The Switch

9 Pax plus YHC came out to the Pantheon this morning to Honor those lost in the tragic events of the 9/11/2001. I was Honored to have the opportunity to lead in the the gloom this morning.

Arrived a few minutes early to unload the blocks and setup the lights. Change of venue as the sprinklers where running on the field and the it looked quite soggy.  Moved the The Thang over to the road just outside the field.

As 0515 rolled up Gears and I noticed that Crab Cakes was not on hand. After a light bit of #Slack bullying he HC’d the evening prior.  AS it turns out there is #Slack evidence to show our Friend Crabbie had DeC’d around 2210 that same night. Something about getting Fia’d by the M and 2.0 was under the weather.  Well noted and understood. I’m sure that time was well spent working on the NXT Addition of the The Corner!

All seasoned Pax on hand so a quick disclaimer and off we went.

The Buy In Started out with a 400 meter mosey around the parking lot and down the hill to the bottom concrete pad.   Roughly 400 Fire Fighters, Police officers and Port Authority officers lost their lives running INTO the Twin Towers.

COP-09 MNC/ 11 SSH/ 20 Imperial Walkers/ 01 Burpee

Bear Crawl from Bottom landing to 3rd concrete landing. Roughly 110 Feet. 9 Peter Parker IC- Crawl Bear back down to the Bottom. 11 Parker Peter IC. Both the N and S Tower had 110 stories.

Mosey back up to the parking lot lane by the soccer field for The Thang.  Lead Pax into the middle of what would be our runway. Instruted them to hold an Al Gore or Plank for a the time line of events. All chose the Al Gore.

0846 AA Flight 11 Strikes the North Tower–0903 United Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower– 0937 AA Flight 77 Strikes the SW corner of the Pentagon in DC. With in mins of this the FAA orders a full ground stop of all domestic Air Traffic. Only time I have ever known this to happen. 0959 the South Tower collapses–1003 United Flight 93 crashes in a field outside of Shanksville PA after the passengers aboard attempted to overtake the hijackers–1028 the North Tower Collapses. Not including the 19 Hijackers 2977 people where killed in these deadly attacks. Took this opportunity to remind the PAX ( Still holding Al Gore) That tomorrow is never guaranteed and to ensure they are staying present and involved in the now with those closest to them. Recover!

The Switch

Team up in Teams of 3- In our case 2 teams of 3 and 1 team of 4.

P1 and P2  start at one end of the runway. P3 starts at the far end.

P1 does a coupon Exercise, P3 does body weight exercise at far end. On go P2 runs/sprints the distance between P1 and P3. Upon arrival they Switch. P2 does Body weight exercise and P3 Runs/Sprints back to P1 where upon they switch ect. The idea was to do MAX REPs of the respective exercises until the runners arrived and we switched. Running Distance was roughly 100-110 yrds. To move to the next round we needed to complete 2 cycles the current exercises.

Rnd 1 Block Curls and MErkins—-Rnd 2 OH Press and Squats—Rnd 3 Blocked BBS and LBCs

Rnd 4 Block Swings and Lunges—-Rnd 5 Block Squats and Flutter kicks

After dodging a few cars arriving to the parking lot we completed through the 1st cycle of RND 5.

Gather up the Coupons and head for COT.

 

 

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Making Monday Great Again

Just another case of the Mondays.  13 of us showed up to get better, including another FNG from Bones named Adam.  We walked him through the disclaimer and then set out to do our warm-up.

Warm-up – quick mosey over to the parking lot in front of office depot and did some quick drills on the parking lines:

  • Run up the lines, side shuffle right, back pedal down line, side shuffle right – repeat all the way down the parking row.  Once you finish, you run around the island and then did #2
  • Turn 90 degrees and do the same thing, so this time you’re doing a side shuffle right for the longer line, back pedaling to the next line behind you, and side shuffling left.  Again, full length, run around the island and then we turned to go hit the real work.

