Category: The Swamp

Final Shopping Days at the Swamp

Leave a comment

After setting up some fun cones I made it to the AO to see the large group of PAX ready for the day. We had a special guest return of Jerry Lewis back on leave from his military training. Great to have him out! We also got an FNG that several men EH’d from our monthly 2nd F beer social.  He received the name “Wingman”for the old barhopping days with your boys…

With an FNG I gave a long disclaimer and the ruckers started on their way out…the campers followed me.

Mosey down the streets with a run and dynamic warmup.

Made it to COP where we completed to following:

24 SSHs

24 MNCs

19 Squats

11 Windmills (by now the mumble chatter has  started on my sporadic stops)

12 Merkins

11 Ski Abs (I was just being lazy, no other  rhyme to my counts)

Mosey over to the Rivergate Fountain for some speed shopping!

I set up 8 cones in front of eight different stores around the area, or goal was to split into groups of four  and make our speedy stops at the shop and do the two exercises listed at that stop.  Once you completed the two exercises your group ran around the large circle and moved to the next store in front of your previous cone.

The  exercises at each cone consisted of :

#1 25 Carolina Dry docks

#1 20 burpees

#2 40 LBCs

#2 40 Squats

#3 20 bombjacks

#3 30  moroccan night clubs

#4 20 merkins

#4 25  squat jumps

#5 30  Freddie mercury’s

#5 20  wide arm Merkins

#6 40  Side straddle hops

#6 30 Ski Abs

#7 20  dying cockroaches (my fav)

#7 20 diamond Merkins

#8 25  Imperial walkers

#8 40  calf raises

Most of these exercises were in double counts – and in cadence.  The laps were long and the reps were high!  Everyone broke a good sweat and we ran out of time for our last 4 extra shop stops of the day…  so we  trucked it back to COT two minutes late.  Each group completed all eight stops!

At COT I got to share the story of my recent experience with my nine-year-old son. Seems the kids at school have been telling him that Santa is not real so he came home and ask my wife the truth about Santa Claus. Luckily for me she was prepared and had a wonderful two page note that she shared with him about the spirit of Santa and giving and God during Christmas.  I shared that note with the PAX.

TClap |
1

JOE DAVIS + SPEED FOR NEED = IMPACT

Leave a comment

In just under a month, we will have an opportunity to run one of the best races of the year which has become our Signature Fort Race, The Joe Davis Run for Recovery.

This year is going to be particularly special in that we will also be adding the opportunity to push race chariots for SPEED FOR NEED.

Here’s how you get involved, if you know of someone who has a child with a disability, someone who has a child whose home has been affected by addiction, or a child in some other kind of need, then DM Dark Helmet on Twitter and let him know. If you would like to help push, let him know.

We have a chance to have as many as 6 chairs there (several are already spoken for, but some are empty). That’s the most of any race yet…

So man up! Register, find a “Track Commander” to push, and let’s get after it!

TClap |
3

THE PAX OF FORT PLEDGES TO HELP ANOTHER BROTHER AND HIS FAMILY OUT

Leave a comment

Its Christmas time and the word of the month is giving so I am asking if you would take moments pray about giving to help a fellow pax. Last year Stang got the Fort and the Rock pax to donate gift cards, cash and presents for me and my family.  This was huge for me and my family, with that  being said I feel the need to help a fellow pax and give back. I have been in touch with our pax of the Fort looking for someone to help out. This morning in COT it was mentioned by Destiny that a fellow pax’s son has just been diagnosed with leukemia and his wife is pregnant with twins. Then again Ginsu and Rock thrill had a tweet about it and come to find out it is an Area51  pax named Bout time his sons name is Jennings. This hits close to home and just knew this is who we need to help this year. a few

If I have never had the pleasure of posting with you in the Gloom I would like to take a second and share my story, Dec 2015 on Christmas eve my 2.5 year old daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia ALL Type B, on Christmas day she had surgery to have a port installed and her first 3 rounds of chemo. We spent Christmas in the hospital and I broke down never cried so hard in my life. I reached out to God prayed that everything will be okay and about 10 min later after the took my daughter back for surgery he answered my pray because a peace just came over me and heard the words its going to be okay.  The last 2 years have been a hard 2 years with ups and downs but also have enlightened me, allowed me to get closer to God.  It also allowed me to become apart of F3 with out the men of this group not sure where I would be mentally and physically today. I like to thank you for the push the words of encouragement.

 

I am asking pax to give what your heart tells you. Prayers gift cards, cash etc. I have seen what awesome pax you can be when challenged to give you all always go above and beyond.

