Category: The Ranch

Cone work and importance of waiting on the 6 to show

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Warmup while waiting for a 6 to show (Sometimes you get caught spending more
time than planned in the White House)
It was important that we stayed in the parking lot for two reasons.  We knew that there was one Pax on his way so we wanted to make sure he could find us.  Also we had an uneven number and what I had planned was best suited for even numbers.
SSH
Windmill
Hilly Bill Walker
Merkins
Don’t drop your arms through the following exercises
Morracain night clubs
Forward large circles
Reverse large circles
Morracain night clubs
Forward small circles
Reverse small circles
6 finally showed up after the merkins were over (glad to have the even number of
Pax)
Moseyed over to the back side of the school near the football field
All lined up and did the following exercises
– Toy soldiers down and back
– inch worm merkins – bear crawl back
– Burpee Broad jump – crab walk back
– Right foot hop down and back
– Left foot hop down and back
Next series of excersies YHC had 6 cones lined up for some ladder work
Cone 1 – Starting point
Cone 2 – Dips
Cone 3 – Flying Squirels
Cone 4 – Plank Jacks
Cone 5 – Apalo Onos
Cone 6 – Merkins
Pax started at cone 1 and worked their way down the line doing each exercise 10
times. Goal was to try work all the way down to 1 rep per exercise.
Once all pax finished we partnered up and 2 groups started with resistance band
high knees and broad jump.
Other group would continue the cones workout, but this time perform each
exercise 9 times. Once the group finsihed the cone workout groups flip flopped.
Band exercises where only performed after completing rounds 10, 8 and 6 in order
to be able to complete the entire series of exercises.
Good push from the guys with 10 minutes left. All pax were able to complete the
last 4 rounds and make it back to COT before 6:00.
Good work today gentlemen.
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Trucker Strong

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Its been awhile since I had an opportunity to Q the Ranch, so dug into my bucket of go-byes to find something that I haven’t done or other Q’s haven’t done in a while. Sometimes it is just as fun to bypass pull-ups and just focus on merkins. So as the PAX arrived, mumble chatter revolved around the assumption of doing 1,000 pull-ups….ha!

COP consisted of 15 to 20 reps of: good mornings, windmills, Russian twists, Moroccan nightclubs, squats, LBCs, and Hip-leg thrusters. Mossy to Middle School drop off circle for 4 corners.

A cone was placed at each end of the circle and in the middle. Start at first cone and do 15 right leg scorpion merkins, run to second cone for 15 regular merkins, run to third cone for 15 left leg scorpion merkins, run to fourth cone for 15 wide arm merkins, run back to first cone. Rinse and repeat two more times.

Plank and LBCs until 6 is in.

Bear crawl up hill and do 10 squats, run down: rinse and repeat by dropping 2 squats each time

Mossy to benchs for:

15 dips/15 step ups per leg; 15/dips/15 squat sits; 15 merkins/15 LBCs; 15 derkins/15 Russian twists; 15 merkins/ 15 step ups; 15 irkins

Mossy to COT

Great work by all, 240 merkins during an AO is Trucker Strong!!

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Partner work at The Ranch

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6 HIM showed up to the gloom this morning to The Ranch.  It’s been awhile since I’ve been to this AO.  After a couple of wrong turns and a really questionable parking job, YHC made it with a couple of minutes to spare.

The Warmup:

Quick mosey around the parking lot and to the soccer field.

SSH x 30

50% run to the opposite goal line

WM x 10

50% run to the opposite goal line

IW x 15

75% run to the opposite goal line

Merkins x 10

75% run to the opposite goal line

Plank Jacks x 15

100% run to the opposite goal line

CDD x 10

100% run to the opposite goal line

Thang I:

Partner up (size matters).

Wheel Barrow – 10 steps and 5 derkins to the opposite goal line.  Switch as needed.

Partner Carries – 10 steps and 5 squats to the opposite goal line.  Switch as needed.

Mosey to the elementary school loop.

Thang II:

More partner work…

Set 1:

50 Box Jumps

100 Jumping Lunges

200 Squats

One partner running the loop.

Set 2:

50 Wide Arm Merkins

100 Dips

150 CDDs

One partner running the loop.

Mary:

Heels to The Heavens x 10

Corkscrews x 10

Hello Dollies x 10

Box Cutters x 10

Dying Cockroach x 10

COT:

Read your newsletter

Praises for health.

Prayers for PAX loss of a close friend, family relationships and others unspoken.

Moleskin:

This was a great group this morning and I was just trying to keep up.  I’m learning the art of leading from behind.

