Man In The Mirror…at the Minnow Pond

Differences between this version of Minnow Pond and the last time I Q’d the MP:
1. Societal tension coming from years of oppression and ignorance.
2. The disgusting humidity
3. PAX age range: 14-57

One of these, we discussed & analyzed.
One of these, we suffered through.
One of these, we appreciate.

For the first time in I don’t know how long, there were 0 PAX for extra credit BUT (anything before the but doesn’t matter) we had 11 of us post for the Pledge of Allegiance to our great Nation at 0514. A brief disclaimer followed by a very brief warm-up mosey followed by a very, very brief round of Windmills  led us into the substantive portion of the post.
With the Nation (and world) now (and always, really), we need to address our own personal sins and shortcomings before looking elsewhere. We have to own it rather than saying it is due to someone or something else. Specific to our present tensions onset by centuries of racial injustice, what have I turned a blind eye to, or what have I tolerated? In other words, we need to have a Michael Jackson moment by taking a look at the Man In The Mirror.

As he sings in that song,
“I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change.”

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqe5NP86OCc

A key component to addressing these ignorance’s and learning is to put yourself into challenging 1:1 conversations. In the spirit of the 1:1, we’d be doing 1.1mi loops with 3 stops along each loop.

The loop had us run up Massey to the gas station for stop 1. R/T onto Harris then R/T McCammon then into the Founders bank lot for stop 2. R/T Clebourne then R/T Main St then back to the AO parking lot for stop 3.

At each stop:
10 Mak Tar Jai’s
10 Inch Worms
10 Toe Touches
10 Mountain Merkins (4ct Moutain Climber + 1 Merkin)

After completing the first lap, I realized the rep count was a bit too aggressive. So, we cut it from 10 to 5 and I think everyone was able to complete at least 2 laps.  Had I talked a bit less in the beginning, we might’ve even gotten to a full 3 laps.

Back at COT, we talked about the topic a bit more, shared some announcements and offered prayers & praises. Great start to the day with brothers to my left & right.

Maximus

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Uphill Times

19 Pax posted on a Yumid morning to salute Old Glory and dig deep to tackle the surrounding hills.  We were honored to welcome FNG/The Fonz (EH’d by Pusher) and a quasi-Kotter in Santini ( who has lost his excuses for not posting to any downtown FM AOs).  Longshanks led The Pledge and then the fun began.

The Thang

Hills, hills and more hills — that was the recipe for the day.

Brief warm-up in the parking lot to allow Body Wash to catch up with the pax on his late arrival — SSH, Mtn climber, Parker Peter, Merkins

Run to parking lot at WEP

Muster at bottom of hill leading to stop sign at entrance of parking lot

Run to top, do # Burpees of your choice, run back down; rinse & repeat adding # Burpees on each return to the top (UvU format — you pick initial # and increment); continue repeatedly

Muster at bottom of Stairway to Heaven

Run to light pole at top, do # Merkins (starting from last # Burpees, using same increment pattern), run back down; rinse & repeat adding # Merkins on each return to top; continue repeatedly

Run to large parking lot across from gun shop on Massey Street

Run to bottom of Massey Street; run back to top, do # Freddie Mercurys (starting from last # Merkins, using same increment pattern), run back down; rinse & repeat adding # Freddie Mercurys on each return to top; continue repeatedly

Mosey home

COT

Naked man moleskin

Thank you to Longshanks for the Q invite at Minnow Pond — great AO, great format, lively pax who all got after it today.  It was especially sweet since it was my first Q back in The Fort in 90 days.  (Apologies to a few pax I missed in the attendees — Gen X camera malfunction)

Welcome to The Fonz!  Yes, he set a new fashion standard to rival Slash’s collars.  Plus, he pushed toward the front of the pax throughout.  Great first time out….look forward to seeing you again.  And T-claps to Pusher on the EH.

Great to have Santini in The Gloom!  If you have any history with this #Redwood, then you know why it’s great to have him back.  If you don’t, then find the chance to saddle up next to him the next time you see him in the circle and ask him about origin of the Moroccan Night Club. or Stairway to Heaven or the Echochamber.

