Iron PAX Challenge – Week 1

First week of the Iron PAX Challenge.  Bolt and I arrived early to carefully measure out the 400 meter run and scope out the best place to perform the other exercises.    As the others arrived, we reviewed the menu of events for the morning.  Lots of mumble chatter about Dark Helmet making an appearance, maybe he was busy styling his hair.

Straight Up led the warm-up session with some much needed stretching.  Bolt read the description for each exercise, emphasizing the need for proper form over speed.  Once complete, we were on to the challenge:

  • 50 Air Squats
  • 40 Big Boy Sit Ups
  • 30 Merkins
  • 20 Bonnie Blairs (each leg)
  • 10 Burpees
  • 400 M run
  • Repeat 4 times

Great effort and encouragement by all.

Here are the times for the HIMs:

Straight-up  29:45

CSPAN  33:45

Trucker  33:35

Bolt  33:14

Dirty Harry  35:50  (Impressive, second workout this week!)

Gypsy  31:03 (First time visitor to Pantheon)

Half Shell  35:00

Fishsticks  27:46

 

Prayers:

2.0s, Parents, and Teachers preparing to go back to school

New employment opportunities

2.0s dealing with disappointments

 

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Opening Presence at the Coop

It was a special morning the Coop this morning because the rain moved out and left a nice humid sometimes breezy morning in the gloom.  15 men joined us this morning and Shinguard started out with the mosey, warm up and Jacobs Ladder

The Message:

Moving from Impact to Presence really isn’t that different because the two ideas are only a couple degrees of separation from one another. This morning we talked about being present with God, with yourself and with your family.  Understanding that we can only experience God in the present, we have to be aware of where our mind is and be present with ourselves and finally be present with our families and understand their needs and serve them where they are not where we want them to be.

The THANG!

Shinguard moseyed us out of the disclaimer toward the band parking lot with some butt kickers, high knees and karaoke along the way.

Circle up in the parking lot for some COP with the following:

  • SSH x 30, Merkins x20, Squats x20, Moroccan Night Clubs x30, Peter Parkers x10, Parker Peters x 12

Mosey to the lower parking lot for Jacobs Ladder between the two light posts.

  • 7 Burpees at the bottom and 1 squat at the top (working down to one and up to 7 with each lap)

Then Chicken Hawk took the reins and took us back to the band parking lot for some sprints.

  • 10, 20, 30 yard suicides
  • 30, 20, 10 yard suicides
  • 100 yard 50%; 100 yard 100%
  • Bear Crawl 5 – 1 CCD, 5 more 2CCD, etc up to 50 yards and 10 CCD

Mosey to Bermuda Triangle in front of the school

  • Round 1: 20 Merkin, 20 Squat, 20 LBC with Bear Crawls in between
  • Round 2: 20 Wide Arm Merkins, 20 Jump Squats, 20 High Low Flutter
  • Round 3: 20 diamond merkins, 20 Jumping Lunges, 20 Ski Jumps

Short Mosey to the wall

  • Wall Sit while 2×2 plate push down parking lot and back
  • Balls to the wall
  • Finish with Ab Lab.

It was a special morning and I can’t express enough gratitude with being able to post with by 2.0 and lead side by side with him.  Thank you of the Pax that are accepting and encouraging to Shinguard.  This summer is having an impact in my and his life.  Aye!

CH

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Light Pole Work

For what looked to be a rainy morning the night before, I was pleased to see we would have a dry morning, except for the sweat from the less than moderate work I had planned.  Ballroom is a great AO and is also moderate.  The workout allowed everyone the opportunity to push themselves.  As cars rolled in a great group of 25 PAX assembled and the mumble-chatter started immediately.  After a short disclaimer we moseyed around the parking lot and stopped at the far side for warm-up

  • SSH
  • Windmill
  • Imperial Walker
  • Low Slow Squat
  • Merkin
  • Mountain Climber
  • MNC – correct arm movement

Mosey to the entrance road for the light pole work to begin.  Begin at 1st light pole with exercise, run to the 2nd and complete exercise.  Come back to 1st and complete exercise and go to 2nd then 3rd and then back to 1st.  Continue this until complete all 5 light poles. (Mumble-chatter had dropped to a low level), catching your breath was more important.  Light poles were spaced out along front entrance and every other pole had designated exercise.  Exercises:

  1. 10 Merkins
  2. 15 CDD
  3. 20 Dips
  4. 25 Monkey Humpers
  5. 30 Squats

Once completed and six was in we moseyed to the grass/mud hill on the side of the school.  Set out for a series of 12’s.  Bottom of hill dips and the top of the hill squats. 1 at bottom & 11 at top of hill – 2/10, 3/9…..

