Mini-training day

(For the record since it’s been a while since I’ve posted a backblast, I actually wrote this the morning after the workout and sadly it took me another fully week and then a couple days to copy and paste it…at least I’m making some kind of backblast progress…)

Aren’t all days in a sense training days?

Today, 9 men gathered, 3 had miles on their minds so split off for laughs and miles but could have just been laughs and coffee as YHC wasn’t there to witness.  Regardless, 6 men set off for the unknown.  Before any setting off happened, we had ourselves a little warm-up.

Slick: 20 SSH, 10 man makers, 25 SSH, 5 man makers

With heart rates higher than 5 minutes ago, we rucked up, gathered our 3 sand bags, and headed towards the church parking lot.  Wait…we first had Mainframe and Maximus do a quick demo on how to transfer a sand bag the proper way since a majority of the crew is headed to GrowRuck Grandstrand next week.  Demo concluded and we trekked off.  At the arrival of the church, we did 2 group sand bag handoffs, somewhat successful, and started on the first pain station.

While 1 guy ran / shuffled, with ruck, around the church parking lot circle and acted as our timer, the remaining 5 did the following exercises:

  • Plank hold
  • Flutter
  • Merkins
  • Squats
  • Overhead ruck press
  • Upward row with ruck

Next, we got in a ball of man of sorts, but YHC asked the guys to close their eyes and “mix around” while all the time keeping our eyes closed.  The goal of this exercise was to play with our minds and remove our site so communication became key since vision was impaired.  During an event, it’s going to be dark and disorienting and a guy, or guys, will need to find their voice BUT, also be ready to listen.

  • Objective 1: organize ourselves by height from tallest to shortest in a single file line
  • Objective 2: organize ourselves by age (days matter) in a single file line

Objective 1 – fail by ¼-1/2 inch.  Tinsel is working out too much and has stunted his growth.  10 burpee penalty

Objective 2 – pass

In summary, communication is key, but details matter.  How much is too much communication?  Depends on the situation and if penalties are involved.

Loaded up and moved to the fire station with sand bag transfer happening and Ruck event war stories filling the early morning air!

Arrived at fire house and unloaded gear.  Next up was “jacob’s ladder” modified version.  1 end was burpees and other end was squat presses with ruck (so this was done slick).  Counting was starting at 7 for both exercises and working our way down to 1.  Finished this by 0555 with not a lot of time (underestimated distance to COT) to get back.  We did see the space shuttle walking back which filled more questions about alien invasions and why is that plane’s lights facing the wrong way, etc.

Made it back to COT where we did the normal….aside from ball of man which we may have done for those that were ok to participate.  I will tell you that it felt pretty awesome.

Thanks to Tinsel for the opportunity!

Shady

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Ring Around the Rosey

10 pax showed up at The Armory this amazing Monday morning to start the week off right. I am certainly happy that I was finally able to come out and enjoy the gloom with my brothers for the first time since January due to my knee issues and subsequent surgery. It was a very sweet homecoming!

A certain HIM wasn’t able to join us this morning, due to marathon training, so we took turns around the circle, with each of us leading an exercise with the kettle bell.

I believe we made it around the circle about three and a half times, so we did a bunch of reps of about 36 or 37 different exercises. YHC took a pass on a couple laps, and manmakers, but it was definitely an enjoyable workout with plenty of 2nd F taking place as well.

Thanks to everyone that came out this morning, I’d ask everyone to invite one person they haven’t seen in a while, or who has never been out to come join the brotherhood at The Armory. We’re focusing more on the weights, not on the miles, so guys like me with lower body injuries can still come participate and get a good workout.

Remember that it doesn’t have to be complicated, simple is many times more enjoyable for everyone! (I may be biased as it was my first morning back…)

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Blessings

YHC was honored to be granted the Q Spot for Slow Burn on the mildest morning of the week.  The rising temperatures likely led to increased turnouts throughout the week so as YHC sidewalk chalked the finishing touches on the workout and pulled up to COT, it was great to see a big number of HIMs gathered to start of the morning.

