Manmaker Ranch

Started with six pax on a warm humid morning.; the seventh came in a tad late and caught up with us.

Disclaimer given.
Mosey run to flag pole of middle school.
Started with Motivators (from 6)
Windmills (10x IC)
Imperial Walkers (10x IC)
Moroccan N/C (10x IC)
Los Slow Squats (10x IC)
Arm circles (10x IC)
Peter Parkers (10x IC)
Plank stretches: Down dog, honeymooners

Run (to Elementary school)
Thang 1: Manmaker Relays
Two cinderblocks, pax split into two groups a form a line behind each block
Pax do 2 manmakers run 150’ down the lot, there is another set of cindys there,
Pax do another 2 manmakers, then run back to the end of their line.
Rinse/repeat. We progressed to 4 manmakers on the next iteration, then to 6, then to 8.
Plank/mary for the six.

Run to benches
Thang 2: bench work
Butt touch squats
Derkins
Calf raises
Incline merkins
Step ups (10 each leg, OYO)

Run towards shovel flag, grab one cindy along the way
Minor ab work to catch breath: Flutters, LBC

Grab cindy and run to curb
Thang 3: Pass the Ammunition
Pax on curb, one man’s arm length apart
Pax do curb merkins in cadence
Then cindy is passed down the pax line and returned (pax stay in plank on curb)
Did 10x IC curb merkins, passed block, then 6x IC, passed, then 3x IC (I think).

Run to COT.
Mary: Monkey humpers, gas pumpers, protractors.
Then Airbornes
Then short mosey run to feel the airbornes effect.

The finish the same way we started: Motivators, from 6.
Fini.

I was part of the support crew for GrowRuck 24 last Saturday Aug 7. Watching those fellas go through what they did reminded me of this passage, so I read it for the pax at the Ranch:

Romans 5:3-5 NIV
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

This was Q number 1 of 3; doing a Trifecta for turning 47.  Varsity on 8/13 and Alcatraz on 8/14.  Oh boy.

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Burden Sharing

Thank you to the 3 other PAX who showed up to Bushwood on this beautiful gloom to share in some great fellowship and a little fitness. Thank you to L-Train for allowing YHC to lead this morning.

WARMUP

We began the morning with the following in cadence without the bells: Side Straddle Hops, Imperial Walkers, Low Slow Squats, Peter Parker Peters, Merkins, and 10 6-Count Burpees.

THE THANG

After the warmup we began what is known around F3 Nation as Pearls on a String. Basically, we took a mosey (quick one) and stopped every so often for a round of some exercises (mostly in cadence) called out by YHC. We attempted to impact every muscle group each time we stopped.

Stop 1: Merkins, Static Lunges (each leg), Carolina Dry Docks, LBC’s.

Stop 2: Diamond Merkins, Static Lateral Lunges (each leg), Pike Presses, V-Ups.

Stop 3: On the Bleachers: Irkins, Dips, Step-Ups, Derkins.

Stop 4: Each PAX performed 10 pull ups while everyone else did burpees until all PAX completed their pull-ups.

Stop 5: At the Wall: 5 Squats on one side of the wall, jump over the wall, 5 Merkins on the other side until 0550.

Then we moseyed up the .25 Mile hill behind the football field stopping at each streetlight to perform 5 Burpees.

This morning was full of mumblechatter and fun. What you want to have at any F3 Workout.

NMM

Yesterday I received an unexpected phone call from a brother in F3 The Fort asking me a question. He asked, “How can we help?” What he was asking about is way too long to put into a BackBlast, but just to know that he and others are there to help me is one of the most important aspects of F3 to me, if not the most.
I challenged the PAX today to not carry their burdens alone. We are not meant to bear the weight of everything we put on ourselves. Be vulnerable and share your burdens with others and take the burden off of someone when you know they need it.

Aye!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Reach out to a Site Q to Q a Workout.

Sign up to serve at Bethel Men’s Shelter. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0444adaa23a2fa7-bethel

The Sweati – TBD.

FM Care Center Lawn Care.

