Not Naked, Not Afraid, Just a VQ with a Crew

Slow Burn was smoldering this morning with 23 strong men choosing the gloom over the ‘sack & supporting YHC for my VQ! Some special guests were among the group: 2 PAX made the trek from Metro, and we welcomed our newest FNG (Cousin Eddie), EH’d by Rebel. Conditions were great – sky was clear & the rain last night cleaned the streets off for us, but also washed away my exercise notes from the curbs (lesson learned & more on that later)! It was the perfect setup for a VQ…

Started with the 5 Core Principles & Disclaimer, then got right to it.

WARMUP:
A short mosey around the parking lot
SSH x20
LSS x10
Alternating Lunges x10
Slooow Merkins (3-count down) x10
Imperial Walkers x10
Token Burpee x1

THE THANG:
Today was a somewhat of a hybrid of Pearls on a String / 11’s

Started at the 1st Street Light in front of Lowe’s Contractor Parking/Pickup
First “Pearls Set” was 10/ea: Merkins > LBC > Squats > Flutters > Big Boys > Plank Jacks
Then the “11’s Hybrid” component, which was 1x Flying Squirrel
Mosey up the road to the 3rd Street Light (back toward Empire Pizza)

Next was 9/ea of the Merks > LBC > Squats > Flutters > Big Boys > Plank Jacks
And 2x Flying Squirrels, then Mosey back to the 1st Street Light

Mosey & Repeat: 8/ea + 3, 7/ea + 4, etc. The exercises quickly moved from the main drive into the parking lot to get away from traffic. The last two rounds/sets were done in cadence – not just for my own accountability, but wanted everyone to finish together.

Short mosey back to the flag, where Mary joined us for the last 6’ish minutes. The unofficial total distance was just shy of 1.5mi (I haven’t yet joined the Strava cult).

I think the mumble chatter was good, though I was deaf to most of it as I was putting everything I had into calling exercises, trying to catch some breath in between, and pushing myself to just keep going!

Upon the clock striking 6am, the PAX graciously provided some feedback from the workout. I’ll remember to speak louder than what feels necessary (especially when in close proximity to a highway!), consult amazon to get my hands on some water-proof chalk (which sounds like it would be a parent’s nightmare… isn’t the fact that chalk doesn’t last is what makes it acceptable for the 2.0’s?!), and a Q should call an audible when needed & modify their own weinke to ensure the Q can complete it (I fumbled on completing the 9x Flying Squirrels, though I did pull it together & knocked out the last 10 when it was time)!

HUGE THANKS to Weezer – it was an incredible honor & privilege to have the opportunity to lead such an awesome group this morning. Huge shoutout & THANK YOU to Grizzly (my original EH’er) & WhatDid for making the early drive down from Metro (and THANKS to Shady for passing the note to them!). And another HUGE THANK YOU to all my PAX brothers who showed to know this morning. It was amazing having such a strong turnout! The support was more than humbling!

MARY: Yes

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Read your newsletter. 2nd F Lunch today (was today). F3 Dad’s this Saturday @ WEP.

COT: Praises & Prayers all around.

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Add 4, carry the 2, divide by 1.21 gigawatz

WARMUP: quick mosey, low slow squats, cherry pickers, merkins (stayed here for a minute), mountain climbers, plank jack, honeymooner, downward dog, bomb jacks for DH…more mosey, ran to the thang
THE THANG: A pile of goodies awaited us. Partnered up and found 1 item to share. Partner 1 did the exercise and called out the number they thought they could hit, partner 2 ran to the corner of the parking lot. Switch when partner 2 returned who also shared their guess on reps while partner 1 ran. Penalties were given for over/under and hitting numbers (this was all made up on the spot and math came into play). We rotated after each partner did the one exercise and the penalty after each round.

Exercises included:
-45 lb plate: round 1 shrugs, round 2 calf raises
-sandbag: round 1 man maker, round 2 shoulder press
-35 lb KB: R1 swings, R2 curls
-30 lb KB: R1 squats, R2 pass through lunges
-25 lb KB: R1 triceps extension, R2 plank row
-Ruck: R1 merkins, R2 chest press

We made it to round 2 for about 2-3 rotations. Penalties included merkins, bomb jacks, flutters, burpees, diamond merkins, etc. How much you went over or under drove the number of exercises and some of these had a multiplier…there was zero rhyme or reason to this.
MARY: No Mary today.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: lots in the newsletter, check that out
COT: lift up Sawdust’s mom who recently fell and lost a friend this past week

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Run, ruck or crawl…we’re taking the hill

WARMUP:
– Quick warmup lap around the parking lot (slick).  YHC received immediate feedback about running at a ruck WO.  Complaints noted.
– COP:
   – LSS (IC)
   – Overhead clap (IC)
   – SSH (IC)
   – Peter Parker (IC)
Runners started rolling into the parking lot as the 4 ruckers departed for “the hill.”  Apparently the hill is useful not only for a ruck WO, but also to train for The Bear.

THE THANG:
There are many hills on the peninsula, but Heart Attack Hill is in a class all its own.  Today’s wienke was simple…out/back to summit the hill.  While in route, we stopped at 5 minute intervals to complete 10 reps of each of the following exercises:
– Merkin (ruck on)
– Overhead press
– Ruck curls
– Ruck rows
– Squats (ruck on)
For the final 100 +/- yards up the hill, PAX were not permitted to wear the rucks on their backs.  We started with an overhead carry and were permitted to front carry (no straps) to rest.  Anyone who’s been on that section of the hill will understand the balance challenge this presents as due to the incline, you’re practically nose to pavement.  Heart rates were elevated.  The highest recorded metric was Divac’s 170 BPM “recovery” reading on the descent.  

