Stay Focused – Q-school edition

11 Pax this morning with more seasoned vets and less newer members than expected. A good thing for me as a newer F3 PAX, I knew I could delegate some of the portions of the Q school lessons for the day!

Fishstix brought two left shoes so decided he would just do this workout without any shoes…. I think we finally found a way to slow this HIM down!

WARMUP: Slapshot started us off with a brief intro for Q school, emphasizing how the workout Q is essential to the F3 mission. The importance of the disclaimer was discussed reminding PAX that an FNG likely doesn’t know what an FNG is, so good idea to ask if there are any new guys instead.

Slapshot finished his portion of the Q with an impeccable example of how to take control of the workout and lead the PAX by altering and dictating pace of SSH cadence calling.

YHC took over and led the PAX down to Dave Gibson to the IvyBrook Academy parking lot. There we planked and performed some shoulder taps while discussing warmups (or lack thereof at most running AOs)

Continued on down Dave Gibson to the entrance of the schools where we performed SSH and then Al Gored while discussing some important components of successful workout designs – Overpreparing, Writing down Weinke, Having quick hitters in your back pocket in case finish early (tabata, EMOM, etc)

THE THANG: Mickey Mouse Burpee Sandwiches

station 1 (near end of school drive): Wide-arm Merkins
station 2 (far end of school drive): Diamond Merkins
Mid-point: Burpees (always 5)

Progressive circuit – start with 3 reps of merkins on each end with 5 burpees in the middle. next round 6 merkins each side with 5 burpees in middle. continue adding 3 merkins to each side.

We SSH for the 6 at station 1 after each round and discussed various components of successful workout designs (pearls on a string, 3S2T, time-boxing, etc)

Made through 4 rounds and headed back to Earthfare lot.

With about 4 minutes to spare we did a little running around the parking lot with 5k pace on the shorter parking lot sides and jog pace on the longer sides.

Finished at 0600

COT: Announcements – Bourbon Tasting fundraiser Saturday – see Cyclops posts on Slack

……..oh yeah, if you haven’t heard….. I may have forgot the shovel flag this morning after the workout. This should be fun….

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Keep Grindin’

Warmup: Mosey down Dave Gibson to first school parking lot (Station 1)

Thang: Start at station 1, perform 10 shoulder taps and 10 boat/canoes, run to station 2 (cul-de-sac on Patricia Ln) and perform 5 Kraaken Merkins and 20 dips, run to station 3 (cul-de-sac on Ben Casey Dr) and perform 25 merkins and 25 monkey humpers

rinse and repeat until about 0556 and run back to CoT

some PAX got in 4 rounds and over 4miles

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Q-School 2022

Have you not Q’d a workout yet in the Fort?
Have you not Q’d in a while?

Then you may be a perfect candidate for Q School.

Starting the Week of 5/16  we will be hosting 5 separate sessions of Q school throughout the Fort. Each Q school session will give PAX an overview on the fundamentals of being a Q and an intro into a specific type of workout.

It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned PAX or a newcomer these sessions will provide important reminders and tips on how to execute a challenging workout.

What we’ll cover:

  • How to Prep
  • Safety
  • Disclaimer
  • Cadence
  • Workout Routines
  • COT/Naming of FNG’s
  • Backblasts

This year, for this first time we’ll be offering Q school with Ruck and Run options. This is an awesome opportunity to sharpen skills, learn new skills, and introduce yourself to workouts you haven’t experienced in the past.

The Lineup:

5/16 Sweet the Leg  – Running Bootcamp

5/17 Curahee – Ruck

5/18 Clydesdales – Run

5/19 Laces In – Boot Camp

5/20 The Hive – Kettlebell

If you have any questions or thoughts, please feel free to reach out to SlapShot.

SYITG!

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Breathe

WARMUP:
None
THE THANG:
Run down to the bottom of Brayden Pkwy focus on relaxed breathing. Every intersection, 5 burpees and 10 squats, recovery run down the hill after each intersection. Once the third set was complete, back down to the bottom.
Next, we ran back up the hill stopping at every intersection for 5 burpees and 10 squats. Next, we crossed the street and stopped at the Pet Supplies store front. We finished the workout with loops around the parking lot, stopping after each lap for a round of 3 count up/down merkins and LBCs. No specific rep count, complete until failure.

Great job everyone!