The field was pretty wet and I think I heard a few comments about soggy shoes…

Leadership is our duty as men.  To always be leading and always present our best selves.  The majority of our leadership opportunities are given to us at times when we’re unaware we are even leading.  Be a positive light today and everyday…

Thanks Backdraft for the opportunity.

Peace,

Seacrest

 

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Colombia Mission Trip Sendoff @ The Ranch 9-7-17

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On a cool morning in early September, the men of The Fort gathered together to support the group of 12 men that answered the call to serve those in need in Colombia.

Mosey to the soccer field

The Warm-up (VQ led by Skinny Jeans)

  • 20 4-count side straddle hops 
  • 15 4-count windmills
  • 10 4-count Merkens
  • 15 4-count mountain climbers
  • 20 low slow squats
  • 8 burpees OYO

Mosey to the football field

The Thang

Markers set up every 25 yards on the football field from endzone to endzone. PAX will start from one endzone and run from marker to marker and do the following exercises (below) at each. They will then run on the track back to the starting point.

  • 10 merkins, 2 burpees
  • back to start – LBCs for six
  • 10 Carolina DD, 2 burpees
  • back to start – flutter for six
  • 10 squats, 2 burpees
  • back to start – American Hammer for six
  • 10 bomb jacks, 2 burpees
  • back to start – freddy mercury for six
  • 10 dips, 2 burpees
  • back to start – heels to heaven for six
  • 10 lunges (5 per leg), 2 burpees
  • back to start -diamond LBCs for six
  • 2 burpees per marker

Mosey to COT

Today we focused on the 12 men that are leaving tomorrow to serve in Colombia. We had the privilege of hearing the reasons why each of them have been called to serve during todays workout and then pray over them at the close. We are all lucky to have these men as our brothers and will continue to pray for them as they make their way abroad.

As mentioned in COT, each of us were blessed with passion for certain causes and influence to impact them. Find your passion and your calling and answer that call, whatever it may be.

Ginsu

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Getting Old-School, Around The School

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While YHC has posted to TheRanch a number of times, it’s been a while, and this was possibly the first time Q’ing there (according to my Evernote Weinke folder).  I arrived a bit earlier than usual to confirm a few geographic details that Google Maps and my memory were shaky on.  Already there was Straight Up, getting some stretches in, and What-Did’s empty car, as he was out for a pre-run.

Shortly after, What-Did and the rest of the pax rolled in, and at 0515 the disclaimer was given.

  • 25 SSH
  • Mosey clockwise around school, 1/4 of the way
  • Variety of warm-up exercises (in no particular order)
    • Mountain climbers
    • Butt Kickers
    • High-Knees
    • Imperial Walkers
    • Shuffle Left/Right
    • Windmills
    • Karaoke
    • Run-stance-switch squats
    • Run Backwards
    • Mountain Climbers

Found a wall for People’s chair.  Pax, one at a time, bear crawled “down the line”.
Repeat with crab-walks

Ran around back of middle school to car-rider drop-off driveway.  Found some grass for under-over railroad tracks (until we ran out of grass).

Ran around the driveway to the bottom of the hill (that leads up to the upper part of the driveway) for a Jacob’s Ladder (7) – Morning Wood at the top, Burpees at the bottom.

Continue mosey around the school to a nice piece of grass not far from the shovel flag for traditional Jack Webb (1:4 ratio, to 10).

Finish with some Mary:

  • Flutters
  • American Hammers
  • Chop-sticks

TIme’s up.  Head to COT.

Thanks to Backdraft for allowing me to Q.  I look forward to hopefully being a regular on the schedule.  Great work by all pax this morning for a pretty traditional beating.  Until next time…

-old bay

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4 Corners of Body Destruction

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No, we did not do the Body Destroyer for 45 minutes, Birdcage! However, there was consistent feedback that this was a brutally different workout. Welcome to “ya never know what ur gonna get with Straight Up!”

A big shout out to all the men that joined me. I was very, very proud of them, and especially proud of Short Sale, Nomad and Sparky. Seriously, this was not an easy workout. A special thanks to Crawdaddy who helped with the group activities and leading his team. Here is what we did. If you decide to copy it for one of your Q’s, feel free to but you have to invite me because I want to do it again!

I. Beginning: Disclosure mentioned; No FNGs

Theme: First thought on Discipline today:  “It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” (Zig Zigler)

A head’s up that we will have teams. Divided into teams. Advised we will be competing against each other’s team.