Theme for the day was hills, because they provide great training for runners.  AND, because we’re living in “uphill times” in my view (pandemic, unemployment, social distancing, racism, injustice, protests, rioting — pure chaos in the headlines).  These hills in life (short, long, steep or any combination) can be strong training ground as well.  Much has been said by many about the “silver linings” of lockdown life.  Certainly that’s been true for me and my family.  At same time,  the tough stuff, the difficulties, the adversity in life are also challenges that can build endurance, resilience, passion, vision for the road ahead.  Take some time to reflect where the tough parts of your current situation are sharpening you and your family for the journey ahead.  Don’t limit your review to just the fun, funny, joyful, positive experiences  — the darker more challenging moments can provide training benefits too.

Great to be back in The Fort!

Keep pushing!

 

 

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RPG Delivers

Sasquatch continues to bring the heat with BROGA!  Every week he adds a new way to stretch, loosen, & bring the pain to areas of the hamstrings, lats, neck, back, calves, etc…….15 mins and you are renewed.  CakeBoss continually offers a Ruck option along with joining the Fellowship run to make RPG complete.  The best part of today’s version of RPG was watching the HIM Sasquatch take control of the Fellowship run along w a solid COT! Prayers & Praises as we head into the Memorial Day weekend!

Remember the Fallen, honor all who give their lives for our freedom!  SYITG.

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The “RPG” provides Options

9 Strong at “the” RPG for a perfect weather acceleration into the weekend.  Sasquatch always delivers an impressive BROGA session, followed by a fellowship run with Rebel on Q.  CakeBoss took the Ruck Q and did not disappoint.  Wegmans looked like the Ruck was meaningful, either that or fatherhood has set in very nicely.  Good to see Harry Carey, Body Wash, and Skate or Die.

Sasquatch closed us out.

SYITG!

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RPG: BROGA : RUN : RUCK options

RPG Grand re-opening offers a new start time with a RUCK option.  5:15am new start time allows Sasquatch to stretch your limits with some BROGA, followed by a fellowship run or Ruck option 5:30am sharp!

45 degree weather met the 4 PAX this morning, minus the sweet smell of Bacon normally filling the morning air from the nearby WaffleHouse.  Bass 0 Matic, Fogerty, Cake Boss & Sasquatch patiently waited for a Wegman sighting before taking BROGA to a whole new level.

Sasquatch (after knocking out 100 Burpees) barked out proper instruction to keep the BROGA on an elite level.  The 4 PAX quickly transitioned to a Ruck/Run event at 530am (similar to Triathlon changing areas) efficient and clean with no spills.

Nice work by all.  RPG is back open!  SYITG!

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The Hive’s tribute to Osgood’s Pops

It was with deep sadness that we found out on the 26th that Osgood lost his father.  In honor of him, even while dealing with the reality of no ability to literally lean on each other, we came together in the Gloom and did our best to share pain.

The Hive – 3-26-2020

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Elvis has left the AO

Six PAX in total arrived. Weather: 40°, damp with patchy fog (that would be a good F3 name).
The count of six turned into five just before 0515 struck: Long Duck had to pull an Elvis and recuse himself to the local Waffle House (also a good F3 name).

Warm Up
Mosey run
SSH (IC 10x)
Windmill (IC 10x)
Imperial Walker (IC 10x)
Moroccan Nightclub (IC 12X)
Low Slow Squats (IC10x)
Mountain Climbers (IC 12X)
Plank stretches, up dog, down dog

Thang 1: at the Pull Up Bars:
Do X count of pull ups,
Mosey to street, do X count of squats
Curb plank for six
Rinse and repeat
We did regular pull ups, toes to bar, knees to chest, and chin ups
Long Duck rejoined us here, and apparently was three pounds lighter.

Mosey to elementary school:
Thang 2: Elf Bowling
In a parking lot: Split into two teams, one team bowls (ball is a 15lb slam ball) the exercise (which are written in chalk in the parking spot), other team bowls the count (varies 8 through 16, also written in p-spots) .
Exercises: burpees, Merkins, CCD’s
Everyone got a turn bowling, ended up doing a lot of burpees.

Thang 3: Bermuda Triangles
Bear crawl first circuit
Cone 1=4 burpees, cone 2=8 burpees, cone 3=12 burpees
Crab walk second circuit
Cone 1=4 crabby patties, cone 2=8,cone 3=12

Mosey back up to high school lot:
Thang 4: Global warming routine
Circle up, low stance position, all pax side shuffle about the circle, stop and do exercise called out:
Smurf Jacks
Imperial Walkers
Merkins
Etc.

