Board of Pain at the Fire Ant

It was an honor to again be placed on the Q list of the long list of candidates for The Fire Ant. After Spiderman renewed the mission of this AO, I knew I needed to make it worthwhile for the 14 others who decided to remove themselves from the fartsack this gloom.

THE THANG

So we began with the following: We took a quick ruck march around the building to the front of the Harris Teeter where YHC had previously placed the BOP. At this point YHC gave the F3 Disclaimer. YHC requested that everyone partner up. I then explained the Board: Partner 1 was to perform the first exercise and partner 2 was to perform the movement timing mechanism/then flapjack. The the pair was to go to the second exercise and timing mechanism. The exercises and timing mechanisms are listed below:

Exercises: Merkins, Low Slow Squats, CDD’s, Lunges, Flutters w/Press, Ruck Thrusts, Curls, Tricep Extensions, Lateral Lunges, American Hammers, Overhead Presses, Ruck Swings, and Man Makers.

Timing Mechanisms: Shuffle, Karaoke, Butt Kickers, High Knees, Ruck Run.

After much mumblechatter was had and we made it through the list YCH led us into the following word. Once the message was given the group headed back to the COT and held our Rucks overhead until 0600.

NMM

This was a morning surrounded with many HIMs in whom YHC is intrigued by. Men who wake up at 0345-0445 to get to a workout at 0500 or 0515 almost every day of the week. Most of the PAX in attendance this gloom are planning on taking what they do with fellow F3 brothers each day and taking it into the world this coming weekend. These PAX will be participating in a Goruck event in Charlotte in remembrance of 9/11 and the men and women who sacrificed their lives on that horrific day. 9/11 is a day, if you were alive, that all will remember no matter what you were doing on that dreadful morning. However, our country came through the struggle united and closer than I had ever seen before.

This morning I challenged all PAX to remember who and what they represent when they leave the workout each morning. First they represent the one who they place their faith in. Second, they represent their families. Then they represent F3 Nation (an event is a great place to EH Sad Clowns into the brotherhood). Finally, they represent the communities they are a part of from where they live to where they work.

The challenge was to represent well no matter where or what they are doing. And trust me, I write this to remind myself of this challenge.

Announcements, Prayers, & Praises were given with the whole group.

Longshanks led the COT.

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Octagon of Pain, same low price, but now with more jumping!

Great morning and a great crowd of 16 PAX at the Poopdeck.  I mean it was still hot and humid as hell, but that’s par for this summer.

After a quick disclaimer we took off around the lot for a mosey that included some shuffle steps, NUR, and Toy Soldiers before circling up near where the cat lady roams for some Warm-A-Rama.

  • Windmills x10 IC
  • Planks (2x 10 counts)
  • Merkins x 10 IC
  • Morroccan Nightclubs x 10 IC
  • Low, Slow Squat x 10 IC
  • Hold squat (2x 10 counts)

Short Mosey to the upper lot (deck?) at the Poopdeck, I’ve been Q-loaded the last couple of weeks and the previous 2 Q’s were brutal on the arms and shoulders so I decided to mix it up a bit this morning by giving the upper body a complete break at the expense of all leg plyo workout.  I wasn’t sure how it was going to go over, but everyone seemed pretty beaten by the end.  In any case, here is the breakdown of how it works:

  • 8 Cones setup in an Octagon in the parking lot (fairly large in diameter though I didn’t count the paces) with a 9th cone in the middle of the Octagon.
  • Each cone had a (jumping) exercise on it
  • Pair up (only for the push, none of this required a partner)
  • Pick a cone, do the exercise on the cone, and then Broad Jump to the center cone and do 8 Burpees, then Broad Jump back to one of the 7 remaining cones and continue through until all 8 are completed and a trip back to the center cone after each cone for 8 more Burpees.
  • The exercises were:
    • 100 SSH
    • 100 Jump Rope
    • 50 Jump Squats
    • 50 Jump Lunges (25 each leg)
    • 50 Lateral Jumps (25 each leg)
    • 50 Knee Tuck Jump-ups
    • 50 Squat Jacks
    • 25 Bomb Jacks
      • ~64 Burpees
      • lot of broad jumping!