2 running lines to warmup. During warmup, ask person you are running next to:

1, If you had unlimited time, what would you consider to be your favorite thing to do with your time?

2. If you had unlimited money, what would you do?

II. Running Warm-up: 2 line Groups 

Gradually moseying around The Ranch/school doing toy soldiers, butt kickers, high knees fast,  one leg hops, side straddles.  

Another thought: “Discipline, for the Christian, begins with the body. We have only one. It is this body that is the primary material given to us for sacrifice. We cannot give our hearts to God and keep our bodies for ourselves.” (Elisabeth Elliot)

III. 2 Circle up Warm-ups around school

First Circle in front of school: 8 merkins, 9 squats, 11 toe raises, 10 second Shoulder Stretch

Second Circle in back of school: 8 SSHs, 8 Ab Bigodas, 10 second Partner hamstring stretch

Meant to read this one to the guys: “The battle of prayer is against two things in the earthlies: wandering thoughts and lack of intimacy with God’s character as revealed in His word. Neither can be cured at once, but they can be cured by discipline.” (Oswald Chambers)

IV. Workout Segment: (Entire Soccer) Field challenges

Team Straight Up vs. Team Crawdaddy

**Reminder that if someone on your team is not finished with the exercise and you are, then join in and do it with them to help them succeed and be a teammate! Do all exercises together as a group; push your team; form is crucial; your captain will make you do it again if you do not do it correctly!

Start in the middle of the field and race to your corner

Corner #1:

7 bropees

20 Parnerkins (Partner Derkins) (each partner has their turn)

(Similar to parts of a 1 legged Hail Mary without the bench) 13 Single leg in the air dips each side; after you go down one, then give the other partner a high five, then go on the the next dip, then a high five, . . . so you want to sit next to each other but in opposite directions

8 Squerkins each

15 Deep Squat creating an X on the way up

Leap frog to the half field line

Plank position crawl (keep your back flat, abs tight) from half field line to the next corner to Corner #2.

Corner #2:

7 bropees

9 Dive bombers (“Under the hedge/fence” and clap one of your partners hand once “under the fence”)

14 Skull Crushers doing at same time with your partner/team

17 alternating lunges each side

Tunnel of Love with your entire Team (no coupon); 2 pass throughs per person

65 imaginary towel hops in unison as a team

Wheelbarrow with partner to next corner cone (switch half way); go to Corner #3 (or back to the mid-field cone if we are out of time)

Corner #3:

7 bropees

19 Canoe Crunches (like Boats to Canoe but no boat and rather row your canoe back “through the water”; doing both sides is one)

14 total Walking merkins – 2 left, then 2 right equals 4; face your partner, do not go the same way. Pass each other every time.

18 Boxing puncher planks (one PAX fist to another PAX’s fist; no pushup)

Plank (10 sec hold) to 6 inches (10 sec hold) – 2X each

Partner carry (Fireman’s carry) to half field line (Parter up on your team and whichever partner has enough in him to do it!). Then switch to . . .

Alternating Broad jumps with partner (pass the other partner on each jump) until corner cone #4

Corner #4:

7 bropees

13 Pattycake (single) Merkins

4 Burpee Squat next to your partner; do at same time

36 Squats

18 Frog crunches (on the ground in standard crunch position, legs bent at 90 degrees in air with insides to feet touching each other only; then with hands in prayer position, reach to the connection point of your feet)

Lunge and reach (10 each side pretending you are picking up a can from a shelf and putting it way up high)

Weekend at Bernie’s to middle of field; switch half way

WOWWY! There were a lot of exercises! Did we make it all the way through all 4 Corners of Body Destruction? Well, . . . almost. I would say both teams had about 2-3 exercises left. It was a close race to the end to see who would finish first. To hard to tell. Until next time, Team Crawdaddy!

V. Mosey back to COT

I encouraged the PAX to focus on being disciplined in all aspects of life, especially their time with God.

“God does not discipline us to subdue us, but to condition us for a life of usefulness and blessedness.” (Billy Graham)

Announcements

Whetstone – consider getting involved; see Rebel (newsletter) if you have questions about it

Praises

Prayer requests.

Sending out into Thursday’s work day and special prayers for the children starting school and for dad’s to be encouraging to their kids for the year.

Thanks for the opportunity, Backdraft! Aye!

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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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13 HIM stepped onto the Pain Train YHC and Repeat were delivering in the gloom. With no FNG’s present, a quick disclaimer was given.  The thang….

Mosey over to the front of the middle school and the flag poll for COP.

