A/C D/C, Lil Wayne, Brooks & Dunn @ SnakePit

Was expecting a wet one this a.m. and while the rain held off a bit, as predicted, we were blessed with an abundance of water from the sky.

Got to the site early to setup shop and hide coupons from COT view. Jwoww happened to drive past the secret location on his way in and the tires were compromised.

Quick disclaimer and off we went for a mosey down to the entrance of the field, circled back around to COT for a warmup.

  • Imperial Walkers
  • Wind Mills
  • Cherry Pickers
  • M. Night Club
  • Honey Mooner
  • Downward Dog
  • A couple additional stretches

We then moseyed to 1 of 3 pain stations for the main event and fired up the playlist.

The Thang

DMC – Duck Walk, Merkin, Crawl Bears

Had cones spread 15ish yards apart explained the exercise; Duck walk w/ KB to first cone, 5 merkins, crawl bear back to starting position. Rinse and repeat bringing your KB to the next station and increasing merkin count by 5. Uhaul in his brilliance asked whether we were going to the 4th cone, of course, why would it be there otherwise?

After the 2nd round, you start feeling the impact of merkins and crawl bear. #shoulderstrong

After we wrapped up, the first station, off to the 2nd.

Tire Carry Partner Work

Partner up P1 run with tire to 2nd light post and return serving as the timer. P2 complete exercises on board of pain. Each partner execute on exercise, rinse and repeat through exercises. Walked through exercises and asked Bird Cage to demonstrate Hay Makers as I failed miserably at The Hive last Friday. This is about when the rain decided to appear.

Exercises in order:

  • KB Swings
  • Hay Makers
  • OH Press
  • Upright Row
  • Clean, Squat, Press
  • Lunge
  • Goblet Squat
  • Curls
  • Man Makerss

Sadly, running out of time, we were unable to move to the 3rd painstation, packed it up and headed back to COT for a finale.

Roxanne by The Police

Perfect song to end the workout, while in plank position:

  • Roxanne = Merkin
  • Put on the red light = Plank Jack

With 2 minutes to spare, suggested Burp & Squat increasing reps by 1 to 5. 1 burpee followed by 1 squat and so on. That was met with minimal enthusiasm and we made it to 4 by time.

Announcements

  • Yeti

Prayers

  • Cash – was informed surgery went well and is recovering
  • Mother who’s child was killed by car
  • Unspoken
  • Family

Always enjoy the solid mumblechatter at this AO, makes embracing the suck that much more enjoyable. Thanks 3D for the opportunity.

Video evidence below:

Snakepit 2-19

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Back to the bells

I had the date on my calendar, but when I got a reminder over the weekend from 3D, I couldn’t help but be excited!

While I’ve Q’d my fair share at the old digs (The Tomahawk), this was my first official Q at the Snake Pit!  As I’ve thrown down some memorable Qs (there was the time…nobody was allowed to put down their bell for the entire workout, or the time we did the catch me if you can and we ran all the way out to Dobys Bridge Road, or the Ring of Fire (had to be there))…so what to do….what. to. do.

So there we were, the morning of…the PAX rolled in, a disclaimer was disclaimed, and off we went…the PAX lined up for an Indian run, man in the back performed 3 KB burpees before running to the front of the line as went meandered our way all the way around the perimeter of the school grounds.

The PAX rallied up at the bottom of a hill where they were divided into 2 groups of 4.  Stations (cones) were set up instructing the PAX on what exercise to complete.  There were 4 stations about 15 yards apart with exercises as follows:

1. KB swings, 2. Alternating Lunges w/ overhead KB triceps extension, 3. KB squat, curl, and press, 4. swap the bell for a 35lb brick and run to a cone about 25 yards away and back (this PAX was the timer).  Exercises at each station were completed while the PAX were running.  To rotate, the PAX that completed the run made their way back to station 1, while all other PAX bear crawled with their bell to the next station.  After 4-5 rotations through the stations, the PAX returned to the starting location for PAX-led Mary and COT.

Always an honor to lead!

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Wegmans at Snakepit

When asked to Q here I assumed it was too far. It was only 8 minutes from YHC house. The Coop is about 3, so hard to argue passing that one up.

Disclaimer was disclaimed and off we went. Took the bells over near one part of the parking lot. I had a box with exercises written down on them.

normal warmup. Nothing fancy. Nothing out of the ordinary.

partnered up. Partner 1 performs exercises while partner 2 runs the lap. The goal was to not let your partner beat your rep count, otherwise there was a man-maker penalty that was not enforced.