See your site Q’s for collections and or Dark helmet , Stang, Witch hunt, Royale and Cornerstone, we want to wrap it up by 12/22/17

 

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 18:16

A gift opens the way
and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

 

Thanks Again HIMS

Cornerstone

TClap |
18

The Fort pledge to help another Pax out

Leave a comment

Its Christmas time and the word of the month is giving so I am asking if you would take moments pray about giving to help a fellow pax. Last year Stang got the Fort and the Rock pax to donate gift cards, cash and presents for me and my family.  This was huge for me and my family, with that  being said I feel the need to help a fellow pax and give back. I have been in touch with our pax of the Fort looking for someone to help out. This morning in COT it was mentioned by Destiny that a fellow pax’s son has just been diagnosed with leukemia and his wife is pregnant with twins. Then again Ginsu and Rock thrill had a tweet about it and come to find out it is an Area51  pax named Bout time his sons name is Jennings. This hits close to home and just knew this is who we need to help this year. a few

If I have never had the pleasure of posting with you in the Gloom I would like to take a second and share my story, Dec 2015 on Christmas eve my 2.5 year old daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia ALL Type B, on Christmas day she had surgery to have a port installed and her first 3 rounds of chemo. We spent Christmas in the hospital and I broke down never cried so hard in my life. I reached out to God prayed that everything will be okay and about 10 min later after the took my daughter back for surgery he answered my pray because a peace just came over me and heard the words its going to be okay.  The last 2 years have been a hard 2 years with ups and downs but also have enlightened me, allowed me to get closer to God.  It also allowed me to become apart of F3 with out the men of this group not sure where I would be mentally and physically today. I like to thank you for the push the words of encouragement.

 

I am asking pax to give what your heart tells you. Prayers gift cards, cash etc. I have seen what awesome pax you can be when challenged to give you all always go above and beyond.

See your site Q’s for collections and or Dark helmet , Stang, Witch hunt, Royale and Cornerstone

 

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 18:16

A gift opens the way
and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

 

Thanks Again HIMS

Cornerstone

 

 

TClap |
4

Bombs and Blimps at the Swamp

Leave a comment

It was an especially gloomy morning but it didn’t stop several PAX from posting to the Swamp. Disclaimer was given and we split up into bootcampers, ruckers, and runners. BCs moseyed over to the Home Depot overhang with some high-knees, butt-kickers, and karaoke along the way.

  • 1st stop – 5 burpees, wind-mills, hillbilly walkers, 5 burpees
  • Mosey to failed restaurant overhang – 5 burpees, 25 SSHs, 10 merkins, 5 burpees
  • Mosey to lot in front of Books-a-Million – 5 burpees, something else, squats, 5 burpess
  • Line up across parking spaces. Bear-crawl across 1 merkin, backward bear-crawl to start 1 merkin – Repeat for a total of 5 trips
  • Mosey to bank drive-thru and partner up for Bombs. Partner 1 does the exercise while partner 2 runs a lap around bank, then flip flop. No set amount, just keep doing exercise and hope partner runs fast. B=Burpee, O=O’s (tiny circles), M=Monkey Humpers, B=Bombjacks, S=Squats
  • Mosey back to BAM overhang. Blimps with same partners. P1 does the exercise while P2 runs to building across lot and back, then flip-flop. B=Burpees, L=Lunges, I=Imperial Squat Walkers, M=Merkins, P=Plank Jacks, S=Seal Jacks. The slight uphill run on the way back each time added to the suck.
  • Mosey back to failed restaurant overhang for some Mary. 15 LBCs, 15 Flutters, 15 Freddie Mercs.
  • Mosey back to overhangs at mattress store. Not so great imitation of Lt Dan. 1 squat, 4 jumps touching overhang. Went from 1/4 up to 6/24 before time was up.
  • Mosey back to COT to meet up with rest of PAX.

I tried to use several of the overhangs to keep the PAX somewhat dry and keep us moving. But I don’t think it would’ve mattered, These guys would’ve been just as great out in the rain pushing each other. Thanks for all those that showed up and encouraged each other on this cold rainy morning. Always an honor to lead this group.

 

TClap |
3

Red Ball 1000 Challenge

Leave a comment

Quick disclaimer – No FNG’s

Rucker’s went North.  Boot Campers headed south.

Warm up mosey to Target Red Balls – Stopped in route for a quick COP.  Lots of mumble chatter.  I let them have there fun, I knew it wouldn’t last.

10 red balls, different exercise at each one.
Run to 1st ball perform exercise, run back to start.
Run to 1st ball perform exercise, Run to 2nd ball, run back to start.
Continue this until you make it through all 10 balls or time runs out.
Breakdown of exercises and cumulative total based on number of rounds completed.

