Just. Keep. Posting.

On a crisp 48 degree morning, a similar # of pax posted for a convergence at The Fort/Milkshake to commemorate 8 yrs of pain and impact in the Gloom of Fort Mill, SC and elsewhere in York County.   The occasion drew pax from Rock Hill, Metro and Raleigh.

The Thang

Double D led a warm up with yog to the Church of God parking lot plus some Carioca

COP — Mtn Climbers, Peter Parker, Parker Peter, Monkey Humpers, SSH, Seal Jacks, Merkins

Hand off to Jekyll

Yog up the hill to the rug factory lot and a re-introduction to, yes, you guessed it  — The Board Pain!!!

See photo for the Weinke from here….or check your soreness today (Sunday) for those who were present.  A Jekyll Classic!  Heard at F3 from Redwood @Santini “I’ve been avoiding this Board for years…100 Burpees!!”

Yog back home

COT

Naked Man Moleskin

8 years…Is that a long time?  Well, the average time of degree completion for US college students is 6 years.  Only 50% of startups make it to the 5th year mark.  So, I suppose 8 years qualifies as something of a landmark.  At the same time, I don’t personally remember much about being 8 years old.  What about the 8 years from 2-10 years old?  Or maybe 10-18 years old?  Yes, I remember more…and if I had my way I’d like to forget some of those moments!

Well, I can remember quite a bit of the past 8 years.  I quite clearly remember 9.29.12…a date etched in my memory like my wedding day, my daughters’ birth dates and my birthday.

As I reflect back on 8 years of #Impact delivered by the men of F3TheFort, what really matters is 10.06.12 and 10.13.12.  You see, those were the Saturdays when pax returned to WEP for week 2 and week 3.  And FNGs posted for their own personal version of #TheLaunch.  And then Saturdays became Tuesdays, too.  And then a short time later they also became Thursdays.   In the end, what matters the most is not what happened in the past, but what happens today.  Or what will happen tomorrow when pax post to one of 30+ workouts across Fort Mill/Tega Cay or 70+ workouts across York County.

Just. Keep. Posting.  The one true constant across life is #Change.  Since 2012, I’ve moved to a different house,  nurtured two chicks out of the nest, collected a paycheck from two additional employers and traversed through a lot of ups and downs.  One of my rocks during this period has been the community of #HIMs known as F3TheFort.  You’ve been steady in your acceptance of me each time I post.  And along the way, you’ve revealed to me more and more parts of myself as you’ve revealed parts of yourself.  I know I’m all the better for it, and so is my family.  I’m pretty certain you’re better too.  And in the process our town, county and country are also better.

So, yes, we should take heart in what’s transpired over the past 8 years.  It is remarkable.  It is a blessing.  Some might call it a miracle….or miracles.  And the only way to honor this fruit and express our gratitude to God and the men who’ve contributed (past and present) is to Just. Keep. Posting.  Because if a day ever comes when no one posts…well…let’s Just. Keep. Posting.

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Shakin it up at Footloose

I had to follow Rebel’s lead from Block Party this week to keep it interesting.  The 11 PAX definitely accelerated today.  A quick disclaimer and a little mosey down to the COG lot.  There was lots of mumble chatter during the warm-up by Twister & Destiny.  I guess they had a lot to catch up on.

We did some stretching to kick things off.  Then a few exercises to get the blood flowing: SSH, imperial walkers, windmills, Mtn. Climbers and a few burpees to try to quiet things down.  That didn’t work.

The bulk of the workout entailed 3 minute intervals with 4 exercises and a run up the stairs in between intervals.  First interval was merkins-10, mtn. climbers – 16, shoulder taps -20.  Then finish with a burpee stack (ask Rebel).  Continue round for 3 min.  Second round was abs: big boy situps – 10, american hammers – 16, flutters – 20. Third round was legs: squats – 10, monkey humpers – 15, and calve raises – 20.  We were able to get 6 rounds in total.  Nice work by all pushing forward.

Thanks for the opportunity Boss Hogg.