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Are you running to or running from? And Duck Donuts

SWEEP THE LEG

Monday, 3/7/2022

11 PAX – @Cubbie, @Vuvuzela, @Maximus, @Skipper, @Pusher, @Trucker, @38Special, @Shady, @FishSticks, @Badlands,@FireMarshallBill

Duck Dounts Workout Plan:

Run over to Brayden

Run 1 donut lap – 0.6 miles each

Complete next exercise

Donut lap is Emory to Helton, Helton to Emory

 

Lap 1 (Maple Bacon)

Exercise 1 – 20 Merkins

Lap 2 (Cookies and Cream)

Exercise 2 – 30 Dips on the curb

Lap 3 (Peanut Butter Paradise)

Exercise 3 – 50 squats

Lap 4 (Strawberry Shortcake)

Exercise 4 -Mountain Climbers – 50 each leg

Lap 5 (S’Mores)

Exercise 5 – Freddie Mercuries – 50 each leg

Extra Lap (Coconut Island Bliss) (@Vuvuzela, @Maximus, @Badlands, @Fishsticks, others??)

Exercise 6 – 50 Flutter Kicks

Head back for COT

PAX Notes:

Cubbie learned there are 5 rules to F3 not 3. Great start. Cubbie led PAX across 160 and went first while others decided not to become road meat, smart choice. We met at Emory and Helton by Brayden mailbox for workout plan. Trucker and 38Special got a head start, then ran in the reverse direction with Fire Marshall Bill. Cubbie ran with Skipper and helped with the hills. Mumblechatter helped push through. Vuvuzela, Badlands, and FishSticks led. Maximus, Shady, and Pusher followed in pursuit. Those 6 were able to complete Lap 6 / Exercise 6. Vuvu and Badlands stayed behind to catch remaining PAX and almost beat Cubbie back to COT.

4-5 miles ran

Covered plus/deltas for Cubbie VQ. Need more rest, less cardio in between running. Need to not shout at the nice Brayden neighbors during exercise explanation. Good plan with nice visuals and theme. Good workout, everyone seemed like they gave it 100%. There was some complaining about no actual Duck Donuts but the way I see it everyone had at least 5 while others went for half dozen.

Closing message before Announcements, Prayers, Closing Prayer – Are you running to or running from?:

STL is a running style workout. We are running around our communities, running for ourselves, running to be better men. We are running to these things – What are we running from? Is it that:

  • Anger that comes out when we are disciplining our children
  • The need to be in control
  • Joker in your life: Porn, Alcohol, drugs
  • Relationship with your wife that you want to improve that you don’t know how, with your children, with God

I had to start to get right in my mind to what I am running from. After being defeated, exhausted, and spent, I realized I couldn’t outrun my own Joker. By facing it head on, I was able to start that journey. I realized I need to be honest about myself and where I wanted to go. Most important I realized I could not go somewhere I had not gone before by using my same old mindset. I am not perfect and still struggle every day. But I try to be 1% better than the day before.

Start your journey today. Be honest about your struggle, get help professionally, join a Whetstone or Shieldlock, and start to attack your problems head on. And that is where each of us can become a better co-worker, leader, coach, Cub Scout leader, Dad, Husband, Son, and a man.

Honored to lead VQ. Thanks to those who showed and got stronger.

Cubbie out

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D2D FoMo- Hill Repeats

9 was the number that descended on the Earth Fare parking lot for a cool Monday beatdown. Quick disclaimer that I was not a professional and we took off towards South State Bank and ultimately towards the challenge that was presented by YHC on the Dave Gibson Hill.

However before that I took the PAX down the hill and back towards Gold Hill Middle School and shared that I was very disappointed that I missed the relay and I was hoping to relive the experience with the unsuspecting PAX that showed including several HIMs that conquered the relay just two days prior. Maybe I should have had more mercy? 🤷🏽‍♂️

We stopped at the entrance to Gold Hill and I laid out the challenge. Run to the opposite end of the parking lot towards where Colosseum COT takes place. Challenge: run there and back and complete 100 Merkins in any combination rep total of your preference, just get 100 done before you get back to the start.

We took off and YHC decided to do 20 at a time and so make my 5 stops along the way with Badlands pushing the pace. Despite that Fishsticks somehow finished first and we waiting for the 6 in the plank position.

Now for the meat and potatoes, We were to run hill repeats from one set of cones to the next at the top of Dave Gibson approx .5 miles and then proceed to complete 1 Monkey Humper at the top of the hill and then 7 burpees at the bottom. Repeat, but next round its 2 Monkey Humpers and only 6 Burpees at bottom. Stretch Goal is to get 7 laps. None achieved the goal. Misery was had by all and the time went quickly and painfully slow at the same time.

