Category: The Reservation

PRE-BLAST: Uptown Lunch Gonna Funk You Up…

Leave a comment

Oh me, oh my…
The revival begins on Feb. 5 at 1130, and will continue on the First Friday of EVERY month going forward. PUT IT IN YOUR CALENDAR.
Location: Jason’s Deli in the Epicenter Uptown.

The 2nd F Uptown lunch had sputtered and maybe even stalled, but just like two good F3 men who don’t know when to quit (yes sir, may I have another?) Italian Job and YHC decided it was time to get serious and make it a thing again. (Because somewhere in my brain-damaged mind, seeing you fools in the Gloom isn’t enough…)

BUT! You say, can’t we go somewhere else? Jason’s Deli isn’t my favorite… Answer: It’s a free country. Do what you want. But WE will be here. Trust me, we wracked our brains to figure out the best spot based on seating capacity, price range, proximity, etc. This is the spot. The VSF is planted and this is the plan until further notice.
I mean, I get it. Jason’s isn’t exactly gourmet. Might not even be all that #FuelChallenge friendly, but kind of like First F stuff, if you came for the food only, you may be missing the point. So, spread the word to all your favorite Uptown-working PAX, tell it in the COTs, tweet it, etc., and get over there for some high-quality 2nd F.

Again, the details are above. To reiterate, Jason’s Deli in the Epicenter. The First Friday of every month. At 1130.

Questions? Concerns? Please feel free to bug Italian Job with that crap.

Otherwise, see you there. It’s Friday morning and we’re in the spot… Don’t believe me? Just watch…

Helmet, out.

TClap |
0

PRE-BLAST: The Gloom is Coming to York, SC

Leave a comment

Back at the 5-year anniversary Ultra-Convergence in Charlotte, something Dredd said at the end stuck with me. I’m paraphrasing this quote but it’s fairly close: “Some guy out there needs this. Some guy out there is wondering what the heck his life is all about. Some guy out there is being a lousy Dad. Some guy out there is being a lousy Husband. Some guy is out there is getting ready to get fired. YOU may be the only guy out there to help him.”

For months I’ve tried #EHing Deputies and other folks I work with to come to F3. Each time I swing for the Turkey Punch, they would ask, “When would #F3 come to York?”  No matter how hard I would Turkey Punch them to try out The Fort, The Patriot or any other AO, the excuse was, no one (right now) has the desire to wake up at 0 dark 30 to drive 20+ minutes to Rock Hill or Fort Mill to work out. Each time we’d end the conversation, I would answer “I didn’t know when F3 is coming to York, but we were thinking about it.”

Well it’s time to stop thinking! It’s time to pull the pin and throw the F3 grenade to York, SC.

At first, I didn’t think I should be the guy who lives in Catawba 30+ minutes away, to be the one to take the leap in being the site Q for a new AO in York. I work in York, so that was a lame excuse.  So after Dredd’s quote kept repeating in my head, a lot prayer and getting constantly #TurkeyPunched by Apache, I feel the call that now is the time to bring F3 to Western York County.

We can’t be selfish with this F3 thing.  From my perspective the first F is a by product of my favorite part, the second F.  Which has helped me be stronger in my third F.  I love this brotherhood. Many of you have become more than just work out buddies. You’ve become brothers to me, which I learned so well over the Christmas holidays.

So let’s do this!

RECON THANG:

We are planning a few recon workouts before we launch this thing full throttle.  The first is set for January 30th 2016 0700 to 0800 at York Comprehensive High School (275 Alexander Love Hwy. York SC). The folks in York call it York University, because from the road, the facility doesn’t look like a high school at all.  Apache and YHC are going to Q round one before we plant a shovel flag in York.

YCHS has most everything a F3 AO needs to bring the pain. Parking Lots, Hills, walls, an ROTC obstacle course, 1.75+/- perimeter for running. Plenty of options for a Q.

So now your job is to #EH guys you know who live in York, Clover and points between, to swallow the #redpill, and start this process of becoming a High Impact Man.

Popeye OUT!

 

 

TClap |
1

POSTPONED – DATE TBD – Clown Cars for Padre Star Command Convergence

Leave a comment

The Padre Star Command Convergence is next Saturday, January 23. All Fort region PAX interested in joining us for a cross state convergence, should plan to clown car from the Patriot (1825 Eden Terrace, Rock Hill, SC 29730). We will be leaving promptly at 0515 the morning of the 23rd. Post workout, we plan to have a 2nd F breakfast with the PAX of the Upstate. Estimated return time is 1130.

EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER – LATER DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED

TClap |
0

The Fort Fuel Challenge 2016

Leave a comment

Listen… We work out… Some of us work out most days a week.  So with all this working out, the question is: Why aren’t we shedding the love handles and the spare tire?  With the amount of physical torture we endure, we should be chiseled like a Marble Statue.

Alas, working out is only a portion of the plan… you have to stop eating garbage.

With that, I bring you The Fort Fuel Challenge 2016.  This is the new incarnation of what we did a little over a year ago (found here), but this time around you have experience on your side… I am not a professional, but we’ve done this before and have seen results.  YHC lost 7.5% of my mass (presumably fat), with the overall lead by Cash coming in at just shy of 10%.

The key to this isn’t calorie reduction (although that may be something you have to look into) and it isn’t about eating the same food every day for lunch.  You don’t need to starve yourself to see results, you just need to feed the machine the right fuel.  To feed yourself the right fuel, you need discipline and accountability.  That’s really what the Fuel challenge is all about…

So here’s the deal.  We are going to kick off on January 18th through February 29th.  This gives you two weeks to do two very important things… in fact, these are so important that I would propose that you cannot succeed in this program with out completing them:

  1. Clear out all the junk in your pantry/fridge.
  2. Get the M on board

Number 1 is easy.  Get rid of the junk now before you start.  Less junk means less temptation.  Eat it in the next two weeks if you have a problem with throwing it away, but get it out of your food storage before January 18th.

Number 2 is not as easy for some of us, but it is crucial.  You cannot do this in your house on your own, especially if your wife is eating a bowl of Ice Cream after dinner every night.  You will either come off as a self righteous prick or you will cave.  Neither of these is a recipe for success.  Get the M on board, she really wants to eat better too.

Base Program

The Fuel Challenge will give you a chance to test yourself with the support of your fellow men of F3.  And maybe after 6 weeks, you will stick to the plan (or much of it) in order to live a healthier lifestyle. The program will have a base list of items that are prohibited during the six weeks as follows.  This is mandatory and is really what will make the biggest difference in your quality of food intake.

  • No Fried Food
  • No Fast Food (inc. Pizza)
  • No processed snacks like Potato Chips, Candy Bars, Etc.
  • No Dessert
  • No Sodas or Sweet Tea
  • No Cheeses (including shredded, feta, or slices. Get it off your sandwiches and salads)(Cottage cheese will be allowed)
  • No Cream Based Sauces/Dressings (This Includes Fat Free Options for Ranch, Caesar, Alfredo, Etc.)

This seems like a significant challenge, especially for the road warrior, but you can do it.  You just need to be aware of what you are eating and plan.

You will receive ONE free pass per week – this could be a steak dinner, a pizza, etc. – no carryovers though, the pass can only be used that week – try to use your weekly pass in moderation.  Some call this a “cheat”, but use if you need to.

After week one, we introduce challenges, which are cumulative.   Some would argue the health benefits of a few of these, but I don’t think anyone can claim that limiting these items will have a detrimental effect on your well being.   Remember this is not about “dieting”, but about discipline.  Keep that in mind.

Here are the cumulative challenges:

Week 2 (and on) – No Red Meat
Week 3 (and on) – No Breads (Sprouted Grain is accepted)
Week 4 (and on) – No Pork
Week 5 (and on) – No White Starches (Potatoes, Pastas, White Rice. We’ll talk about substitutes)
Week 6 – No Dairy or Things Cooked in Butter

Just like last time, we’ve “modified as needed”.  Here are a few “Extra Credit” challenges for those so inclined.  These are not mandatory, so feel free to adopt whatever works for you.

  1. HC to F3 250.  For those that are at 2-3 posts a week, this could be a way to up your game.  Tracking F3 250 along with this attention to dietary details could be what takes your fitness (and physique) to the next level.  You can even track using this handy template.
  2. Implement Intermittent Fasting.  I’m planning on doing this and would encourage you to try the same if you can handle skipping breakfast.  There are numerous health benefits that are purported as side effects to Intermittent Fasting, but do your own research and try it if you think it makes sense.