Read your Newsletter.

PRAYERS/PRAISES

The PAX shared their prayers and praises and YHC lifted them up.

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Building reliability at Bushwood

It’s Bushwood and L-Train says to bring a message. Honestly, I struggled with this one as I get caught in the misnomer of thinking I have to have it perfected or the idea that I can’t still be struggling with something if I’m going to talk about it with others. I recognize that’s not the case but nevertheless, it’s still an obstacle.

That said, the topic was essentially, building reliability. Throughout the workout, I would pose questions to the PAX that I personally have struggled to answer over the years. Questions like:

  • Can you be counted on in less than ideal conditions? What if it’s not 65 degrees and sunny; do you have what it takes to take charge? Will I be ready?
  • What if life doesn’t give me a 10ct; what then? You mean I don’t have time to catch my breath? How will I handle it?
  • What if I step out of my home office and the mess just hits the fan? What’s my response?
  • Do I have what it takes to shut my mouth and open my ears when listening is all that is desired?
  • You mean, I don’t have to be right?
  • Sometimes I just feel like licking my wounds and quitting? Can I be relied upon?

As for the physical part of the bootcamp, it went a little something like this:

SSH / Jump Squats / Tuck Jumps / Burpees
Run 1/2mi

Flutters / V-Ups / American Hammers / 10 Burpees
Run 1/2mi

Carolina Dry Docks / Mountain Climbers / Diamond Merkins / 10 Burpees
Run 3/4mi

Now for the crowd pleaser:
1 Burpee: 4 Tuck Jumps / 2 Burpees: 8 Tuck Jumps up to 5:20
Run 3/4mi

Quick discussion on life that sometimes all it takes, is all you got.
Sprint the final 1/2mi to COT

FUNHOUSE WAS KING on this one

Brothers, I appreciate you pushing yourself and pushing me as we covered right at 3mi this morning..

See you Friday.
Maximus

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BlockParty: M and being the right guy

New day everyday to start new!!

19 PAX came to BlockParty to wrap up “M” month and have a slice of cake 🍰

we moseyed and did some warm up

3 corners of 5 burpees each

3 lanes of bear crawls

3 lanes of broad jump burpees

3 lanes of lunge walk Merkins

1.5mi running

As for the “M”

💥Continue to Honor her, court her and love her like it’s day 1

💥Need to stop trying to change her and be the change and right guy

💥Best thing for your kids is to love their mother more than a self

peace out ✌🏻

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Carrying the Distance

13 PAX today in the sweet spot of the year when the gloom feels about perfect

Warmup:
SSH
1 burpee
MC
Peter Parker
Parker Peter
2 burpees
Little yoga
Monkey Humpers

We were pretty mobile today with a farmers carry between stops
5 stations

Station 1:
Swings 20
Merkins 20
2x

Station 2:
Snatch 10
Split Squat 10
2x

Station 3:
Rows 10
Overhead Squat 10
2x

Station 4:
Single Leg Deadlift 10
Manmaker 10

Station 5-rotation with 13 guys
Overhead press
Merkin
Goblet Squat
Pullup (option to be weighted 20lb)
YHC called up an down.

Then we returned hitting each station again. (modified reps for time to reach COT at 0600)
Grip was pretty shot at the end.

NMM:
Proverbs 12:24
Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

We’re not being physically lazy out in the gloom, but I KNOW there are aspects of my life where I am lazy. That laziness forces me into positions I have to work to get out of. For example, not keeping regular track of my finances, or being a lazy parent by allowing something my boys are doing to get out-of-hand. In either of these situations, I’m forced to act because my laziness pressed the situation until I had to respond. And too often, my response is poor. Better to be prepared and diligent in handling the situation.

COT
Prayer for today: Lord, I know I don’t need to constantly work hard in every aspect of my life, but embolden me to be diligent. And make me wise enough to see the difference between “working hard” and being “diligent.”
Praise for one soon-to-be less occupied (in-laws…) house
Prayers for a father-in-law’s impending passing; anxiety over legal situations

Announcements:
F3 Dads every Saturday in June. 9-9:30 WEP

An honor to lead, great to see such a crowd of high impact guys. Every single former site-q from The Hive was present today. Thanks B.O.B. for the opportunity.