Rounds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Exercise Reps
1-Burpee’s 10 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
2-LBC’s 20 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
3-Merkins 20 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
4-Squats 20 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
5-Freddy Mercury’s 20 20 40 60 80 100 120
6-SSH 30 30 60 90 120 150
7-Hello Dollies 20 20 40 60 80
8-Monkey Humpers 10 10 20 30
9-Carolina Dry Docks 15 15 30
10-Bomb Jacks 10 10
Total Reps 10 40 90 160 250 370 510 660 825 1000

Everyone was really excited until they saw that the first cone was burpee’s.  After a much longer than need explanation we are off.  Solid performance by all.  T-Claps to Bones and Wolverine for completing all stations.

We passed the Rucker’s on the way back to the COT.  All I heard was this thing sucks.  I’m sure they were referencing one or several of the coupons that RAD carries with him everywhere he goes.

Announcements

Christmas Party – Things to bring
CAH – 36″ or larger Duffle Bag, Alarm Clock, Umbrella
Operation Sweet Tooth – Toy any age – Unwrapped
Regal Manor clubhouse
BYOB
Deep AO – Change of Time to 7AM – Pusher and Double D on Q
WEP – Main Frame on Q

Prayers/Praises

Challenges in country – Falls from Grace – me Culture
Logan – struggles of being a teenager
Wild Thing – Prayers for M.  Struggles with sleeping
Casey – Still very pregnant
Gears – Podiatrist appointment

TClap |
5

Black Friday BOGO & Coupon Specials

Leave a comment

10 Pax (plus CSPAN for COT) posted to The Swamp to work off their Thanksgiving feast and take a trial run for Black Friday activities.   All veterans this AM, including Alright Alright from F3/Dallas who was visiting local family.  No ruckers (except potentially Royale, who quickly ditched the sack when he saw he would be solo).  So the Disclaimer was pronounced in Cliff Note form and then we launched to get blood pumping on a chilly 30-degree morning.

The Thang

Warm up run past Best Buy, Office Max, PetSmart, etc with some karaokes thrown in.

Circle up in Home Depot parking lot

COP — Mtn climbers, plank sequence, Peter Parkers, Hillbilly Walker, Low Slow Squats, Merkins

Mosey to garden center entrance of HD for first of Black Friday Specials  — Buy suicides and get free burpees.  At each turnaround point do 1 burpee.  Four out and backs (4 burpees).

Mosey to Target entrance and partner up for next BF Special — buy one wheelbarrow and get 2 burpees.  Start with 2 burpees at first red ball.  Then, Wheelbarrow from one red ball to the next, 2 burpees for each partner, then flapjack.  (18 burpees, 22 total)

Mosey to Kay Jewelers (every kiss begins with Kay; Bath & Bodyworks close by for those on skinnier budget) and circle up for BOGOx5 series.
5 Bombjacks + 5 burpees
5 Monkey humpers + 5 burpees
5 Wide arm merkins + 5 burpees
5 Sumo squats + 5 burpees
5 Jumping lunges + 5 burpees
(25 burpees, 47 total)

Mosey back to launch point and collect one Black Friday coupon for each partner pair.  Mosey to side of Best Buy and line up   shoulder to shoulder for People’s Chair w/blocks.  Pass each block to left. Rise and do 1 burpee.  Back to People’s Chair and pass blocks right to other end. Rise and do 2 burpees.  Continue progression to 10 burpees.
(55 burpees, 102 total burpees)

Mosey home

COT

NMM

T-claps to all pax for persevering through a burpee-laden morning.  No Merlot this am, though it would not have been surprising to see some given the indulgences of Thanksgiving.

Thanks to Jedi for the burpee inspiration during the warm up run.  Burpees were already part of the Weinke , but the mumble chatter about doing 300-some burpees at Black Diamond Thanksgiving convergence only invited a heavier dose.  Thus, they instantly became the “freebie” for every Black Friday deal.

Speaking of Black Friday, the crazy shopper scene at Rivergate was a snooze fest.  Four desperate souls slept in their cars with the engine running for heat until we made the moves toward Best Buy, which quickly stirred them from the vehicles and into the camp chairs waiting at the front door behind the barricades.  It was probably the same four people who were in line at Best Buy the morning the new Nintendo game was released earlier this year.  Hope they made the haul they were seeking.  Pretty sure the pax collected all the pain they were after this AM.

Shout out to Alright Alright from Dallas who posted while on holiday family travel.  He’s got F3Nation rolling in DFW so be sure to post there when Dallas shows up on your itinerary.

Prayers for CSPAN who posted for CnW2 with a  boot on his right foot.  Thanksgiving Family Football League took its toll on him and now he’s on the IR.  He needs to try the Respect Division next Thanksgiving.  Hang in there, brother!  Will be in touch to keep you connected while you heel up.

Thanks to Cable Guy for the invite.  The Swamp continues to be a first class AO and it’s always an honor to lead the pax there.