  • 25 SSH IC
  • 15 Windmills IC
  • 3.5 Imperial Walker Squats IC? This was a bad idea. YHC should have practiced the cadence count on this more prior to breaking it out.  After intense mumble chatter…an audible was called
  •  15 Imperial Walker IC
  • 10 Merkins IC10 Mountain Climbers IC

Post the COP, we took advantage of the hill in the driveway.  Start on the right side of the hill….

  • 25 Merkins OYO
  • Run backwards up the hill to the center & flag poll
  • 50 LBC OYO
  • Run down the other side of the hill
  • 50 squats
  • Run backwards up the hill to the center & flag poll
  • 50 LBC OYO
  • Run down the other side of the hill
  • 20 Merkins OYO
  • **Repeat until we we’re down to 15 merks

***plan was to finish this, but I wanted to hand it over to Repeat (Bad Option)

Repeats Train

Focus was on accountability, one man holding another man accountable, and doing the exercises fully and properly. We partnered up (size didn’t matter).

  • 10 Squats
  • 10 Flutters
  • 10 Burpees

When you and your partner were done, mosey to the next light pole and repeat. When done again, mosey to the next light pole. Continue until the time ran out (felt like forever).

NMM

Not much to add here, but Backdraft did comment that by having WWL at his site that he must have a major announcement.  Maybe similar to his post 7 months ago to let us know that he was expecting his first child.  Well, no major announcement.  Mom and baby are doing well and life will change in 2 months.

Thanks for the honor to lead this fine group of HIMs.

WhatDid & Repeat

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BackBlast from The Ranch 7-27-17

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16 HIMs showed up in the gloom to join me at The Ranch for my last Q/post until after I become a father of 4.

Mosey to the back of the school.

Warmup

  • 20 Side Straddle Hops
  • 20 Squats
  • 5 double count Merkins
  • 20 Mountain Climbers
  • Honeymooner
  • 20 Moroccan Night Clubs

Short Warmup so that we could get to THE THANG:

BOARD OF PAIN

Mosey Back to COT

Announcements

  • Last week of F3Dads this Saturday the 29th – NEED A Q or 2
  • Last week of QSchool next Tuesday the 1st
  • Effort to get VQs in September

Prayers/Praises:

  • Senator Tressel’s Sister & Brother in Law
  • Flat Tire’s mother (health)
  • Flat Tire’s wife – praise for new J-O-B!
  • Prayers for Bella (Ginsu’s soon to be daughter)

Thank you to the men who posted!

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Last Day in my 30’s

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Today marks YHC’s last day in his 30’s. So why not celebrate with a little BOP – 40th Birthday Edition. 12 posted not knowing what they were getting into even though Backdraft tried to tell YHC that the BOP was outlawed at The Ranch.

Disclaimer given and off we went into the 80 degree, 200% humidity.

The Thang

Mosey lap with High Knees and Butt Kicks

Circle up for Warmup of:

SSH x 39, Windmllls x 10, IW x 10, PeterParkers x 10, ParkerPeters x 10

Mosey over and explain the BOP. Do the reps then run down to the Shovel Flag and back (.25 miles roundtrip:

  • 40 Hip Thrusters
  • 40 Merkins
  • 40 Bombjacks
  • 40 Burpees
  • 40 Calf Rasises
  • 40 Squats
  • 40 LBC’s
  • 40 Carolina Dry Docks
  • 40 Mac Tar Jais
  • 40 Jump Squats
  • 40 Mountain Climbers
  • 40 Hello Dolly
  • 40 Wide Arm Merkins
  • 40 Sumo Squats
  • 40 Plank Jacks
  • 40 Burpees

Mosey back and pick up the DH Shovel Flag and then head home for COT and BOM

Announcements – F3 Dads this weekend

Prayers – Diesel and his GF as they go through pre-engagement counseling, Newt and his familyu as they travel to Michigan, marriages and injured PAX in general.

Moleskin

  1. Thanks  Backdraft for getting me on the schedule so close to my Birthday. You told me not to bring the BOP and as usual I didn’t listen. Probably gonna get banned from the ranch now too.
  2. Speaking of being banned (and shameless plug), YHC has had his SlowBurn ban lifterd for his 40th Bday tomorrow. YHC promises it will be moderately entertaining.
  3. Not a lot of Mumblechatter today during the BOP. 12 men working to finish. 12 men humbled by the BOP. Backdraft and a few others were closest, finishing up their Hello Dolly’s as time was called.
  4. Will save my thoughts on my 30’s until tomorrow’s BB, just so you have to read tomorrow’s as well.

Longshanks out (mic drop)

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