Ring of Fire honors fallen heros

YHC got the call to Q the newly renamed AO Ring of Fire in honor of our fallen F3 brother Cash. NAFO has become the home where we honor a lot of our hero’s who have fallen to protect our families and nation. It is also where we host the annual MURPH WO to honor LT. Michael Murphy who was the officer-in-charge of a four-man SEAL element in support of Operation Red Wings, as well as a graduate of The Penn State University (We Are…Penn State). Ironically there is a MAFO parking stall with the PSU logo near our normal COT spot, which was highlighted as we mossy over the field. This year and last has been crazy with loss of life; from COVID, to cancer, to military operations. It also has been a troubling time for our country and not to get political (which I don’t like to do) but we are all sons of HIM, it shouldn’t matter what side we are on politically, we are a country that was founded on men being created equal – ALL people should be and have to be treated the same way. Right now, this has been lost.

So YHC thought it would be good to honor our fallen brothers to show unity and the power in brotherhood.

We bolted over to the field, YHC gave a quick disclaimer and then explained the WO. There was no COP because we would not have enough time to complete the “modified MURPH”.  If you have never done the real MURPH, come out Memorial Day weekend and experience it. It is THE best WO and personal accomplishment you will ever do. What is it you ask rookies? 1 mile run followed with 100 pull-ups, 200 merkins, 300 squats, run a mile. Officially with a 20lb body armor (ruck or weight vest).

The thang:

Run a lap – 10 Pull-ups, 20 Merkins, 30 Squats

Run 2 laps – 20 Pull-ups, 40 Merkins, 60 Squats

Run 3 laps – 30 Pull-ups, 60 Merkins, 90 Squats

Run 4 laps – 40 Pull-ups, 60 Merkins, 120 Squats (only a few completed 4 laps and started on the reps)

For those PAX who posted, great accomplishment to the MURPH twist.

Don’t forget about our brothers who have fallen!!

Peace Out

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Running in Circles

8 HIMs gathered at Ring of Fire today with many thoughts on their mind. Would Pusher bring it? Would it rain? Would we do pull ups? These questions among others brought the Pax into the gloom seeking all 3 F3s and YHC was happy to oblige.

After creating the Weinke, Kaiser reached out to ask that I bring a Bible verse with me the next day. This request led to some soul searching. YHC first thought was to go with Galatians 5:13 which describes our need to serve others in love. Around 4 AM, I woke to the idea of Ephesians 5:8 which calls us to live as the light in this world. Both of which aligned with being examples in every relationship.

The idea behind the Weinke was circles. In 2020, it felt like I was running in circles, each time having to overcome hurdles, only to have those same hurdles pop back up again the next time around. 3 circles were chosen and away we went.

Weather

49 degrees with a threat of rain; Rain started at 6:08 AM

The Thang

Proper Disclaimer was uttered

Mosey to Elementary School lot

  • Toy solders/High Knees
  • Karaoke left
  • Lunge walk/Mosey
  • Karaoke Right

COP

  • SSH x 30
  • IW x 15
  • Merkins x 15
  • MNC x 20

Lets get it!

Circle #1 – stop at each 1/4 of the circle

  • 1st stop – 10 Burpees
  • 2nd stop – 20 Squats
  • 3rd Stop – 30 Mountain Climbers
  • 4th Stop – 40 Flutters
  • Rinse and repeat 3 times

Circle #2 – included the hill

  • 1st Stop – 10 Irkins
  • 2nd Stop – 10 Bombjacks
  • 3rd Stop – 10 Monkey Humpers
  • 4th Stop – 10 Big Boys
  • Rinse and repeat 3 times

Circle #3 – School driveway

  • Partner up due to time
  • Partner 1 runs circle
  • Partner 2 does exercises
  • Rinse and repeat
  • 20 Step Ups
  • 10 Dips
  • 30 Merkins
  • 40 Freddy Mercuries

 

Moleskin

  • Thanks to Kaiser for his leadership and the request for the Bible verse
  • Prayers for Splinter and quick recovery
  • Prayers for continued growth as spouses
  • Accountability to be a “light” in this dark world
  • T-claps to Harry Caray and team for putting together the Dam to Dam Bar 10k

The gloom is always the best way to start your day!

Pusher

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Looked Better on Paper

I arrived a bit earlier this morning to scope out some areas of the campus that I have yet to explore.  Eight men showed up on this brisk morning.  We began with a slow mosey around the elementary school parking lot and stopped at the playground for the typical warm-up exercises (SSHs, Windmills, Imperial Walkers, Plank Stretches, Mountain Climbers, Peter Parkers, and Parker Peters.

Next, we moseyed back to the parking lot.  The first series of exercises was a combination bear crawl/squat across the length of the parking lot.  At every other parking space line, we did 10 squats.  Once finished, we did the same routine except we rolled to each line and did 5 merkins.  Lots of complains about dizziness after the first couple spins but we made it through the craziness.