Site-Qs:
BOB
Uhaul
Band Camp
Tesh
Longshanke


Band Camp dismissed

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Marriage isn’t Chuck E. Cheese

YHC had the privilege to lead 24 other men through a stations workout with a discussion on the transformational relationship with our Ms. Conditions were perfect – 62 degrees and a slight breeze. The Disclaimer was disclaimed and we were off. Here’s what we did:

The Thang

  • 20 SSHs (IC)
  • 15 Imperial Walkers (IC)
  • 10 Low Slow Squats (IC)

Mosey to Top of Main

  • 20 Alternating Shoulder Taps (IC)
  • 15 Mountain Climbers (IC)
  • 10 Merkins (IC)

Mosey to First Baptist Parking Lot

  • 2 Burpees at 10 stations

Mosey to behind the Police Station

  • 20 Squats
  • 15 Calf Raises
  • 10 Turkish Getups

Mosey to Top of Main

  • 20 LBCs
  • 15 Bomb Jacks
  • 10 Tempo Merkins

Mosey to the corner of Tom Hall and Monroe White

  • 20 Alternating Shoulder Taps (IC)
  • 15 Mountain Climbers (IC)
  • 10 Merkins (IC)

Mosey to Academy and Monroe

  • 20 Squats
  • 15 Calf Raises
  • 10 Turkish Getups

Mosey to Mosey to behind the Police Station

  • 20 LBCs
  • 15 Bomb Jacks
  • 10 Tempo Merkins

Mosey back to COT

  • 20 SSHs (IC)
  • 15 Imperial Walkers (IC)
  • 10 Low Slow Squats (IC)

Total Mileage – 2.20

NMM

We call our wives “M” because she is the Most important relationship we have. That relationship is transformational. Before marriage it was “me” and “her.” Once married, “we” became an “us.” It is no longer solely about you. You are to serve your M. You are to pursue joy with her – even when things are tough. Its not a game. There is no scoreboard. There are no winners and losers and no one gets a participation trophy. We are to love her as Christ loves the Church.

Society tells us that marriage is 50/50. Let me assure you that is a farce. There are times it is 80/20. There are times it is 20/80. As John Michael Montgomery once said, “Life’s a dance you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.” Marriage isn’t about keeping tally of who has done what. This isn’t Chuck E. Cheese – you can’t trade in your emptied dishwasher tickets for a guy’s weekend. That’s not how it works. You empty the dishwasher so she doesn’t have to. You set the example for your children so they know how to be a good husband one day or what to look for in a future husband. They are watching, so make your actions count.

It was my pleasure this morning to have the opportunity to lead today. I was encouraged by the push from the guys and the mumblechatter at the stops. Today personified why F3 matters so much to me. But remember, if your focus becomes more about the fitness and fellowship with your friends and less about loving your wife, your concentrica is out of alignment. Keep each other accountable and pursue your wife. Let her know she matters. Don’t seek relationship maintenance. Instead, keep accelerating. Don’t meet in the middle, go the distance and serve her.

Aye!

Italian Job

 

 

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Month of the M

YHC was fortunate to be called out of the bullpen by Bobber.  Prior to the workout, YHC was asked to offer a few thoughts on marriage during the beatdown.  Being a novice at that topic (but constantly trying to improve through learning and practice), it seemed appropriate to consult the Q source.

Last evening, fittingly, the M and 2.0’s came with me on a tour of downtown Fort Mill where YHC furiously scribbled out 5 stations worth of exercises designed to align with each of the 5 points of M preparedness as cited in the Q source.  YHC’s M fittingly remarked that I was getting a workout before the workout.  She was right.

Upon arrival this morning, YHC pulled in the lot at 5:08 to be greeted by numerous PAX – some of whom (Stang, cough, cough, Stang), arrived sans gloves.  All were quickly reminded to get them if they did not have them already.   After a few PAX scurried in at 5:14,. all were disclaimed and we moseyed off to Kimbrell’s after the 5 core principles of F3 workouts were voiced.