Good mumble chatter from the PAX and it was great hearing about the D2D relay.  Around 5:55 we headed back to COT.

3.5-4.9 miles were achieved, with a minimum of 100 Merkins, 20-30 burpees and 10-15 monkey humpers and 300-400 ft of elevation gain 💪🏽 were completed. Upon reflection I should have made the monkey humpers in sets of 10.

Announcements were announced, prayers were prayed and praises were given to the Most High! Great work men!

Poppins Out ✌🏽

 

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STL – Just Keep Going

9 PAX at Sweep the Leg

3.75 mile route through Baxter, some got a little extra at the end.

Every stop we did the following exercises for the 6 to arrive. When the 6 was in, YHC called either one more exercise or we went back to moseying
Exercises:
5 burpees
10 merkins
15 squats
20 flutters
25 lbcs
Mostly we continued on after squats or flutters

When we arrived at Alison Park everyone had 5 pull-ups, but they called the up and down. Other PAX were doing merkins because there’s only one pull-up bar in all of Baxter. 40 merkins and 5 pull-ups for everyone at Alison. From there we continued our route

NMM:
The workout was designed to model the following scenario. Sometimes things are rough and you want them to change. But you find the change is just as rough or worse. So, you go back and forth. The point is: you don’t stop.

An honor to lead such a fast group.


Band Camp Dismissed

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Valentine’s Day Massacre – STL Edition

Vuvuzela reached out about Q’ing a few weeks back. Luckily a top three finish for YHC happened circa Summer 2020 so eligibility had not yet expired. It was a seemingly warm 27 degrees as the PAX rolled out of the vehicles this morning. Hadn’t seen Slap Shot or Skipper in quite some time – so the smiles were a plenty. 0515. Time to work.

Warm Up

Disclaimer disclaimed. Mentioned all the necessary stuffs that one would say before running off into the dark. That feeling of warmth that I mentioned around the cars? That quickly changed as we descended into the depths of Dave Gibson Blvd for our warm up lap. Maximus and YHC started in front and felt the temps drop at least five degrees as we reached the bottom of the hill. We hit the bottom and headed back up to our vehicles for a quick mile to get the blood pumping.

YHC then took the PAX across 160 and down to the bottom of Brayden Pkwy. Pointed out the median breaks on the way to familiarize the PAX with the area. Plank up at the bottom and wait for direction.

WEINKE

Hill suicides (gassers for Band Camps’ sake).

Run to Median Break One, 10 reps of prescribed exercise, run back to bottom.

Run to Median Break Two, 20 reps of prescribed exercise, run back to bottom.

Run to Median Break Three, 30 reps of prescribed exercise, run back to bottom.

Movements for rounds of suicides were:

Suicide 1: Merkins/Flutter Kicks

Suicide 2: Curb Dips/LBC’s

Suicide 3: CDD’s/Hello Dollies

After 3 suicides and 42 flights of stairs climbed later… it was 5 minutes to 0600. So we high tailed it back to Earth Fare and ran a lap around the lot, finishing our work with 10/20/30 Squats/American Hammers along the way.

4.3 miles and 400 feet of elevation gain in 45 minutes. Not bad for a Monday morning.

NMM

Maximus high tailed it out of the quickly after we numbered off and did the namearama. His reasoning: cooking breakfast for Valentine’s Day. He’s got four lovely ladies at home and the man knows how to prioritize. That’s something we the PAX tend to neglect in our F3 world from time to time. Along the way Slap Shot and I discussed future events/races and in the midst of the conversation it came up that it’s necessary to be aware that overextending ourselves in our fitness journey tends to leave our M’s feeling a bit neglected from time to time. Be aware of that. While F3 is a good thing – our marriages deserve much more focus.

 

Prayers/Praises – 

Pray for YHC’s family. A lot going on these past few weeks.

Pray for our minds and our abilities to keep from self isolating when going through hard things as men.

 

Thanks, Vuvu, for the tap. Enjoyed the lead today.

 

Punch List out.

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Badlands Wet and Wild VQ

After my first post in late October 2021, I managed a solid 2 months of free-loading.  Then, this morning came time for my VQ…

 

Text Exchange (as sideways rain whipped through the EarthFare parking lot, getting worse by the minute):

05:05 – Badlands – This should be fun.

05:06 – Kermit – This is a little much.

05:07 – Badlands – No lightning at least.

05:07 – Kermit – I don’t know if I’m this hardcore.  But I’ve never had to make this decision.