2.55 miles and 7 rounds of exercises (350 total reps)

The runners remarked at the ruckers impeccable timing as we rolled into COT at 0559:45.  That could be attributed to solid planning, pure luck or more likely a little of each.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
– Q School
– FM Care Center
COT:
– Prayers for marriages

Honored for the opportunity to lead. Thanks Divac!

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Juneteenth 2022

Warmup:
SSH x19
Windmill x6
Burpee In cadence x10
Swings x89 (89 years from 1776 to 1865)

Move to far parking lot
13th amendment (abolishing slavery)
1 manmaker
3 squat thrusters
13 rounds

14th amendment (birth-right citizenship, equal protection under the law, insurrectionists can’t hold office)
1 manmaker
4 snatches (2R, 2L)
14 rounds

15th amendment (right to vote guaranteed without regard to race)
1 manmaker
5 cleans
Only had time for 2 rounds

At COT
6 burpee snatches
19 merkins

The workout setup worked pretty well for some mumblechatter and discussion. Good to recognize the emancipation day when liberty and justice for ALL was made the law of the land.

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The Encore … again

6 years ago, I Q’ed The Yard the morning after an Iron Maiden show. I pulled that Weinke out, then forgot it at home. Still can close …

WARMUP: mosey to the lot near the football field for some dynamic warm up back and forth across, shuffle, karaoke, butt kickers, toy soldier, soccer knees. Ending in a bear crawl that all executed completely. A couple stops at the side during, calf raises, merkins, BB sit ups, other stuff. 15 minutes worth.

Mosey to the bus loop. Half ran while half did LBCs, and flip flop. Same with squats and plank-o-rama

THE THANG: Mosey to the entrance with the hill, an exercise at the top related to an Iron Maiden song, then run the hill (Run to the Hills) after each exercise
Two Minutes to Midnight: 11 merkins, 58 OH Claps
Aces High: 11 … flying squirrels (I also recommended that everyone give a listen, my fav IM song … we’ll done Assassin)
22 Arcacia Avenue: 22 shoulder taps
Deja Vu: repeat 22 shoulder taps
Bruce Dickinson’s age: 6 of something, 3 of another
The Ides of March: 3 burpees, 15 merkins
There may have been another

MARY: no, Mary was not present

ANNOUNCEMENTS: sign up for lawn mowing, do your backblasts, eat your Wheaties

COT: Bitcoin accepted the site Q opportunity

Looks like we made it,

Barry Manilow

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15 pounder

WARMUP: Did some stretching and had a nice Indian run

THE THANG:
Did some time at the small wall/firepit with various sets of muscle exciters. Got in lots of kettlebell swings, lawnmower pulls and laps in between.

KB Swings
Lawnmower pulls
Triceps extensions
Halo circles
Hillbilly walkers w bell

-Lap-

Squats
LBC w bell
Deadlifts
KB Swings

-Lap-

KB Swings
Tricept extensions
Around the World

-Lap-

Lawmower pulls
Clean press
Halo circles
KB swings

-Lap-

Squats
LBC’s
Around the world
Shoulder presses

-Lap-

Lawnmower pulls
Tricept extensions
Deadlifts
Clean press

-Lap-

Then, pass the duitchie, where we all got to feel Tesh mammoth and Destiny’ 15 pounder.

COT: Mentioned a few things in the newsletter including FM Care Center lawn sign up, Pusher bringing back Q Source

Prayers for Destiny’s colleague with health issues, Band Camp’s church for VBS (for seeds to be planted) and for Pusher’s daughter Emma and surgery/recovery for torn ACL.

Good crew this morning. Lots of good mumble chatter. Missed Battle Bot…..Appreciate the opportunity to lead!

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WEP full circle.

WARMUP: 15 SSH and 5 windmills while waiting on NASA.
THE THANG: Mosey over to the WEP loop. 20 squats in the first corner. Then 5 pull-ups at the playground. 20 flutter kicks at the 2nd corner. 10 merkins at the top of the hill corner. 15 monkey jumpers at the bandshell. As many laps as possible.
MARY: none.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: bethel mens shelter tonight. Blood drive.
COT: spud took us out with a beautiful prayer. Very thankful for my last Q here. And overall thankful for the men of F3 the Fort for making me the person I am today.

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Rollin’ on the River

WARMUP: Turn on your lights
THE THANG: Run, Walk or Ruck. Those doing the full 5 hit Harvest Pointe. Backdraft sweated out some extra Cabernet from Sunday night and YHC survived wearing mismatched shoes, a symptom of getting dressed in the dark so you don’t wake the M.
MARY: Turn off your lights
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Golf tournament. Next Monday Flight Plan will meet in adjacent parking lot behind Killingtons because Starbucks is being paved.
COT: Prayers for Backdraft’s in-laws the Williams in Covid quarantine in Italy; prayers for healing for Sugar Daddy’s back; prayers for recent graduates for smart decisions this summer and guidance as they enter life’s next challenges.

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A little baseball at the Burn

WARMUP: 2 Ruckers launched and a short mosey followed by a few exercises. An attempt to do a Hillbilly March followed by an Indian run.
THE THANG: A wall sit with pax rotating merkins. A ladder of jacks exercises. A few innings of baseball with pain stations as bases.
MARY: Did a burpee wave.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Read the newsletter and get to The Yard!
COT: Lord’s Prayer and 15 seconds of silence.

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