Everyone made it through at least once, which was the goal. In typical Jedi fashion he made it through a couple extra.  With about 10-15 minutes left we lined up for some Indian running around the parking lot.  Lead PAX drops and does 4 Burpees and rejoins at the back of the line.  We cycled through each of the 16 PAX twice before heading back to CoT and about 2 minutes of Mary to end the workout.

  • 6th annual Invergance at Rush Pavilion 9/21 @ 5:30
  • Prayers for all the teachers and kids in school
  • Prayers for injured PAX

Thanks Peg for the opportunity to Q!

Until next time,

-Flux-

 

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Live Right through your Concentrica

My goodness it was humid again.  The day started at 74 degrees and just being outside for 1 minute you started to sweat.  It was going to be a tough morning!

17 men gathered before the 5:15 start, I was happy to meet Radar down from F3 Gastonia.  Tesla told him to come down and check us out.  Regal also brought Supafly who was posting for his 2nd workout this week while up from GA on business.

Bones allowed me the pleasure to Q at one of my favorite AOs.  Always a large and great group of guys out at the Abyss.  Today I wanted to bring more of a message to the group than usual, but this is a 1st F workout…so a beatdown came with it!

Gave the longer disclaimer (I needed the practice) and off around the parking lot we went for the warmup.  Standard running stuff, high knees, butt kickers, karaoke, toy soldiers then circled up.

COP consisted of Seal Jacks, Imperial Walkers, Moroccan Night Clubs,  Slow Squats, Merkins, Plank Jacks…all at different reps.  That seemed to drive Witch Hunt and Jedi crazy because the mumble chatter between those two wouldn’t stop.  Tough to yell at someone when you’re counting in cadence (and they know it).

Mosey to the back bus parking lot for the things I had planned.

The Thang

I really did find these on the F3 Nation exercises!

“Bo jangles Biscuit” = Use the oval track, sprint the straightaways & mosey the turns. Do this twice.

“Slowjangles Blueberry biscuit” = lunge walk around the oval and at four designated spots we stopped for 5 burpees.  One lap.  This was longer and harder than I thought!  I might have been the biggest complainer about this evolution.

The Main Event

I’ve truly enjoyed the 43 feet Podcasts and the Q source posts.  The messages are excellent, but the implementation is tough…but bringing this stuff to our PAXs attention should be something we all do as a Q in some detail.  Many of my most memorable posts are when the Q brings a solid message with the workout and I wanted to live up to that.  In my own life I know how backwards I’ve had my Concentrica lately and a good refersher for all followed.

We talked about the Acceleration of a HIM going from Get Right –> Live Right –> Lead Right –> Leave Right.  Today was a focus on the Live Right.

The discussion I shared was around intentionality, understanding the fallacy of a work-life balance being represented on a teeter-totter.  The picture is best represented as a target.  In the center is your “M” (and we properly defined M) then 2.0 (family) then Shieldlock Brothers then Friends then Mammon.  I explained each and there suggested relevance to your life.

But I had also drawn a large target representation of all this on the ground (Mr. Selfie forgot to take a picture)…so we were going to play a game! Each PAX was going to get an opportunity to throw a bean bag at the target from about 18 paces away.  (definitely not corn hole regulation distance I was told multiple times.)

Each section represented a different 10 rep exercise we would do…and DO NOT miss the target!

M = 10 count (we had ZERO hits here)

2.0s/Family = Squats in cadence

Shieldlock = Ranger Merkins

Friends = Jump Lunges

Mammon = Bombjacks

outside the circle = 10 burpees (about 5 men missed)

I thought it was fun, and we kept sweating quite a bit.   I hope the PAX enjoyed it as well.

Mosey back to COT where we had 5 minutes left of Mary.  10 counts for ab exercises picked by the PAX

Annoucements = (read your newsletter)

Prayers for Lutefisk’s mother, Tesla’s friend Meredith and her passing, Qbert and his church helping 100 children through the gospel.

A Honor to Lead!

-Royale

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Nickels at the Quagmire

We had 14 Pax show up in the gloom this morning including 1 FNG “Supafly” and the “Return of the Jedi” (I couldn’t help myself) from his foot injury.

I gave a nice disclaimer for our FNG and we took a long mosey around the parking lot while mixing in, shuffle steps, NUR, toy soldiers, butt-kickers, and high-knees, before settling in around the back parking lot behind the fountain that had the stairway access.