Once the world stopped spinning, we ventured over to the pull up bars (Trucker approved).  We did 10 reps of jump and grab the bar, pull chin over the bar, and hold position for five seconds.  We took a lap around the bus loop to shake out are arms.  Next round was a jump and grab the bar, raise legs up 90 degrees, and hold for five seconds.  Again, another lap.  Last round was a jump up, rotate grip back and forth, and pull chin up over bar.  One last lap around the bus loop and back to COT for a few minutes of Mary.

Great job everyone!  Thanks for trying something new.

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The site formally known as The COOP.

Let me start off by saying cancer sucks. It took one of our PAX last week and I am still mad about it. Jay Griggs known in the gloom as Cash, 51 battled this aweful disease on and off for about two years. He left behind his wife Christine and two kids Katie (14) and Will (12). We came together today to do a workout for him and also to rename this AO in his honor. We wanted to give a name that if someone who didnt know Cash would ask we could explain that the name was in his honor and keep Jays legacy in The Fort going. More on the name at the end.
We statrted with a disclaimer and quick dynamic warmup.
51 SSHs in cadence.
Mosey down the hill for some instructions.
3 cones at bottom of hill. do the first cone run up hill to nafo crosswalk do 10 bombjacks, run back to pull up bars do 5 pull ups, run down to bottom of hill for the next cone, keep repeating until YHC stops the group.
Cone 1- Merkins and Squats
Cone 2- CDDs and American Hammers
Cone 3- Alternating lunges and Alternating Shoulder taps
At each of the cones we did a total between the two exercises 51 reps.
Mosey back to Cot.
We took this time to let the Pax know the AO formally known as The Coop was now to be known as Ring of Fire. One of Jonny Cashs greatest hits. So when someone says how did this palce get the name we can explain.
Announcements and naming of FNG.
FNG- Sappin Patel- Spam
reach out to funhouse to help with at risk middle school kids on their off days from school_ takes palce at forest hill church.
8th annual anniversary party of the Fort. held Oct 2nd 630-930 at 3399 Pleasant Rd. Convergence the following morning at 0630 first baptist fort mill.
Prayers-
for the family of Cash.
marriages and keeping real with raising shorties.
Backdraft Out.

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“Get ur rear in gear” workout

What a morning to workout! Wonderful weather. Many blessings. 12 other workout warriors joined me.

Today’s workout was a “get my rear in gear” style workout. I have been struggling with injuries, lethargy and stress. Not a good mix. So thankful for opportunity to provided to me by Kaiser. First Q since early Feb 2020 that I can recall. (My memory can play tricks on me at 97, Dark Helmet.)

5:00 4 for Warm-up. We did about 18 exercises in 13 minutes.

5:13 13 Circled Up, Mumblechatter

5:14 Disclosure, sighting of an FNG, my message (Words make alive!) below shared:

From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. Proverbs 12:14

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crashes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4.

Words can heal. The tongue can be soothing and a tree of life (James 3:9),

Words are like fruit or food for us; we need them to live.

We also need words coming from the outside to affirm and validate us. We do not live by bread alone but by good words, especially those in line with God’s.

2 Questions posed to the PAX:

  1. Are you aware of the great power even your offhand words can have to bless others?
  2. How can you put this observation about how words can make alive into practice – in thought, attitude, word or deed? PAX challenged to make it happen today!

5:17-6:00

Social distanced group single file run around 1/2 of parking lot over to pull-up bars.

Session 1:

Group 1: 1 min each X 3 rounds of: Chin-ups or Pull-ups (your choice), Burpees, Dead Hang, The Hill

Group 2: Burpee broad jump to stop sign then into 10 Peter Pointers, then run back to start; Sprint to stop sign then into 10 Peter Pointers, then run back to start; Bearcrawl to stop sign, then into 10 Peter Pointers, then run back to start; repeat until Group 1 is completed

Session 2:

50 good form reps of each, any order you want:

Plyomerkins

Split squat jumps (knee touching down, 50 each side)

Thumbs up merkins

Flying Squirrels

Session 3: 5 minute continuous abs, 1 min each exercise

Twisting Pistons

Rolling Jackknife

Scissor V-ups

LBC Crunch and Twist (both sides)

Starfish crunch

Session 4: Switched Group assignments from Session 1. One round completed each.

COT:

A few unhappy (non)smiles about the workout they just did. Thanks for the push, fellas.

A BIG PAX WELCOME TO FNG: COPPERTONE!! (Hospital name: Brandon) (He did great!)

Announcements: Shield BD bash at The Ranch 5/17/2020.

Prayers: for a specific PAX’s child, another’s brother, another’s friend challenged with marital difficulties and the hope of opening up to other’s.

