Category: The Fort

Backblast: Clydesdale’s run in the dark

Leave a comment
  • QIC: Beats
  • When: 10/19/16
  • Pax: Green Wave, Corn Hole, Mainframe, Rebel, Gridlock, Chicken Hawk, Backdraft, Deacon, Corruption, Twister, Newman, Anchorman, Culture Club, Tesh, Moneypit, Zima, Orange Crush, Cobra Kai, Gilmore
  • Posted In: Clydesdales, The Fort

Twenty men came out this morning to stretch their legs and run in the gloom. This was my first Q since I started doing F3. Twister wanted something different than the Biscuit run or down to Wally World, so i took a page from Wapner’s workout and we took the streets and followed the new Kingsley loop. Anchorman and Gilmore lead a group on the Pineapple run and a few guys went to find some trails. Glad they made it back. I wouldn’t know where to go find them. Good times.

TClap |
0

Nothing Fancy

Leave a comment
  • QIC: Jiffy and White Lightning
  • When: 10/15/16
  • Pax: Nuke, Straight Up, Oprah, Fishstix, Cornhole, Mr Clean, Senator Tressel, Cha Ching, and Rebel
  • Posted In: Alcatraz, The Fort

Jiffy and YHC’s plan was for me to handle the warm up and cardio, then Jiffy would hammer the upper body.  Nothing fancy, just a good old fashioned beat down.

The lights were turned on, Senator Tressel planted the shovel flag, YHC gave the disclosure, and away we went.

The Thang:

Lap Around the Fields

Dynamic Warmup – Shuffle – Karaoke Down – Butt Kickers – High Knees – Jog Backwards

The Other Warm-Up – SSH x 20 – IW x 20 – Mtn Climbers x 20 – Plank – Honeymooner – Parker Peter x 20 – Peter Parker x 20 – Slow Windmill – Moroccan Night Club (until it hurt)

10-20-30-40 – Mosey to Retaining Wall – 10 – Derkins – 20 – Dips – 30 – Step Ups – 40 Squats (At the bottom of the hill) – Rinse and Repeat

Mosey to Dugout and Handoff to Jiffy

Headed over to the playground, counted off in groups of 4

Group 1 – 10 pull-ups
Group 2 – 20 merkins
Group 3 – 20 dips
Group 4 – 20 Carolina dry docks

Repeated two more times replacing the merkins with wide armed and then diamond merkins

Next headed over to the field, did a series where you ran to the first light pole 15 LBCs, then ran to the next light pole and did another 15 LBCs and then ran to the end with a final set of 15 LBCs and then ran back today

Repeated that sequence switching the exercise to 10 merkins, then 15 American hammers, then 10 Carolina dry docks and closing with 5 burpees. We worked in some 10 counts along the way to pace ourselves

This was all completed a little faster than YHC had planned. We circled up for some ab work. Not recalling exact numbers and sequence but went something like:

LBCs x 12
Hello Dolly’s x 12
Plank punches x 10
Regular planks and side arm raises
Old man sit-ups x 10
Peter parkers x 10
Parker peters x 10

Running out of options I asked for a suggestion from Fish Sticks and he assisted with Superman’s to close out.

Moleskin: It was great to be back at the friendly confines of Alcatraz. This was only Jiffy’s second Q but no one could  tell, he led like a seasoned vet.  Great effort by all the men today!

 

TClap |
0

Java to tha Max

Leave a comment
  • QIC: Maximus & Java
  • When: 10/18/16
  • Pax: Kielbasa, big Papi, Pusher, Macgyver, Olaf, Long Shanks, Stang, Birdcage, Cha-ching, What did, Chicken Hawk, C-Span, Shady, Package
  • Posted In: Block Party, The Fort

What lovely weather we had to play in the grass this morning.

Java’s Section –

Had a nice mosey around the park and circled up to do

candence/no candence Holy Ghost (Hands up with High Knees)

SSH

Wind Mill (super slow)

Merkins

-Mosey to the walk way

Before the Workout we talked about the calling of God on our lives and and how we are working towards the calling of God on our lives and until we get there we are in the “Space Between” where we were called and what we are working to.

