Tag: Assassin

Philly Inspired Psy-Ops CSPAN at the Coop

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34 was the count at the coop and it was a great morning at the Coop with the temperatures near perfect and a special guest visit by Grand-Tan, CSPAN himself.  It was great to catch up with a #HIM and for his presence in the PAX.  But you can’t have  Grand-Tan return without a little engagement in the routine.  CSPAN honored us with his slightly angry, Philly version of a warm up.  The good news is that the PAX was angry at him and not me.
Prayers for Shady and his spill on the sprint back to COT and subsequent trip to the MD.  Grateful for Dirty Harry and his field ops specialty and coolness under pressure.  The highlight of the morning was watching guys step ups and do their part when another brother was in need.  That my friends is F3!
Message: Be Still
  • Where does your mind go in the stillness?
  • Regrets for the past, fears of the future, how many of us were thankful for the moment, how often do we use stillness in the moment to experience God’s voice and direction … I don’t do being still well because my mind constantly has chatter.
  • Be Still- observe the mind – become conscious to what is going on in your mind – results in your ability to be present and to own the thoughts in your mind
Warm up/ COP – CSPAN  maybe I will just summarize it at as a Nascar like (right turns though) sprints with up/downs with flutters, and more flutters and a few more flutters and then some flutters.  I think that covers it.
Mosey to band parking lot:
Suicide Sprints: 10/20/30
  • 50% sprint
  • Karaoke
  • Side shuffle
  • Full length full speed
  • Power Skips back
Rugby Sprints to the 50 and walk it back
  • SSH
  • Merkins
  • Mule Kicks
  • Flying Squirrels
Every 5 to the 50
  • Bear crawl 5 yards then 5 CCD increments sprint to the end
  • Burpee Broad jumps 5 yards then 5 merkins
Wall sits with burpees
2 minutes of MARY
Prayers for Shady’s recovery and quick return. Prayers for Bailey (CSPAN’s daughter) and the birth of their son today at 12:30. Many unspoken prayers known and unknown are put at the foot of the cross and we ask that the Lord tends to them according to his Will.
Aye!
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The Hive: Kettlebells, rain, tabata. What could go wrong?

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0505 show up to the hive for prep. Layout cones and other various gear needed.
0510 see cars and trucks and more cars and trucks pulling into parking lot.
0514 Disclaimer and see another truck pull in (its Stang, we start to mosey for warm ups.)
0515 Warmups of various types.
0522 Start a Tabata that has to called out by Q due to speaker not working. ended up being great. I love mumble chatter and it was rolling good this moist morning.
8 stations- 2-3 PAX per station they went as follows.
Goblet Squats
Figure 8s
Shoulder presses with rucksack
Jump Rope
Alternating bicep curls
American Hammers
1 arm KB swings
Alternating hand on KB merkins
0600- Mosey with gear back to COT. The rain really started to pour down.
Prayers and Praises.
AkA- if you don’t know you better ask somebody.
Q Source
prayers for marriages and kids.

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Fooled!

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The Thang

12 days into spring, in SC, you’d think the gloom would be a perfect time for a run. Not that it wasn’t anything we couldn’t handle, but the 11 PAX that made it to Flight Plan were shocked, shocked I tell you, at the low 30’s temperature accompanied by a constant wind that seemed to come from every direction.

But we carried on with a newly modified River District route that avoids New Gray Rock since traffic has become too heavy. Down Sutton, right on Founders and over to Sterling Heights (which seems to be uphill in both directions), cross over to Harvest Pointe and loop it back the same way.

Announcements:

Canoli Run May 18th at St. Philip Neri – Proceeds sponsoring the Children’s Attention Home.

Praise:

Rebel’s Daughter starting a new job in San Antonio

Strong F3 representation at Christina Memorial 8K and Virtual Run at Alcatraz

Hootie – Running bridge run Saturday; Dungaree Bridge Run AND A Spartan Race!