 

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Footloose 8/20/20

When BossHogg calls your number you either show or he sends the law after ya. With drivebys by 3 of Fort MIlls Finest i do believe he put them on notice to take YHC away if i didnt bring the pain to this fine PAX. Well we got started right at 0515 with a quick disclaimer that was to Drop Thrills satisfaction. We took off for a quick warmup that consisted of the good ole regulars. After warmup we moseyed to the four way intersection. we were going to be moving from this point to three differant directions when you get back to the intersection you do the exercises. Do first set of 100 combined reps merkins/ squats.run. second 100 combined shoulder taps/ american hammers. run. 100 reps third set CDDs/ lunges. run. Try and get in three sets of each. Move. We got 2 full sets and 1 set of 50 combined of the exercises. The PAX worked and agreed we work hard if we getting up at 0430. Thanks BossHogg for the call out. Backdraft out.

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Honoring Schmalstieg at The Fire Ant

Taking a page out of the Honey Badger book by using a page out of the Hero Workout book. This day at the Fire Ant, we’d honor Gunnery Sergeant Justin Schmalstieg (December 15, 2010).

First, disclaimer.
Second, minor warmup.
Third, drop to the plank and listen:

Justin grew up in the Stanton Heights neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and graduated high school in 2000. He spent a semester at Penn State before enlisting in the Marine Corps, where he initially trained as a bulk fuel specialist. After serving overseas in Kuwait, Justin was stationed in Okinawa, Japan and was accepted into the Explosive Ordnance Disposal program. He finished the demanding training required to become an EOD technician and completed two deployments in the Middle East.

In 2008, Justin received orders to Camp Pendleton in California to serve with the 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group. He deployed twice more, first to Iraq in February 2009 and then to the Helmand province of Afghanistan in September 2010. During a night mission, Justin’s unit was in danger of being ambushed – it was his job to clear the way back to base. Staff Sergeant Justin Schmalstieg, 28, gave his life on December 15 while working to render safe an improvised explosive device. He is survived by his widow, Ann Schneider; his parents, John and Deborah Gilkey; and his brother, John Gilkey Jr. For his service and sacrifice, Justin was posthumously decorated with the Purple Heart and promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

The EOD WArrior Foundation is dedicated to supporting EOD service members and their families through a number of assistance programs. Please consider making a donation in Justin’s name at www.EODWarriorFoundation.org/Memorial/Warrior/Justin-E-Schmalstieg.

So, the WOD would be slightly modified for our Ruck AO to the following:

For Time:
Run 800M Slick (without Ruck)

2 rounds of the following:
50 Burpees (slick)
40 Pull-Ups would be substituted with 80 Upright Rows
30 One-Legged Pistol Squats
20 Ruck Swings
10 Hand Stand Push Ups would be substituted with 10 Carolina Dry Docks & 10 Merkins

Run another 800M Slick (without Ruck)

Once we completed this, we did a few core exercises.

Until next time, SYITG.
Maximus

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Handing Off The Shovel Flag for The BALLROOM – Part Deux!

Wow -what a great, steamy morning to be alive. Thanked the Good Lord for the beautiful moon rise on my way to the AO. Overcome with a sense of Deja Vu after handing the Shovel Flag off to Manziel last September, YHC also thanked my lucky stars that Smithers agreed to take it from me.  It wasn’t that easy to find a new Site Q as quite a few Pax turned down the opportunity.

But it was a perfect gloom for a beatdown and to pass the reins to one of the BEST AOs in The Fort, bar none. This place has wide open spaces and limitless potential. Cars kept rolling in and we waited an extra 30 seconds when Polaroid came in HOT. Disclaimer (has anyone actually read it?) was described and detailed. So, our journey began.

THE THANG:

WARM-UP: Mosey to other side of the school

COP:

  • Seal Jacks * 12
  • 5 Burpees
  • Moroccan Night Clubs
  • Mountain Climbers* 12
  • 4 Burpees
  • Squats * 15
  • 3 Burpees
  • Peter Parkers * 12 (almost lost my wind)
  • 2 Burpees
  • Low Slow Squats*10
  • 1 Burpee

MOSEY to ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DROP OFF LANE OR BACK LOT for Dirty McDeuce. Partner up- 3 exercises at each end, 5 reps at each end, then 10, then 15. LBCs, Merkins & Bombjacks

Thoughts on Complacency – How comfortable are you? Are you challenging yourself in any way? Are you stagnant and complacent? Nothing wrong with being comfortable and being able to relax. But a man MUST do things that make him Uncomfortable in order to grow. Without challenges and stepping outside of our comfort zone, our minds and our bodies begin to get soft. To truly thrive, you need to push your boundaries and lean into some discomfort. We live in a world of convenience and comfort. But the more you are wiling to challenge yourself, the more that you will thrive. HARD WORK AND SWEAT IS GONNA PAY OFF.  SO THINK OF WAYS TO PUSH YOURSELF OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. AYE?   

