We’ll Make It Breathable

I know Beacon had this idea in mind but as you’re reading, think about an area of your life where you can push yourself just a little bit more. Not in the sense of looking to DO more but rather, looking to BE more. This comes from pushing yourself. Push yourself to meet guys at another workout, push yourself to be present for others, push yourself to be more engaged. When you get comfortable with your routine, you coast rather than accelerate.

23 was the number at Footloose this morning and evidently, not everyone knew who was on Q. Once they learned, I was happy that nobody left. We started with 23 and we finished with 23. My ask of the PAX was this: I don’t know what you’re carrying on your mind as you roll in here at 0515 but as you’re here for the next 45mins, be HERE, be present, enjoy the guys to your left and right.

Once we were disclaimed, we took a long mosey over to and up Main Street to the Methodist Church to circle up in their parking lot.

Wind Mills

Imperial Walkers

Hillbilly Walkers

5 Burpees by special request

Squats

Moroccan Night Clubs

Carolina Dry Docks

5 more Burpees by special request

Mosey over to behind the Baptist Church

Switzer to explain the deal. Partner up while partners start on opposite ends of the large parking lot.

Each partner bear crawls to their respective 1st island then run to meet their partner in the “middle” of the lot. 20 Single count merkins, run back to that previously-mentioned island and crawl bear back to your starting point. Remember, push yourself just a little bit more.

Rd 2 was crab walk to that island, then run to meet the partner, 20 Wide Arm Merkins, run back to the island and walk crab back to your starting point. Remember, push yourself just a little bit more.

Mosey back to our starting parking lot for a little plank work.

20 Mountain Climbers

10 Peter Parkers

10 Donkey Kicks

10 Parker Peters

2min plank hold

2min Al Gore

1min Burpees

Remember, push yourself just a little bit more.

1min Side Straddle Hops

7min of Mary

WWII Sit-Ups

Flutter Kicks

Freddy Mercury

Heels to Heaven

Protractor

Remember, push yourself just a little bit more.

And that was it…well done.

Announcements:

  1. Mini-convergence at Slow Burn tomorrow to pray for and send Wegmans off on his F3 mission trip to Peru. (Broga will be at 0500 at Slow Burn AO)
  2. Engage in the running training plan that Anchorman and Barry Manilow are leading guys through
  3. Read your newsletter b/c I forgot the remainder.

Prayers:

PRAY

 

Until next time.

Maximus

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First Post of the Year. Was it 1989 or 2019?

It was a wet 57 degree start as five of us braved the elements to ring in 1/1/19. We started off with a light mosey in the parking lot before we hit the warmups. All exercises were done in reps of 19 in honor of the new year.

  • 19 Side Straddle Hops
  • 19 Imperial Walkers
  • 19 Hillbilly Walkers
  • 19 Cherry Pickers
  • 19 Low Slow Squats

We moseyed over to the front of the school and grabbed some bench.

Brought out 80’s hairband music to ring in the new year.

Playlist:

  • Dr. Feelgood – Motley Crue
  • Panama – Van Halen
  • Nothin’ But a Good Time – Poison
  • Come on Feel The Noize – Quiet Riot
  • Kick Start My Heart – Motley Crue
  • Round and Round – Ratt
  • Photograph – Def Leppard
  • Breaking the Law – Judas Priest
  • Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses

The Thang:

Round 1

  • 19 Derkins
  • 19 Step Ups
  • 19 Dips

We lined up on each column for wall sits and took turns bear crawling down the hallway and back.

Round 2

  • 19 Merkins
  • 19 Squats
  • 19 Dips

We lined up on each column for planks and took turns lunging down the hallway and back.

Round 3

  • 19 Incline Merkins
  • 19 Mountain Climbers
  • 19 Calf Raises

Four of us went balls to the wall as the fifth PAX sprinted down the hallway and back as a timer. We rotated around all five PAX.

Round 4

  • 19 Box Jumps
  • 19 Flutters
  • 19 Carolina Dry Docks

Brought out the jump rope for a little jump rope rotation.