Similar to last time, here’s how we’ll be tracking for accountability/encouragement from the participants:

  1. On January 18th, post your starting weight in the comments of this page. You have time to buy a home scale or find out where the one at your gym is. On the pending February 29th backblast post, you will post your weight using the same scale. This requires honesty and consistency. If you want to weigh yourself in the buff (don’t tell us) just do it both times. Same if it’s in underwear and t-shirt, swim trunks, etc. Having a scale also helps track progress along the way but is not the ultimate measure of health. You will need to post your weight on both posts. You will also track your weight on the My Fitness Pal page.
  2. Sign up for My Fitness Pal and download the app if you have not done so already (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ ).  Enter in all of your information including starting weight. This will factor into your suggested daily calorie consumption. Send me (Gears) your MFP id so I can invite you to the group. You can reach me via twitter (@vinsonizer) or simply put the id in the comments below.  If you didn’t have enough options, you can just go to the following URL and request group membership: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/100013-f3thefort
  3. Track your exercise and calories on My Fitness Pal. If you see really good results, guys may want to go back and see how you did it. The app allows you to scan bar codes, enter in recipes and ingredients to determine calories, and already has a robust library of foods from restaurants and grocery stores.  You can also enter in weight goals and it will help provide daily calorie count, protein, carb and fat limits. You gain higher limits to stay on track with your goals by entering in your workouts.

One last comment to reiterate the above: If you are moved to do so, please view this as an opportunity to exercise not only physical/mental discipline, but also spiritual discipline. Any type of fast can be leveraged as a catalyst for prayer and worship, allowing the limiting of the desires of the flesh to remind us of our dependence on SkyQ. My personal hope is that this will be fruitful in all the self-dimensions of our personal lives: Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind.

If you are ready to go, comment below

TClap |
0

The Ultra-vergence… Man, that’s a lot of vergence…

Leave a comment

(Poorly paraphrased from Dredd that AM): “Well, we [he and OBT] said, we’ll show up and if it’s just us two, then we’ll go do something else, but if they [the other invited Pax] show up, then we might have something and we’ll see where it goes…” (emphasis added)

That was 5 years ago. Now, we’re celebrating a new year, and we’re celebrating the 5 year anniversary (birthday?) of F3. Clearly, they had something…

As approximately one Pax for every day of the year crawled out of their clowncars and onto what may have been the wettest field I’ve ever been on, the energy was palpable. Friends from all over F3 Nation were reconnecting and new ones were being made, including an FNG from The Fort who apparently EH’ed himself (welcome Speaker)… There were smiling faces and shovel flags everywhere. The fun had started, but before long, it was time for the workout to begin…

As you can imagine, attempting to lead a group of 365 Pax is… well… ridiculous. It’s a little amusing to me that part of the whole reason Dredd and OBT broke off from the other workout group to create F3 was because the size of the group had become problematic and unwieldy. So, how should we celebrate 5 years of F3? Well, let’s see if we can’t have the most problematically-sized group come together and let’s try and make them follow instructions. (*COUGH* *GASP* *COUGH* You’ll have to excuse me, I’m choking a little on the irony…) Regardless, though, we warmed up, Dredd split us up into groups, and off we went. The workout, the “thang”? It was in there… We rotated through stations… there was some running, some ladders, some dips, some derkins, hills, burpees (of course), some other stuff… Was it the best workout I ever had? Well, it wasn’t the worst one for sure. But if you came for the workout, you may have overlooked what was happening.
As always, there were a couple of guys who were definitely there to prove they were fitter than the rest of us. That’s cool, you’re welcome here. There were a couple of guys who were clearly struggling to keep up at all. That’s cool, you’re welcome here. There were guys who wear blue collars all week long. That’s cool, you’re welcome here. There were guys whose net worth is that of a small country in certain parts of the world. That’s cool, you’re welcome here, too. Black, white, fast, slow, tall, short, rich, poor, fat, thin… all irrelevant. Welcome is what you are when you are here. It is this way because for that one hour, we all look basically the same (you know the uniform…) so you don’t know who is rich or poor or otherwise. For that one hour, we all basically act the same (unless you are Apache), we’re here to workout and fellowship a little. No one is elected, there is no hierarchy, no one is grading your performance… You know what it is? It’s because for that one hour, I believe, we are about as free as we can be in our modern, over-technologized, overcommitted, over-everythinged lives. We’re free from roles that weigh us down, free from the constraints that life and the world put on us… We’re just free to BE. That’s why we plant a flag, hustle, then take a knee at the end to give thanks to the SkyQ. That’s why we are proud to call ourselves a part of the Brotherhood of Minivan Centurions.

So, we converged, because I think somewhere deep inside we wanted to show our gratitude for this thing that has meant so much to us. Partly to God for leading us to it (or it to us, whichever), partly to the Redwood Originals for starting and sticking with it until it got to us, and partly to each other for continuing to push us to make ourselves more of what we were put here to do. I think that we came because there is strength in knowing and then physically seeing the fact that we are clearly not alone in this battle we fight. That at every turn, there is a man in a black shirt and running shoes that will help if needed.

