Bass chasing minnows

11 PAX were challenged with the mission to avoid being caught by the bass.  Pretty much accomplished by all who attended.  A special shout out to a couple of first posters to the pond Barry Manilow and Anchorman.  Nice work pushing yourselves.

We started out with the Pledge of Allegiance something that is always a humbling experience for me.  A brief warmup with SSH, Windmills, Imperial Walkers and Merkins.  Instructions to the route were not well received since YHC could remember the street names so we just took off.

I took a few minutes to figure it out after the fact.  Run up Main Street to Hwy. 160 Turn Right to our first stop at the Methodist Church Parking lot.  We did 3 exercises 25 reps of Merkins, Mtn. Climbers and Shoulder taps.  Back to running turning right on Monroe White Street.  Going past FBC and then the COG turned right on Watson street stopping at the old Springs parking lot for 2nd round of exercises.  Off to the parking lot by the Southern Sugar (did you know they are closed?).  Shouldn’t have moved Q source.  Just sayin.  Repeat the round with exercise being squats, lunges and calf raises 25 reps.  One final lap with LBC’s and flutters.  Back to COT.

Nice work by the PAX.  Thanks for the opportunity Longshanks.

 

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Moving to keep warm on a windy day

Cyclops and YHC(Bass-o-Matic)  were blessed with the opportunity to have the Q at the Fort.  As we discussed that we had nothing really planned, nobody would have believed it as it came together nicely.

A brief intro, disclaimer and welcome Slim Jim from the New Bern PAX we started right into the warmup as we waited for stragglers to roll in.  We did the typical SSH, Windmills, merkins, imperial walkers, peter parkers and plank jacks.  A brief challenge to the group on how do you plan for the unexpected and how do you respond to those situations?  Now that everyone was ready we split off with Milkshake and moseyed to one of my favorite walls across from the memorial park.

Since the PAX looked a little tired we started of with some wall sits.  This is where it started getting a little saucy.  Round 1 each PAX did a 10 count with an arm variation until we go to the end.  Short 20 second break.  Round 2 Each PAX did 10 bombjacks till we made it down the line.  Saw some great form from the pax.

Changed it up and went to the plan position.  Each PAX held the plan until we went down the line with plank jacks.  20 second recovery and then repeated with mtn. climbers.

Rinse and repeat.  Went back to wall sits with squats for round 1 and SSH for round two.  Funny how quick 30 minutes went and then it was time to hand it over to Cyclops.

We moseyed from the Springs lot to Footloose – a good sojourn.  Once all PAX came in, we circled up for a 10-20-30 pyramid:

10 burpees OYO, 20 squats in cadence (because Bass-o-Matic did no leg work in his half of the Q ; – ) and 15 double count merkins in cadence.  After merkin completion, PAX stretched out from the plank with salutations to the left and right then holding 6 inches off the ground while Tesh gave an efficient 10 count.

We moseyed from Footloose to the front of the Fort Mill Police Department, held a belated veterans day Pledge of Allegiance to honor all who serve, and then moseyed on to Main street for more “fun”.

On the main street benches, PAX did 20 dips and 20 derkins OYO and then we moseyed to the Founders Bank lot for the “main act”

7’s –  6 Kracken Burpees on the horizontal parking space line, lunge walk to the opposite side (because we needed more leg work), 1 Carolina Dry Dock, mosey back to the line, 5 kracken burpees, lunge walk, 2 CDD’s, mosey back……etc. etc. etc. all the way down too 1 KB and 6 CDD’s to finish. PAX finished at this lot before moseying by holding a squat position and did 10 Moroccan night clubs in cadence.  A quick recovery via a 10-count and we moseyed back to the East side of WEP.

At the .1 mile drill bit – Pax bunched up for some more work:  15 double count flutters in cadence, 10 burpees OYO (just because) and 10 double count diamond merkins.  A little mumble chatter came about…but just a little – likely due to the love of burpees and diamond merkins.

A quick mosey back to COT brought us to a few minutes of Mary – which included 15 box cutters in cadence and 45 (ish) seconds worth of protractor work – PAX seemed to enjoy holding legs 6 inches off the ground after completing box cutters making the transition to the protractor more “fun”.  For some reason, pre-mature a count off started at this point – I don’t know why.

We wrapped up at 0730 per custom and moved to name-o-rama, announcements. praises and prayers.

Praise for the health care providers who are caring for many sick friends and family, who are in our thoughts, including Tesla’s Mom and Cyclops’ Dad who are battling forms of cancer.  And for Assassin who is working through an infection and awaiting biopsy results. Slim Jims grandson who is recovering from illness. Kenyan’s loss of his M; prayers for comfort and peace.