TClap |
0

The under appreciated ruck & boot camp combo pack

Leave a comment

Conditions clear and very cold…around 33 degrees at kickoff

Disclaimer

Quick discussion on the combo workout and modify as needed

and walk off…about half had rucks…make large pile of rucks…near Office depot

Warmup-O-Rama

Partner up

Partner 1 run .33 mile, partner 2 does exercises…and then flapjack

Round one ruck curls, ruck upright rows, ruck curls, ruck upright rows…each partner got 4 turns at running…mumblechatter stalled…it started to suck…so as a good Q, I made bad into worse…

Partner 1 run .33 with ruck (crowd pleaser) while other partner exercises…and then flapjack

Round two squats, LBC, squats, LBC

Mumblechatter quickly turned into “bitching”…

Same partner, smaller lap, flying squirrels for each

Mosey to COT area

60 seconds of flying squirrels

COT/ Prayer or praise/ BOM

14 #HIM went inside for Romans 13

AYE!

CSPAN

TClap |
2

You don’t have Control

Leave a comment

Friday mornings are my favorite.  Back at the place this whole F3 thang all began for me.  The men started gathering, and by 5:14 it was a large group…but no one that wanted to ruck…so NASA got to join the bootcampers.  I’m sure he was ready for his Q, but lots of guys were probably holding back for the Capital Ruck Tour on Saturday night.  20 PAX with me, so a quick disclaimer and we’re off.

A little dynamic warmup on our run with high knees, butt kickers, side shuffle.  Made our way to the back parking of  the old River Bleu.

COP: 15 IWs – 25 MNCs – 25 SSHs – 10 LS Squats – 10 Merkins – some yoga stuff – 15 planks jacks – 10 Parker Peters

Mosey over to the Fountain to put in some work

3 rounds of following:

10 Step Ups each leg

20 Durkins

30 Dips

quick 10 count time to mosey.

Move to the red balls for Burpicides

Shared a quick word around Control. See Moleskin.

run to each ball – 3 burpees – run back all the way down to the other side

Read to write, hard to do. After a FEW 10 counts time to mosey again.

Made our way closer to the COT, stopped at a nice patch of grass.

I saw someone had pulled out the Jack Webbs this week, it had been too long…

Jack Webbs to 10

Back to COT:

Ab Lab with American Hammers – Freddie Mercuries – LBCs

Announcements – Praises – Prayers

Moleskin:

I had something to share planed for the PAX.  But on the way to the workout I was listening to the radio.  Not something I normally do. A song came on by Logic.  It’s posted here.  Popular song about depression and suicide.  My nephew had previously shown me the video. That morning it almost brought me to tears.  I modified my message about control.  The trials of life and heartache of loss or depression show us many ways that we are not in control.  That even when things are good we can feel like there are bad.  Give that control to God and ask him for guidance.

Too many kids I’ve been hearing about locally that have lost that control and found no other way out than suicide.  We should be those men making a difference in kids lives so they know there is another way.  Start with your own kids.  Talk to them about life, and pain and failure.  Let them know that everything’s not perfect like social media makes it out to be.  Tell them about your failures and how you overcame them.  Just talk…

An honor to lead,

Royale

 

TClap |
2

Stairs, Stairs and more Stairs – The Swamp 10/13/17

Leave a comment

A cool and drizzling day didnt keep the Pax away.  19 was the number with 5 ruckers and 13 bootcampers. Rad took the ruckers and I had the bootcamp.

We started with a short mosey to the parking lot behind Just Fresh where we circled up to stretch and loosen up. COP involved:

  • SSH x25
  • IW x10
  • Windmills x10
  • Weed Pullers x10
  • Merkins x10
  • Honeymooners/Downward Dogs

Pax were ready so we started The Thang:

I had the Pax split into groups of 3 with one group having 4.  Each Pax would be performing a different excercise using the Pax running the stairs as the timer. Each Pax would rotate the excercises until each Pax had run the stairs twice.  The cycles were:

  • Cycle 1
    • Pax 1 – Up and Down Stairs x5
    • Pax 2 – Broad Jump across parking lot (didn’t anticipate the rain which made this a little tricky)
    • Pax 3 – Flutter Kicks
  • a couple 10 counts
  • Cycle 2
    • Pax 1 – Up and Down Stairs x5
    • Pax 2 – Bear Crawl across parking lot (Tip: Parking lines are slick when wet)
    • Pax 3 – Peoples Chair
  • a couple 10 counts
  • Cycle 3
    • Pax 1 – Up and Down Stairs x5
    • Pax 2 – Recovery run across parking lot
    • Pax 3 – Burpees (CROWD PLEASER)

With that completed we were out of time so we lined up for an Indian Run back to COT where the Ruckers were waiting.

Thanks to Cable Guy for the opportunity to lead.

Until next time, back to the hunt…

 

TClap |
1