So what that means…. We did burpees and frog jumps across the entire field. once we got to the top of the hill we took a half mile victory lap

Maximus Portion:

“When I was in the Army we had one of those goofy little riddles that represented an important facet of Leadership. It worked like this: something tough would come down the pike, a camo-CSAUP thing of sorts. When you heard how much it would suck you would ask “how many more times do I have prove myself around here?” Response: “just one more time”.

In other words, a man is never done proving himself. Not if he wants other men to keep following him. A coaster may work for keeping beer rings off the coffee table, but in terms of Leadership a coaster of a man won’t Influence other men to do a darned thing. If you think you’ve arrived at a place where you should get a pass for how hard the journey to get there was, you’re wrong. There is no place on earth or in life where a man has reached the end of his challenges. So, if you really want to know how many times will you have to prove yourself the answer is simple.

Just One More Time.”

Mosey from the hilltop to the playground.  Why?  Because the only way to get better at Pull Ups is to….DO MORE PULL UPS.  Grab a partner and this time, form matters

Partner 1: 10 Pull Ups   Partner 2: 20 Dips    Then Flapjack and Repeat the cycle.

Partner 1: 10 Mak Tar Jah’s each arm for 20 total    Partner 2: 20 Carolina Dry Docks   Then Flapjack and Repeat the cycle

Mosey to the parking lot for another mainstay of mine

American Hammers x 25

Toe Touches x 10

Circle the lot: In 2 groups, All You Got (AYG) to the first turn, jog to the 2nd, AYG to the 3rd, jog home.

COT for a word on not wasting your chance.  We all screw up but don’t let that happen in vain; realize you have a chance to fix it tomorrow.  You’re better today than you were yesterday and strive to be better tomorrow than you are today.

AYE.

 

TClap |
0

FLOOD RELIEF EFFORTS: Calling all Fort and Rock Pax

Leave a comment

10/28/16
UPDATE:
I just got our work assignments.  We received 5 work orders for tree removal and 1 for house muckout (remove drywall, carpet, etc).  We will need to bring tools (chainsaws, axes, shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, leaf blower, etc) like we did last week and additional tools (flat nosed shovels, hammers, sheetrock knives, wheelbarrows, etc) and safety equipment (gloves, safety glasses, dust masks, etc) this week.

The current plan is that we will meet at the Lowes by Baxter at 5:00 and leave for Conway, SC.  We would complete work at about 2:00 or 3:00 so that we can return for trick-or-treating with our families.  We will need to bring lunches and water.

Please DM @darkhelmetf3 or email me: frankschwartz@me.com with your HCs.

==============================================================================

10/21/16
UPDATE:
Work crews leaving out tomorrow. We will need help next week as well, so please check your calendars and let me know if you can make it. Here’s the details for tomorrow’s work.

Everyone,
We have been assigned 6 work orders to remove fallen trees (some greater than 18″ diameter) in the Bishopsville area.  We will be meeting tomorrow morning at the Lowe’s in Baxter at 6:00 am and will be leaving at 6:15. This will put us in Bishopsville at about 8:00.

We will be splitting into 2 groups and each group will have a team leader and will work on 3 work orders.  We will carpool and drive down as groups since the groups will be working at different addresses.

The teams are a mix of F3 Pax and Men (and one M) from my church. Again, there will be opportunity to go again next weekend, so LET ME KNOW.

We need to bring the following tools and we will split them up between the 2 groups:

Chainsaws (I think 5 were volunteered and so please bring them along with gas, oil, sharpening tools or whatever else would be needed)
Crowbars
Rakes
Axes
Wheelbarrows

Bring what you need to work safely.
In order to ensure we are as safe as possible while working on these projects, remember not to work after dark when good visibility is no longer possible, and please be sure to bring:

  • Safety glasses / goggles
  • Work boots or sturdy closed toe shoes
  • Work gloves
  • Pants (not shorts)

We need to bring our own lunch and water.  The team leaders will bring a cooler for water and drinks to be put in.