Moseyed back to front parking lot for a little Mary.  Opportunity for some of the Pax that had not Q’d before to lead an exercise of Mary.  Good job Arrowhead, Dungaree and Wide Right.

Moleskin:

We have almost completed 60 days of focus on impact.  I shared with the group that as I have thought about impact in my life, I have thought about the people in my life that have impacted me.  Most of the time they probably didn’t know the impact they made but more importantly their impact was made by how they lived their life.  As I shared that in our family, work, social and community, it may not be the words we speak but the daily actions we live that can impact someone.  I also shared Dabo’s response he had at the ACC media day, when asked about his faith.  “If there is hope in the future, there is power in the present”.  Take 3 minutes and watch the video of his response.  We are all blessed and have different opportunities in the present.  Let your actions speak loudly!!

Thanks Short Sale for the opportunity to Q.

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Core Impact

It was a really nice morning at The Ballroom!  The weather was perfect, the PAX were feisty, and the workout was tough (at least I think so).

We started out with a quick disclaimer (no FNG’s) and then we moseyed around the front of the school to the parking lot on the other side.

Warmup consisted of the following, all in cadence:

  • Side Straddle Hop – 25
  • Low Slow Squats – 10
  • Windmill – 10
  • Moroccan Nightclubs – 25
  • Cherry Pickers – 10

The Thang…I started out explaining that most everything will be in cadence, and to encourage participation by the PAX I asked that we take turns counting off cadence.  Let the core workout begin:

  • LBC’s in cadence – 15
  • Flutter Kicks in cadence – 25 (that is a LOT)
  • Hello Dolly in cadence – 15
  • LBC’s in cadence – 15
  • Flutter Kicks in cadence – 15
  • Hello Dolly in cadence – 15

A quick talk about IMPACT was had.  We can make positive, or negative impacts daily.  How will we choose to use the opportunities for impact?

Mosey around to the back of the school

Got some insight into CSPAN, how he got his name and what F3 has meant to him!

  • Hello Dolly in cadence – 15
  • Freddy Mercury in cadence – 25
  • Big Boy Sit-Ups, single count – 10
  • American Hammer in cadence – 15

Break for People’s Chair for a 10 count from each of the 18 PAX in attendance

  • Merkins in cadence – 10
  • Diamond Merkins in cadence – 10
  • Hello Dolly in cadence – 15
  • Freddy Mercury in cadence – 25
  • Big Boy Sit-Ups, single count – 10
  • American Hammer in cadence – 15

Mosey back towards COT

  • LBC’s in cadence – 15
  • Flutter Kicks in cadence – 20
  • Hello Dolly in cadence – 15
  • Freddy Mercury in cadence – 25
  • Big Boy Sit-Ups, single count – 10
  • American Hammer in cadence – 15

We then spent a few minutes doing some much needed (and appreciated, especially by our very own respectable CSPAN) Broga

And closed out with announcements, prayer requests, and encouraging the PAX to attend the 3rd F at Crossroads after!

As usual, it was an honor to lead.  Thanks Short Sale for the opportunity!

Smithers – Out

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Board of Pain Week 2

Whoaaa Nelly!  Humidity up and so was the PAX count.  Added 9 men from last week for a total of 19.  Several first timers- Norm, Manifold, Sugar Daddy, JWOWW.  The Sale Boys were valiant.  My understanding is they blacked out.  Week 2 in the books and most returners improved.  Dang Sir Topham Hat comes in from the Bullpen to capture 1/2 of this weeks Virtual trophy.  No shock there.  As always #sneakyfast Fishsticks is up at the front.  See below and see you next week