  • 19 leg lifts (76 total each person) as each of us took turns with the jump rope.
  • 19 LBC’s (76 total each person) as each of us took turns with the jump rope.
  • 19 LBC’s with legs on the ground (76 total each person) as each of us took turns with the jump rope.
  • 19 Freddie Mercury’s (76 total each person) as each of us took turns with the jump rope.
  • 19 Big Boy Sit-ups (76 total each person) as each of us took turns with the jump rope.

Back to COT for some announcements and talks on word of the year. Then to prayers and praises.

Happy New Year Everyone!

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The Cornerstone – Challenge ( One Year Long )

To all the Pax of F3 Nation

Are you prepared to challenge your self for 2019? I am challenging all Pax’s to join me for 2019 we will take on one exercise for January (merkins single count) 100 reps every day. Then in February we will add another exercise which will be done every day on top of the 100 merkins and so on and so on. We will increase by adding one exercise each month.  These exercises will be above and beyond when you post. So by the end of the year there will be 12 exercises that need to be done everyday at the reps set.

Do you accept the challenge? Do you want to get better?

I will set the next month exercise and reps the week before to keep you on your toes

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Five brave souls weathered the 57 degree temps at The Hive, as warm tropical breezes bestowed us on this December morn.
As an ice breaker I asked if there were any FNG’s. Got the crowed fired up.
Warmup:
– Ran a lap around the parking lot
– 20 Side Straddle Hops
– 15 Cherry Pickers
– 15 Low Slow Squats
– 10 Donkey Kicks (I like to mix it up)
The Thang:
Cones were setup across the parking lot. One with a random banana found in parking lot during setup.
To paint a picture, we partnered up using the middle three cones spread about 20 yards apart from each other. Partner one did an exercise at the first cone, while partner two did a different exercise at the third cone. We met at the middle cone and did burpees, then switched cones.
Round 1
Partner One:
– 10 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 10 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 9 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 9 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 8 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 8 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 7 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 7 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 6 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 6 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 5 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 5 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 4 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 4 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 3 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 3 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 2 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 2 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
– 1 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two, 1 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two
Partner Two:
– 10 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 10 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 9 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 9 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 8 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 8 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 7 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 7 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 6 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 6 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 5 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 5 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 4 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 4 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 3 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 3 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 2 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 2 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
– 1 Snatches cone three, 5 Burpees cone two, 1 KB Swings cone one, 5 Burpees cone two
During the ten count break Tesh tried to negotiate 50% off Burpee coupons for Christmas. Geronimo wanted a buy one get one free.
Grouped up for 10 Navy Seal Sit-Up
Round 2
We moved back another 20 yards to further cones setup
Partner One:
– 5 Curls cone one, 5 Dancing Bears cone two, 5 Squats cone three, 5 Dancing Bears cone two
– 4 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 4 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
– 3 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 3 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
– 2 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 2 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
– 1 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 1 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
Partner Two:
– 5 Squats cone three, 5 Dancing Bears cone two, 5 Curls cone one, 5 Dancing Bears cone two
– 4 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 4 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
– 3 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 3 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
– 2 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 2 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
– 1 Squats cone three, 10 Dancing Bears cone two, 1 Curls cone one, 10 Dancing Bears cone two
Round 3
Told everyone to line up at the banana. Something I don’t recall I have ever said before.
Partner One: Dead Lifts
Partner Two: Run across the parking lot.
Rinse and repeat.
We met at COT for five more burpees.
Good banter from the PAX during announcements, prayers, praises.
We locked shields around the banana and prayed for mental an physical heath. Remembrance of what the true meaning of Christmas is.
Banana selfies were taken.
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13 at Footloose

Good group at Footloose this morning. Got some burpees in and a few good stretches. Ran over to Church of God and found the stairs where we spent a good amount of time looking them over and examining the exterior of their fellowship center a few times. Got a good mile or so in this morning, for a Moderate group.