My prayer for all PAX: from today’s subtheme: Your words can make alive!

Lord, each of us has a host of people around us who are eager for, and

desirous of, words of blessing and affirmation from us. We are often too

distracted to deliberately praise and appreciate people every day. We earnestly

pray for you to find us ways to say to others, “Well done good and faithful

servant.” (Matt 25:23) Amen.

 

 

 

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Pick your Poison

After yesterday’s IRONPAX ordeal, it was my intention to have a moderate workout planned for the Pax in attendance.

The warmup was a quick mosey around the NaFo parking lot followed by windmills, Morrocan nightclubs, Imperial walkers and Hillbilly walkers.

The main event was a pick your poison routine:

125 SSH AND MERKINS

100 SQUATS AND MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS

75 BOMB JACKS AND BIGBOY SITUPS

50 PULLUPS AND KNEES TO CHEST

After each exercise we ran down to the hill and back.

We were in round 2 when time ran out and we finished with COT.

Thanks Kaiser 😊

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The Sweati 2020

The Sweati 2020-
79 HIM took to The Forts annual summer CSAUP event. It was 78 degrees when 24 Ruckers launched from The Coliseum at 0530. They had their disclaimer and direction to the first of the 3 pain stations. Just After at 0600 54 runners took to the route. They departed and ran about 2.5 miles and got to meet Bones at Golden Corral for the first pain station. He worked them over as they came in for about 10-15 minutes. Once he finished dishing the pain they took off to Pantheon only about 1.5 miles up the Road. Fishsticks was waiting for sprints and pain. He had the PAX attention for another 10-15 minutes. Once they left they brought the route back to YHC. While waiting for the PAX to return and doing burpees I decided that my other two Qs most likely put the PAX through so much I would give them a choice. Either 20 burpees at 5 light poles with bear crawls in-between or they could buyout of it for a $50. going to our brother Cash. Most wanted to take on both challenges. We wore black for Cash and am still amazed at the Photos coming in from across the Country showing support to this HIM. We love you Cash. Here is a link to the pay-pal account if you feel you would like to support.

paypal.me/f3thefort

Backdraft Out

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The Coop: A Pint Down

YHC gave blood last night…so today’s workout was highly modular. (In case I passed out)

We headed to the center of the football field and circled up for a warm up
SSH
IW
HW
Shoulder Taps
Did some light yoga

Moved toward the goal line doing butt kickers, inch worms, and/or toy soldiers
Moved back towards the opposite goal line Karaoke, side shuffle, and more toy soldiers
Bear Crawl toward the 50-yard line adding 10 merkins every 25 yards.

Did some heavy yoga

Ran the track with four burpees at every corner

Did some heavier yoga

Sprinted 100 yards a few times until Yoshi looked a bit tired.
Mosey back to COT

Did pigeon lunge at COT and was called out for not having any ab-specific exercises by Straight Up. Fair point.

NMM:

Kaiser asked YHC to think about a bible verse that speaks to me:
Exodus 4:2 [God talking to Moses]

Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”
“A stick,” he replied.

Moses only needed what God had already provided to accomplish the divine work laid out for him. What do you already have that God can use in your life?


Band Camp dismissed.
 

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Ring of Fire at the Coop

Ten pax posted at the Coop for a “ring of fire” workout.

Warmup
Mosey run (with butt kickers, high knees, toy soliers)
SSH  (12x I/C)
Windmills (10x I/C)
Imperial Walkers (12x I/C)
Morrocan N/C (10x I/C)
Low Slow Squats (10x I/C)
Arm Circles (10x I/C)
Peter Parkers (10x I/C)
Plank Stretches (Downward dog/honeymooner)

Thang 1
At Pull up bars, do:

Regular pull ups 5x Chin ups 5x Switch grip pull ups 5x
Knees to chest 10x Toes to bar 10x

Grab cinder blocks and head to bottom of the hill by the elementary school.

Thang 2
Ring of fire #1: Circle of stations is below.  Pax do the exercise noted while the runner goes to top of hill and back (he’s the timer).  ©=cinder block

Burpees Mtn climbers SSH Chest press ©
KB swings © thrusters © Farmers carry ©© Squats
Alt shldr taps Imp Walkers Tricep ext © RUNNER
Curls © Shoulder press w/ bricks ©

Thang end
Ring of fire #2: Mary flavored

Flutters Dying cockroaches Protractors
Big Boys Drunken mountain climbers Big boys

Fini, COT

Continuing Kaiser’s theme of favorite Bible verses, mine is 1st Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Testing makes us stronger; flexes our spiritual muscles.

NNM: Need to trim the pain stations on the ring to match number of pax; makes the flow better.

Playlist: (Man themed)
Superman, REM
Ramblin gambling man, Bob Seger
Enter Sandman, Metallica
I’m a Man, Chicago
The Man, the Killers

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