Category: Varsity

Five for Six at the Varsity

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Typical Varsity style the number of Pax was low but the pain was high on a beautiful morning to post.
The year is short so far but there are already two major learnings through my word of the year and the short time on the Journey
  • My lack of emotional presence is a huge factor in my relationship challenges with my wife and kids… my word is NOW and much of that is learning to be more present
  • If bearing fruit is the yard stick by which you measure your abiding in Christ then I have a long way to travel on my journey because as I look at the fruit I bear it is a little under ripe and the yield is not high.
Rule of the day – 3 Burpees on every transition between exercises.
All Hands Mosey to band parking lot with a single rule (the hands must touch the ground with every step) – bear crawl, crab walk forward, lunge Walk with hands touching the ground, inch worms, crab walk backwards
Warm up at the band parking lot – Exercise run (50 out followed by 3 burpees)
– SSH, Imperial Walker, CCD, Mountain Climbers
Six man fail 100 yard run on regular exercises, 200 yard run on ab exercises
– Merkins
– Dips
– CCD
– LBC
– Plank
and a few others thrown in their by the pax
Wall work
– Balls to the wall
Mosey to COT… regular style.
It is always an honor to lead this group.  AYE!
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666 Plus

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Thanks Kielbasa for the opportunity to Q, especially the reminder a few days before. You have been doing an amazing job as site Q and it is greatly appreciated by the PAX. The crazy gifs you find in the eastern European dark web are always a classic!

The PAX gathered, we saw the Site Q coming in hot, planted the flag, and we were off.

As YHC set up, Kielbasa led coordinated warmups, especially the SSHs. May be its me, but seems like the count does not match the actions…hey its early and its like the lips are not matching up on the actors.

So after that, the main course was served.

6 minute stations, 3 exercises per station, 15 reps per exercise, 6 stations, 20 seconds rests….that’s like 2 minutes of rest!!

R1 – Merkins, Jump Squats, Freddie Mercuries
R2 – CDD, Bomjack, Dying Cockroach
R3 – Block Curl, 50# KB Swing, Box Cutters
R4 – Pull Ups, Bar Hang, Smurf Jack
R5 – Bear crawl to curb and back, KB shoulder press, V-Up
R6 – Burpees, run down hill, burpees, run backwards up hill, burpees

By that time there was encouragement to finish, discussion of naps, and a great start to Friday.

COT.

Close out prayers.

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Repeating Til We Get It Right- Groundhog Day Style

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It was an awesome day for an F3 workout! Temperature in the 40’s. Had rained, but wasn’t currently raining. AO was Nation Ford HS- great location. It was Groundhog Day (not sure if that matters or not). It was Friday and pretty importantly, I woke up this morning on the right side of the grass (The top, that would be the top side).

There had been a little hype on the tweets prior to this workout. That may have been initiated by me, but with Beyond on the other side of the Fort, I was hoping to forestall any of the PAX who might have been tempted to make it a Fartsack Friday. If I wasn’t Q, I might have been tempted to make it a Fartsack Friday. Instead, I promised some hard work, some fellowship and maybe even a message to boot.

I’ve been noticeably absent from posting at Varsity for several months. This may be especially puzzling considering Varsity is about 3/4 mile from the house. Not that I haven’t been posting on Fridays, quite to the contrary. I’ve posted nearly every Friday since September, but at the other HS in town for slinging KBs. Gotta plug here for the Hive. Come on over for a month of Fridays and see if you don’t get stronger. I know I did. Just putting it out there.

I wasn’t sure what to expect for numbers what with so many other good options. That said I filled up the war wagon with a stack of gear and planned for a few or lots of PAX. When I arrived at the AO the second thing I noticed (first, that it wasn’t raining) was that the pile of cinder blocks that have resided at this site for, quite literally years, went MIA in the last 3 days. Oh, the disappointment. So, hairburners and block drags are off the menu for this morning. I hope all the cindys find their way home…

The Thang

Mosey to the bus loop. Then repeat, to start off our theme for Groundhog day.
Circle up by the HS for a bit of the COP.
20 X GoofBalls IC
10 X Merkins IC
30 X Morrocan Nightclubs IC
Front-Back-Go drills until the Q called stop
Mosey to the back of the JROTC building where the main event would be.

In the fashion of the Bill Murray classic Groundhog Day, we did everything AMRAP style. Hopefully until we get it right. The important thing is that you keep pushing at each station.

Timer = Carry the 60 lb sandback to the bottom of the hill, around the first parking lot island and back, then everyone switches stations
1. Pull-ups -Big rubber bands available for some help.
2. Battle rope
3. 30 lb upright row
4. 2 x 30 lb dumbell thrusters
5. 40 or 50 lb KB swings
6. Jump rope
7. 2 bucket farmer carry
8. 30 lb slam ball

500 watt work light
USB speaker for the tunes

I think everyone made about 3 rounds and it was an Awesome Day!