Again, paraphrased very poorly from Dredd (right before the Ball of Man): “So now our job is to give it away. To share what has meant something to us. Because there are guys out there right now that you know who are crappy fathers, guys who are crappy husbands about to lose their marriages. There are guys who are crappy employees, or are otherwise just dissatisfied with their lives… and YOU CAN SAVE THEM.” (again, emphasis added)

To quote the immortal Forrest Gump: That’s all I have to say about that…

Until the next one…
Helmet, out.

TClap |
0

The Fort Post Christmas Convergence at The Yard

Leave a comment
  • QIC: Cake Boss
  • When: 12/26/15
  • Pax: Anchorman Apache Assassin Atlas Back draft Barry Manilow Bart Bass O Matic Beast Bing Bogey Boots Brick Cake Boss Cat Fish Chedda Corn Hole Corruption Cross Check CSPAN Dark Helmet Deacon Double D Duke Nukum El Diablo Fish Stix Funhouse Gears Gecko Geronimo Haushka Howitzer Italian Job Jekyll Jekyll Jr Kodiak Linus Long shanks Lug Nut Mainframe Maximus Menthol Mighty Mite (FNG) Minuteman Offspring Old Bay Omaha (FNG) Package Peabody Peach Popeye Posh Puddles Rebel Royale Santini Senator Tressel Shelby (FNG) Short Sale Snapper (FNG) Socrates Solid State Spitz Spud Stank Sunshine Sweeper Tesh Torpedo Turban Twister Walker What Did Wheelz White Lightning WWL Zima
  • Posted In: Alcatraz, Millllkshake, The Fort, The Reservation

The PAX from The Fort, Alcatraz, Indianland and Rock Hill arrived at The Yard for a Post Christmas Convergence.

It’s Boxing Day and YHC had some Rocky memories flowing from my days in Philly and I thought about having the PAX chase chickens or punch sides of beef in a freezer, however too expensive and way too involved. So we opted for some good old beatdown F3 style.

Apache got things started with the 1st annual Cake Boss Calves 5k. I have to admit, its pretty cool having a 5k named after my body parts, but I hoped it would have been my eyes….oh well! 26 posted for the run and Old Bay texted me this number as I was setting up The Yard and so it confirmed for me to expect a quality turn out from the PAX.

The PAX arrived car after car and the mumble chatter started. It was great to see many of the men we don’t get to see week in and week out. I called (whistled) the PAX in tight for some announcements and introduction of Stang. He got us started for the warm up and away we went.

Mosey around YHC’s truck to side of school and some high knees, butt kickers, and other stuff as we head back towards the school yard for COP. Stang took us through half dozen traditional moves to get the bodies in motion.

Hand off to YHC (Cake Boss), with some instructions on the “meat” of the workout. Count off in 9s to form 9 groups. Each group to go to 9 different stations perform the 2 exercises on each station for 3 mins. Once time is up, rotate to next station. It is a You vs You routine where the fit can challenge themselves and the new or building can pace themselves.

I shared a message around preparation in all areas of our lives. As a Boxer prepares for the match, we need to prepare if we intend to get better. Our hearts, minds, spirits need to be prepared for all the challenges and adventures life puts before us. Are you going to sit on the sidelines or read the playbook and prepare for the match ahead.

The 9 groups made their way each round to the sound of YHC and my whistle….haha. Hated using a whistle but was best way to get everyone moving together. It was a solid workout. We ended with COP and some men paying a debt of burpees for the Army/Navy game.

COT had 77 present and 4 FNG’s, Shelby, Omaha, Might Mite, & Snapper…..Welcome! Prayers for the many health concerns, sudden passing’s, and injured PAX. Prayers also for those PAX struggling in marriage, finances and parenting. Do what you need to in these areas to prepare and work through the tribulations.

Thanks to Old Bay and CSPAN for the honor to lead a Convergence at The Yard. Humbled and Honored.

We had 40 at the 2nd F at the Ft Mill Family Restaurant. They did a great job dealing with us and our stench. Was it ok for me to EH the owner while he was taking our food orders???

Merry Christmas PAX and I look forward to 2016 with all of you.