Simple = Hard:  that was the motto, so we did exactly that, we ran about a 1/4 mile down 49 to the corner of 49 and 160 and did our first set –

  • 30 side straddle hops (in cadence – so call it 60) / 15 merkins (in cadence – so 30) / 8 burpees OYO

Started running again, about another 1/4 mile and pulled over on the grass for the second set –

  • 45 side straddle hops (in cadence – 90 kind of sucks) / 23 merkins (in cadence) / 12 burpees OYO

Started running again, about another 1/4 mile, maybe a little more, got in front of Michael’s / Pier One, etc and did the third set:

  • 60 side straddle hops (in cadence – yeah, 120 left me not being able to count as I had no air left) / 30 merkins (in cadence – we stopped half way through to shake it out then finished strong) / 16 burpees OYO

Started running again to the end of the building we were at (in front of Kohl’s), peeled off and did the next set:

  • 15 jump lunges (15 per side) / 15 jump squats / 15 mountain climbers

Kept running, pulled over by the Suntrust bank and did the next:

  • 30 jump lunges (30 per side) / 30 jump squats / 30 mountain climbers

Ran to Buffalo Wild Wings and partnered up for….

  • Partner pushes – partner 2 has his arms on partner 1’s shoulders, is resisting and backing up as slow as they can while partner 1 pushes them.  Each partner did one set the full length of the parking lot
  • Wheel barrows – same, each partner did one rotation the full length of the parking lot

Run to the parking lot in front of Pet Smart and do the last set:

  • No more walking – sprint the length of the parking lot from island to island, jog the width, sprint the next parking lot length, jog, sprint, jog, finish w/ a sprint right in front of best buy and then head to COT.

Final count was 2.3 miles, 270 side straddle hops, 136 merkins, 36 burpees, 45 jump lunges, 45 jump squats, 45 mountain climbers and some partner  pushes / wheel barrows.  Nice little day at the office for the 13 who showed up to get better.  Appreciate you guys being there to encourage each other.  Welcome FNG Shake N Bake (Adam)!  DaVinci had his first respectable name-o-rama which I’m proud to say was at my Q!  It was the loudest “RESPECT” I’ve heard to date.

Cha Ching

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What Lacks in Creativity…

Call it “coincidental”, impeccable luck, dumb luck, divine appointment, proper Site-Q planning or option “F”, None of the Above but I was fortunate to have the Q at the Swamp today; the morning of our region’s Invergence. If the PAX were grumpy this evening due to not having a decent workout to start their day, that would be on my shoulders. I was really hoping to not let that happen.

So when 19 other men rolled in for an even 20, I had to take note of who might need the extra push. Once the mental note was made (and it shall remain mental), I recognized we’d have to get some distance in before jumping right in and even try to gas people a little here and there.

Disclaimer was uttered and again, my request was made: “All of you are carrying something with you this morning. My request is that you be present for the next 45mins, engage, push and be present with us, here.”

We then…moseyed. Made our way the long way (as if there’s a short way) over to the Kohl’s parking lot mixing in Butt Kickers, High Knees, Toy Soldiers and a few rounds of Sprints (yes, on a warm up mosey).

Circle Up for 7 reps in cadence of each of the following:

Wide-Arm Merkins

Regular Merkins

Diamond Merkins

Mountain Climbers

Peter Parkers

Parker Peters

Then 5 Burpees

2 Lines for an Indian Run around the entire Kohl’s/Kirklands/Ulta, etc building coming back to the Ulta parking lot (can’t believe a beauty supply store just made its way into the BB…TWICE).

Then our typical warm up: Slow Wind Mills, Slow Squats

Catch Me If You Can with a partner and incorporating 10 Carolina Dry Docks and 10 Monkey Humpers when your partner catches you. Make the parking lot lap 3 times. Word to the wise, if you’re partnered with B.O.T., mandate that he jogs or shoot, walks…#speedy.

Circle Up for 7 more reps in cadence of each of the following:

Wide-Arm Merkins

Regular Merkins

Diamond Merkins

Mountain Climbers

Peter Parkers

Parker Peters

Then, mosey to the Old Navy parking lot and line up on a white line

Crab Walk 20 yards, 20 dips, crab walk back, 20 Dips

Repeat

Mosey to the Best Buy parking lot

3 reps each:

Wide-Arm Merkins

Regular Merkins

Diamond Merkins

Burpees

COT

See you at the Invergence tonight and the 1st Convergence tomorrow (Sat) followed by Q-Source.