The COP – because Slapshot was present (and because YHC felt like it), 5 burpees were done in between each of the following exercises done in cadence:

Windmills – 10 D/C, Imperial Walkers – 10 D/C, Low Slow Squats – 15 then holding people’s chair while doing 10 D/C  Moroccan night clubs I/C and 10 D/C air presses I/C.  Then we moseyed off to M preparedness station #1 – Maintenance = deceleration

Station 1 – Unity Presbyterian – because status quo enables no movement, we decelerate, therefore PAX were asked to do 7’s in a jacob’s ladder format – kracken burpees at the top and squats at the bottom of the driveway.  Planking was done until the 6 arrived back at the top of the hill.  The lesson was reinforced and on we moved to station 2.

Station 2 – Fort Mill 1st Baptist Church – Culture is a Jester.  When it comes to our relationship with the M, culture denatures and softens marital relationships (we meet each other halfway, etc.).  PAX did the following circuit – an exercise for each of the light poles with some free exfoliation for those who went gloveless as there may or may not have been some bear crawling between stations.  40 squats, 30 SSH’s, 20 wide arm merkins, 10 hand release merkins, 20 regular markins, 30 SSH’s and 40 squats before returning to the parking lot entrance to re-emphasize culture’s hindrance of acceleration and moving on to station 3 – the crowd pleaser.

Station 3 – Fort Mill Church of God – There is NO 50 yard line.  The relationships with our M require more than 50% effort.  It requires our best to be aligned because we know if we aren’t aligned at home in our most important earthly relationship, it becomes next to impossible to have alignment in the other relationships within our concentrica.   Since we must operate in the red zone, PAX were instructed to bear crawl more (maybe much more) than 50 yards downhill to the red zone where 5 burpees awaited   Then PAX returned to the start via crawl bear (crowd pleaser) uphill.  The return was somewhat slower than the start…….somewhat.

Upon completion – movement to Academy street left YHC to cover the last two points – because one of  the PAX incorrectly answered that the M is our best friend (spoiler alert – point 4 – the M is NOT our best friend), YHC had to graciously call out the gaffe and assign 5 burpees for the miss.  We then proceeded to articulate the 5th and final point – Joy trumps happiness and then moseyed back Academy Street – safely crossed the railroad tracks and sauntered into COT – roughly 2 1/4 miles later.

Announcements were made, prayers were offered for Stang’s mother in law, Pusher’s Mom/Esso’s MIL, and fittingly for marriages. Stang graciously took us out in prayer.

NMM – to look around the group this morning, YHC could not help but be filled with a feeling of gratitude.  Mumble chatter, fellowship, hard work doing things together we would very likely not to do on our own and the feeling that YHC has so many other brothers beside him to do life.  It eases the feeling of burden we often face.  YHC has said before that Q-ing is an honor.  And when Bobber made the call asking YHC to stamp the passport and trek east of the Peach Stand, there was only one answer.  I am better prepared to face each day because of those who choose the hard thing and encourage YHC to the same.  For that, my thanks and gratitude go out to each of you.

Meantime, study and practice the 5 points reviewed.  Alignment at home means greater alignment and impact downstream – the call being asked of each of us.   Until next time, thank you, gentlemen.

Cyclops

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Taste of Fort Mill

This past weekend Fort Mill hosted an annual event called The Taste of Fort Mill.  It is an awesome event where restaurants from all over Fort Mill bring tasting samples of some of their most popular dishes.  In honor of that event, we held the Taste of Fort Mill prepared the way F3 men prefer it.

Quick warm up with SSH, Merkins, Peter Parkers and Parker Peters.  Then a short Mosey to Armor Artis where my truck was parked and loaded down with the “hell pavers.”