NMM

During the beginning mosey I asked the question Phil Connors (Bill Murray) asked in the movie. “What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?” While, I don’t think that any of the PAX feel exactly that way, sometimes we can feel like we aren’t having the impact that we’d like to have. I challenge all the PAX to initiate that change that will get them out of that comfort zone and give them the opportunities to have that influence that they need to have as leaders.

Geronimo! Out

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Keeping it Simple; Repeats at the Varsity – 1/19/18

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8 PAX gathered in the NaFo Parking lot, fresh off a lazy snow day, to get it back on track with a pre-dawn beatdown.

Mosey around the lot

Warmup

  • 35 Side Straddle Hops
  • 5 burpees OYO
  • 15 Windmills
  • 5 burpees OYO
  • 30 Low Slow Squats
  • 5 burpees OYO
  • 10 4 count Merkins
  • 20 4 count Mountain Climbers
  • 5 burpees OYO
  • 20 Moroccan Night Clubs
  • 5 burpees OYO

Mosey to the snow covered pull up bars

The WO

  • 10 pull ups
  • 10 jump squats
  • 10 pull ups
  • 10 jump squats
  • Run to bottom of the hill
  • 5 burpees
  • Run to top of the hill
  • 20 LBCs
  • Run to bottom of the hill
  • 5 burpees
  • Run to top of the hill
  • 20 LBCs
  • Rinse and repeat above 3x

Mosey to the parking lot

The Cool down

  • 10 4-count Mountain Merkins
  • Boats and Canoes
  • 10 4-count Mountain Merkins
  • Freddy Mercury
  • 10 4-count Mountain Merkins
  • Captain Thors to 5×20
  • 10 4-count Mary Catherine Gallaghers (jump lunges)
  • Flutter
  • 104-count Mary CGs
  • Protractor
  • 5 burpees OYO

COT

Announcements

  • Rooster
  • Yeti

Prayers

  • Listening, not just hearing
  • York County PD, especially Officer Doty & Family
  • Work Transitions
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Ramp up at the Varsity

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It was a great day in the gloom as the temperatures were perfect (low 40s) and the company was great!  There is something special about leading a pax of 20 or more but I most savor the opportunity to lead just a few guys and start to learn what is going on in their lives and to engage throughout the work out.  It was a privilege to lead the group today especially since my 2.0 was within the pax.

The message had to do with looking back on the year and to look at the opportunities for the areas of life where you can focus on improving in 2018.  For me I’ve had a few lessons.

  • 2 years ago I found a Whetstone partner and he is an amazing support for me through my life.  Every man needs a man to help sharpen them.
  • The root of many of my issues in my marriage and parenting is often my own selfishness and lack of presence.  I need to be more present with my family when I’m with them.
  • I need more than I used to to in order to be nourished in the Bible.  I need a group to hold me accountable

The Thang!

First a round of stretching

Warm up – exercise and run around the circle (SSH, Hillbilly Walkers, Emperial Walkers,  Merkins,  plank, mountain climbers)

Mosey to the High school wall

– Wall sits 1 min wall sit

– 15/10/5mule kicks/ planks 10 count down the line

– Peter Parker’s on the Wall

–  5/3/2 hand stands/ plank

3 min of Mary

Band parking lot

– suicides

–  20 yard plate push relay / 50+ yards

–  Leap frog/ elbow plank

–  Bear crawl, crab walk, lunge walk alternate every 10 yards

Aye!  Merry Christmas to all!

CH

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JOE DAVIS + SPEED FOR NEED = IMPACT

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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!

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

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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

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Friday JamFest at Varsity

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5 PAX braved the driving rain and blistering temps to post this morning at the Varsity. Actually, the weather was perfect. Because it’s Friday, we played some music to celebrate the week coming to a close.

Warmup

  • Mosey around the parking lot
  • 32 4 count side straddle hops
  • 12 4 count merkins
  • 15 4 count windmills
  • 20 Moroccan night clubs
  • 10 4 count forward arm circles
  • 10 4 count backward arm circles

The Thing

  • Mosey to the pull up bars
  • wall sit
  • 5 pull ups, 5 toes to bar
  • wall sit
  • 5 pull ups, 5 toes to bar
  • wall sit
  • 5 chin ups, 5 toes to bar
  • wall sit
  • 5 chin ups, 5 toes to bar
  • wall sit
  • 5 pull ups, 5 toes to bar
  • wall sit

 

Mosey to the awning next to school

  • 20 steps each leg
  • 20 LBCs

Here’s the (not so) fun part….

Played the song “Roxanne” by The Police

  • Side straddle hops the entire song…
  • 1 burpee every time the word “Roxanne” or “red light” is said (this is a lot of burpees)

Played the song “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC (thanks to DixieChicken for the inspiration on this one)

  • Plank the entire song…
  • 1 merkin every time the word “Thunder” is said (this is a lot of merkins)

Next comes a potpourri of various excercises

  • 20 flutters
  • bear crawl up the side walk
  • 20 Carolina DDs
  • bear crawl backwards back to start
  • 20 squats
  • 20 LBCs
  • 20 V-ups
  • bear crawl up the side walk
  • 20 Carolina DDs
  • bear crawl backwards back to start
  • 20 squats
  • 20 flutters
  • 5 burpees OYO
  • Captain Thors to 5×20

Mosey back to COT

Announcements

  • Christmas Convergence
  • Joe Davis Run

Praises/PR

  • praise for PAX posting in the rain
  • prayers for Crawdaddy’s family
  • prayers for Vuvuzela’s dad

Thanks for the opportunity, Kielbasa!