Spoke for a minute about finding Joy in the Christmas season. I heard Gekko’s sermon and it hit me hard that if we don’t have Joy at Christmas, when we observe the birth of our Savior, then we need to “get right.” I am HAPPY to talk to anyone who is struggling with this. The vulnerablity of the PAX at COT and BOM is an important part of F3, and why we are here.

 

Assassin

 

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The Hive 2018.47

So, I’m a little late on this backblast…. I probably owe someone a lot of burpees.  Anyway, here is what went down.

Warmup, SSHs, Jimmy Carters, holding a low squat moving your 6 for some hip mobility.

The thang

5 burpees, 5 snatches each arm
Repeat for 3 rounds

Up to the bleachers.  The deadlifts were performed while on the lowest seat, and to go as low as possible, breaking the plane below the seat.
Deadlifts x10, Lawnmowers X10 ea, Tricep Xtends x10
Repeat for 3 rounds

Down to parking lot and partner up
One partner farmer carries bells 100yds while other does exercises till partner returns then flapjack
Shoulder taps, Flutters, Ripsticks (squat calfraises)
One partner overhead carries bells 40yds while other does exercises till partner returns then flapjack
Shoulder taps, Flutters, Ripsticks (squat calfraises)

Moleskin
It’s always fun to have someone from another region, so having Doozy join us was a joy to be had.  Congrats to Punch List for his new addition to the family.

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A Day to Remember…Showing our respect at the Hive

December 7, 2018

 

41st President

2403 men lost

77 years ago

I had thought about what I wanted to accomplish here all week. Did I want to stay in the comfort zone? Just get through a workout on a cold morning.  I decided we needed to put in the work to honor the 2403 men, or boys, that were suddenly killed and show them the respect they deserved. Imagine yourself, lying in your bed (probably under 20) on a ship and it was suddenly bombed, and there was no way out. That is exactly how app. 1000 men died that day. I took the opportunity this week to refresh my memory on some of the facts I may have lost in last 20 or so years and look a little closer at the life of George HW Bush, our 41st President who ironically passed the same week of the Anniversary of the event that lead to his honorable service in War II.  With a lot on my mind, and the hopes of delivering the right message, now it was all up to the PAX to show up.

My goal was centered around the three numbers above- 41,2403, 77

10 PAX showed up on what turned out to be a crisp clear morning ready to work.

Disclaimer delivered- No FNG’s

Leave the KB

 

Warm-up

4 light posts were the center of this. At each light-post, we stopped for an exercise:

Post 1- SSH x 41

Mosey to next

Post 2- Moroccan NC x41

Mosey to next

Post 3- Imperials Walkers x41

Mosey to next

Post 4 (and starting spot)- Merkin x 41

10 Diamond

10 Military

10 regular

10 wide

1 Burpee

 

Recover and circle up

Low slow squat x10

Windmills x10-

Seal Jacks x10

Hillbilly walker x10

1 burpee

Total- 41

The Thang- 2403 reps was the goal as a group

Using the same light posts as the warm-up adding running in between. I liked the competitiveness for some . Nice effort men.

Round 1

First post- Tricep press x 30

Second- KB swing x30

Third – Goblet squat- x15

Fourth- two handed shoulder press x 30

Total Round 1= 1155

Round 2

First- two-hand curls x30

Second post- Snatch (15 each arm)

Third-post- KB Windmill- audible- Chest press- two hands- x50

Fourth post- lunges (15 each)

Total Round 2- 1,210 (snatch and lunges counting only as 15 each)

Total- 2,365

Round 3

First- single arm rows- x15 each arm

Second post- upright rows- x20

Third post- single arm chest- x20 each arm

 

Total round 3- 605

 

Total for post work- 2,970 reps together

 

Really nice work PAX- especially the guys lifting the heavy KB’s.

Skipped the Fourth and headed to the bleachers by the tennis courts. Each PAX grabbing a spot

Three rounds of step ups- starting with 15 each leg, then 10, then 5, followed by 10 seconds on the fence in a squat position holding the KB straight out.