Read your newsletter.

 

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Footloose – Lesson Learned

It was good to get out to footloose and see some familiar faces and meet some new PAX.  Since Rebel was on his entertainment tour for the week  so Fogerty and YHC stepped up to try to fill his shoes.  Did a brief intro and disclaimer and headed out for a brief mosey down to the COG lot.

I did a quick circle back to pick up the six while Fogerty kicked off the warm-up.  We started out with some SSH, IW, a few other things and then into… yep you guessed it a little broga.  That’s becoming a nice little change up move for me.  Upward/Downward dogs, pigeon stretches, warrior 1,2 etc.

Moved into the meat and potatoes with some 4 corners. Counted off into 4’s then went to our corner with a lunge walk between corners.  They looked like this:

Round 1 10 Reps

Corner1 Squats, Calf Raises, Monkey Humpers; Corner 2 Merkins, Mtn. Climbers, Shoulder Taps Corner 3 LBCs, Flutters, American Hammers Corner 4 SSH, Imperial Walkers, Overhead Claps then back to the center for burpees

Rinse repeat with sets of 15 and toy soldiers between corners.  Fogerty took the last 15 minutes for a quick DORA up the hill with some LBC’s, Squats and whatever else he was thinking.  Quick mosey back to COT for 5 min of Mary.

Mole Skin – Not much was shared during the workout, but I did have some time to reflect on the way home.  As I was turning off of Confederate street onto main street my impatience got the best of me and I wiped out a cross-walk sign with my truck.  I pulled over like any honest PAX would have and had a brief conversation with the Fort Mill City guy who witnessed it all.  We move the sign out of the way and assessed the damage to my truck (not good btw) and went on with our day.

Nobody was hurt or anyone else involved which was good.  Several emotions could have come up during the ride home but the one I landed on was disappointment.  In years past I probably would have threw a fit and tried to blame the City for putting the sign there.  Yes, Rebel we talked about this on our run, but I sincerely am owning the fault.  Had I been more patient and waited could it have been avoided?  Hard to say.  I’m looking at it as an opportunity to exercise control and use it as a teachable moment.  As discussed in Q source sometimes a failure comes with consequences.  This one is going to be a little $$$.  Moving on and looking forward.

Thanks for the opportunity to Lead and share.

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Postal Route

With the opportunity to Q Minnow Pond I knew I  needed to bring the pain and increase the intensity.  With everyone gathered and watch at 5:14, I gave the disclosure and at 5:15 we were off.

Ran from Confederate Park to the FM Post Office, meet in the parking lot and do burpees until the six is in.  The plan is running the roads behind the post office with exercises each corner.  The roads make a square and 1 exercise 10 reps at each corner.

1st lap – Elliott Street – merkins

2nd lap – Leroy St – Wide arm merkins

3rd lap – Hill St – Monkey Humpers

4th lap – Oak St – CDD

5th lap – Elliott st and back to COT

Not a lot of talking with the official 4.36 miles.  Everyone was accelerating and the AO is the type of site that will push you but also offer a lot of encouragement.  We are all at different paces in our acceleration, but doing a little more than you did the day before is showing acceleration.

Don’t let the site and distance scare you away.  Push yourself to try something new and just like every site, there are always Pax to push, encourage and pick you up.  Just like in life, we are all in different places and phases, and we can encourage one another to be better in our house than we were the day before.

Thanks Shady for the opportunity to Q.

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Why run at Clydesdale’s?

No no no.  It was a Y run loop at Clydesdale’s.  Run to the YMCA take the trail, turn left at road, turn right at the fountain and up the hill to Sutton and run down the hill.  Right at QT and back to Starbucks.  Rinse and repeat until you are tired.  We had 12 in total with a sighting of Dungaree doing 13mi. for a training run.  Why I ask?

COT and outta there.

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Speed kills at slow burn

I think we had 16 PAX at slowburn at least that’s what Twister said in the video although I only counted 13.  We always round up.  With cooler temps and a lack of sleep it was a littler harder getting up and moving.  However I didn’t lack any energy based on some of the chatter from the PAX.

Had a brief disclaimer and intro and off we went on a full sprint mosey to the bottom parking lot.  Kicked things off with a little Broga to loosen up the joints.  It’s always a PAX pleaser to do some stretching before jumping into the mix.  We did a few cobra’s, upward/downward dogs and a my favorite pigeon stretch which is good for the buttox and hips.  We moved into a few warmups with SSH, windmills, overhead claps, Moroccan night clubs, Rinse repeat a few times.