– Ginsu

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No running

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We had fun this past Friday at The Varsity focusing on some burst training, different style pull-ups and burpees, a little mania, and talking about thoughts on Victory. After another day of illness, I hung in there and appreciated the grace from my fellow PAX who joined me. Everyone gave excellent effort for a different style F3 workout.

Disclosure mentioned, No FNGs.

Topic of the Month: Victory; Reminder to read and study the wonderful PDF from your newsletter!

Warmup:

A wee bit of running, bunny hops, figure 8s (can’t ever remember the F3 name for this), 1 sprint

20 each person’s name straddle hops 

12 Ab Vigodas

10 Merkins

15 Arm circles each way (large and small)

15 Parker Peters

15 Low slow squats

4 Rolling Crucifix

The Thang:

Burst Training:

60 secs each of:

High Knees

Crossover jumps

Targeted 15 sec rest

30 secs each of:

Single leg hops (left) over a small cone

Single leg hops (right) over a small cone

2 Side to side hop overs over a small cone then into a big X-cross

Targeted 15 sec rest

60 secs each of:

2 foot front to back hops

Fast! and “clean” SSHs

Jump high burpees

Targeted 30 sec rest

60 secs each of:

Suicides for all the cones on ground for each PAX

3 Turkish getups; on fourth one sprint to the last cone and do 7 Peter Parkers each side and jog back to first cone

Back to Front Hops (over a line)

Targeted 15 secs rest

30 secs of:

High Jump squats

Squat jacks

Shuffle Burpees

1 minute rest

Mosey to Pull-up Bar area:

Pullups and Burpees:

A few randomly picked PAX got to pick a number between 1-15 and then a number between 1-7.  So, yes, if you did not come to this workout, then you will experience some of the others in the future from me! Ones selected without knowing ahead of time were:

(All were Max OYO)

Round 1: L sit bicep holds (and pull-up if you can), then One-arm burped

Round 2: Switch grip pull-ups, then Squat thrust burpees

Round 3: Headbanger pull-ups, then Donkey kick burpees

Mosey to COT area:

5 Minutes of Straight Up’s version of “Hysteria”:

30 secs  of Mountain Climbers

20 secs of Side Kick-thru

10 seconds of Squats kicks

10 seconds of rest

20 secs of Mountain Climbers

30 secs Side Kick-thru

20 secs of Squats kicks

20 secs rest

10 secs of Mountain Climbers

10 secs Side Kick-thru

30 secs of Squat kicks

30 secs rest

Then 20 secs of each:

Mountain Climbers

Side Kick-thru

Squat Kicks

COT:

Victory comments

Praises

Prayers: especially for the young boys/girls in Ft Mill dealing with bullying, stereotypes, and other stressors.

Kielbasa: Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to lead these fine men!  Until next time!

– Straight Up out

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AMRAP time at Varsity

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7 HIM’s got to Varsity on time to get this Bad boy started. Disclaimer given at 0515 at off we went.

The Thang

Mosey towards the Band football field, circle back to pick up Sugar Daddy.

Mosey back towards that lot. Stop for a little Warmup:

SSH X 10,
Polish Mating Dance (aka Goofballs) x 10
Moroccan Night Clubs x 10
Windmills x 10
IW x 10

Head to the goal line:
walking hamstring stretch for 20 yards, butt kicks for 20 yards, jog the rest to the other goal line.
high knee pull for 20 yards, high knees for 20 yards, jog the rest
Karaoke 30 yards each direction
Side shuffle 30 yards each direction

Mosey over towards the ROTC building for 30 Minute AMRAP
5 pullups, 5 Toes to Bar (modify to knee ups if cant do toes to bar)
run down the hill
10 Bombjacks, 10 Merkins (your choice – plyo, hand clap, hand release, or regular)
run up the hill
15 LBC’s, 15 Flutters
Repeat for 30 minutes

Mosey back to flag
10 Burpees OYO
Dying Cockroach x 10
Rosalitas x 10
Peter Pointer x 10

COT and BOM

Announcements – Deep 2.0 Halloween tomorrow, Fastest 5k, read your newsletter

Prayers/Praise – Praise for Straight ups child doing well in school, prayers for Squeaky and family issue with brother,

Moleskin
1. Thanks Kielbasa for the opportunity to lead this morning.
2. Really fun wearing a #beatNafo shirt to a workout at Nafo on the day of the #MilltownShowdown
3. WE are…….Fort Mill!!! Wooo!!
4. Straight up Straight up killed the AMRAP leading the way with 9 laps complete. #likeaBoss

Shanks out

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