7 stations for 7 places of greatness at or near Main St, Fort Mill:

  1. Armor Artis Brewery:  Curls “21’s” (7 halfway down, 7 all the way down and half way up, 7 full)
  2. The Improper Pig:  Overhead Press X21
  3. Hobos:  Bentover Row X21 (Run up Main Street to Pucker Butt.)
  4. Pucker Butt:  “Heartburn” Hand Release Merkins (5 wide, 5 regular, 5 diamond)  (Run down Main Street to Local Dish)
  5. Local Dish:  Jump Squats X10 & 15 Big Boy Situps  (Run to Z Bakery)
  6. Z Bakery: Burpees X10  (Run back towards Main St and through the back parking lot to the hill next to FM Animal Hospital)
  7. Towne Tavern:  Bear Crawl down the hill and Bear Crawl back up

Everyone pushed themselves with Maximus and Band Camp were WAY out front!

Prayers:

  • Prayers for the Page family
  • Prayers for a speedy recovery for Chris Weidman

Thank you very much Bobber for the opportunity to Q a great AO.  It was a lot of fun!

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RPG – Road to Perdition 1

9 PAX for 15 min of Broga

Sequence starting with some yoga core work on the ground and finishing with a vinyasa flow
–Cake Boss felt YHC was tricking everyone into doing burpees (maybe….?)

5 split off for work in preparation for Ville to Ville
4 ran a 5k along the Road to Perdition
https://www.strava.com/activities/5135550667
The old golf cart paths are fun…if a little treacherous in the dark

Thanks to Bodywash for the opportunity to lead.

NMM:
Saw this picture yesterday:

Meyer is one of my fellow trombone professor’s son. He’s hugging his sister here. Meyer will go through THREE chemo and radiation treatments that will last 3-4 weeks EACH. He won’t be able to hug his sister again for a long time because his immune system will be so compromised during the treatments. Love your family today and be grateful for the time we’ve been given. We aren’t guaranteed anything, and we’re lucky to have this moment.

Nota Bene: I’m speaking to myself as much as I am to anyone else. That’s why writing the backblasts are important. We need to work the words out to ourselves.

Prayers for Meyer

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Block Party 4.6.2021

Catch up BB 4/5

Warm up

Arm/Leg ballistic stretching

SSH/Burpee Pyramid

 

Topic: Accelerating Fitness

Why are we here?

Why do we “take it easy” when it comes to fitness some times? We have the opportunity to be in the gloom. That’s right – an opportunity to be here. We aren’t forced here. It isn’t something that a judge or authority figures ordered us to do. We choose to do this. We get to do this. 

So why, then, is the temptation to “mail it in” so great, even when we go through the trouble to wake up at zero dark thirty? In the famous words of Youts: “We don’t wake up early to half-ass it.”

Mosey down Confederate Street to Withers, turn right to 4 way stop signs

ISI DORA

Partner up and challenge each other. DORA style but keep your reps secret from each other. After both PAX do a round of the movement, reveal the number of reps completed. Loser does the difference in a harder exercise while the winner gets a less difficult movement.

Legs – Run up Withers to Meachem & Back

Loser – Bomb Jacks

Winner – Squats

Bonnie Blairs

Monkey Humpers

Apollo Ono’s

 

Abs – Run down Academy to Forrest & Back

Loser – In & Outs

Winner – LBCs

Big Boys

American Hammers

Flutters

 

Arms – Nur up Withers to Confederate; run back

Loser – Diamonds

Winner – Wide Arms

Merkins

CDD’s

Dips

 

Putting somebody into your corner. 

The use of a brother (or several brothers) to motivate and push you. We are only as strong as we tell ourselves we are. And… spoiler… when we’re in the the thick of it – we’ll try to convince our own bodies to quit. Why?

Maximus quote: “I would have never completed, much less attempted, the GORUCK HTL without these men by my side. They knew the headspace I was in. Physically, I knew I could do it, but mentally, that is where I lacked confidence. These men saw to it that I wouldn’t train alone and each of them had their own motivation.”

There’s power in surrounding yourselves with like minded individuals. 

Mosey back toward Veteran’s Park for COT.

 

Punch List out.

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