On for another mosey to the back of Lowes where we started with dirkens, dips and squats with a nice bear crawl to follow.  Then I had the PAX pick 3 numbers between 1-20 for some self directed pain.  Merkins, shoulder taps, squats, and calf raises.  A few rounds of that with lunges and toy soldiers mixed in.

Off on another lightening speed mosey for a final wrap of four corners.  1.  Merkins, LBC’s, Squats 2.  CDD, calf raises, flutters 3. SSH Shoulder Taps LBC 4.  Mtn. Climbers, rosalitas and Freddie Mercurys.

Final jail break to wrap in COT.

Thanks for the opportunity Hootie!

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Remember your #

Another saucy morning for the PAX at footloose.  Slight mumble chatter as YHC assessed the group.  I had a plan but could I pull it off was the question.  Gave a brief intro and disclaimer and we were off for our 5 second mosey which caught everyone off guard.  Mental preparedness is key.  We started out with…yep you guessed it Broga.  Thanks to Sasquatches excellent training I learned a few things over the last couple of years on Broga.  Threw in a few other warmup items like windmills, SSH, blah blah blah.

On to the meat and potatoes.  First order of business was to assign a number to each PAX and an exercise which went fairly well considering a bunch of dudes early in the gloom.  Kicker was if they forgot their number or exercise we’d do burpees.  I don’t think we did any surprisingly enough.

Off to our first location down by Ft. Mill COG.  Plan was to start at #1 and go through 13.  PAX with number would run up and down the stairs while rest of PAX did exercise.  Simple enough.

Imperial Walkers, Cherry Pickers, Merkins, LBC’s, Calf Raises, Carolina Dry Docks, Flutters, Squats,
Shoulder Taps, Mountain Climbers, American Hammers, Seal Jacks, Freddy Mercury.

Off to another set of stairs where we rinsed and repeated again.  Ran back to Shovel Flag for 1 more round to finish up with COT.

Thanks Beacon for the opportunity.

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June Birthday Q at Laces In – Act 2

Shady and Deacon kicked off June at Laces In with a dual Q that left little time (if any) for mumble chatter (thanks Kraken Burpees).  YHC called his own number today to keep the birthday Q theme going and the number 45 was the goal with each exercise…..well mostly.

After it was declared there were no FNGs and disclaimers were voiced and assumption of risk delegated to all gathered, we moseyed off….sort of.

Many PAX were expecting a longer run to COP (which was later delivered) but before doing so, PAX stopped at the flag, recited the pledge of allegiance and gave tribute to all who serve that we may have the privileges our freedoms grant us.  After those few moments of thanks and gratitude….we were off past the Hive lot, the band lot all the way to the 21 hill for a little COP.

Morrocan Night clubs X 23 (I/C) – Mumble chatter volume 5/10

Windmills (Trucker approved) X 12 (I/C) – Mumble chatter volume 7/10

Imperial Walkers X 12 (I/C) – Mumble chatter volume 8/10

5 burpees OYO – mumble chatter volume 1/10

Mosey briskly to the main event: 45’s – mumble chatter volume: inaudible

YHC led PAX back to the band lot where cones suddenly appeared.  The prior mosey intentionally (YHC’s 2019 word) went away from the cones in the hopes PAX did not see them – mostly successful (I think).  Upon finding the cones in 4 corner format with one cone in the middle, YHC called out 10’s at each of the four cones (adding up to 45 for each exercise) – consisting of the following:

Cone #1 – 9 BB Sit ups, Lunge Walk to center cone, 1 merkin, run back to cone #1; 8 big boy sit ups, Lunge Walk to center cone, 2 merkins, run back to Cone #1, continue sequence until reaching 1 big boy sit up, lunge walk to center, 9 merkins and run back to cone #1

Cone #2 – 9 burpees, run to middle cone, 1 squat, Lieutenant Dans back to Cone #2, 8 burpees, run to middle cone, 2 squats, Lieutenant Dans back to Cone #2, continue sequence until 1 burpee and 9 squats were done.  Move to:

Cone #3:  9 Carolina Dry Docks, run to middle cone, 1 merkin, run back to cone #3, 8 CDD’s, run to middle cone, 2 merkins, run back to cone #3, continue sequence until 1 CDD and 9 merkins were done.  Lastly: Cone #4:

Cone #4: 9 flutter kicks each leg, lunge walk to middle cone, 1 heels to heaven, run back to cone #4, 8 flutter kicks each leg, lunge walk to middle cone, 2 heels to heaven, run back to cone #4 , continue until…..well you get the idea.