NMM

I know it was a coincidence, but the slight change in the route, brought about big challenges today. Heading back up Harvest Pointe, the wind hit us dead on. Heading out Sterling Heights was hillier than any of us remembered. But we all made it back. We all agreed we were better for the extra effort the run required of us. So when you have those challenges in your routines, with your family or with your job, are they really worth getting upset about? Maybe just think of them as a windy/rainy day at your AO. Yeah there’s a little more effort, but those are the ones we always remember. Make sure you’re not looking back shaking your head because all you could do was mumble chatter, but you’re looking back smiling because you knew all along you could get through it.

 

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Bell In The Ring

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On Friday, I had the opportunity to Q The Hive, a Kettle Bell workout that has developed the history of being a great, body-challenging, way to end your work week. Under no circumstances was I going to let that change on my watch. After all, Frat Boy was promising an FNG (welcome Mich Ultra) that he’s been working on for 2yrs. What does this tell you about Frat Boy? Leave it to say, Dog On A Bone.

Once we all circled up in the beginning and dropped our metal bells, the PAX were disclaimed. They were then reminded of the critical mission of F3 and if you’re a little hazy: Plant, Grow and Service small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership. None of those words are there by accident.

And then, we’re off for a mosey to the other large parking lot then back (sans bells) for a little warming up all in counts of 16:

SSH

Mountain Climbers

Peter Parkers

Parker Peters

SSH

Moroccan Night Clubs

American Hamers

Merkins

Grab your bells (notice the “e”) and report back to our circle. Only now, much larger; roughly 40yds in diameter. I would call out an exercise, we’d do a count of 16 of said exercise, set the bell down, run to the center of the circle, perform 5 burpees, then return to your bell. The running back and forth eventually turned to a jog. Here’s the menu:

Kettle Bell Swings

Left Arm Bicep Curls

Right Arm Bicep Curls

Overhead Lunges (Lunges with KB held overhead – 8ea leg)

Upright Rows

Bent Over Rows – Right Side

Bent Over Rows – Left Side

Tricep Extensions

Overhead Squats (Squats with KB held overhead)

Flutters w/  Press

Big Boy Sit-Ups

Stretch it out with some KB-free SSH’s

Thrusters (with the KB)

Now it was time for a little more cardio training. Lining up on the side of the large parking lot, we did a set of 5-Tier suicides followed by a set of 2-Tier suicides.

Line up for Seal-Team Sit-ups

LBC’s

Hello Dolley’s

Rosalitas

A reminder of the F3 Credo: Never leave a man behind but leave no man where you found him.

A reminder of F3’s 5 core principles: Free of Charge, Open to ALL MEN, Held outdoors-rain or shine, Peer-Led (no professional training), Ends with a C.O.T.

Several announcements which included upcoming events, headlined by the OST 8K for our man, Olive in LKN which by the time you read this, will have already happened. Get involved, Stay involved, and LEAD.

Read YOUR Newsletter.

Until Next Time…It has been my honor to serve

Maximus.

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Breaking Patterns

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What a great morning for a run. Low 50’s, no wind and 20 PAX for a post P200 Monday. Up in the rotation today was the newest member of the Flight Plan plans, “Loops of Choice.” They include a 2.5 mile loop that goes over the walking trail at the end of YMCA parking lot, out 6th Baxter, up Sutton and back to Starbucks. And a 1.5 mile loop that goes down market, comes up Sutton and back to Starbucks. Modify as necessary, find a running buddy, have some fellowship, attend COT, check the box.

Flight Plan is an AO that’s predictable. Because of safety, we stay on the north side of 77. We have 4 routes and run each one, once per month. Today’s route emphasizes, (maybe represents is a better word) those circles we find ourselves in. Don’t get me wrong, the workout is beneficial. And I love the sense of accomplishment of conquering the long climb up Sutton (twice) in the gloom. However, the round and round is indicative of what can become of us as men.

But F3 is there to break those patterns. In COT we were reminded of that by two very strong PAX. Pusher (along w/ Twister & Change Order) who has taken the monumental task of leading Q-source. The weekly study of how this group can shape lives, of not just ourselves, but our families and community. If you’re not involved, you’re missing out. If you’ve been going, you know what I’m talking about. The added support outside of fellowship of the gloom, is great.