We will work until 5:30 or 6:00 and so if we finish our work orders early then we will see if there are other neighbors in the area that would like some help.  We can then find a place to eat in Bishopsville or head home. 

==============================================================================

10/19/16
UPDATE:
Flood waters are finally starting to recede on the coast in some areas to a point where we can get in to help. I don’t have all the details yet. They should be forthcoming soon, but here is what I know and what I need at this point.
WHAT I KNOW AT THIS POINT:
Early Saturday morning we are looking for strong backs and weak minds to travel to Myrtle Beach and Florence, SC to start the debris clearing. This means that we will need willing men, chainsaws, hand saws, loppers, shovels, possibly wheelbarrows, etc. We will be heading back that evening on this go around. (We will likely be doing an overnight trip next week once the mucking out of houses and such begins. Flood waters are not allowing for this in most areas at this time, is what I understand.) We will also be taking donations down with us. We will take the water that has been collected to now, and any other that we may be able to collect between now and then…
WHAT I NEED AT THIS POINT:
Your HCs ASAP! Hit me on twitter: @darkhelmetf3 (I’ll follow you back so we can share contact info if needed) and tell me if you can make it. It will be a very early start and a fairly late return that day.

Men, I know that there are TONS of ways to help right now, and TONS of places we could do it. If this doesn’t fit you, that’s ok, just help somewhere. However, this is what we are being asked to do for right now. It may seem like a small thing, but it will make a big difference.

==============================================================================

10/11/16
UPDATE:
Pax, I thought it would be good to give an update on where things stand with the relief efforts. There is much more damage and many more problems than we anticipated in SC, GA, and NC than we (in the Fort) have resources to take care of. It’s important to remember that we will hear of needs all over. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to do it all. I often get frustrated and sad that we can’t just fix it, but so be it.

That said, at this time, we are in a holding pattern. The storm surge is continuing to rise in many of those areas, and over the next 48 hours or so there will be continued flooding and other problems that will continue to arise. It will likely be this weekend and into next week before we can safely enter any of those areas. So, as hard as it is, hang tight. Please keep letting me know about the needs that you hear of and about your individual availability to travel (possibly overnight) to affected areas over this weekend and into (and through) next week. Also, keep your eyes on the Twitter machine and FB, etc. for further updates.

Thank you, men, for all you do.
Helmet, out.

 

==============================================================================
10/8/16
Almost one year to the day from our relief efforts in Columbia, SC, and here we go again. Our brothers (F3), but maybe even more importantly, the communities where our brothers and sisters (God’s children) live are feeling the force and will soon be digging out from the devastation of Hurricane Matthew.

I am in contact with some of our coastal Pax and with members and leaders of my Church to try and get updates on needs. I imagine that there will be needs for donations, much like we had for Columbia (water, food, fuel, etc.), and also we want to organize work crews to go down as needed. At this point (10/8/16, 1700hrs), I know of many downed trees, lots of flooding, etc., but we do not know yet what can be done or when. Many communities (whole counties actually) have not started letting residents back in yet.

Here is what I need from you. I need to know if you can plan to go down with crews sometime in the coming days and weeks to administer relief. This will likely consist of delivering supplies, clearing roads, removing debris, and gutting homes and businesses that were flooded. We will need tools, strong backs, and donations. As soon as I know more, I will amend this post.

Again, at this point, if you can comment on this post, or DM me on Twitter, as to whether you can go and what days, that will help to start. Also, if you know of needs or people that are in those areas organizing efforts there, that would be great to know also.

Aye!

 

TClap |
0

Which Way Did They Go?