Honored.

Maximus

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Bleachers of Pain

Going to start off saying this is Punch List’s fault. I talked to him earlier and asked him 2 muscle groups he wanted to hit during todays workout. His choices were quads and back.

We had 2 FNG’s at The Coop ready to hit it. I started promptly with opening credits and a disclaimer, and ran to the football field bleachers for a quick warm up and examples of exercises.

The THANG:

I had the PAX partner up and I explained the WO. There where 8 exercises. 1 partner did the exercise while the other would do a lap up one side of the bleachers and down another then back to swap out with their partner. The rep count for each exercise was 100 reps.

The Exercises:

1: Dolphin Kick/Reverse Crunch (100 reps). They had a choice. The Dolphin Kick is done while lying belly down on the bleachers. Keeping belly and chest down you lift feet up together as high as you can to get a nice burn in the lower back area.

2: 1 foot on bench Lunge (50 reps each leg). With one foot stationed on the bleacher the other extended out and basically do a Lunge/squat using just that one leg.

3: Superman (100 reps). While lying face down on the bleacher putting arms straight out over your head. You lift feet/legs and arms up leaving belly on bleachers.

4: Sit Down Feet up Squat (100 reps). This is just performing a squat but lowering yourself onto the bleacher. You then while seated lift your feet off the ground for a brief second then raise yourself up into the standing position.

5: Wide Merican (100 reps). Self explanatory.

6: Step Up Knee Up (50 reps each leg). Step up on the bleacher with one leg. While up on the bleacher use other leg and lift it up 90 degree.

7: W Superman (100 reps). While lying face down on the bleacher you take your arms and bend them forming a W with your arms and head. While keeping your waist and legs on the bleacher you lift chest and arms up. Bring your arm back to try and touch your elbows keeping the W form. Working both lower back and between the shoulder blades.

8: Kneel Down to Stand Up (100 reps). From a standing position go down to your knees one at a time into a kneeling position. Then stand up one leg at a time. Alternating which leg goes first.

The results: This was a beast of a work out. While doing the exercises and going up and down stairs the movement kept everything loose and moving. Fatigued yes but mobile. Once leaving the site and making it home to go back to those stairs is when you felt the pain. To those having to go up flights of stairs or siting at a desk and getting up several times (me today) just remember this is Punch List’s fault. Thank you guys for coming out and supporting and pushing each other. This is what I look forward to and why I keep coming back.

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Early Risers at the Swamp

When I pulled into the parking lot near Best Buy, there were several cars already parked near the AO.  Based on the mumble chatter on social media, several of the PAX were getting in some early training for upcoming events.  There were 23 men at the work out, 13 for ruck, 8 for BC, and 2 runners.

After the disclaimer, we jogged to the front of Best Buy.  We started with a few warm up exercises (Butt Kickers, Toy Solders) before we moseyed over to the back of Just Fresh.

COP

SSH  x 20

Imperial Walker x 20

Windmill x 10

Plank Stretches

 

Next, we moseyed to the front of Home Depot for a round of Dora 1-2-3

100 Lat Pull-ups on the bicycle rack

200 Squats

300 LBCs

Next, we moseyed back to Just Fresh near the staircase for a round of Arod 3-2-1 (reverse Dora). Instead of running around the parking lot, we ran up and down the stairs.

300 Calf Raises

200 Lunges

100 Jump Squats

Next, we headed back to COT for one last exercise, the Merkin Gauntlet.  The Pax lined up in a plank position.  Each person performed 4 merkins in front of each person.

COT

Special prayers for Twister as he recovers from his eye surgery

 

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Jell-O Arms

Normally Pantheon is a Site for running and I thought that I would change it up so I came up with this coupon workout to change up the scenery.

The Thang

I had a short mosey to the back of the school to the location of the work out. I showed them a cone location to identify the stopping point for the running portion of this partner workout. There where 4 stations for this Modified Dora. I had the PAX partner up and count off to space out the PAX so they wouldn’t be on top of each other. The count for this Dora was everything was a rep of 200

Station 1 was curls. I had paver coupons and partner 1 would rep out curls while partner 2 ran to the cone and back. The fun part was I didn’t mention to the PAX that there where 3 different size coupons so there was a lot of chatter going on.