The Thang:
Finish each exercise before moving on to the next. In between, complete a recovery run. Normally, distance is 1/4 mile. today was shorter but will adjust next week. Each week PAX (and returning PAX) work to better their accomplishments down the board.
F3 June week 2
The Challenge:
 Burpees – 100
 Calf Raises – 150 (50 regular, 50 toes pointed in, 50 toes pointed out)
 Ski Abs – 100
 Merkins – 100 Sunshine (C)
 Deep Squats – 100
 LBCs – 200 Norm(116), Funhouse(75), Offspring (10),
 Carolina Dry Docks – 100 Gridlock (C)
 Russian Twists – 100 Cyclops (C), JWoww (C), CSPAN(C),Shady (C), Dark Helmet (70), Lil E (45), Manifold(25)
Mac Tar Jai– Sugar Daddy (38), Trucker (15), 100 Brick (10), Harry Carry (5)
 Jump Squats – 100 Jekyll (27)
 Mountain Climbers – 100 Fishsticks (C), Sir Topham Hat (C), Bonsai (1)
 Shoulder Raises – 200
 Mary Catherines – 100
 Hello Dolly – 200
 Wide Arm Merkins – 100
 Squat Jacks – 100
 Nippler– 100
 Burpees – 100

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Lots of balls at the Swamp!

Short notice Q for the swamp bootcamp this morning could very well be my last before I move to Everett Washington. A lot of Ruckers, only 5 of us for the boot camp.

Thang:

COP

mosy to target balls for the main event:

one armed merkin each arm and a regular merkin at each ball, running between each

15 squats and bear crawl to each ball

5 burpees and lunge to each ball

10 monkey humpers and crabwalk to each ball

last thing we did I beleive is a variation of belching, sprint to each ball and drop to 6 inches, sprint forward and repeat when Q says go. That one actually was pretty intense.

Kept things simple but painful.

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Beyond My Comfort Zone

14 PAX joined YHC on this day to push themselves Beyond their comfort zones.

When I was offered the opportunity to Q, I’ll admit, I hesitated for a moment. I had a busy week ahead and wasn’t sure I was up for the challenge of delivering a message during the beatdown. Then I remembered, never pass up an opportunity to Q! They don’t come too often.

Standard Disclaimer, Disclaimed

Disclaimer to my message – I felt it necessary to preface my message and inform that I’m not an overly righteous person. I come before the PAX with a heart of humility. I come before the PAX not with an attitude of confrontation, but rather with a heart for caring.

The Thang: 

Mosey around the parking lot. Karaoke left/right, mosey, high knees, ankles to chest, mosey. Ended up down the hill past the pull-up bars and circled up.

COP –

50 SSH

20 Windmills

20 Merkins

20 Peter Parkers, Honey Mooner, Downward Dog

20 Parker Peters, Honey Mooner, Downward Dog

Message: Going into the planning process for the Q, I thought I would discuss with the PAX what was going on in my life, mainly where my faith has led me to this point. I’ve been thinking a lot about my relationship with Christ Jesus because I’m 6 months into a 9 month Journey (Offically called: The Journey) with at least a dozen other PAX in which we’re learning to abide in Christ through scripture, journaling and weekly meetings. It’s an intense program that has really started to transform my level of faith for the better. I could talk more about this process (and certainly that would have been okay!), but I also knew that was well within my comfort zone. I wanted to go Beyond my comfort zone and challenge the PAX to do the same.

I decided, rather, to share how my faith walk as help me to overcome obstacles in my life.

Beatdown: 

Run to Pull Up Bars –

3 Sets:  Partner 1: 8 strict pull ups / Partner 2: SSH

Plank until 6 is finished

Bear Crawl from the pull up bars down to the first speed pump (~50 yards)

Message: James 5: 15-16

15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

I admitted to the PAX I lost sleep when I decided to go beyond my comfort zone with this message. I was anxious and uncertain about my decision. But I also knew by confessing to my Brothers, I could continue the healing process. I then shared with the PAX that I’ve struggled with porn. I was clear in sharing I didn’t put this out there lightly, without a lot of thought or consideration. These PAX I know and respect.

Why put this out there and risk losing that mutual respect? See above – James 5: 15-16.

Stats on Pornography:

$97 Billion Dollar industry

35% of all downloads are porn related

25% of all internet searches are porn related

70% of men ages 18-34 visit porn sites monthly

YHC then asked the PAX: Have you seen the affects of porn on the world? In your community? In your family?