Leave a comment
  • QIC: Tater
  • When: 10/05/16
  • Pax: Rebel (Respect), Cobra Kai, Trucker, Longshanks, Assassin, Anchor Man, Change Order, Greenwave, BassOMatic, Gridlock, Beats, Gilmore, CottonEye, FlatTire, Dano, Tesh, CultureClub, Mainframe, Aquaman, Senator Tressel (Respect), Twister (Respect), Zima, Tater (QIC)
  • Posted In: Clydesdales, The Fort

23 for Clydesdales. A warm 5:15 am welcome to Clydesdale first-timer and 1 day #HIM Dano. After the disclaimer, the PAX were encouraged to think about a time when Mercy was extended. Mercy – not getting what we do deserve. Three herds left from Starbucks for an early morning run, finally cooler weather with low humidity. The Original Clydesdales took off through Baxter Village, another herd took a more brisk pace through the village and the Third Herd went on a traditional Biscuit Run. In a rare moment in Clydesdale history the entire group was back by COT. It is always a pleasure and an honor.

Tater

TClap |
0

4 years @F3TheFort

Leave a comment
  • QIC: CSPAN & DD
  • When: 10/01/16
  • Pax: Fallini, Dark Helmet, Bounty Hunter, Bubba Gump, Santini, Bonzi, Maximus, Geronimo, Old Bay, Quack Attack, Twister, Ginsu, Spiderman, Lil'E, Photobomb, Cable Guy, Long Shanks, Crab Cakes, Matador, Ditch Witch, & Peabody (FIFO)
  • Posted In: The Fort

Friday night we celebrated 4 years @F3TheFort

Saturday morning it was my honor to Q with @Double_D where it all started

Lots of cars rolling into WEP, started to realize something about a volleyball tournament…I attempted the EH, tried to “bully” them into joining us, and much to my surprise, and they again reviewed their lack of interest in detail…and they think we are weird?

Disclaimer

Lots of #mumblechatter, very expressive group of PAX today, short discussion on how “perfect” @CableGuys hair was and we were off, at a very quick pace. Ginsu reminded me that I am not as fast as I used to be

Mosey to Gun Lot, COP with all of my favorites to 10 in cadence.

Mosey to Veterans Park, said The Pledge of Allegiance in cadence. 10 Flying Squirrels

Mosey to ATM lot, bear crawl, lunge walk, backwards bear, and crab walk back across the lot, and rinse and repeat. 10 Flying Squirrels

Mosey to HOBO’s lot Sermon #1, 10 Flying Squirrels

Mosey to Police Station Lot, partner up, extreme #Arloader series, and a mix of @F3TheFort #Trivia which all equated to 10 Flying Squirrels, probably stayed for about 40 Squirrels

Sermon #2

Hand off to Double D

Mosey to Jazzercise Wall for the People’s Chair series and 10 Flying Squirrels

Mosey to Confederate Park for more partner relays and runs to the train tracks

Mosey back to Veterans Park, long plank-o-rama series, lots of #mumblechatter, mostly from Santini and anyone within ear shot

Mosey back to Gun Lot for 4 corners of pain with a mix of sprints

Mosey to The Grove for Makhtar’Diayes until your elbows bleed from the pine cones

AYG sprint to COT

COT/ Prayer and Praise / BOM

Naked Man Moleskine

Great way to celebrate 4 years of F3 with a shared Q with Double-D. The PAX were great and we had a bunch of #mumblechatter, and it seemed like everyone had a great time. Lots of discussions and sermons as we moseyed around downtown Fort Mill. The first #sermon is practice your EH and continue to bring out FNGs. The second #sermon consisted of my story where Santini #EH me, but it was Double-D that got me to show back after my third or fourth post, so in reality those #HIM are as important as the men who bring out an FNG. Double-D had the third sermon on becoming a Q and learning to get confident leading other men. The final sermon was mine in COT about the tenacity and genital fortitude it took Double-D to launch a Region that in 4 years has eclipsed over 900 men, and has now split into 2 Regions (Fort Mill & Rock Hill). Double-D shares that he was not sure F3 would work, and all of the sudden…it crushed the sad clown syndrome @F3TheFort and surrounding areas. Double-D thinks we are just getting in step, are you ready for the future?