The other PAX is Stang. What happens when something throws us off these loops we find so comfortable. Something devastating or tragic.  Or what if we struggle just to stay upright on the loops but don’t feel like we can tell anyone so we use other outlets to hide the burden?  Stang is going to lead the discussion on these topics Wednesday at The Tomahawk (Doby’s Bridge Elementary – Kettle Bell). The last 15 minutes of the workout will be a stretching session with discussion on these heavy topics. Things we need to be able to share and discuss if we are going to be the leaders we need to be.

It’s great to see these HIMs pushing us past the 1st F.

Annoucments:

  • See Above
  • Cristina Latini Memorial 8K – Saturday March 30th – Clown Cars leaving Baxter Starbucks at 7:00 for Huntersville or Virtual run 6:30 at Alcatraz
  • Cake Boss 40 Day Challenge – On going

Prayers and Praises

  • Rebel’s daughter getting her first real job
  • The safe return of all the PAX who ran the P200

Welcome FNG – Seuss! (EH’d by Cake Boss)

See you in the gloom!

Boeheim

 

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Being Vulnerable is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength

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P.S.A attendance is highly recommended. March 27th mark your calendars. F3 St. Louis very own Miyagi and Aerobie has brought light to a sensitive subject that’s right Suicide-mental health awareness. A subject we try and avoid talking about at all or till it’s to late. YHC will be on Q at the Panethon if you can’t make it to the west side of town Stang is on Q at Tomahawk and will also discussing the subject.

I am encouraging you to step up and share your experience. Whether it be about yourself or family member or even a friend. YHC will testify how this subject has effected my life. Please remember what we talk about in COT stays in COT it’s okay to be vulnerable. We are stronger together rather than alone.

Quotes
Don’t be ashamed of your story it will inspire others. Author Unknown

“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.”

”I hide all my scars with an I’m fine.”

The bravest thing I ever did was continuing my life when I wanted to die. – Juliette Lewis

The world is a better place with you in it.

Suicide doesn’t end the chances of life getting worse, it eliminates the possibility of it ever getting any better. – unknown

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Footloose: Fancy Free and Moderate

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23 PAX gathered in the foggy gloom (24 at COT with Polaroid joining in after he hit his miles)

Started out with a VERY clear and complete disclaimer. See the full version at: Disclaimer

Mosey towards the Church of God parking lot. Sugar Bug fell about 30 yards in…..good thing the disclaimer was so thorough. Also good thing he popped right up and continued on. Went serpentine on the COG stairs to get the PAX all back in one place after the mosey spread us out.

Warm up:
SSH x10
Merkin x10
Held Plank
forced Bomb Jacks (TWSS – Kielbasa)
Mountain Climber (slow count) x10
Held Plank
more forced Bomb Jacks (TWSS – Kielbasa)
SSH x10
IW x10
HW x10
Spiderman Merkins x10
Hip Flexer stretch (Lizard Pose)
Al Gore
Al Gore + Moroccan Night Club x10
Hooneymooner–>Downdog combination

Thang:
Partner up: Dora
100 merkins
200 squats
300 flutters

Mosey to giant wall
Wall Sit while PAX performed 5 burpees down the line

Message synopsis:
What is Moderate? What do you moderate?

Mosey back to FBC
Line up on a parking lot island:
Mike Tyson x10 –> bear crawl across to adjacent island
Rinse and Repeat

Lined up for called Lunges and Squats
Right Leg Lunge x5
Left Leg Lunge x5
Squats x5
Hold Squat w/ calf raise x5
Finished with Pigeon Lunge

NMM:

It’s an honor to lead. Lots of respectable PAX out there today. These men working on getting better in their 50s and beyond are an inspiration. They push YHC to want to be better.