Station 2 was shoulder taps. Partner 1 would take said paver and tap one side of the shoulder then lift overhead to other shoulder. Counting only one side as a rep. Partner 2 would of course be running.

Station 3 was at the swings. This was a upside down Merican. While holding the chains of the swings with back on the ground and feet somewhat extended you would pull up making your chest hit the seat of the swing and lowering back down. Partner 2 ran.

Station 4 was curls to overhead press. Self explanatory. Partner 2 ran.

As I had about 10 minutes left I had the PAX circle up with a low squat and hold and delivered a message. My message focused on something that I saw on Twitter about 12th man ministry. It was about positive reinforcement. It just hit something in me and challenged the PAX to go back home and for the rest of the week use this positive reinforcement at least once a day on someone close. Your M, your 2.0’s, or even just yourself. We are in a world today that we don’t do this enough and when you hear it, it just means something. It may take someone out of a funk or hole their in and just give them something they needed to hear. So if you’re reading this I challenge YOU to do the same. Be a leader and this is a great way to build leadership and gain someones respect.

After the message we did a nice long mosey around the school and fields back to COT. With all above being done we managed to get roughly 2-2.5 miles in and totally roast our arms. Good luck today fellow PAX on recovery and see you next time.

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Fountain Or Drain

What a glorious morning! The weather was perfect. We were blessed with a few respectables and plenty of #HIMs. The fellowship was amazing and the mumble chatter was high-quality. 

The Thang:

Mosey to the next parking lot near 9 Rounds. 

COP: SSH (30x), Merkins (15x), IW (20x), WM (15x), Sumo Squats (15x), Box Cutters(15x), Dying Cockroaches(15x)

Mosey to the parking lot at Grace Presbyterian Church. 

Partner up for a round of Dora with Merkins (100x), Squats (200x) and LBCs (300x).

Mosey to the parking lot at O’Reilly’s

Two rounds of Irkins(15X), Dips (15X) and LBCs (15X)

Two rounds of Derkins(15X), Box Jumps (15X) and Heels To Heaven (15X)

Mosey to the next parking lot at Harris Teeter for suicides with burpees.

COP: LBCs (15x), Heels To Heaven (15x) and Dying Cockroaches (15x)

COT 

Moleskin: 

Given our country’s divisive climate, it is important that we remain positive. Too many people are talking and thinking negative. Negativity is a huge energy drain. Reject negativity. Be a fountain of positive energy, not a drain.

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Quagmire – Cake Walk around Rivergate

COP
Mosey
Shuffles
Karaoke
High Knees
Butt kickers
Gasers

Mosey to Home Depot lot and search for my chalk hopefully before sprinklers wash it away

Bear Crawl 10 lines (parking spaces)
Broad jump back
Run Lap

Partner up
Wheel barrow 10 lines
Switch
Run Lap

Side Plank Step right 10 lines
10 Partner Leg raises (partner pushes legs down)
Side Planks step left back

Power skip 10 lines
10 Partner derkins (legs on partner back)
Power skip back

Crab walk 10 lines
10 Partner dips (Dip while partner planks)
Crab walk back

Mosey to Fountain

AMRAP-1min each
Step ups
Box jumps
Irkins

AMRAP-30sec each
Step ups
Box jumps
Irkins

Mosey to COT

15 Airbornes each leg

15 LBCs

15 burpees earlier in the COP/Workout

Talked to the men about Fear and how it keeps us form being our best self. It keeps us from our biggest victories. Fear keeps us from getting better. 

We should have nothing to fear since Sky Q has given us everything including eternal life through  his son. With that fear removed, our focus should be on honoring the one that paid it all in all we do and the victories and achievements will be endless……because we are fearless!!

  • Prayers for CMS schools back in today
  • Prayers for Ms and 2.0s
  • Prayers for Twister and Duck Dynasty IR
  • Thanks for the Q  Jedi/Mile High. Awesome group of PAX!!

Cake Boss out!