Mosey to WALL – Peoples chair, PAX JUMP out and do 5 SQUAT JUMPS, Bearcrawl to curb. Mosey to lightpoles. 10 Weezy’s. run to next pole, 10 Squats, back to first pole. 10 LBCs at 4th Poles, 10 Merkins at 5th Pole. Return to 1st Pole after each circuit (also called suicides)  

MOSEY TO Front of school for– JACK WEBB (only made it to 6 rounds). Back to COT

Announcements, Prayers (Otis’ Dad, Cash, Our Community). Lean Into the Discomfort and there you will find growth Gentlemen. Great group and great effort out there. These men help to sharpen me every time out. Eternally Grateful & Honored To Lead.

Don’t cut yourself Short.

Shortest Of All Sales, Out.

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Start Fast, Grow Steady, Finish Strong

17 HIM descended upon the Swamp for a strong finish to the month of July.  YHC got a call from Duck Dynasty this week asking to step up and take the Q.  Upon arrival, YHC was greeted by a few early arriving #HIM and the remainder wandered in between 0507 and 0515 – well all but Olaf who came in hot and eventually caught up to us quickly at COP.

Disclaimers were announced and it was confirmed that no FNG’s were present today.

The theme of the workout, fittingly, was 7’s, 31’s and focusing on how we are finishing.  YHC laid out the theme and off we moseyed to the Home Depot Parking Lot for COP and the warm up – all exercises in cadence:

15 D/C Imperial Walkers, 5 burpees OYO, 15 hillbilly walkers, 5 burpees OYO, 10 low slow squats, holding the people’s chair we did 10 D/C Moroccan night clubs in cadence, held the chair for a Duck Dynasty 10-count and finished in the chair with 10 D/C shoulder taps in cadence.  5 more burpees OYO and then moved to 10 D/C seal jacks in cadence followed by 5 burpees OYO before moseying off to Target for the main event.

Main event – 7-31 – Start fast, finish strong.

Fittingly, July 31 required 7’s and 31’s on this relatively breezy morning.  PAX lined up to complete kracken burpees on one end of the parking lot, run roughly 50 yards and did lunges at the rate of 6 kracken burpees & 1 lunge, 5 & 2, 4 & 3, 3 & 4, 2 & 5 and 1 & 6.  After the 6 was in a short plank was called, after which we moseyed to the fountains for 15 D/C dips in cadence and then took on the 31’s to finish July strong.

31’s were a combination of merkins and squats – merkins on one end of the parking lot, followed by a run to the opposite end – roughly 200 (ish) yards and squats.  The sequence went as follows:

27 merkins, 4 squats

23 merkins, 8 squats

19 merkins, 12 squats

15 merkins, 16 squats

11 merkins, 20 squats

7 merkins, 24 squats

3 merkins, 28 squats

As the six came in all PAX, fittingly, got on their respective 6’s for 31 D/C (of course) flutters in cadence. A recover on our feet and a mosey to COT was called where PAX had just enough time for a 60 second protractor at varying degrees and a 30 second body destroyer put us right on 0600 and COT.

Announcements:

Sweati on 8-15 – launching from Colosseum (0530 for ruckers, 0600 for runners): Questions?  Get w/Backdraft.

Operation Stuff the Bus is a week from tomorrow, 8-8, starting at 0800: Bonsai is your Q.  Sign ups for 2 hour time slots are available.

Read Your Newsletter.

Prayers & praises were offered up both out loud and in the silence of our hearts.

NMM – The purpose of today’s workout was missional and aptly was held at the end of a calendar month – to start fast and finish strong.  In fulfilling our personal missions, it is imperative to answer the question “Are we intentional about how we finish or do we go through the motions and check the box?”  What would our M’s, 2.0’s and inner concentrica say if they were asked these questions about us?  Do we take the necessary steps to be thorough?  Do we take the extra minute or two in a conversation with a loved one to let them know we are present and available and not let our minds wander to the next task that lies ahead?   If you could look back at July, how purposeful was your month?  How did you “finish”?

Between 0500 and 0515 (or earlier to get EC) every weekday morning, we as PAX have the benefit of starting a workout with intentionality and purpose – completing that mission by 0600.  Do we take the same level of intentionality to our relationships, our families, our work?  How intentional is our time allocated and used?  We all get the same amount every day.  It is in finishing strong with that time that we make impact for the better and leave no doubt to those around us.  Start fast, and with purpose.  Finish strong to maximize your reach and impact.