TClap |
0

Party of Five for the Alcatraz Tour

Leave a comment
  • QIC: Decibel and Smuggler
  • When: 10/01/16
  • Pax: Trucker, Change Order, FNG - Straight Up
  • Posted In: Alcatraz, The Fort

As the PAX gathered this morning, with single digit attendance it became obvious that the Alcatraz turnout was likely influenced by the other Fort Q’s EH’ing at last night’s 4-year Invergence Celebration. In any case, the four faithful Alcatraz inmates and a Sponsorless FNG posted for their DRP.

The sky was dark and the air was much cooler than it has been recently… just the way we like it. After brief introductions and a short (but thorough) disclaimer, Decibel began our Alcatraz Tour. It’s been several weeks since we’ve used much of this AO, beyond the park, other than a few trips up an down the hill, today was the day to visit some of the other sights and terrain.

The Thang:
Decibel led the inmates out of the yard with a mosey to the wall by the golf course.
20 step ups / 20 dips
Windmill x15
20 step ups / 20 dips
IW x20
Merkins x10

Mosey to the walking trail hill, partner up and find a ROCK that is worthy:
Partner Dora 1-2-3 with partner running up to lone tree and back.
100 shoulder press with rock
200 chest press with rock
300 curl with rock

Mosey up the hill to the clubhouse steps:
Partner wheelbarrow up steps, flip flop. (mumblechatter)
Rinse and Repeat. (lots of mumblechatter)

Pass the Q to Smuggler.

Since the steps were right there... Stair climb sequence
20 reps of an ab exercise (LBC’s, Hello Dolly’s, and X’s&O’s…) at the bottom and 20 bomb jacks at the top.
1st Ascent: Left Leg Hop (mumblechatter)
2nd Ascent: Right Leg Hop (mumblechatter)
3rd Ascent: Bear Crawl
4th Ascent: Crab Walk
5th Ascent: Bunny Hop (mumblechatter)

Reclaim partners and split for a run to the end of the lot while the other partner does LBC’s, Flip Flop, and Rinse and Repeat with Modified Freddy Mercury’s.

Walk a 10 Count and then off at a mosey back to the Alcatraz Yard with a brief stop at the retaining wall for 10 decline merkins.

Arriving back at the small field wall, commence People’s Chair while each of the PAX takes a turn running to the 200′ sign and back.  Legs were getting a bit anxious at the end of this.
Switch from People’s Chair to a Plank with feet on the wall, and take turns bear crawling to 2nd base. Rinse and Repeat. (again, mumblechatter)
One round of BTTW hold for a 10 count from each of the PAX (there were only 5 of us).

Mosey to the playground for a quick round of 20 supine pull-ups and 20 LBC’s.

Today’s Alcatraz Tour covered 2.7 miles!

COT

Welcome to FNG – ‘Straight Up’  – J D Bernie (sp) from Colorado Springs.
Announcements: Check the newsletter, there are a lot…
Praises for health and wedding anniversaries.  We are blessed.
Prayers for our Community, City, and Country.

Always thankful for the opportunity to lead, and be among, this group of men.  Thank you.

Smuggler

TClap |
0

Fusion is on Q… Must mean Wall Squats…!

Leave a comment
  • QIC: Fusion
  • When: 09/29/2016
  • Pax: Cool Table, Spartacus, Stock Yard, Pad Eye, Dingo, Lucky Charm, Murdock, Anchor Bar, Roxanne, Mayhem, Capt kangaroo, Italian Job
  • Posted In: The Fort

The Thang

Warm-Up
Slow mosey to the main parking lot
SSH x20
Windmill x20
Imperial Walkers x20
Cherry Pickers x20
Moroccan Night Clubs x20
Followed with some additional stretching

Work out

Mosey to the side wall of TJ Max. Wall squat mule train with last man lunge walking to the front of the line.

Mosey to the parking lot behind Mellow Mushroom. Seal Team sit-ups 3×15.

