Challenged to “Bring It”

A few months ago, Dark Helmet and I were challenged to “bring it” to The Deep. I’m not sure how I got roped into the conversation as I no longer provide the top-tier workouts I used to. You see, it’s not because I’ve gotten soft (well, maybe a little), it’s more due to the physical acceleration of the PAX, which is evident when I cross the water and see the brothers in Lake Wylie. My workouts aren’t as hard as they used to be for some.

That said, I’ve become known for 2 things: the deck of cards and cinder blocks. I couldn’t disappoint the fellas. Dark Helmet on the other hand, is known for many things (not including many leather-bound books, rich mahogany, a perfect quaff or starbuck-y hands). And, with these many things, he brought his level of creative, pain-inducing exercises to the first half of the morning’s Q.

Once DH signed a few autographs, gave a very clear disclaimer, he took off for the warm up mosey. Then did a few warm-up-type exercises which included all the regulars and plenty of chatter.

Grab a partner and since when does size not matter…in Wheelbarrow racing?

You and your partner will alternate wheelbarrow’ing around the circle which I swear, grew as we were encircling it.

Next, grab the cinder blocks from Maximus’ truck for a little DORA activity.

Partner 1 (P1) would run around the main lot while Partner 2 (P2) would do the exercise then flapjack for:

200 Bicep Curls

300 Overhead Press

400 Bent-Over Rows (modified the count for timing and inserted chest press)

Hand off to Maximus for more partner work

P1: Ski Abs

P2: Toe Taps on the block (25ea side)

Flapjack

P1: Burpee Broad Jump ~50yds & NUR back

P2: Mountain Climbers with your hands on the block

Flapjack

P1: Beep Beep I’m a Jeep for 25yds & Lunge Walk back

P2: Bomb Jacks

Flapjack

Now with both partners at one end and the block at the other:

P1: Sprint to the block, 10 Man Makers with the block, Sprint Back

P2: Flutters from the V-up position

Next up, partner big-boy sit-ups while passing the block back and forth

I can’t fully recall if we did a few 8ct burpees to finish it off but it’d be a lot cooler if we did…so let’s assume we did.

Hey PAX, wherever you call home, go somewhere different. Organize a clown car with a few other locals and go see a different AO on a Saturday and attend their Q-Source. You never know what you’ll learn. Dark Helmet and I appreciate the opportunity to put ourselves through misery in the spirit of Qing for a great group of F3’s finest PAX.

Until Next Time.

DH & MAX

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Proud Daddy Day at the Deep #Shorties

I was rucking Friday morning with Olaf and the Chupacabra crew and he mentioned that he had the Q at the Deep but also signed up for the Operation Sweet tooth 8k so he was stuck with two HCs.  I mentioned I could take the Q at the Deep and about 12pm he took me up on that offer.

Here was my chance!  My 10 year old son “Blocks” has been asking me how he might get a name change.  He’s been saying “Blocks is his F3 Dads name and he’s looking to grow up” I told him that he’d have to lead some of the workout before a name change would be in order.

So Friday night I offered him the opportunity.  We worked on the warmup options, he picked 8 exercises, and we practiced some in cadence.  He even came up with a new exercise routine, “Death Grippers”.  More to come on that in a sec.

So Blocks and I got to the school early to set up and scope out the plan.  He was ready.  I told the guys what we had planned for a potential name change, gave the disclaimer and we headed out.

Mosey over to the soccer field for Blocks to take over.

He circled up the PAX and went to it.

SSHs – Arm circles 5 forward 5 back large and small – IWs – LS Squats – Windmills – Big Boy Situps (his favorite) and the new Death Grippers.  They are Burpee –> Squat –> Lunge = 1!

He had a strong voice, checked his paper several times, but kept cadence really well.  He was so excited when he was done!  I definitely had a proud Dad moment right then.

I took back over for the rest of the fun.

We headed back to the hill for 11s

10 CDDs at the top –> 1 Sumo Squat at the bottom .  Count up/down until flipped.

Good hustle, especially from our 2nd Day PAX Hermey.  The hill work is not easy.

Mosey to the back of the school for what I call “Concentrica Cornhole”

Blocks and I set up by drawing the Concentrica on the ground. From inside to out it went:

M = 10 SSHs

Shorties = 10 Flutter Kicks

Shieldlock = 10 Lunges

Whetstone = 10 Partner Hand Slap Merkins

Mammon = 10 Absolutions

I had set up a line about 20 yards away and the PAX would throw a cornhole bag at the bullseye.  It definitely paid to be a winner.  Missing the whole target was 10 burpees!  Each PAX got to go twice.  Let’s just say we did way too many burpees!

Once we finished up I shared a small message about Q-source and what the Concentrica is. How we have a limited and unknown number of arrows and that we should aim for the bullseye everyday… and how life doesn’t allow that often, but small and intentional changes can help to correct that!

Off to the front of the school. Time for some wall sits while each PAX from each end did 5 merkins. Then 30 count BTTWs, repeated this twice.

Only a few minutes left, made it back to COT for a little Ab lab.  The PAX finished strong!

So the group agreed Blocks did his part to get a new F3 name.  He shared with the PAX, we batted a couple things around…we ended on Lancelot at the recommendation of Shakespeare.  Pierce loves his new name, and I’m so happy I got to share that experience with him.

COT

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Prayers from around the PAX, sorry I should record these…

More moleskin:

A lot of times I feel like an absent father.  I spend more time usually with you guys in the gloom than my own family each day… it’s a regular struggle for us men. I definitely spend way too much time at work, it’s not easy to balance…and shouldn’t be looked at as a balancing beam anyway. But it’s these moments, where you can put good intention into action, be intentional, and build that bond with your shorties.  We went to Qsource and I lead that with Lancelot sitting right next to me… it was an awesome Saturday!

 

An Honor to Lead

~ Royale

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