YHC had to call time at 5:57 – Straight Up was the king well into the sequence at cone #4, if not completed.  Many PAX had things to say about the number of lunge walks.  I don’t know why.

A run from the band lot back to the flag reconnected us with 3 Laces Out runners for COT

Announcements – Hog and Coyote this Saturday in Rock Hill. Straight Up leading a trail run at Crowders on 6-22, Read your newsletter, Spend father’s day with your M’s and 2.0’s – the golf course will always be there.

Prayers were lifted up for Gilligan’s recovery from surgery, High Stick’s daughter’s recovery, Trucker’s M and her upcoming interview and for all unspoken prayers held in the silence of the hearts of PAX.

NMM – The HIMs YHC has had an opportunity to be around over the past 6 months have truly helped personal acceleration and intentionality in my life.  Our greatest gift to one another is the ability to sharpen others and help transfer the habits that impact all of us leading lives of intentionally and virtue in all that we do. Here’s to another great year ahead for YHC and my sincere thanks to all the PAX who have helped shape and sharpen YHC.  Your work is appreciated beyond words.  Thank you brothers! I am 45, thankful and better because of all of you.

Cyclops

 

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Badger 1 year Convergence

Thank you to our QICs of the Badger Convergence.  For those that were close with Badger and his family who was in attendance it was a blessing to see 78 strong come out in his honor.

Cyclop’s Portion of Badger Convergence

The W/O: The sets follow the dates of every March madness trip I took with badger and the 71-64 significance is the final score of the Kentucky-Wisconsin game in 2015 (our first trip) when badger’s badgers knocked off unbeaten Kentucky in the final 4.  I heard a bit about that. 😎

3 – burpees
19 – merkins
20 – squats
15 – LBCs

64 second – wall sit (people’s chair):  reflect in silence on how we leave no doubt as badger did.

3 – burpees
17 – LBC’s
20 – flutters
16 – burpees

DORA partner up – 71 burpees.  Partner 1 runs to semi trailer and back while partner 2 does burpees then switch off and repeat until 71 is reached

3 – burpees
16 – squats
20 – lunges
17 – flutters

71 seconds – balls to the wall

Reflect on leaving no doubt and what that means for each of us – then mosey to COT.

 

Change Order’s Portion of Badger Convergence

18 merkins
48 Lbc
4 burpees
9 merkins
11 side startle hops
20 freely mercury
07 merkins
39 Lbc
Run a lap in between each

Jiffy’s Portion of Badger Convergence

Headed over to the side of Parking Lot…

 

I shared the Pax my background with Badger – I joined F3 because of him.  F3 has had a meaningful impact on my life and I owe that to Badger.  I shared with the Pax how quickly things turned for Badger and encouraged them (and myself) to make sure we are using our time and resources very intentionally.

 

The workout

 

I had cones setup and the Pax did the following sequences:

  • Lunge Walk to each cone and stop and do 10 jump squats, run back
  • Bear crawl to each cone and stop and 10 merkins
  • 20 LBC’s in cadence
  • Sequence of 10 merkins, 10 plan jacks, 10 merkins, 10 plank jacks, 10 merkins, 10 plank jacks

 

  • Lunge Walk to each cone and stop and do 5 bomb jacks, run back
  • Bear crawl to each cone and stop and 10 carolina dry docks
  • 20 American Hammers in cadence
  • Sequence of 10 merkins, 10 shoulder taps, 10 merkins, 10 shoulder taps, 10 merkins, 10 shoulder taps

 

  • Lunge Walk to each cone and stop and do 10 monkey humpers bomb jacks, run back
  • Bear crawl to each cone and stop and 10 dips
  • 20 flutters in cadence
  • Sequence of 10 merkins, 10 side shoulder punches, 10 merkins, 10 shoulder punches, 10 merkins, 10 shoulder punches

 

  • Straight suicide

 

 

We then ran to the side and between a couple of islands did a Jacobs Ladder with Bomb Jacks on one side and Burpees on the other with a total of 6.

 

Great job by the Pax pushing each other and picking up the 6 at the end.

 

We headed back to the group at the end for COT.  It was an honor to serve especially in honor of Badger.

 

Trucker’s portion of Badger Convergence

Ran behind 9 rounds. Badger would have been 40 this year. So honored him with 40/4 workout. Each PAX had to do 4 rounds of 4 exercises of 40 reps with a run from 9 rounds to end of parking lot.
Merkins
Squats
LBCs
CCD

Then over to Red Bowl wall for 40 leg raises. Wall sits with 2 burpees each down the line. Repeat with 4 scorpion merkins.