Announcements:
Welcome FNG: Hardwood
Convergence: Baxter Harris Teeter 3/8
Joe Davis Run 3/9
Operation Sweet Tooth 3/30

Band Camp Dismissed

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Interval Flows and Fake Moon Landings

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It was a balmy 52 and rainy when I woke up, and the temperatures were dropping. I grabbed my rain jacket and hit the road. Dark, rainy driving is somewhat peaceful in a way. Just focus on the road and you should be good.

When Bandcamp asked me to Q, I was excited. Gear workouts are different, and tend to be a little more stationary. I accepted and told myself I would plan it weeks ago. I put the finishing touches on the weinke at about 9:30 last night… I’m sure nobody else has waited that long! With the rain coming and the Yeti tomorrow, I held off from including much running. Which was appreciated by the PAX.

Side note – while I was driving to The Hive – a car literally pulled into my lane coming from the opposite direction. Luckily I wasn’t distracted, but had been looking at my phone prior. I pulled off into the grass and the car kept going another 50 or so yards in the wrong land before quickly swerving back into his lane. Be careful on the roads, PAX. In a split second everything can change.

I pulled up and was the first to show. At about 5:09 I got the “no body is going to show” thought and immediately desired to go back to sleep. Luckily, I was wrong! Four PAX pulled in as soon as the thought came through my mind. Of course… I thought. Time to get right. Time to get to work!

Band Camp was feeling the shovel flag, even with the rain. He posted it as the last of us walked up.

We circled up, gave the disclaimer, and immediately ran for cover. We headed to the awning above the gym. It was just right with five.

We looked back at the shovel flag and the wind was whipping it up good. It was flying in what seemed like a perfect rectangle. Sugar Bug interjected saying “that’s how they did it for the fake moon landing as well!” That gave us a good laugh.

We got situated and went to work.

COP

Windmills x 17
SSH x 20
Tappy Taps x 7 (My Favorite)
Mountain Climbers x 15
Deep Stretch/Yoga Flow

Flow 1 – 10 Rounds – 10 Minutes
Each side 30 seconds on, 25 seconds rest
Push up x 2
Bent Over Row x 2
Hang Clean x 2
Shoulder Press x 2
Goblet Squat x 2

On paper, this flow seems pretty easy… but it builds and quickly gets tiresome! Our goal was to get through two rounds in the 30 seconds before the timer beeped.

AMRAP WORKOUT – 10 Minutes
15 4-Count Flutters w/Press
15 KB Swings
15 Push Ups
15 Goblet Squats

Jacob’s Ladder
8/1 to 1/8
Overhead Tricep Extensions
Curls

Flow 2 – 10 Rounds – 8 Minutes
Each side 30 seconds on, 25 seconds rest
Push up x 2
Bent Over Row x 2
Hang Clean x 2
Shoulder Press x 2
Goblet Squat x 2

Mary
American Hammers w/KB – 15
Hello Dolly w/KB press – 16
World War I Sit Ups no weight – 11

 

Prayers and Praises

Assassin – pray for his wife, himself, and daughter going through a break up from a 2.5 year relationship.
Sugar Bug – pray for his daughter’s gymnastics meet this weekend. Pray that she stays focused and doesn’t get into her own mind causing roadblocks.
Band Camp – pray for close family friend who lost her husband a few weeks ago. Now’s the time people stop coming around so pray her loneliness doesn’t abound.
Punch List – stay focused while on the roads – whether driving, biking, running, or rucking – especially tomorrow during the Yeti.

 

Moleskine

Pay attention to today. Smokey, Sugar Bug, and I discussed on the way back to the cars the ages of our 2.0’s and how each stage is better than the last. As much as I am excited to see my daughters grow into who they become (and help to shape them), I know that these days are numbered when the M and I are the most important thing to our 2.0’s. Let us enjoy every moment and pour into them what we can in order to make the next stage that much better. Stay focused on these days, brothers, you only get one chance at this.

I was reminded just how special this time with my 2.0’s is when my oldest came downstairs as I began writing this back blast. I asked her to go back to bed and she responded with a question: “Can you read me a book, please?”