Mosey to the Fourth post-

Partner up- size of the person didn’t matter, but the weight may have (Tesh)

Partner One- carrying both KB’s runs to the First original light post and back (app. 100 yds) . Switch with partner two until the exercises below are completed.

Partner Two- the number to reach of each set was 77. Significance being this was the 77th Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Set One- LBC’s

Set two- American Hammers

Set Three- Flutters

Looked at my watch and it was 6:00 on the nose.

 

Everyone pushed it, and everyone got better. I appreciate all the PAX listening to me and working hard. My challenge to you is to take a look at the significance of the numbers used today and the individuals or events involved. And then imagine if you were called to this War, would you step up like George HW did and sacrifice? If you didn’t catch it this week, he lived a life that most of us can only aspire to, but will never attain. Live your best life and surround yourself with those that make it possible.

COT  

 Announcements

Xmas eve Convergence

G- Fit

Praises

Our Health

Prayers

Family, Patience during this Holiday season, for those in need.

And not to be overlooked, Band Camp’s special surgery a week from Monday. Sit on the bag of pees and don’t move for atleast 48hrs.

Thanks to Band Camp for the opportunity to lead and thanks again PAX for your effort.

 

Frat Boy

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No stinkin’ rain at The Armory!

Having been in a Thanksgiving hangover after spending most of it on the road, the commitment I had made to Q the Armory on Monday was not even a thought. That is until, I got the DM from JWOW at 2pm on Sunday. Hmmmm…what excuse could I make I instantly thought, and then after further self-evaluation, and no easy way out, I committed to fulfilling my original obligation.

Weather forecast called for a 60% chance of rain. Fortunately, they are almost always wrong, and we got a nice 50 plus degree morning perfect for a KB workout.

All Vets were at the AO, so after a quick disclaimer, off we went.

Warm-up

Mosey (no KB) towards the front of the Church and then back towards the left side. Started with some side shuffles, changing directions, then butt-kickers and finished off with a little carioca ending back at the original launch spot.

SSH- x30

Moroccan- x30

Arm rolls- forward for 10 and then back for ten

Windmill- x15

LSS- x15

Merkins- x10/ hold

 

Recover

 

Mosey to the far-right parking lot when facing the Church.

 

The Thang

How convenient that there are 4 perfectly placed light posts on the side. And with that came the opportunity to complete 3 rounds of exercises, running between light posts. Just in case we were facing rain, I had placed each round of workouts in a special Ziploc. The PAX were impressed…not really.

Round 1

First light post- One arm curls- 20 each

Run to next

Second- Goblet Squats- 20

Run to next

Third- Overhead press- 15 each arm

Run

Fourth- American Hammers- 30

 

Round 2

 

First- Chest press- 20 each arm

Run

Second- Upright rows- 20

Run

Third- Cleans- 10 each

Run

Fourth- Big Boy- 20

Round 3

First- Single arm triceps extensions- 20 each

Run

Second- Straight arm raises- 15

Run

Snatch- 10 each

Run

LBC’s- 25

Run to final post

Partner Up

Time for some Dora

100- KB swings

200- Two-handed Tricep extensions

300- American Hammers

 

Partner one does the exercise while Partner two runs around the outside of the light posts we were just working through.

 

Called an audible partial way through the triceps due to time.  Asked the PAX to get to 150 Tricep extensions and 200 AH. Once completed, work on 100 squats until time.

 

Everyone hit the 100 squats just in time to get back to COT. With A couple minutes left, all PAX on their six for a quick round of Flutters.

 

Recover. With one-minute left I thought it was good timing to touch briefly on our word of the month, which happens also to be my word of the year. Shared with the PAX my struggles and the growth I think I have had over the last year and asked for their thoughts on the meaning to them. Many thanks to the PAX that did. I think vulnerability is a tough word to wrap your head around and even more difficult to exercise as a man. Challenge to all PAX to be especially more vulnerable to your M’s and 2.0’s. It will definitely bring you all closer and hopefully strengthen your relationships as our 2.0’s face their future challenges.