Missy to oil change store. 4 PAX lined up 20 yards away while the other took 4 car tires and flipped tires to partner, return back to start. Each PAX then grabbed a tire nd did 40 shoulder presses.

Mossy to COT

 

Senator Tressels Portion of Badger Convergence

After COP, mosey to the inclined driveway by the apartment complex on Tega Cay Drive.  I gathered the group and told them that Matt was my neighbor and friend.  Our families spent time together and that Matt was active in an adult men’s soccer league.  Matt’s fight with cancer was very short and that he was gone way too soon.

 

On to the workout:

 

Jacob’s ladder, 1-7, with burpees at the top of the hill.  Plank when you are finished.

 

Walk to the grass area in front of the apartment gym and circle up for  Jack Webb’s (10/40).

 

Freddie Mercs x 20, and Hello Dolly x 20, all in cadence.

 

End with 90 seconds of the body destroyer.  As the Pax laid still and quiet,  I told them to think about how much they have, how lucky they are, and that every day is a gift.

 

Mosey  back to the Harris Teeter lot for COT

 

End.

 

Decibels Portion of Badger Convergence

 

MERKINS X25

ALTERNATING LUNGES X25

TOE TAPS X25

TONY HAWK BURPEE X15

Heals to Heaven x25

GORILLA HUMPER X20

IMPERIAL WALKER X20

EMPTY WHEELBARROW

SQUATS X20

LBCs  X39

E2K X20 EACH SIDE

ROSALITA X25

During the workout we keep 3 soccer balls moving at all time to honor Badger’s love for soccer. 

It is hard to believe that it has been a year since Badger went to be in heaven.  I was blessed to spend time with him prior to his passing.  We talked about him being saved and how important that was to him.  He let me know that his M was a big reason he was saved but also seeing my families reaction to losing our daughter and son and our dependence on God at that time.  I am saying this to let you know as Christians people watch our actions and want to make sure our actions match our words.  I encourage every Christian brother in F3 to live out your faith and in times of need lean on God just like Badger did in his time. 

My M and I received a letter from Badger.  In that letter he mentioned F3 and the support he and his family received after the diagnosis.  I remember him just being in awe of all the people that were praying for him.  He was so touched by this community that he asked that I make sure that his boys get involved in F3.  It was such a blessing to have Jeter and all the his relatives experience the convergence.  To have 78 men in our community support Badger was an emotional journey for all of us that knew him.  I had several members of his family let me know how much they appreciated the convergence and the support for Badger.  Thank you to each man that showed up!

Badger was a man I respected to the utmost.  He was not a guy that sought attention or glory, but he was always there when you needed him.  He loved his family and was a loyal friend.  I am still in awe of how he bravely prepared to walk into heaven.  It was so comforting to know he was going to see Jesus.  He told me many times that he would take care of our babies (Elizabeth Grace and Garrett) until we met up with him.  Badger was a great Father and I know he is having a blast with my kids in heaven. 

Let us all take this time to pour into, support, love on and encourage our F3 brothers. Then take that momentum and turn it to our families.  Then take that momentum and pour it out on the least and the lost in our community.  Badger knew that God had a purpose for him and that purpose was to spread the word of God’s Grace and Love.  Let’s make that happen for him.

 

 

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Thrive at the Hive

We had 14 at the Hive for a fun filled workout with the KB this morning.  Did a short intro and disclaimer with a slight stall tactic to wait on PAX to catch up from coming in hot.

Off we went on a slow mosey around the lot and circled up for the warm-up

30– SSH’s (slight mumble chatter prompted YHC to stop)
10– Merkins
20 – Moroccan Nightclubs

The Thing

Grabbed the bells and a slight mosey over to the featured portion of the Pain.  Strategically taped to the back of the trashcan was our Paper o Pain with 15 Exercises on it.  The plan was to do 30 of each exercise with a run across the parking lot in between.

 

Curls
Goblet Squats
Overhead Claps

LBC’s

Triceps

Short Switzer to talk about Mentorship and impacting others.  Think about who you are mentoring ie Home, Work, F3, etc.

Chest Press

American Hammer

Deadlift

KB Swings

Calf Raises

Another short switzer to see if anyone had any stories to share about mentoring. YHC talked about the 3rd F event last week and the impact it had on me and how I’m using it to challenge others.

Last round:

Flutters

Lawnmower Pulls

Dips

Skull Crushers

Step Ups

Wrapped up with a nice lunge walk and bell pass through before circling up for COT.

Appreciate the invite BandCamp!

Bass-O-Matic

 

 

 

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