crap on a regular cadence.  Thank you, DOAH!

Thanks to Grinder for the opportunity!  Always an honor to lead the men of this brotherhood!

SYITG

 

 

 

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Convergence: Love & a passing of the flag

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Station 1 (Santini): Traditional Pain Platoon

Just your basic beat the hell out of your legs exercises of lunges, squats, and burpees intermixed with meditation and box breathing exercises. Sprint to the top of the hill, recover, and do more exercises including Moroccan night clubs and Carolina dry docks.

NMM: Anxiety and gratitude are not able to occupy the same space.

Station 2 (Shady / Maximus)

Warmup (Shady) – 21 SSH, 5 burpees, 18 SSH, 5 burpees, 12 SSH, someone whined about burpees so we did 10 diamonds merkins…then did 5 burpees
Group 1
  • partnered up and Dora style started out with 100 pull-ups.  Partner 1 on the pull-up bar, partner 2 did a lap around the playgroud
  • Stayed on playground, stayed with partner, Partner 1 AMRAP merkins while partner 2 ran the length of the playground and back to AMRAP merkins
  • Stayed on the AMRAP theme with flutters, then back to merkins, then back to flutters…then (I think) time was called

Group 2

  • Partnered up and Dora style, but this time 50 pull-ups with the run around the playground (Q modification given time and we aren’t cyborgs)
  • AMRAPs were just 1 round of merkins and flutters (again, I think…may need a lifeline here from Max)
  • We made our way to the hill with the statue where Maximus laid down the NUR up the hill and at the top 10 bomb jacks and ran to the bottom where we did 20 American hammers..we did this twice
  • W/ time to spare we ran to the top for 10 diamond merkins and ran to the bottom for 10 V-ups
  • In buzzer beater fashion, we ran to the top again for 10 ranger merkins and ran to the bottom for a partner 1 lay on the ground and grab partner 2s ankles where partner 2 would throw partner 1s feet down 10 times as you straight leg lifted them to his face

Group 3

  • Dora style 50 pull-ups with the run around the playground
  • We made our way to the hill with the statue where Maximus laid down the NUR up the hill and at the top 10 bomb jacks and ran to the bottom where we did 20 american hammers..we did this twice
  • Running low on time ran to the top for 10 diamond merkins and ran to the bottom for the ankle grabbing / feet throwing core exercise 10 times
NMM: After each of the groups had done their pull-ups, Maximus and Shady shared their thoughts and experiences on LOVE.
  • Shady – areas of focus were loving your brother and being your brothers keeper.  Sending a text or reaching out to someone to just say “hey, thinking of you” could change their day.  Realizing that the ones you love are watching you, emulating you, picking up on good and bad habits.  Realizing we don’t know it all, especially to the ones we love, is a sign of humility and a factor of growth and development.  For those of us with children, we have never been parents before so we honestly have no idea what we’re doing.  Love starts with servant leadership and personally for YHC, this usually progresses when the mouth is shut and ears are open.
  • Maximus – For my discussion on love, it begins with being intentional as love is a decision. We must make the decision to be intentional with our actions. Whether it be in our faith, marriage, parenting of our kids, with friends and yes, even with work relationships, we must be intentional. Think about how easy it is to get distracted, whether at dinner with your wife or even on a Zoom call for work. We often allow our minds to wander or even start doing something else while the other person is talking, looking for our engagement. Stop. Be the person who is present in the moment. Put the shoe on the other foot. Love that person as your relationship to them allows.

Station 3 (Pusher & Cakeboss): Love Edition

COP
  • SSHs
  • Windmills
  • Squats
  • Mtn Climbers
  • Merkins
  • IWs
Cake Boss spells love “B-U-R-P-E-E”
The Thang
  • Jacobs Ladder with Derkins and Monkey Humpers
  • Plank/Dip sequence
  • Bear crawl to top with burpees
NMM:
  • Cord of 3 strands cannot be broken. Having God in your marriage is the 3rd string. Adding communication to the marriage strengthens it. – CB
  • Gifts vs Gaps. Focus on the gifts that your wife or significant other bring vs what she is missing. Seeing her this way builds love. – Pusher
  • Much love was on display with all of the mumblechatter and fellowship. The relationships formed through F3 has increased our love internally and is reflected outward to our Ms, 2.0s, PAX and community… #morethanaworkout

Shovel Flag hand off for two leadership positions in the Fort:

Shady handed off the Nantan role to Double D
Esso handed off the Weasel Shaker role to YHC

Awesome work by the PAX today. Hard to put into words how much improved my disposition on life is since moving back to Fort Mill because of F3. Grateful for an opportunity to serve the PAX of The Fort.

NMM: Double D was the site-Q at Block Party when I started posting. If it wasn’t for his steady presence with a commitment to the integrating 2nd F and 3rd F elements into each workout, I doubt I’d have kept posting. Double D is a genuine human, I’m a better dude for knowing him, and I’m excited for his leadership.

—
Band Camp dismissed

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