The exercises, in no particular order, were:

Squats,

Curls,

KB Swings.

Merkins.

Kid Launcher 45 degree angle shoulder raise.

Overhead press

some others?? Bobber destroyed the box with the exercises.

we also lunge walked and squatted some more

finished it up with some Mary

Thanks for the opportunity 3D!

Wegmans

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9 Branded by the Ring of Fire – 3D’s 1st F3iversary

In honor of my FNG post on Jan 15, 2019, I led 9 PAX reenacting the Ring of Fire dealt by SkateOrDie during my first post.  Weather was warmer than last year.

Warmup – Mosey, Moroccan Nightclubs, Hillbilly and imperial Walkers, windmills, Cherry Pickers, Plank, honeymooner, Plank, Downdog with calf stretches

Workout – PAX in circle with their respective weights.  Skate or Die also brought a concrete brick.  10 exercises.  Started with 20 reps and then worked down by 2.  Rotated weights after each exercise.  After each round I randomly rotated us or mixed us up so we used the weights in different order.  Threw a mosey in after 2 rounds.  Were only able to get down to 12 when Polaroid reminded us it was 6!!

Overhead Press

Squats

KB Swing

LBCs

Tricep Ext

Lunge Pass thru

Curls

Calf Raises

V Ups

Rows

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Push, pull, who mows your lawn…what?

8 (soon to be 9…then 10) PAX gathered for chilly Snake Pit morning.  Getting the formalities (disclaimer) out of the way, YHC didn’t waste time moving b/c it was COLD!  We took off behind, I guess it’s behind, the football field for a short mosey down to the break in the road, then circled back to the side parking lot where warm-up would be conducted (before we ran back to the parking lot, 5 burpees were thrown in…yep, that kind of warm-up). As we were running back, this is where PAX #9 (JWOW) graced us with his trademark tardy appearance…glad you made it my friend!  Better late than never and he was energized out of the gate like a kid on Christmas morning!

Warm-up included: mountain climbers, Morracan night clubs, imperial walkers, cherry pickers, SSH, windmills, burpees (yes burpees in the warm-up is a crowd pleaser), squats, then some up stretching.  Stretching was downward dog, honeymooners, leg and back stretches.  The warm-ups above were for the most part counts of 10 with exception of burpees (3) and SSH (30…only b/c we were waiting so long for Trucker! hahaha).  Birdcage was kind enough to pay YHC a “compliment” that he needed a 10 count during the warm-up…joking/not joking is how I took it but we moved on to The Thang.

The Thang

As we all got mentally prepared for next steps, YHC tried to start some tunes which turned out to be an interesting topic for the workout.  90’s hip hop was first up…hopefully no one was offended by Biggie or Snoop’s lyrics b/c there was about zero movement from YHC to stop that “parental advisory” train from coming.  The following exercises were called out in sequence after each was completed by the PAX.  About midway through these exercises, the local legend (and PAX #10) joined our group of merry men…none other than Spitz!  Just in time for Snoop to bust some rhymes…Spitz was not entertained by these lyrical beats.

  • 30 swings
  • 30 squats (bell hits the ground and that doesn’t mean lean over, it means bend your back…)
  • 30 shoulder presses
  • 30 up rows
  • 30 (15 each leg) lunges
  • 30 (15 each arm) clean and press

With the first set done, our “cool down” was running lines in the parking lot (old school suicides) so 3 lines of different distance became our next task to attack.  Once the PAX finished their cool down, it was back to business.   Prior to getting back to business, 80s rock station was selected (much to Trucker’s approval!).

  • 30 (15 each arm) plank rows
  • 30 American hammers (single count)
  • 15 manmakers (crowd pleaser)
  • 30 (15 each arm) lawnmower pulls….or Javier pulls…huh Birdcage?  If you’re reading this and have questions, take them up with the Cage’iest of all Birds.
  • 30 KB presses (on your back, bench press)
  • 30 triceps extensions (on your back if you want Trucker…jeez, but those are technically skull crushers which we didn’t call, but you do you)
  • 30 shoulder shrugs