Beatdown: 

Run to The Wall –

BTTW – 40 seconds

35 Donkey Kicks

24 Merkins in cadence

10 burpees

Message: Galatians 6:1

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

I felt it was a sign from the Lord when the  Sunday before my Q, my Pastor spent 40 minutes talking about accountability. During his sermon on accountability, I couldn’t stop thinking about the PAX.  F3 is a unique organization that a lot of good comes from. We’re a band of Brothers who desires to lock shields anytime necessary. The problem of pornography can be overcome. It’s much more likely to be overcome if you’re being held accountable. To quote my Pastor, “sanctification requires community”. Again, what an opportunity the PAX provide through this community which is F3! (#WhetStone)

Beatdown: 

Mosey to the Band Practice Field:

Sprint 40 yards, mosey 60 yards (3X).

Bear Crawl 20 yards, 20 SSH

Walk 20 yards, 20 Bomb Jacks

Bear Crawl 20 yards, 10 Burpees

Walk 20 yards, 20 Squats

Bear Crawl 20 yards, 10 Burpees

Rinse, Repeat. Modified with doing half the number of reps.  Also, we didn’t do the 40 yard sprints.

Message: Philippians 4:13

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

This habit, this drug, this problem, can be overcome. To quote my Pastor, again, “our ultimate accountability is to God”.

I wasn’t able to get beyond my problem of porn until I got serious about my relationship with the Lord.

My final question to the PAX that morning in the gloom: What is your relationship like with the Lord?

Beatdown: 

Sprint 100 yards, mosey to COT.

COT –

Name-O-Rama

Announcements

Prayers/Praises

NMM:

It’s an honor to be among the PAX. The process of preparing the message (and beatdown!) was an exhausting one for YHC.  The process also sharpened me in ways I wasn’t expecting. To revisit some bad habits of my past has really helped me to realize how far I’ve come in this life and in my faith. I thank you all for the support.

It’s was an honor to Q.

Maximus – thank you for the opportunity.

#CoopStrong

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Block Party/Colosseum Colombia Team Send off!

28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matt 20:28

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

61 PAX and YHC came to Block Party this day to show support to those that have felt a call to serve. As we are commanded to serve locally, nationally and globally this group of men are going global to get uncomfortable and grow closer to SkyQ. The support, prayers and encouragement from our brothers in the PAX is overwhelming and powerful. Anyone that has not realized it yet, F3 is more than a workout!

The Thang:

  • Ruckers when their separate way with Cobra Kai at the helm
  • Runners went looking for golf balls at FMGC with Pusher at the point
  • The rest of us followed YHC for a boot-camp with 40 or so of our brothers
    • Mosey down path, across the field out towards 160 for COP
      • All exercises were to 11 count for the 11 heading to Colombia
      • Plank
      • SSHs
      • Squat
      • Merkins
      • MOracan Night Clubs
      • Sumo Squat
      • Wide Arm Merkins
      • LBCs
      • Peter Parkers
      • Rosalitas
      • Imperial Walkers
    • Mosey to playground
      • Ladder work
      • Do exercise with designated reps, take a lap, add next exercise, take a lap…..
      • # of REPS Exercise COLOMBIA PAX MEMBER TOTAL REPS
        1 Merkin Bonsai 11
        2 LBC Bubba 20
        3 Squat Cake Boss 27
        Here from PAX on their WHY
        4 Burpee Crawdaddy 32
        5 Inch Worm Merkins Elvis 35
        6 Sumo Squat Fire Marshal Bill 36
        Here from PAX on their WHY
        7 Bombjacks Flat Tire 35
        8 Overhead Clap Italian Job 32
        9 Leg Raises Mr Bill 27
        Here from PAX on their WHY
        10 Lunge Hops Sir Topham Hat 20
        11 Donkey Kicks Trucker 11
    • Right up against time we finished
  • COT
    • We had 3 FNGs, Love Handles, Arrowhead and Homer
    • CSPAN prayed us out  an prayed over the whole team

YHC can thank you all for being a stable rock in my life. I can’t say enough about what F3 and each of my Brothers means to me and how it has changed my life. More importantly it has allowed me to reach men for SkyQ’s kingdom and that is the best achievement ever.

Peace Men

Cake Boss out!

 

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Crazy 8s – It can be that bad, right?