Seven minutes of Mary

Fini, COT

Prayers/Praises: Great to be back home from being on the road for work; praise to our M’s that keep the home front intact.

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Minnow Pond-Triangle of Pain

21 men cane to minnow pond from all directions and walks of life

the plan was simple

run, exercise, run, exercise, run, exercise

starting at memorial park across from launch point

💥10 Donkey Kicks

run up Massey

💥10 Merkins

run down Spratt

💥 10 leg raises

run back to memorial park

5-7 Rounds

60-75 reps of exercises as each round we increased by 1 rep

3.5-4.0 miles🙌🏻🔥💪🏻🥓

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4 Corner Crusher

YHC had the privilege to cross the river and Q for 11 at Minnow Pond. Conditions were stellar: 67 and dry. Here’s what we did:

The Thang

Run to First Baptist (.3 miles)

  • 4 Corners
    • 10 Burpees at each Corner                           (40 Burpees)
    • 20 Merkins at each Corner                           (80 Merkins)
    • 30 Shoulder Taps at each Corner              (120 Shoulder Taps)
    • 40 Squats at each Corner                           (160 Squats)
    • 50 SSHs at each Corner                               (200 SSHs)
    • 40 MNCs at each Corner                             (160 MNCs)
    • 30 LBCs at each Corner                               (120 LBCs)
    • 20 Seal Jacks at each Corner                      (80 Seal Jacks)
    • 10 Burpees at each Corner (2.2 miles)     (40 Burpees)
  • Return to Veterans Park (.3 miles)
  • Circle the lot twice (.2 miles)

Total Miles (3.0)

NMM

Thanks for the opportunity to Q today, Longshanks. I wanted to mix up the run this morning by adding the element of a full-body beatdown. As you can see above, we did some work. I also wanted to keep us in the parking lot as a reminder that we should always have eyes on our brothers. Though we have varying fitness levels and some guys got to the next station before others, its a reminder that we are all living life in different phases. Some guys have already been where you are now. Other guys are stepping into a phase where you are currently. Just the same as a workout, we should always look out for the guys ahead and behind us. Call the guy you haven’t seen in a while. Reach out to the guy that seems a little down. We are called to be our brother’s keeper. If he falls down, we are to help him up.

Let’s take care of each other. Let’s be intentional.

Aye!

Italian Job

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Sprinting in the Corral

The day started with 4 PAX for extra credit, Dark Helmet, Mainframe, Cake Boss and YHC. We did some hill repeats behind the apartment complex.

We headed back to the Harris Teeter parking lot and the crowd was anxious to get started, 7 ruckers went their way led by Mainframe and 11 bootcampers joined me for the following:

MOSEY and Warm Up:

Windmills
Moroccan night clubs
SSH
Low slow squat
Low slow merkin

MOSEY to Green Olive parking lot for the real thing, going across the parking lot (approx 30 yards) back and forth with different methods of transportation:

10 burpees
Duck walk
15 wide arm merkins
Sprint
20 squats
Bear crawl
25 curb dip
Sprint
30 flutters
Lunge walk
25 merkin
Sprint
20 shoulder taps
Crab walk
15 CDD
Sprint
10 diamond merkin

clearly some PAX sprint way faster than a couple of whiny yoggers.

Next up and lot of chatter for this one:

Captain Thor

Rinse and repeat parking lot circuit with a twist:

10 burpees
Duck walk
15 wide arm merkins
NUR
20 squats
Bear crawl
25 curb dip
NUR
30 flutters
Lunge walk
25 merkin
NUR
20 shoulder taps
Crab walk
15 CDD
NUR
10 diamond merkin

With less than 7 minutes to spare we added some more ab lab:
50 lbcs
10 big boy
50 lbcs

Back to COT to meet with the ruckers and one runner (Twister)

Announcements:
Marriage strengthening Book study at bagel boat after Poopdeck/tugboat for the next 9 weeks every Thursday at 6:15 ish
FOR MEN ONLY is based on how to understand women and will help to understand our M’s and be better husbands contact Homebrew for more info.

Ruck Flag handoff to mainframe due to Routers’ injury, prayers for him and all injured pax.

 

Thanks Lutefisk for the opportunity to lead.

Tinsel OUT!

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