Warm-a-Rama

Keeping with the shoulder-burn theme, we circled up for the following:

  • Windmills x 10 IC
  • Plank (2-10 counts)
  • Elbow Plank (2-10 counts)
  • Merkins x 10 IC
  • SSH x 25 IC
  • Plank (10-count)
  • Peter Parker x 10 IC
  • Parker Peters x 10 IC
  • 6″ Plank Hold (2-10 counts)

We recovered and I began explaining the 1st of 3 routines we made it to today, I had at least 1 more nasty one planned, but the last one was so brutal I think the PAX were glad we didn’t get to it.  In any case, I kept it nice and easy to remember, everything was in sets of 5, hence the “Nickels”.

1st routine:

From the center island in the parking lot we performed 5 x True Americans (Hand-release Merkin w/Plank Jack), Bear Crawled up to and then up the steps and across the landing, Crawl Bear down the steps, and Bear Crawled back to the center lot where we did Hydraulic Squats (Squat, right kneed down, left knee down, right knee back to squat, left knee back to squat, rise and repeat x 5).  Then repeated the whole routine x 5.

2nd routine:

Thinking the shoulders needed some rest we did some sprints.  Starting at the back parking island, we sprinted to the top parking lot island (maybe 40 yards), did 5 Burpees, then sprinted back to the start and did 5 Absolution.  This was then repeated 5 more times.  I had some shipping pads laid out for the PAX to keep the elbows safe.

3rd routine:

I wasn’t sure if I was going to do this one going in, but we had an even PAX count so we did it and I think everyone hated it equally so I’m glad we did it.  Anyway, Partner up, and in wheelbarrow position with 2nd PAX holding legs of 1st PAX, 1st PAX performs 5 Donkey Farmers (think Peter Parker with your partner holding your legs).  We then wheelbarrow-walked up to and up the flight of stairs and did 5 Derkins at the top landing.  Recovered and moseyed back to start and switched partners.  Time cut this one a bit short, but I think everyone got in at least 3 sets of this one.  Amazing push by all the PAX, this one was hard.

We made it back to CoT with about a minute left so I asked Jedi to call out an Ab exercise, which was a one-legged V-Up. I think we did 10 of these IC which took us right up to 6:00AM.

Announcements, Praises, Prayers

  • Read your newsletter!
  • 6th annual invergence at Rush Pavilion on 9/21 @ 5:30
  • Prayers for new jobs, and injured PAX, and Charlotte schools back at it today

Until next time (Thursday at the Poopdeck),

-Flux

 

 

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Fun and Games Friday @ The Swamp

On a cool Friday morning, things got weird quick. After we ditched 5 ruckers led by Zima, the 17 bootcampers moseyed to a parking lot with some shuffles on the way. Warm-o-rama started with some windmills, peter parker peters, mountain climber merkins, super low super slow squats followed by smurf jacks. We went on to do some T-bombs and a superman hold which led to sun gods and Moroccan NC’s whilst in superman pose. This warm-o-rama made for much mumble chatter.

Next, mosey to the walls between target and home depot for some wall work, where PAX started with a derkin ladder from 10 to 1, running to the other wall in between. Next was ascending testicles, with feet starting at 10 degrees for a 10 count, then 45 degrees for a 10 count, followed by full BTTW 10 count. Mix in some leg work with a squat countdown. Start with 10 squats and hold Al Gore for a 10 count. Not too bad, until you do 9 squats and hold Al Gore for a 9 count. Repeato until 1:1.  Ouch…

Numbered off 1’s and 2’s to split into teams.  Regal forgot he was a 2.  Fridays are hard.  When we finally got the teams even, both teams hold BTTW and one at a time run to other wall and get up BTTW then call for next teammate. First team to have everyone BTTW on the other side wins.  Team 2 won both.  Probably because Regal was on team 2.