Back to our 3 sets of lines for cool down…and no, we didn’t do any 10 counts that I can recall.  That’s what running lines is for.  Back to the mix where the music changed again, not without some ribbing from Birdcage, who was quickly satisfied by the new selection “Beastie Boys” channel.  Uhaul also started to bust some rhymes, but nothing to the effect of what can be thrown down by the likes of Flat Tire, Jekyll, or rap goddess Pusher (goddess just seems to fit better)…sorry Uhaul, you’ve got to see these guys go and then you’ll see where I’m coming from.  Before we got started, beachbody enthusist 3D was asked to select “1 or 2″…he choose 2 without knowing why, only to be informed we were doing the 2nd set of exercises all over again.  C’mon man, I thought this was a softball of the 1 or 2…YHC was way wrong on him picking up on this.  Can’t win them all.  See set #2 above for what we did again.

Once this was done, another cool down was in store, then 3 short exercises of MARY.  We stayed where we were for COT, did all things at the end, and collected some great praises!  Thanks for the opportunity 3D, hopefully I qualified to the Snake Pit standards.  If not, bring me back and we can dial it up a few more levels if that’s what the Site Q wants!  Great group today and I’d give the group a 8-9 on the mumblechatter scale which is good when it’s cold!

Shady

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PRE-BLAST: The Brotherhood of the Traveling Pants (AKA: #BTP)

Willpower is only the trigger to get a person started on a positive habit (#Brick). In order to maintain and continue #Bricklaying, a person needs to change the mental and physical environment in which they live, so that the habit can develop the “muscle memory” needed to go the distance. My #DRP list is lengthening, as is my ability to have #IMPACT in the men around me, and the following is intended to continue to put me on the right trajectory.

For the year of 2020, my word is “GO”.  In an effort to continue to #Accelerate my 1stF, and beginning on 1/6/20, I am instituting (for myself and anyone who wants to join me) an EC (Extra Credit) 15 minutes (of Boot Camp or running, or maybe even Broga) prior to every 45 minute workout. I will tweet and Slack the location with the hashtag #BTP the day before for those who wish to join me. (It’s a way to “trap” myself into an accelerating habit…)

For example, Monday I usually hit Honey Badger which is an hour workout. There would not necessarily be an EC prior to this (though there could be). Tuesday, I will be at Golden Corral. At 0500, I will begin an EC portion of the workout for those that want to join. It will launch from the same AO, and will be back at the AO in time for the 0515 normal start of the Post.

Clear as mud? Good. Ask me your questions. Otherwise, check your Twitter/Slack and #Accelerate with me.

Helmet, out.

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Snake Pit: New Year’s Day…

“Under a blood red sky
A crowd has gathered in black and white
Arms entwined, the chosen few
The newspapers says, says
Say it’s true, it’s true”
– New Year’s Day, U2

It was New Year’s Day and the #Faithful convened at the Snake Pit to work. Nothing fancy, the sugarplums had danced out of everyone’s heads and there was no telling aroma of vodka being sweat out to indicate that this was different than any other morning. I guess even an 0700 start wasn’t late enough to entice some folks to post. U-Haul had some sort of TimeLife “Best of the Late 70’s” playing on the roof rack, and it was loud enough to entice a Spitz sighting. Spitz can hardly resist when “Radar Love” starts strumming the rhythm strings deep in his soul. Play it long enough and he’ll eventually meander over to tell some stories of the glory days of Fort Mill. “This used to be entirely wild boar paths through here…” Anyhow, with a promise of no running, we got going.

HIIT Style workout was on the menu: 60 seconds on 20 seconds off.

Curls
Goblet Squats
Chest Presses
Triceps Extensions
Pass-through Lunges
Clean and Press
LBCs
and more…

Finished up with a round robin of Mary and such then 3D took us out.

Until next time… Helmet, out.

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The snake pit 12/18/19

F07A9CBF-DBA9-43DF-96EE-3E615C1EE305Had a fun time for my first Q, was very interesting getting ready for it. we had 17 people show up with 2 fng’s present.

warmup :

-lap around parking lot

-windmills (10)

-ssh (25)

-cherry pickers(15)

-hillbilly walkers (15)

-imperial walkers (15)

-lbc’s (10)

-Moroccan nightclubs (20)

 

pre-workout (wall)

-wallsit/kB  (everyone did 5 burpees until reach middle)

-calf raises (30 seconds) X2

-wallsit/kb (everyone did 5 Merkins until reach middle)

 

workout (partner):

-KB Swings (200)

-American hammers (200)

-lbc’s (200)

-rows (300)

-squats (200)

 

C.O.T

-Floyd plank (20 seconds) “quite a bit of complaining involved “

-circle of Mary (until 6:00)

We finished with the name o Rama and names two FNG’s

thanks again for letting me Q for the first time, it was a fun experience and will definitely try to do again!!