05:08 – Badlands – This is the worst.  I’ve never been to one that’s got canceled

05:08 – Kermit – This is insane. It’s because of your name.

05:09 – Badlands – It’s gonna break right in time to start.

05:12 – Badlands – Told you.  Skies clearing right in time.

05:12 – Kermit – It’s still raining, just not coming down in sheets now.

 

And with the calming of the rain – 7 PAX exited their vehicles and entered the gloom.

 

Disclaimer and a brief overview of the workout then we were off…

 

Moseyed onto 160 towards Baxter until we found an extra soggy spot ¼ mile in.  We circled up (kind of) and I stumbled through COP as the rain ceased:

20x Goofballs (IC)  *w/BandCamp doing his best to make my life difficult*

15x MNC (IC)

20x IW (IC)

 

Moseyed further down 160 with R/T onto Front St, down to the Berkshire Heights loop.

 

Main Workout:

OYO CCW running of Berkshire Heights loop (~.9 miles) x2 with pain stations at each stop sign (5/loop = 10 total)

10x Merkins

10x Big Boy Situps

10x Squats

 

After second loop, returned to EarthFare parking lot to earn extra credit as temperatures noticeably dipped and winds picked up.

Main Workout Totals:  3 miles, 100 merkins, 100 big boys, and 100 squats.

 

Extra credit back at the parking lot consisted of 4 corners style workout with running in between:

Corner #1 – 10x Left Leg Lunge

Corner #2 – 10x Right Leg Lunge

Corner #3 – 10x Shoulder Taps

Corner #4 – 10x Mountain Climbers

All PAX earned some extra credit on the day – some getting another .5 miles and 30 more reps of each exercise.

 

Name-o-rama, Announcement, Praises, Prayers..

 

As we scattered toward the vehicles, the rain started again…  If you didn’t know, it rarely rains in the Badlands.

 

Thanks to Vuvuzela for the opportunity to lead, and for the conversation while driving to get his spare keys after getting locked out of his vehicle 😉

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F3 The Fort – Adopt a Highway (#2)

****March 5th 2022- 7:45am – 8:00am****

Men,

We have officially signed up for the Adopt-A-Highway Litter pick-up program.  Our adopted Highway is US21 from Peachstand south to Sutton Rd. (2 miles). We will have a sign installed to promote this section of the highway.  We are encouraged to complete 4 pick-ups a year (once a quarter).  All supplies will be provided.  All we need to do is show up.  The SC DOT will come out and pick up our bags along the route after completion.

**Our NEXT Clean-up date is tentatively scheduled for March 5th. (start time )  7:45 am – 8:00am**. There is no time expectation for participation.  Stay as long as needed or head out early.  Modify as needed. Plan for 2 hours if you complete the 1-mile loop.  We split up into two groups last time and met at the halfway point.

We will begin at the Peachstand (rear of the building) and coordinate.  I have 30 vests and all supplies.

Fogerty will be the main contact for this event over the next two years.

Here are some of the logistics:

• Make sure your group knows that in case of bad weather the cleanup will be postponed. Litter collection should never be done in the dark or in bad weather.
• Notify local news media who may have an interest in publicizing your group’s activities. • Remind your group of the appropriate clothing. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts and sturdy shoes help avoid scratches and irritation from poisonous plants. Light or brightly colored clothing will make them easily visible to passing traffic.
• Be sure you have all the materials and supplies you’ll need beforehand, including first aid kits.
• Check with members of your group to be aware of any allergies that might be important (such as bee-stings, etc).
• Work out a plan for what you will do in the event of an emergency. Find out what the quickest route to the hospital is.
• Park vehicles at both ends of the adopted section.

• Volunteers must be at least 13 years old to participate in Adopt-A-Highway cleanups. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult on all Adopt-A-Highway cleanups.

The state does provide adopt-a-highway orange and blue bags.  Orange bags are for trash and blue bags are for recyclables if you want to recycle.  Your group is also provided with orange safety vests.   We do require four pickups every year, usually once every quarter.  All that is needed to be done after trash is picked up is to call or email me and I will send one of our crews to pick up the bags.

It is volunteers like you who are going to make a difference by speaking up and doing what they can to help their community.  Please let me know If you have any questions, I will be glad to assist you.

Thank you,

Sherry J. Johnson
Administrative Specialist/
Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator
SC Department of Transportation
803-327-6186 O I 803-327-6184 F
JohnsonSJ@scdot.org

District Four Maintenance
338 Robertson Road West
Rock Hill, SC 29730

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