Hills, Sprint zone, Steps, Sprinklers, and Fun

13 men showed up for loops of fun this morning.  We began with the Pledge of Allegiance at 05:14.  A quick disclaimer and description of the route thereafter.  The warm-up consisted of running to the top of the hill on Massey Street. We stopped there of a minute so I could explain the “Sprint Zone. ” Four sprints after completing pain station #2.  To keep it simple since I tend to forget the pain station exercises, each station had the same exercises:  10 bomb jacks, 10 hand release merkins, 10 squats.  Four stations:  Gas station on the corner of Massey and Spratt, parking lot on Massey, parking lot on Spratt, and steps on White.  Each loop was about a mile.  The “Sprint Zone” turned into a “Recovery Zone”   for most after the first lap.

Everyone did a great job.  I appreciate coming out each morning,  hearing the encouragement from others, and challenging myself to do better.

Life changing group.

 

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The Barry – The Bear + 1


July 9th was supposed to be the running of The Bear, a 5mi run up grandfather Mountain, however we’ve been covided. Event cancelled and so an open slot for crazy was open.

So in The Fort fashion, we can’t waste an opportunity to have an event with some level of difficulty and whole lot of fellowship and so THE BARRY was born. 

Don’t ask me why it’s called The Barry. The list of why we do things in F3 is endless and so you can add this one on there. THE BARRY will be The Bear plus 1, so it will be 6mi for you math geniuses.

Now pay attention; Running is not the only option!!  

  • You can run it, ruck it, bike it, walk it and if you are World Wide Leader…..you can power-skip it.

This is a Thursday evening and there will be 2ndF following. Please see Sign Up Genius so we can get an idea on numbers.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E44A5AE28A64-thebarry

Details:

  • Who: All PAX that are interested….spread the word
  • What: 6mi event with Pizza and drinks to follow….(bring own adult beverages if not a PBR fan)
  • When: Thursday July 9th at 7pm
  • Where: 7000 Regent Parkway (giant pyramid building….really unique place)
  • Why: Seriously ??
  • How: Just show up with gear to do what you do and have fun

YOU CAN ALSO USE THIS EVENT FOR YOUR MIKE DOTY RUN RESULTS. SEE EMAIL FROM DOTY RUN FOR MORE INFORMATION

  • Bring chair with you for 2nd F
  • Please use Sign Up so we have idea on numbers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E44A5AE28A64-thebarry
  • Event will kick off at 7pm Sharp, with cold PBRs and hot Pizza to follow. 
  • Participation prize for first 50 participants
  • Great opportunity to EH someone and show them how nuts we really are
  • Hat will be passed to cover pizza 

Let Cake Boss know of any questions.  Don’t Miss THE BARRY.…..you only live once!!!

 

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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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Wall Buddies

Ten pax came out to Block Party, officially at WEP again, on a muggy warm morning.

Short Mosey run to…
Warmup
S S H (12X I/C)
Windmills (10X I/C)
Imperial Walkers (10X I/C)
Moroccan N/C (10X I/C)
Low Slow Squats (10X I/C)
Arm Circles (10x I/C)
Peter Parkers (12X I/C)
Downward Dogs/Upwards Dogs

Mosey run to Springs side parking lot
Thang 1: Fishy Tracks [forward doing transportation noted, do exercise at count when called]
Toy soldiers walk – Burpees (did 5 and 5)
Bear crawl – merkin (did 10 and 10)
Lunge walk – squats (did 15 and 15)
Crab walk – LBC (did 20 and 20)

Mosey run to Pike’s front lot
Thang 2: Wall Buddies
Need a partner; size does not matter but cognitive skills does. Get on a wall sit near your partner.
Go down the line and each pair does rock-scissors-paper and note the result. When the line of pax is done, Q calls what to do:
Result is same = both do 10 burpees
Result is different = both do 20 merkins
All back on the wall, Repeat: Go down the line: Do rock-scissors-paper
Result is same = both do 10 bomb jacks
Result is different = both do 20 LBC
All back on the wall, Repeat: Go down the line: Do rock-scissors-paper
Result is same = both do 10 wall tar jais
Result is different = both do 20 smurf jacks

10 burpees OYO.