Mosey to the playground and partner up.
• Partner one does a lap around the playground and partner two does the exercise, then switch after the lap is finished.
o 80 Makhtar N’Diayes
o 100 Irkins
o 100 Derkins
o 200 LBCs
o 200 Free Squats

Mosey back to COT for prayers and announcements. Always a pleasure leading the men of F3!

See you in the Gloom!

Fusion Out

TClap |
0

Passing of the Reins at PHOP

Leave a comment
  • QIC: Fusion
  • When: 09/28/2016
  • Pax: Dog Pound, The Riddler, Mr. Big Stuff, Bill Nye, Dingo, Freon, Pad Eye, Dr Ruth, Cool Table, Schrute
  • Posted In: The Fort

The Thang

Warm-Up
Slow warm-up mosey around the church

SSH x20
Windmill x20
Imperial Walkers x20
Cherry Pickers x20
Moroccan Night Clubs x20
Followed with some additional stretching

Work out
Six Pain Stations each packed with its own dose of pain.

  • Separated into two groups starting at opposite sides of the church
  • Pain station 1 – Tractor tire pull and tractor tire flip. As if the tractor tire wasn’t enough to pull we added a 40 pound steel chain to pull it with. Remaining Pax does LBCs while not on the tires.
  • Pain Station 2 – Seal Team sit-ups 3×15. New rule, if you crop dust your group while doing seal team sit-ups it is automatically 20 burpees….
  • Pain Station 3 – Interval/ Ladder Sprints x3 reps. 10 yard sprint down and back, 10 merkins, 20 yard sprint down and back, 10 merkins, and then 30 yard sprint followed by 10 merkins.
  • Pain Station 4 – Wall squat mule train with last man burpee broad jumping to the front of the line.
  • Pain Station 5 – Cinder block partner pass standing back to back. 2×15 each direction
  • Pain Station 6 – Rock bucket 20 yard lunge walk, remaining Pax plant it until it is their turn

Mosey back to COT for prayers and announcements. Always a pleasure leading the men of F3!

Site Q hand off from The Riddler to Dog Pound. Riddler, thank you for leading this AO and let’s keep supporting Dog Pound as we grow and get more terrible toys to work with!!

See you in the Gloom!

Fusion Out

TClap |
0

The Best

Leave a comment
  • QIC: Deacon
  • When: 9/26/16
  • Pax: Peabody, Cha Ching, Destiny, Stang, Pin Stripe, Spitz, Librarian, Lug Nut, Geronimo, Barry Manilow, Change Order, MacGruff, Anchor Man, Cotton Eye, Olaf, Trucker, Zimmern, Drop Thrill, Tesh, River Rat, Deacon
  • Posted In: The Armory, The Fort

21 Pax posted for a hideous workout at the Armory. Today’s workout looked better on paper. The lights went out in the parking lot and we still finished our Buffet Of Pain.

The Thang:

SSHs (20x), IWs (20x), Parker Peters (15x), Slow Sumo Squats (15x), WMs (15x), Box Cutters (20x), Windshield Wipers (15x)

Mosey to the parking.

The Buffet Of Pain included a lap around the parking lot between each exercise shown below.

  • Upright Rows (20x)
  • Floor Presses (15x/side)
  • American Hammers (15x)
  • Overhead Squats (20x)
  • Around the World (15x)
  • Skull Crushers (20x)
  • Kettlebell Merkins (10x/side)
  • Flutters w/Bell Overhead (20x)
  • Bent Rows (20x/side)
  • Curls (15x/side)
  • Goblet Squats (15x)
  • Tricep Extensions (15x)
  • Swings (15x)

COT

Moleskin:

We discussed this month’s 3rd F theme of grace. Why did Christ die for our sins as a sign of God’s grace?

The answer: God sees the best in us.

The apostle Paul deserved God’s judgement because of his persecution of Christians. God accepted Paul, gave him grace and leveraged Paul’s strengths to glorify His Kingdom.

Despite our sinful nature, God sees the best in us and can proclaim His name through us.

Understand that God sees the best in us when others don’t, won’t or can’t.

Aye!

TClap |
0