YHC is grateful to Duck Dynasty for the opportunity to Q and to the PAX for encouraging the acceleration brought about by F3.

Start fast, grow steady, finish strong!

With Gratitude,

Cyclops

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Noderate at Footloose

I pulled into the lot with a deck of cards and 4 different versions of the Deck of Pain planned. The pax in attendance all looked like runners so I changed the plan and we all ran to check out the Minnow Pond AO. We couldn’t find anybody but Hallelujah! we found a porta-potty for Training Wheels. The rest of planked it up and did some merkins while we patiently waited. Next we ran back to Footloose (1 mile!) and started on the original plan of the Deck of Pain.
Clubs: Squats
Spades: Merkins
Hearts: Flutters
Diamonds: Big Boys
Joker: Burpees
We played this game through most of the deck but I called an audible for the last 11 minutes and we all ran another mile.

Footloose is a moderate boot camp but when the Q knows the dudes in attendance can push a little harder than moderate, please push.

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Quagmire Burpecides

YHC was laying the trashtalk thick for your Monday beatdown. 11 HIM regretably showed up at Quagmire.  4 left to ruck #scared

We ran the dark trail for a good bit before we got lost, turned back and went to HD parking lot for the warmorama including windmills x 6, pickle pointers x 15, hillbilly walkers x 10, plank, 6″ hold, plank, chillcut hold. Ran to the Target balls for the thang: burpecides.

PAX lined up at the line, run to ball 1 = 1 burpee.  Run back.
Run to ball 1 = 1 burpee, run to ball 2 = 2 burpees. Run back.
Run to ball 1 = 1 burpee, run to ball 2 = 2 burpees, run to ball 3 = 3 burpees.  Run back.
Repeato to ball 9.  That’s 165 burpees and 2.5 miles today.  Cha Ching and Olaf did with a ruck… wow.

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The Buble’

The temps were steamy. The Bubble was bubbling. The disclaimer was disclaimed. Eighteen HIM decided to get better.

Warm Up

  • 15 Side Straddle Hops
  • 10 Windmills
  • 10 Low Slow Squats
  • 10 Flutters
  • 10 Dying Cockroaches
  • 10 Big Boy Sit ups
  • 10 Mountain Climbers
  • Down/Up Dog
  • Static Stretch

Round 1

Indian Run around the block as the caboose did 2 burpess and sprinted to the front.

As the PAX gathered after the run I spoke on the importance of serving. The Bible tells us so.

Luke 22: 27 – 28

Jesus “For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you the one who serves.”

There is so much opportunity to serve the community. If the Son of God can serve us, we can certainly find ways to serve each other. Don’t be the guy that reclines at the table. Be the guys that serves.

Round 2

Indian Plank while the PAX in the back bear crawls to the front. We continued out of the parking lot down the alley and back. This was a crowd pleaser.

Round 3

Indian Peoples Chair while the PAX in the back lunge walked to the front. We continued out of the parking lot down the alley and back.

Time flies when you are in pain (or something like that). We circled up for COT.

Announcements/Prayers/Praises

-JWOW

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Thrill… Running!?

So Boss Hogg the fastest man in Fort Mill invited me to Q Footloose.  I hate running, but i’m slowly getting to not hate it so much now that my back is much better.

For those that don’t know, in 2015 I fell doing a mud run and royally screwed up my back.  It took years to get where I could even walk without pain, much less run.

So today I pulled a very old Q out of the bag and modified it up a bit.

We started at the beginning, a very good place to start.

Warmed up at First Baptist, and launched into Round 1

Each round includes the same exercises, but we perform them in a ladder style going up and down the rep counts.  The exercises were:

Squats
Lunges
Calf raises
Moroccan Nightclubs
LBC
Reverse crunch
Hello Dolly
Superman
Flutters

Round 1 – 5 reach
Round 2 – 10 each
Round 3 – 15 each
Round 4 – 10 each
Round 5 – 5 each

After each round we ran, yes ran to the next stop.  We stopped at the corner across from Hardee’s, then the Methodist Church, then reversed back to the corner, then back to the start.

We finished off with a round of Mary and called it a day.

Thanks for the opportunity to lead, happy birthday to Bowser (UHaul’s 2.0) and Happy Birthday America on Saturday!

The Thrill is gone!

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