My heart thumped a few extra times and I said absolutely. She excitedly ran upstairs and grabbed I Love You The Purplest, which is a book about a mother loving the wonderfully different things about her two sons. I read the book with her and held her tight. I then headed off to my shower to get ready for the day. It was a very special moment this morning that I know won’t replicate as many times as I would like.

 

Hold on to these moments. Lead well. Love your families with everything you have. 

 

Punch List out.

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Saturday Feb 16: 40’s

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Warm UP:

10 reps each of Hilly Billy Walker and Imperial Walker.  15 SSH

Workout:

40’s:  40 reps of Merkins, LBC’s, Flutters, Carolina Dry Docks, and Squats then run (under awning cover is necessary) to FMES doors and back then do 35 of each exercise then run then drop 5 reps and so on.  Called an audible at about 10 reps and finished togetherish.  Mosey to benches for dips, calf raises and wall sits X2.  Bear Crawl down the sidewalk then complete a Jack Mary Webb (A Jack Web with a 10 count ab exercise between Jack and Webb)…1 b or 2bb’s?

COT:  Announcements of Joe Davis, In Flight February, Journey Bible Study, and Yeti.  Do an event per month and get involved.  Prayers for family and family relationships and softening of PAX hearts towards family, Vivian (Twister coworker), Murray (best friends father) for cancer, and Gwen a coworker.  Gwen, a BTMS custodian, lost her grandson.  A gofundme has been established to pay for the services.

 

 

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Jammin’ at The Hive

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You know how I roll…there will always be music! 17 guys came to The Hive to jam with me. 90’s Alternative all the way! I pulled up at 5:10 and saw 3 cars in the parking lot, told my co-pilot Dangerfield that we had at least 6 guys working out this morning and was excited about that number. By the time I finished setting up my circuit, 6 more cars had driven in to the Fort Mill High Schools parking lot. At 5:15, I was talking to 16 HIM about how important it is to modify if something I suggest/do sounds crazy. We moseyed with our bells over to my setup where we immediately got into some…

Warmup
25 SSH
15 Hillbilly Walkers
15 Merkins
1 Round of Name Shoutouts while we Planked (I always like to know who I’m working out with in the dark!)
1 Lap around the the parking lot ending back at the bells for…

The Thang
I had 10 parking spaces setup with cards calling out an exercise. We doubled up in most of these spaces and did AMRAP for 1 minute in each space. The exercises were:
Big Boy Swings (regular swings with a 40-50lb bell)
Plank Pull Thrus
Slam Ball (this seemed to be liked and most said they had never used a slam ball. Holler if you Q a gear workout and would like to borrow it.)
Half Kneeling Cleans
Half Kneeling Shoulder Presses
Man Makers
Lunge Pass Thrus
Tall Kneeling Curls
Big Boy Situps – Partner Bell Pass

After we each hit every space we took another lap around the lot. When we arrived back at the bells we flipped over the notecards to find a few new exercises on the backside and completed Round 2. Those exercises were:
Big Boy Swings
Slam Ball
Jump Rope
Turkish Getups
Calf Raises w/ Bell
Half Kneeling Halos
Box Cutters with Press
American Hammers
Goblet Squats
Big Boy Situps – Partner Bell Pass

After Round 2 we took another lap around the lot. Total running was about .75 miles. We finished with a set of SSH, 1 for each Pax, and then moseyed back to cars for COT.

Announcements:
Yeti
Joe Davis Run
Sweet Tooth Run

Prayers & Praises:
YHC is officially down 30lbs since joining F3 – Thank you Brothers!
An F3 brother helped his son enter rehab – praise for his son’s open heart and ears, prayers for strength to finish
Drug epidemic in York County
Health – Flu is still spreading like crazy
I always ask our Lord to open our eyes and hearts to help us see what he puts in front of us. We are given opportunities everyday to be HIS hands and feet. Do we see those opportunities?

Thank you to Band Camp for the opportunity to Q at The Hive. It will forever be my pleasure.

IF YOU Q A WORKOUT…GET YOUR BACKBLAST UP!

~Polaroid

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