Mosey to parking lot where we lined everyone up at the end of the lot. It was game time. Good ole Rock Paper Scissors. Everyone against the Q. If you beat the Q, you had to bear crawl forward approx. 10 yards.  If you tie the Q, 1 burpee.  If you lost to the Q, 1 kraken burpee.  In perfect statistical form, about a third beat the Q.  Next, round two, where the winners bear crawled another 10 yards, the ties did 2 burpees, and the losers did 2 kraken burpees. This went on for a total of 6 rounds and I’m fairly certain I saw 1 or 2 PAX who lost them all.  More ouch…. Regal won

Mosey to grassy hill to finish off the arms with 2 rounds of clock merkins on the hill, mosey back to COT where we met up with the ruckers. With 2 minutes left, busted out the JBL for some linkin park workout. Let the Bodies Hit the Floor (LTBHTF).  On the lyrics “1, 2, 3, 4” we did a merkin. On a “LTBHTF” it was a donkey kick.  Hold plank in between.  Made it just under halfway though the song for a 6am COT.

Thanks for the opportunity to lead Cha Ching!

~Lutefisk

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Iron PAX Challenge – Week 3

9 men showed up for the third week of the Iron PAX Challenge including an FNG who had recently moved from Arizona.  We were very kind and tired after the challenge, thus giving him the name “Wildcat.  I explained how this morning’s workout would not be your typical workout.  He was willing to give it a try.

After the disclaimer, I provided a rundown of the events for the morning (see below).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went around the circle for 5 minutes of warm-up exercises, then we began the 30 minute challenge.  Like last week, it was very difficult, especially the hand release merkins.  Here are the results for the group:

F3 Name                                                  Reps

Lutefisk                                                      492

Mr. Clean                                                   315

Straight Up                                               499

Cha Ching                                                 524

Mile High                                                   342

Wildcat (FNG)                                           255

Soprano                                                     330

Fishsticks                                                   495

Bolt                                                              HIM

 

Everyone did a great job again this week.  Cha Ching and Straight Up set the pace for the group. Lutefisk, Mr Clean, and Wildcat had impressive showings for their first challenge.

Prayers:

Lukefisk and his mother

Cha Ching and his M

Others unspoken

 

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Inappropriateness got heavy at the swamp

8 Men must have not read the Twitter insult by ChaChing and posted to The Swamp for the inappropriatness that is YHC.
Pulled into launch at 5:15 and started immediately into a detailed disclaimer before challenging the PAX to get uncomfortable. The goal was simple: get uncomfortable in order to get better. Ask the PAX to move random heavy things from starting location to other side of AO. Sounded simple enough on paper, mumble chatter confirmed it was much harder than originally planned. Had to make a pitstop half way to get in a quick “Circle of Hump” and two rounds of “Circle of Merkins”. Once in front of Michaels PAX dropped coupons and attention for focused on wonderful list of exercises written in parking spots:
One person per spot with 6in plank hold member being the timer. Exercises were:
– 45 degree lunges
– dot drill
– curls with a coupon of choice
– overhead shoulder press
– spider merkins
– jump squats
– shuttle run
– 6 in plank hold
– burpees
– Mike Tysons

Made it through one round of exercises before calling a coupon less jailbreak back to COT for some cha-cha merkins to keep the serratus shredded.
Count-A-Rama
Name-A-Rama
Announcements and prayers

NMM: Not gonna lie coupons got heavy quicker than expected and at one point was questioning if all PAX were going to make it, YHC included. Greatfull for the motivation and harassment from the PAX to push it and encourage each other to embrace the shared suffering. I’m always trying different things in an effort to challenge everyone to get outside their physical and mental comfort zone BC I feel that’s where true growth occurs. It would be much easier for YHC and probably the PAX to roll through a typical bootcamp beatdown but I enjoy switching things up and hope the PAX doesn’t mind. Thanks again ChaChing for the opportunity.

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CSPAN Send off Convergence

141 Men came to show the Respectable**CSPAN** some Respect!!

He leaves The Fort and heads north or as Dredd refers to Yankee land. Not gone forever but just up the road 600 miles to start a new chapter in life and in F3 as he will launch F3Philly.

I am not the most eloquent with my back-blasts and I am usually to the point with posting the workout, add some words and being done, however since I can’t get Italian Job to write this up and Double D challenged the PAX to think of one word to represent CSAPN, I think that is the best way to document this convergence.