All PAX were disclaimed and assured that YHC was absolutely not a professional.  Risk was assumed by all present and off we moseyed to the warm-up:

COP consisted of the following exercises in varying quantities:  Windmills (Trucker-approved), Imperial Walkers, Hillbilly Walkers, Side Straddle Hops, PAX remained in the plank position for the following: Merkins, Down dog, Up dog, Mountain Climbers, Peter Parkers, Shoulder taps, a 6-inch hold for a notably slow 10-count given by Trucker and the warm up was complete.  PAX moseyed to the Hampton Inn entrance were partner Dora was to commence:

50-100-150 – Merkins, LBC’s & Flutters

16 PAX made for even splits into groups of 4, which fit nicely with the 4 corner stations that were about to commence.  PAX counted off and miraculously all remembered their numbers as we moseyed to 4-corner land for 10-20-30’s.  Mode of transportation between stations varied and some PAX were displeased and modified.

PAX completed roughly 6 stations in total , did all exercises together in their assigned groups and rotated in clockwise fashion.

Station 1 – 10 bombjacks, 20 diamond merkins, 30 flutters and crawl bear to station 2

Station 2 – 10 burpees, 20 merkins, 30 Rosalitas and lunge walk to station 3

Station 3 – 10 bombjacks, 20 shoulder taps, 30 boxcutters and bear crawl to station 4

Station 4 – 10 burpees, 20 werkins, 30 Hello Dollys and NUR to station 1

YHC called time at 0556 and PAX moseyed to the Empire Pizza wall.  People’s Chair was held and each PAX spoke of a blessing for which they were thankful.  There were many.   After all sounded off we moseyed to COT for announcements, prayers and praises.

Announcements –

T-Claps to Curious George for taking the Q reins on Fort Mill Care Center and to Assassin for his leadership in this effort.  Sign up genius to post soon.

April 13 – Pancake breakfast celebrating 1-year anniversary of the Bubble.  T-Claps to Twister for spearheading this 2nd F event.

Prayers were offered for the schools beginning back full time Monday.  Praises to all the teachers, administrators and those who were part of this effort.

NMM – Blessings come in all forms.  As we slowly lift from the depths of this pandemic, YHC has found the simplicity of an ordinary day to be one of the greatest blessings there is.  Having the ability to get up, exercise and improve in all facets of our lives is something we all must embrace.  The effect that has on others around us is often greater than the effect on ourselves.

Thanks to Twister for the opportunity to lead.

With Gratitude,

Cyclops

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The Bubble’

We ran around and did some bodyweight exercises.

May have stopped at every American Flag for a burpee at one point. Also Bear Crawled a long way across limited greenspace. Made it to the urgent care and back.

There may have been a set of 7s with burpees and bomb jacks. Also a possible pistol squat somewhere in there.

NMM:

Beowulf is still awesome. Grendel’s mom is the issue. Grendel is the symptom. Solve what gave birth to the symptoms in your life.


Band Camp dismissed

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The Bubble Meets Cindy

Today, after the pre-ruck, 11 Pax, five of whom did the “double,”  Met Cindy for a bit of a beat down.  Congrats to those that doubled down!!

The thang:

Pretty simple, the Pax meandered around Baxter Village un and down stairs stopping here and there for 1) 20 or 10 curls, 2) 20 or 10 prone presses, 3) 20 or 10 squats and 4) 20 or 10 rows, each arm.  The Pax completed four rounds with a lot of walking with their Cindy or ruck.

Moleskin – we all have burdens, but with the help of others and faith in the Sky Q our burdens will be lessened.

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New Fellowship Ruck AO Official Starts 9/10 at 5 am

The fellowship ruck Sole to Soul that we have been doing unofficially for about 3 months has been gaining momentum so we have official start  date of 9/10 at 5 am. We shoot for  4 plus miles every Thursday starting at Panera Bread in Kingsley followed by Hanging with Stang afterwards. What better way could you start your day with a awesome mumblechatter while rucking and a great conversation afterwards with a great sunrise. Join YHC as we launch this AO. I look forward to seeing you in the Gloom.