 

COT

Announcements- Xmas Party, Joe Davis, and Xmas Eve Convergence

Prayers-

PAX who are looking for work

Safe returns from the Holidays and for what’s ahead

California victims

Children fighting illnesses

Very appreciative for the PAX who showed up this morning and for the push. Thanks for the opportunity JWOW!

 

Frat Boy Out

 

 

 

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LBC’s Galore at The Armory

One could assume that, being a Site Q, I would know the importance of posting a Backblast in a timely manner.  I have failed yet again.  9 days later…

8 guys met at Forest Hill Church to start the party at The Armory.  One day prior, I posted to Twitter that I would donate 2 boxes of Character Band-Aids to Cornerstone’s initiative for each pax that hangs out with me during my Q.  I have now included those 16  boxes in my total donation. The Fort is full of HIM, we have surpassed our 1000 box goal and will most likely hit 2000 boxes before Christmas!  Keep ’em coming!

Another initiative happening this month is NASA’s “November of 2000 LBC’s”.  I made sure these HIM were on track to hit that number.

The Warmup:
A slow mosey around the parking lot with Buttkickers and High Knees.

The Thang:
I set out two 35lb bells that pax would Farmer Carry across the parking lot and back and act as the groups timer. We had time to 16 rounds of kettlebell exercises. In between each round we would all complete 20 LBC’s together. 16×20=320 LBC’s! That wasn’t enough, I added 40 more at the end to get 360 LBC’s.
The kettlebell exercises were:
Curls
Swings
Side Swings
Rows
Lawnmowers
American Hammers
Plank Rows
Plank Crosses
Goblet Squats
Polaroid Crunches (maybe there is a real name for these somewhere?)
Skull Crushers
Lunges
Overhead Extensions
Figure 8’s
Halos
Around the Worlds

I asked Airborne to close us out with his Hip routine, he obliged.

NMM:
F3 will have numerous initiatives throughout the year.  We have some true High Impact Men in the group that lead the way supporting charities and organizations near and dear to their hearts.  Cornerstone and his Character Band-Aid donations to support Children’s Hospital; NASA’s supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; DD supported Let Me Run…It’s important that we, all of F3, support our Brothers to help make an impact in our community. I am honored to be a part of this group of men. Thank you for having me.

JWOW, thank you for the opportunity to Q.

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14 posted at The Armory today to honor the service of Assassin who turned the Site Q over to JWOW.   Best of luck to JWOW for the upcoming year although I am sure he won’t need any luck as long as the Brotherhood supports him, I will, how about you?

I am not the glowing writer that othe PAX are so best that I just get to the Thang.

We started with a very, very slow mosey past the tents to the far parking lot and circled up for a warmup.

Moroccan night clubs x20

Baby arm circles x 15

big arm circles x 12

LSS x 10

windmill with KB x10 each leg

We then partnered up because the gloom is always better with a friend. The PAX then head off to a parking spot where the find 8 spots with 3 exercises chalked out the object do the first exercise and the move to the next spot until all 24 exercises are completed. The exercises:

Front raise x 10 each arm
Side raise x 10 each arm
Merkin to row x 10 each arm
American hammer x 20
Sit-ups x 20
LBCs x 20
Skull crushers x 20
Triceps extensions x 10 each arm
Halos x 20
KB swing x 20
1 arm KB swing x 10 each arm
Snatch x 10 each arm
Goblet squat x 20
Calf raises 10 each in/out/regular
Lunge x 10 each leg
Turkish getup x 20
Chest loader swing x 20
Clean and press x 20
Shoulder press x 10 each arm
Upright rows x 20
Chest press x 10 each arm
Curls x 10 each arm
Lawn mowers x 10 each arm
Squat to press x 20

Always amazes at how some PAX can blow through these 24 exercises and start a 4th round kudos to them. I am not there yet…

After completing the rounds moseyed back to COT for flag ceremony, praises and prayers.

Dungaree out

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