Cake Boss

 

TClap |
0

Clown Cars from the Fort for 1/1

Leave a comment

Gentlemen (and the rest of you):

I can’t speak for everyone, but I can speak for me, so I will. On 1/1/16, all PAX of F3 Nation have been invited to celebrate the 5th anniversary of this crazy thing that has inspired so many of us to burn the ships (and our fat pants), to reach in out in service and love to our community (and to our F3 brothers), and to straighten our walk with the SkyQ (which for me = My Heavenly Father). For me, this experience has touched and helped to shape nearly every aspect of my character over the last year that I have been involved, and I look forward to the next 5 years to see what changes will come from my association with all of you.

That said, we are going to support this “ultra-convergence”, if you will, and clown car up to the celebratory workout on New Year’s.

Here are the details as I know them:
1. We will meet at 0600 with wheels up at 0610 at the Baxter Starbucks
2. The workout location is Alexander Graham (AG) Middle School in Charlotte.
3. The workout start time is 0700. End is 0800.
4. There won’t be a much better time to bring an FNG, than to this. SO EH SOMEBODY.
5. I am not personally aware of any formal coffeeteria plans immediately following the workout, but I am certain that there will be at least one or two happening, so I’d plan on spending that time there as well.
6. The link to the Pre-Blast is here: http://f3nation.com/2015/12/16/the-fifth-anniversary-convergence-1116/

Several of you have committed to driving a car of clowns up, but if there are more, please let me know @darkhelmetF3, or let me know if you’d like to go, but not drive (which is the camp I fall into… Ask Spiderman (@F3_Spiderman) or Whitesnake (@Raindawg), nobody wants me to drive).

AYE!

Helmet, out.

TClap |
0

The Fort Christmas Party – Food and Toy Drive

Leave a comment

As you guys are aware, the Christmas Party is this weekend. In true F3 fashion, we are taking this opportunity to give back to our community. Please consider bringing toys for the Children’s Attention Home  and/or bring some of the items below. The plan is to split the items between Fort Mill Care Center and Pilgrim’s Inn. Please consider being generous. This is our opportunity to be a blessing in our communities.

In addition to standard canned goods, Fort Mill Care Center needs:

Can fruit

Can Beef stew

Can Chili

Hearty soups

1-2 lb bags of rice

Toothbrushes

Toothpaste

Shampoo

Soap

In addition to standard canned goods, Pilgrim’s Inn needs:

Paper goods – (toilet tissue and paper towels)

Garbage bags (lawn/garden size)

Liquid washing detergent

Cleaning supplies – Lysol (disinfectant spray, cleaning product), Pine Sol, and any other cleaning products

TClap |
0

Call to Action for local families in need- Christmas Village Toy Store items needed

Leave a comment

PAX,

The Christmas Village Toy Store needs help ASAP!! Call to ACTION!

Please consider picking up a game, toy or something from the wish list below for the Toy Store.

This is hosted by Forest Hill Church, but part of a larger group of organizations to help local families in our community provide a Christmas for their children.

If you can participate, please drop your item off directly at Forest Hill Church or you can bring to Slow Burn/Chicken n Wizdim Friday morning.

Any questions, reach out to Cake Boss.

Be a part of providing joy and dignity for families in our communities this Christmas.

The Christmas Village Toy Store provides a “hand up” for local families who want to purchase affordable new toys for their children at Christmas.

Rather than simply giving a handout of toys to at-risk families, we believe in empowering families to purchase Christmas gifts for their own children.

Every aspect of the Christmas Village Toy Store is dependent on our amazing volunteers. From distributing Wish Lists, to pricing gifts, to setting up the shelves and decorations, to limitless hospitality serving roles during Store hours, there are a variety of ways to get involved and to be a part of this memorable annual event.

 

TClap |
0

Star Command Convergence – POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER. DATE TBD.

Leave a comment

As many of you are already aware, our brother Padre left the Fort Mill Region and joined the Pax in Easley. We hear he, and his burpees, have been a great addition to the Upstate. Since we haven’t met many of our Pax in the GSA area, we have decided to converge 1/23/16 in Sparkle City. Details below:

When:  January 23, 2016 @ 0700-0800 Boot Camp, followed by Coffeeteria (more details to follow) EVENT POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER. NEW DATE TBD.

Where: “Star Command” 9768 Warren H Abernathy Highway Spartanburg, SC 29301

Who: All hungry for pain!

Qs: Padre, Iceman, CSPAN

This promises to be a fun event with PLENTY of mumble chatter, maybe even some friendly region-to-region competition. This AO is a middle point between the Greenville-Spartanburg and Fort Mill-Rock Hill locales. Work with your regions to clowncar. You will not want to miss this event.

TClap |
0