Mosey down 160 up the hill to Pike’s large parking lot.
Thang 3: Global Warming
Circle up, low stance position, all pax side shuffle about the circle, stop and do exercise called out
Gas Pumpers
Bobby Hurleys
And some others.

Mosey run back to COT area
Some mary (flutters, protractors)
Thang final: Big Balls
Play AC/DC’s “Big Balls”. Pax do a monkey humper at each utterance of balls in the song and offend the entire community at the same time.
Song is about 2:30.

Fini

Prayers for Asphalt and Cash, may God guide their doctors and bring a swift recovery.

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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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Negative Splits

23 was the number to launch The Fort’s newest AO: Sweep The Leg.  The goal of any AO should be acceleration of overall fitness of the Pax, and I believe we delivered this morning.

The workout was simple.  3 miles, half mile segments with pain stations.  The goal was negative splits with 3 minute pain stations between segments.  Something like the following:

  • .5 miles at 8:15 pace, 3 min pain station
  • .5 miles at 8:00 pace, 3 min pain station
  • .5 miles at 7:45 pace, 3 min pain station
  • .5 miles at 7:30 pace, 3 min pain station
  • .5 miles at 7:15 pace, 3 min pain station
  • .5 miles at 7:00 pace, 3 min pain station

Pain stations included crowd favorites such as:

  • Burpees
  • Bombjacks
  • Squats
  • Hillybilly Squats
  • Flutter
  • Freddy Mercury’s
  • Merkins
  • Mountain Climbers
  • Peter Parker
  • Parker Peter
  • Monkey Humpers

The leaders of the pack did the full pain station, those bringing up the six may or may not get to do the exercises at the pain station, but it kept the pax mostly together and pushed guys to keep up since the overall pace continued to speed up.

Hit this link for the route and some deets.

The #Kings this week were Pointer, Maximus, and Shady, who will be added to the Q list for an upcoming workout.

Ready your newsletter and pray for our country and the unrest going on right now due to racial injustice.

Honor to Serve.

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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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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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Long Duck at The Coop

It was a brisk morning at The Coop. As Site Q I feel led to write a quick Backblast for LD.

COP
30 SSH
20 Wind Mills
20 Tappy Taps
Mosey to Pull Up Bars

Partner up. Partner 1 runs down and up hill once while other partner chips away at the board of pain.

100 Pull Ups
100 toes/knees to bar
200 Merkins
200 Big Boy Sit Ups

Mosey to parking lot – 2×50 yard sprints

Back for COT.

Great lead by Long Duck!

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Reindeer Games 2019

Six men came out on the day after Christmas to participate in the 2019 Reindeer Games.  Weather was cool but dry.

Started with a mosey run
Continued with the Warm up
SSH (IC 12x)
Windmill (IC 12x)
Imperial Walker (IC 12x)
Low Slow Squats (IC12x)
Peter Parker (IC 12x)
Plank stretches
Downward dog
Honeymooner

Game 1: 7 of diamonds…
Location was a large parking lot as the baseball diamond was inconveniently located.
Stayed together as a gropup and did the below at each of the four points of the diamond, ran in between each point.
Rnd 1= 7 supermans
Rnd 2=14 gas pumpers
Rnd 3=21 squats
Rnd 4=28 flutters, each leg
Rnd 5=21 Amer Hammers
Rnd 6=14 LBC’s
Rnd 7=7 mak tar jie’s <<skipped due to time constraint…had to get to our bowling time slot.

Game 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 p-spot), other team bowls the count (varies 5 through 20, also written in p-spots) .
Exercises: burpees, bobby hurleys, Hand release merkins, Bomb jacks, Dips
Everyone got a turn bowling, and all exercises were done.

Game 3: Bear vs. Crab Soccer
Used a small parking lot
Split pax in two teams
Soccer ball in the middle
Team 1 bear crawls only, Team 2 crab walks only
Get the ball and try to score
After score, switch animals. Repeat.

Fini, COT

Prayers: Travelling Pax.  Praises: Cash home from medical treatment; succesful Clave Boss convergence on 12/24.

Reason for the season: Born that man no more may die.  Born to give them second birth.

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