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Coupons of Rock

Had a total of 12 plus myself to attend a beat down with Coupons. I wasn’t feeling all too well today after seeing the Doctor yesterday. So my goal was to help with form and to push the PAX to getting a good proper burn while using the right form.

The Thang.

I had 7 different stations

I had the group count off by 7’s to determine which station was their start point.

#1 (The Counter) was 5 station suicides with burpees at each cone. Once the group at this station completed this is what made the PAX move to the next station.

#2 Lateral Raises to Center. This was hard for most due to size of pavers being used. So it resulted in different various shoulder exercises. All focusing on the shoulders.

#3 Colt 45’s (lots of mumble chatter here) yes these pavers were larger than station #2. Just like the bicep curls of 21’s. This was a 15 rep  bicep curl count going from arms down to 90 degree angle with elbows in. Followed by another 15 rep curl from 90 degree to paver to chest. Then lastly 15 rep count full bicep curl. Hence the 45’s. Once you hit 45 you started back again till moving to next station

#4 Burp Merican. This was a Burpee that increased the number of Mericans per each rep. So your first Burpee when down in the Merican you completed one. Then the second Burp you did 2 Mericans, and so forth.

#5 Alligator Merican with Bear Crawls. You started out doing the Alligator Merican from point A to point B. Once you made it to point B you Bear Crawled back to point A. You continued this until moving to next station.

#6 Elf on the Shelf. You started with a paver on one side of you. Grab the paver on that side while keeping it on that side basically made a rainbow motion brining paver to other side. Touching the ground, then bring back.

#7 Center Chest Raise. Grab paver in hands with palms/wrist facing up. With elbows locked go from waist to 90 degree angle (Shoulder/chest height) straight out. Squeeze then slow let down. working the lower chest.

The PAX completed the first round. I had them circle up around me and had Story time. I talked about my past a little and about what the past can do to you. Give you excuses, push you, or hurt you. That you shouldn’t use the past to determine your failures but use it to better you and make you a better person. Push you. After the short talk I sent them for round 2. I hope that little bit helped because I didn’t hear as much mumble chatter and saw a different fire under all the guys out there. It was an honor to Q at the Poopdeck and share a little about myself.

Ended with COT.

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I Love Cindy

Borrowed part of this #beatdown from  Dirty Pipes down at F3JOCO. Visited those guys at the Mad Mule in Benson NC and this workout just called for testing in The FORT.   Little did I know it would end up taking 12 cinder blocks, 4 pavers, 1 sandbag, and 3 rucks to accomplish the workout.  Having prepped and arrived early to setup I could see the headlamps of the pre-runners making early morning laps. All Set to COT for bring some pain. HOLY COW!!! The cars just kept rolling in to the lot. Clown Car after Clown car.  Thank goodness Copyright brought more cinder blocks than requested.

Quick Disclaimer and we are off. Had to tote the extra supplies with us as we ran to warmup.  Much appreciate the support of guys that jumped on the extra weight.

Mosey to the Fountain

Circle up.

SSH x 20     MNC x 20    Hillbilly Walkers x 15

Imperial Walker x 15     Weed Pickers x 15

Fountain work

Derkins x 15 OYO

Dips x 20 OYO

Irkins x 20 OYO

Decline Diamonds x 20

It ain’t fun unless you do it twice.

The Thang I Love Cindy

Partner up–6 stations

Station 1  OH press Max reps

Station 2  Blocked BBS Max Reps

Station 3 Block Squats Max reps

Station 4 Curls 1 block or 2 pavers Max reps

Station 5 Tricep Press 1 block or 2 pavers Max Reps

Station 6 GTOs Max reps

Partner 1 does max reps while Partner 2 runs 4 cone suicide. Plank the 6 rotate upon completion of group.

Talk to Group about Doubt in their lives.

Read- Pray- Surround Yourself with those to talk it out with. Don’t go into seclusion.

Partner Carry back to COT only ~600yrds—-It was awesome and the PAX loved it!.

Not sure what Punchlist and Lutefisk were going for with the midrift shirts in the Name-O-Rama but hey, You do You Bros!

Thanks for the Tap to Lead Cha-Ching. Awesome experience to lead a literal HERD of PAX through the Swamp.

Duck Out!

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