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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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Covid Vaccine for the Soul Coming in September… Join In

Has Covid frozen your faith Journey as Churches have closed their doors?  Or maybe Covid has you asking bigger question of God and you would like to be in a community of Men to discover the answers.  Are you interested in growing in your faith walk? Discovering a path toward an Intimate, Abiding relationship with Christ through a small group study.

Maybe you have been in the church for your entire life, the last 10 years or you are just now opening your mind to this idea of a higher power… a “Sky Q”.  Regardless of where you are in your faith walk we all have room to grow and mature in our relationship with Christ.

We are all on a faith journey and some of us are more or less equipped to take our faith deeper.  If you have a gap in any of these areas then I have a challenge for you.

  1. Do you feel that you have created a solid foundation of knowing who God is and his desire to be a part of your life?
  2. Are you in a group that is consistently seeking to grow in a relationship with God?
  3. Do you feel that you have an adequate tool kit to help you grow deeper in your faith?

In September, we will be launching into a Journey to build from the ground up a knowledge of who God is and to start to learn how to have an intimate, abiding relationship with him.  Please reach out to any of the Journey alumni to learn more and to get connected.

Aye!

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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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Webbs on Webbs on Webbs

It felt so good to see my brothers on the west side. It has literally been too long. YHC was all smiles as the cars rolled up this morning.

Lately YHC has been reading a book titled The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, so I wanted to incorporate a little bit of that book into this workout. Would definitely recommend the book for a perspective shift on our pace of life. One way that I’ve seen a slower and more methodical application in work outs is the Jack Webb. So YHC had some fun creating terrible combinations of workouts based on experience and what other HIM have inflicted upon yours truly.

0500 hit and the disclaimer was disclaimed. The Ruckers went one way, and the boot campers went another.

Short mosey to COP location at an unhurried pace.

COP
Burpee SSH Webb
1:5, 2:10, 3:15, 4:20, 5:0
Short Yoga Flow

Mosey to new spot at an unhurried pace

Bear Jack Webbs
1:2 ratio
Bear Crawl 1 Spot, 2 Bomb Jacks
Bear Crawl 2 Spots, 4 Bomb Jacks
To 10:20

Mosey to new spot at an unhurried pace

OG Jack Webbs
Merkins:OH Claps 1:4 – 10:40

Mosey to shovel flag at an unhurried pace

Ass Webbs
Squats:Al Gore Pulses 1:4 – 10:40

Ab Ripper X
25 of Each
In & Outs
Bicycles (Forward)
Bicycles (Backward)
Crunchy Frog
Fifer Scissors
Heels to the Heavens
10 x 4-Count American Hammers

YHC was happy to lead. The men brought it this morning.

COT

Announcements
Conversation at the Kingsley Amphitheater at 0700 tomorrow on racial injustice.
Olaf on Q at The Fort tomorrow
Royale on Q at Camp Thunderbird tomorrow
July 11 Convergence – JOC (May change to WEP)
Hog and Coyote Next Weekend
Bear/Dory – Beary 6K Thursday July 9 at 1900 – contact Cake Boss for more details

Prayers/Praises
Pray for Cash and his battle. Reach out to Cake Boss, Chicken Hawk, or Spud to know more specifics.
Prayers for Olaf’s mother and step father – struggling through separation due to addiction.
Prayers for YHC and M/2.3 – recently had a tongue tie cut and still working through latch

Via COT a conversation came up about the impact of pornography on each of us as men – and the detriment that it can bring to our lives. Check out The Freedom Fight if you’re having any sort of temptation or addiction to porn.

Link here.

YHC just started the 30 day challenge and would be happy to be your accountability partner. Reach out to me on Slack.

Punch List out.

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