Thank you CSPAN for being all of these things and more to you r brothers in the PAX. As posted on Twitter and many of these were repeated multiple times:

brother
camaraderie
commitment
confidence
connected
consistent
courageous
dedicated
empathetic
example
genuine
handsome
HIM
honorable
humble
humility
impact
influence
influencer
insightful
inspiration
integrity
investor
legend
magnanimous
model
respect
selfless
servant
shepherd
solid
squaredaway
steadfast
steady
wise

The Workout looked like this:

WWL at the Q:

  • Mosey around the lot
  • Line up; karaoke, side shuffle, high knees, butt kickers, toy solders, lungewalk, power skips
  • COP
    • SSH, squat, merkin, moroccan night club, 10 Flying squirrels
Double D at the Q:
  • Run to practice field
  • Plank sequence
  • Split into 2 groups on each sideline
  • Sprint to center and back to sideline
  • Monkey humpers x25
  • Rinse + repeat with Merkins x 25
  • CDDs x25
  • Burpees x25
Longshanks at the Q:
  • Burpees
  • Lunges
  • Inch worm Merkins
  • Maktar Ndiayes
  • Plank Jacks
  • Squats.

Dredd at the Q:

  • Prayer for CSPAN
  • Merkin/Ab Lab series
  • Truth Nuggets and Leadership development with Major Payne, Wegmans, & Drop Thrill
  • Mosey to hill behind Bob Jones Stadium
  • Prayer for CSPAN heading to F3Philly…..”CSPAN Coming”
  • More Merkin/Ab lab series

COT:

141 Count, Name O’rama, 2 FNGs (Bikini & Manzel), Skinny Jeans pray out over CSPAN and his IMPACT on men and for Sky Q’s kingdom.

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Stairway to Burpees

11 Pax came out to Quagmire. YHC managed to catch the prerun on their second lap after setting up some cones.

There was a full disclaimer given and we mosied in front of BB down to HD.
COP
Imperial walkers x 20
MNC x 20
Squats x 20
Peters Parkers x 20
Hill Billy walkers x 20
The thang
An oldie but a goodie.  YHC had 12 cones set up, and pax picked ast cone did the exercise listed and then ran a lap around the parking lot, including the stairs, and on to the next station.  Every stair climb a burpee was added at the top landing.
Cones: Merkins x 20, CCD x 20, jump squats x 30, LBCs x 30, OHP w/CB x 20, curls w/ CB x 25, Bent over rows x 20, Freddy Mercuries x 30, calf raises x 30, lunges x 30, Peter Parker’s x 30, crab cakes x 30… And another I can’t remember.
Managed to get back to COT in time with the CBs.
Thanks Jedi for the opportunity to lead.
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Iron PAX Challenge – Week 2

This morning workout was the week 2 of the Iron PAX Challenge.  In addition, the RYAOA (Run your ass off August) crew was geared up for a run day.  The PAX was equally split, 10 for the challenge, 10 for the run.

Straight-up took the lead again with a warm-up stretch routine focusing on the muscle groups that we were going to be testing later in the workout.  After briefing the group on the routine, we began the challenge:

  1.  Thrusters
  2.  Curls
  3. KB Swings
  4. Man Makers
  • 8 minutes of each exercise
  • After every 25 reps run 25 yards out and back
  • 2 minute rest between each exercise

Here are the results for week 2:

  Number of Reps  
F3 Name Thrusters Curls KB Swings Man Makers Total
Straight up 166 243 137 45 591
Cha-Ching 172 247 200 58 677
Sugar Daddy 163 103 119 31 416
Bodywash 140 175 135 50 500
Maximus 170 215 207 56 648
Quack Attack 150 198 187 25 560
Mile High 125 175 142 30 472
On The Rocks 120 150 95 50 415
Soprano 110 135 90 32 367
Fishsticks 150 174 135 49 508

 

Great push and encouragement by both groups!  I know I am going to have difficulty raising my arms above my shoulders today.

 

Announcements:

Rooney Roast – This Friday

CSPAN Convergence – This Saturday

Straight Up workout – Sept 15th WEP

F3 – The Fort  Anniversary, Sept 21st

Let Me Run Fundraiser – 1,000 burpees in September

 

Prayers/Praises:

Relationships with 2.0s

Quality time with Parents

Teachers, Parents, and 2.0s going back to school

 

 

 

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