31 Pax descended upon Slow Burn for an epic adventure. A #noderate workout plus high humidity had been promised and both were granted on this day.

Personally, YHC loves what the Pax have done in creating moderate workouts across the Fort. As a result of their efforts, we have welcomed many great men who have contributed across all 3 Fs within our region. The success stories are limitless and we are proud of their efforts.

YHC felt a significant responsibility as Q of Slow Burn to lead a workout that would not be defined as moderate but would allow for modification and picking up the 6.  These are the consistent themes from the Q101 document that CSPAN put together some 5+ years ago. Several #truths weigh heavily within this document which are simplicity and scalability. Simplicity as Q is defined as keeping it familiar, less complex and don’t be shy about stealing from others (Jekyll in this case) or backblasts. Scalability as Q is defined as – a scalable workout is one that is tough for the strongest of Pax, while at the same time not over-smoking the back of the pack. All workouts are no drop; without exception. Under no circumstance should we ever leave a Pax alone.

In keeping with these two principles, YHC was to Q a workout that was both simplistic and scalable while ensuring that the Larry Birds got all they could handle.

The Thang

Mosey around Empire Pizza building (the smell was horrible) and back to Empire lot

FYI CSPAN attempted to scare a cat during this sequence…not a good idea!

COP

Windmills

Merkins

SSH

Squats

Mtn Climbers

Mosey to Lowes parking lot – Q dropped the Weinke but Rebel had my back. Thanks!

Crazy 8s – Eight exercises done during each circuit

Burpees

Derkins

Dips

Squat Jacks

Bombjacks

CDD

Lunges

Plank Jacks

Circuit was done with 1 rep (This can’t be that bad, right?!? for each exercise followed by a mosey in a figure 8 pattern around Lowes and Empire lots

Add one rep to each circuit during each of the 8 stops

Mosey back to Lowes for Mary

LBCs

Big Boys

Gravedigger L and R

Hello Dolly

Superman x 3 (Cant ever remember all of the Sale brothers nicknames!)

Mosey Home

Moleskin

After the 6th round of the circuit, YHC noticed that the Pax were beginning to tire. In an effort to leverage #pride, each man was asked to grab a partner for the exercises to ensure completion. You never want to let a partner down!

Prayers to BTB, praise to Frat Boy, prayers to Maximus on his vacation travels

Sweatie is 7/14 at 6 AM at Footloose – Does anyone really know the details? Thats a true CSAUP!

Thanks to Smithers for his leadership of Slow Burn

Pusher wuz here 7/8/18

 

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Beyond- Freedom has never been easy.

Always an Honor to Q. To be able to push men Beyond their comfort zone. To teach and be tought.  America has given me freedoms that most of the world can not even fathom. Freedom has been given to us all by the selfless acts of men and women willing to give themselves up so that we can live like other country.

We started with a disclaimer. Let all know who I was and checked to see if we had any FNGs. None present so made amentsl mental note to self that I need to work harder on bringingthis gift to other men in my reach. We took off with slow mosey that led into some dynamic movements Stopped for Pledge of Allegiance and then circled up. We warmed up to the acronym FREEDOM (Flutter kicks, Rosalita, empty wheelbarrow, Everests, donkey kicks, outlaws, and Mtn. Climbers) we than did 17 Merkins in cadence followed by 76 SSHs in cadence.
We moseydto drop off in front of school did the next 5 exercises followed by sprint Squat jumps, merkins, bomb jacks, CDDs, burppees 10 of each.
Mosey to small car circle. Get into discussion on true freedom and that is through Jesy=us CHrist. Q had found verses in bible that talked about freedom through him and matched it up with some good exercises. Fastest each round would get to read next verse. Here they are if you want to li=ook them up.Romans *:16- 10 jumpsquats. john 8:32 burpees- 1 peter 2:16-17- 10 grave diggers each side, 1 cort. 6:12 10 jumping lunges, 1 cort. 9:19 10 tony hawk burpees, Acts 13:39 10 bomb jacks, 2 cort. 3:17 15 squats, Psalm 119:45 20 CDDs, romans 6:6-7 20 merkins, gal. 5:1 10 hand release merkins, Gal. 5:13 20 Monkey Humpers, Psalm 118:5 20 flutter kicks. COT. Prayers, and Praises.
Thank You was an Honor.

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