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A Copperhead Christmas (5lbs of Gummies too)

My first time Q’ing and it was a lot of fun (except counting in cadence). A very sincere thanks to the Pax for helping me thru my maiden voyage and braving the weather on a chilly December morning. Happy Holidays to all.

The Snake Pit Parking Lot, Dec 4th 2019

Warm up in Cadence

20 x SSH, 10 x Chain Breakers, 10 x Cherry Pickers, 15 x Mountain Climbers, 10 x Moroccan Nightclubs

12 Days of Christmas (main workout)

Day 1x: Parking Lot Run (on Day 7 switch to Bear Crawls)

Day 2x: Squat Jumps + previous day

Day 3x: Big Boy Sit Ups + previous days

Day 4x: Merkin with hand release + previous days

Day 5x: U-Haul’s + previous days

Day 6x: Leg Flutters + previous days

Day 7x: Freddy Mercury’s (Bicycle Sit-up) + previous days

Day 8x: Bicep Curls + previous days

Day 9x: Skull Crushers or overhead triceps curls + previous days

Day 10x: Apollo Ohno (speed skaters) + previous days

Day 11x: Kettle Bell Swings + previous days

Day 12x: American Hammers + previous days

Burpee Challenge

1x Burpee in 1 minute,  2x Burpees in 1 minute, 3x Burpees in 1 minute, 4x Burpees in 1 minute, 5x Burpees in 1 minute, 6x Burpees in 1 minute, 7x Burpees in 1 minute, 8x Burpees in 1 Minute

Announcements, Prayers and Praises

Circle of Trust

 

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Snake Bite At Snake Pit

Five years ago my mom passed away after six months of hell, dealing with kidney failure and all that entails.  She had mental health issues, that meant she had to take some strong medicines that basically eventually killed her kidneys.  Ironically my mom retired as a kidney dialysis nurse.

So with today’s anniversary coming up, I thought it was a good opportunity to remember mom, and talk about mental health.  I shared some facts, and the facts decided our numbers for each exercises after COP.

Mom was a huge fan of Elvis and Ricky Nelson. Facts about the two artists:

Elvis – Born 1935
Elvis – Death at age 42
Elvis – 33 #1 singles
Ricky Nelson – Born 1940
Ricky Nelson – Death at age 45
Ricky Nelson – 14 top 10 singles

35 – KB swings
42 – goblet squats
33 – curls
40 – skull (Helmet) crushers (face for radio)
45 – flutters
14 – Turkish getups (pax favorite)

A few facts about my Mom’s life:

Mom – Born 1945  Death – 2014
Mom – Married 49 years to my father
Mom – 69 years old at death

49 – American hammers
14 – cleans

49 – merkins
69 – flutters  

Then we went on to some facts about suicide and mental health among men:

20 US veterans commit suicide daily.
77% of deaths in the US by suicide are male.
10% of men experience depression and anxiety.
Only 36% of psychological referrals are for men.

20 – Lawnmowers
77 – Rosa Litas
10 – Burpees
36 – LBCs

Finally some lighter facts, about Christmas and New Year’s Eve:

14 days till Christmas
The Twelve Days of Christmas starts on Christmas, not before.
The Twelve Days of Christmas ends 1/5/2020.
12/31 – In the Catholic faith, NYE is the Feast of Pope Sylvester.

I had the pax pick an exercise for the above numbers.  There was much rejoicing.

And we were done!

Thanks 3D for rearranging some schedules to allow me to Q today. Thanks to Bird Cage for all the whining.  Love you brother! Just payback for the Coors Light board of pain!

Brothers your presence today is testimony of what F3 can do.  Five years ago I found out about Mom’s passing about 2:00 am and didn’t make it back to bed that night.  So I posted at Peak 51 in Area 51 (South Charlotte) and was glad I did.  I needed the pax to be around me and pray for me and our family.

Your continued prayers for my father who is 78 and plugging right along are appreciated.  He definitely misses Mom.

Remember: Leave no man behind, but leave no man where you find him.

DT out!

 

 

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